I just ordered one. I live in AU so we don't know when stock will arrive. First allocation is only 4 cars! I'm keeping my W204 C63 as a daily but with this car having heated and ventilated seats I got a feeling it's going to get daily use! But actually I am thinking of trading the C63 for an SUV or pickup once the C8 arrives
WOW ! what a review ! I have seen about 99% of RUclips videos on the C8 for the past 1.5 years and yours is one of the best ! I just got my C8 a week ago after 1.3 year wait, Red mist with body color, convertible with natural dipped interior.
> This will be a nightmare for the 718... Agreed. I was cross-shopping a few vehicles and it ended up being 718 GTS vs C8 for me. Drove them both extensively. While the GTS was more comfy and slightly better around a track, it was not $20k+ better than the C8. Ended up ordering a brand new C8 for $25k less than the cheapest lightly used GTS I could find. No brainer. Love the C8.
Disagree with your last comment. With a dual clutch, and the shift times, there is no need for a manual transmission. Otherwise, great video, most informative and better than most other C8 videos.
As a kid, I aspired to own a Corvette one day. As I aged a bit, the aspiration turned to Porsche and specifically the 911. As I've now aged further still, the C8 has me wondering if it's time to stop aspiring and instead decide it's time to actually do. Thanks as always for the unrivaled car content George...
Fantastic review.....thank you thank you...As a former C5Z ,C6Z, C7GS and now awaiting my C8HTC (ordered 8/20 and it arrives first week of June '21), you knocked this evaluation out of the park for me. GREAT JOB and keep 'em coming....
@@clubracer6 Accelerates like no other, handles the road like on rails, rides so smooth and exudes confidence in the driver. My wife rarely drove our C7GS (nose too long, worried about wrecking the spoiler), she loves the C8 (never touched the C5Z-Lingenfelter and the C6Z-Hennessey as the modifications scared her), attended the Spring Mountain opportunity which only raised her confidence (15 men and her and she wasn't the slowest in class ;) ). Enough said.... ;)
@@gregorykoning572 Very cool and funny you mention your wife. I am a die hard manual guy, but falling for the C8 and the bonus of no manual is maybe my wife will drive it more and get more into this hobby/obsession with me. Thanks for the reply.
Got my Z51 2LT ZBM w/MRC in June and have managed to put 2100 miles on it before Thanksgiving when I parked, covered it and put the trickle charge on it. Driven several Corvettes but this one is it for me. All I’ve ever wanted.
Understeer in the c8 is not a flaw, its intentional. Lots if inexperienced drivers are going to purchase this car unlike its competitors. It is to protect Chevrolet customers.
@@tomtom72 speed phenom has the most track time experience with this car. At least on RUclips that is. But he does the track alignment with sport cup twos and I've never heard him complain once about understeer
Motoman! Firstly, I am going to admit that you have not been my favorite car review guy. But, I have to tell you , you did your own Moon Shot with this review. Superb photography, serious in depth car content discussion, and you put us in the drivers seat with how this car performs way over its weight (cost) class. No one, anywhere, has done it so well.
Good job on the video! One of the things I love about the C8 is it will accommodate a tall 6’4” guy like me. I had a C6 convertible that I fit into no problem, and enjoyed putting 91k miles on it before selling it. I then wanted a C7, but I couldn’t fit in any version of it. Since the C8 came out, I’ve waited 4 years for the frenzy of ridiculous $30k to $50k mark-ups to cease, and for the secondary market to soften. Thanks to the shifting frenzy to Z06, ERay, and also more availability, 2023 is the time to pounce. I finally got a 2021 3LT Z51 HTC C8 w/1,300 miles on it for $10k under MSRP sticker. I don’t understand how someone passed up 2 years of driving this amazing wonder. It still has new car smell. Only 650 mi/yr? I’ve got 300 miles on it in two weeks, and it’s been out of action for ceramic coating, radar detector installation, and a vicious rain storm. It’s time to make up for lost fun, and squeeze in some track time too. I’m back in the Corvette tribe, and couldn’t be happier with this rocket! Keep up the good work.
As an aging baby boomer, I had come to think of a Corvette as uncool, a car for, well, an aging baby boomer- a key reason that I would want to get into something else. The new mid-engine breaks the perception, it's something an old guy drives. The new style is awesome, and the retractable hardtop a must! A very sexy sports car, at a great price, that one can take off on the highway and get outstanding gas mileage.
Our 2023 C8 3LT HTC is perfect. It’s a non-Z51 with performance exhaust, front lift, magnetic ride, front splitter, low spoiler, and the black exhaust tips. It will never see a track with me in it and the mag ride was worth every penny. I thought the manual transmission in my C6 would be missed until I drove this automatic. At 75 years old, I finally found my perfect car.
I am 83 so I wanted the 2021 convertible as soon as possible. I paid an extra $15,000 over list to get one from the dealer in 2 months. It was called a special order.
Sublime, intelligent review; so professionally done. As a pilot, of course the setting adds considerably to the viewing value. In the C8, I do believe GM has America's Ferrari-killer, to say nothing of the iconic Porsches as well. This car is just spectacular. Again, a superb review.
The Z06 is supposed to be a track specific car in the C8 series this time around. You will also be able to purchase a race derived motor like in the GT3. As far as weight is concerned, you can easily drop 100lbs by buying aftermarket wheels and brake rotor, but the Z06 is coming with carbon ceramics. I dont want a 200k Corvette to ever be a thing like Porsches strategy.
@@mogulme6190 The market wont support it at all. The ZR1s orders plummeted at the begining of the C8 rumor. Dont forget Volkwagen wants Lamborghini gone asap, and McLaren was saved by oil rich countries. Sports cars are simply a money losing proposition. Porsches SUV brought the company back into profit.
@@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921 nothing you said really pertains to corvette...the difference with Lamborghini is that everything they make is way over 100k. The base c8 can be 100k with a bunch of options the top tier z06 will probably top out close to 150k so it’d make complete sense that a c8 zr1 would break the 200k mark
@@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921 zr1 orders plummeting has absolutely nothing to do with anything you said either...also research the fact that the average current base model c8 buyer is way wealthier than pass corvette buyers
@@mogulme6190 So is everyone else that buys luxury sports cars. The wealth is measured in assets. Since the C7, asset prices rose considerably. Salaries did not however rise, and many would say they decreased based on inflation. The point being is that GM is not in the exclusive luxury market, or perceived as being so. At the 200k level, people go somewhere else for their cars. Acura NSX is a great example of overpricing your target group of buyers.
Good vlog. The only thing I am not with you. I ordered the convertible but WITHOUT the Z51 package. It is $6000 now and i don’t intend to track drive it and I live in Florida, we only have straight roads.
@Rubedo Alaberti thanks for pointing that out. This is my first video catching him. Came for the amazing C8, stayed for the solid review and sweet hangar.
It seems to me that GM would have a excellent hard-core lightweight Corvette with a GT3 version. Excellent idea. The question is now how much could they charge and how many customers would be interested.
Not sure if anyone corrected you when you were talking about the Corvette from the 60s being made in St. Louis. Last year for the Corvette in St. Louis was 1982. There wasn’t a 1983 Corvette that was the move to Kentucky. But I believe every Corvette from 1954 to 1982 were all made in my hometown not too far from my house in the STL. I believe the 53 was kind of the first year prototype they were made in Michigan but then they brought them down here and 54. My dad back in the day had a friend that used to hand spray paint the cars lacquer back in the day. Great review on the car gave you a thumbs up great location with the airplanes in the backdrop, thank you very much.
Great review! And perfect timing finding it on my part. My C8 just hit the dealership. My car is almost Identical to the one you reviewed. Same color combination outside, Z51 and Mag Ride package. I however went with the 3LT and the front end raise option as well. I pick up my car next week and you have made it much, much harder to wait. It's going to be an awesome New Year!!!
The hardtop fixes all the normal convertible problems - if I get one of these it will be drop top. The targa on my C7 is nice but seeing the sky with a push of a button is just too easy to pass up.
I have a coup now and the HTC is way better because you can keep your golf clubs in the trunk and put the top down. Plus the wind noise in a coup with the top off is unbearable. My HTC will be here in April. 👍
Corvette production moved from St Louis to Bowling Green Kentucky in 1981.The C-8 needs a manual GM says no way,At least Porsche listened and the 992 can now be had with a manual.Great review as always. Love the hanger and the aircraft inside.Try to get a P-51 in the hanger when you do future reviews
From an engineering standpoint, I don't really consider such things like this as a moonshot. This is simply a byproduct of highly competent engineering with management willing to provide them with an environment that allows outside-the-norm development. This kind of stuff just requires management to say "ok." There are forever shortages of opportunity in engineering. There's sound business reason for a lot of it, for example, time and cost constraints, hitting center mass in the mainstream market space, and mitigating risks. Sometimes engineers get a little extra leash. A good example is Honda's Civic styling, a pretty aggressive choice in a mainstream market, but it offered the ability to break out of the mold and have a visually interesting product that's unique and instantly identifiable in a sea of mundane shapes. I can INSTANTLY see a Civic in a mass of cars on the road or in a parking lot. That alone can carry a lot of weight. This is especially true with a desirable image. Remember the second gen Dodge Ram that made their pickups look like mini semis? That was an instant homerun and sales skyrocketed, all because someone said "ok." The C8 is a great example of this too. They've been talking about it for what seems like a couple decades, always wanting to make a mid engine corvette. It's always so wonderful to finally be given the ok to actually do something more wild, well not even wild, just better. And that's generally the case. Engineers want to make better, and usually this big swings in design are completely grounded in science and purpose, but no one let them move forward with it. So many amazing cars started as prototypes or little skunkworks projects, projects of passion and vision. The Miata wouldn't exist without these passion projects and vision of something better, something more ideal, and finally someone saying "ok." I'm so glad the mid engine Corvette now exists. I'm also very excited to see it evolve in the coming years with trim releases but also how Chevrolet will evolve and improve upon the mid engine design in generation 2, 3, and more. The Corvette is finally mid engine. Now lets see how far they push it.
@@philsalley3278 You would have to cut into the structure to add batteries, lol. Adding a couple of holes for shift linkages wouldnt compromise anything.
@@EK-rr2md Why would you need to cut into the structure to add batteries inside a tunnel that is open below? A structural beam (the tunnel) would lose some of its structural strength if its integrity is compromised. I believe Chevy has stated this as a reason for not offering a manual, which other than purists, magazine and RUclips reviewers would add nothing in terms of performance other than losing consistently to the DCT.
Yes, manual transmission, I am old school. Ordered a 2023 C8 HTC yesterday for delivery around summer of 23 but have never even driven a paddle shift....lol
Fantastic video as per usual. I was looking forward to you getting a C8 to test for quite some time. As expected, you didn’t disappoint. Well done... thank you.
Wonderful thorough review. Dare I say it was a moonshot review!😉 BTW you need a “space frame” for a moonshot. 🚀 Also like the idea of specials. How about an SS version.
The Z51 Package option can be dropped if the additional cooling option was available being that you can get the performance exhaust (395HP) option and the brakes are the same.
You’ve given me a lot to think about here. I’ve honestly never been a big Corvette fan. I’ve always respected it as a great affordable American sports car icon, but this mid engine setup is now on my short list of must own cars. If I were ever crazy enough to sell my ND Miata, this car as a convertible would probably be my choice, but please, please GM release a version with a 6 speed M/T.
I know I am heavy on space references with this episodes, but this is a completely different universe than a Miata. Would highly suggest it as alternative without the troubles of reliability associated with the Germans.
The engine access the easier way is buy the coupe targa top car, also a Convertible. Press a button and lift the lid and there is your engine! The top with three latches can be in the trunk and you are on your way in 30 seconds.
From a devoted fan... Awesome video. You truly do spoil your subscribers with your amazing content. I think you’re stretching with the ski boot reference but if you were a skier I guess you get it? I’m a Hooper and if I had the wrong basketball shoe I guess it will be equivalent? Either way I enjoyed it great work keep doing what you’re doing
I’m shopping these cars right now. Above all else, the manual transmission is the biggest reason why I’m picking the Porsche GTS 4.0 over the C8. Take that out of the equation, and the outcome changes. Please, GM.....
@MotoManTV Excellent video as always. I would love to see a light weight twin turbo Grand Sport. Wide body massive carbon fiber breaks. Moonshot- Twin charged Grand Sport! Super charger for immediate torque & Big turbo for top end. I LOVE your idea of a GTRS version of the C8!!! I would LOVE to see a more svelte C8 Grand Sport ZD Edition. GS ZD (Zora Duntoff) as he designed the C8 for racing. It would be super lightweight as above with the option to remove trunk and shorten the body or add a inner chiller inside the trunk for super low intake temps. Remove all sound deadening and thin glass add cage or roll bar liken to your boys at Weissach. 😉🤔🤯😜🙏🙏🙏
Nice piece! I bought the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo in 1990. It was blazing fast with a manual transmission. I wouldn't mind a manual transmission in the C8 if I was 40 again but at 70 - no thanks! One correction: the Bowling Green plant was opened in 1981.
They may leak, but I'll bet that the piston stack will wear before the body starts to leak. No matter as they are about the same price as the antique FX3 replacements, about 370 ish each shock. I'll wager that Bilstein makes them and by the time you need to get new ones there will be an exchange/rebuild program in place. just like the FX3 program. I'd be more worried about the e-LSD going thru clutches. Remember they are using that to torque steer the rear end in corners.
I still don’t get larger rear brake rotors in the rear. Certainly when braking the weight dives forwards. I know you said “please note where the engine is”. A 911 has its engine in the rear but the front rotors are bigger than the rears.
The Porsche has had decades in similar form to iron out everything, this vette is very new and will only get better as they add engineering adjustments to this setup. The Porsche has been refined over decades with minor adjustments that being scaling it larger
Here me out... Twin turbo V6 with 48 volt system that the AMGs have this will give the car better weight distribution. Make it all wheel drive! Thoughts?
Had the chance to track day a C8 and while it has some very good traits it does suffer from understeer and it’s quite bad with the “street “ 4 wheel alignment but gets significantly better with the “track” 4 wheel alignment but that causes absurd tire wear. Chevy has some serious chassis and suspension work to do to make that a good car.
Wider front tires might help. Did you use any of the PTM modes on track? Even my C7 understeers in standard track mode, PTM Sport 2 allows for greater slip angle in the rear. Assume the C8 is tuned similarly to keep people from swapping ends while trying to impress their friends.
I love Corvette's and still own my 2008 convertible. The C8 convertible still looks like a coupe to me with the top down and you pay almost 10k more for it. Other than that and not being offered in a manual I do like everything else about it. I just wish they made the C pillars disappear when it goes topless.
I like the double clutch automatic with the manual over ride. I like conveniences too. Adaptive cruise control would be on my list. I live in Houston....
Great video..... but did you say “fiberglass”? Vettes have not been made of fiberglass in a long time. The body is plastic similar to a Barbie corvette. I currently have a C6 and my C8 will be here in April😀😀😀😀
If the state trooper doesn't hear me coming, I might be able to beat the LIDAR gun... can we get a AWD Ultium BEV with all wheel steering? Randy Pobst tracks times at Laguna Seca and Willow Springs would be interesting see with this set up.
There's a ton they got right.....and about 30% that they got wrong. I am not a big fan of the rear design. A bit too many sharp edges, a wing that doesn't fit the look, and a few too many plastic looking black trim pieces. Car drives fast enough. Probably handles great. Good review. For $59k its worth it. But as the price climbs it is not such a great deal overall.
@@johnmoore3504 Yes, I would delete that and some of the other black trim pieces that add distraction to an otherwise pretty decent design theme. I wouldn't pay $85k for one either however. At $59k they are a worthwhile purchase. Just my opinion.
My ultimate dream cars used to be Ferrari, now it's the Corvette C8 with enough money left over to buy a winter truck too.
I like the logic!
I just ordered one. I live in AU so we don't know when stock will arrive. First allocation is only 4 cars! I'm keeping my W204 C63 as a daily but with this car having heated and ventilated seats I got a feeling it's going to get daily use! But actually I am thinking of trading the C63 for an SUV or pickup once the C8 arrives
DIG THAT
Same here, pick mine up in December! Can't wait :)
WOW ! what a review ! I have seen about 99% of RUclips videos on the C8 for the past 1.5 years and yours is one of the best ! I just got my C8 a week ago after 1.3 year wait, Red mist with body color, convertible with natural dipped interior.
Thanks, Willie . . . means a lot. Congrats on your patience paying off!
Do you have any concern about the seats getting a dirty appearance on the light-colored leather?
Willie how are you liking the red. Seriously considering it. Is it worth the $1k?
The C8 has made me respect all corvettes. This Sports car does amazing things
> This will be a nightmare for the 718...
Agreed. I was cross-shopping a few vehicles and it ended up being 718 GTS vs C8 for me. Drove them both extensively. While the GTS was more comfy and slightly better around a track, it was not $20k+ better than the C8. Ended up ordering a brand new C8 for $25k less than the cheapest lightly used GTS I could find. No brainer. Love the C8.
Disagree with your last comment. With a dual clutch, and the shift times, there is no need for a manual transmission. Otherwise, great video, most informative and better than most other C8 videos.
As a kid, I aspired to own a Corvette one day. As I aged a bit, the aspiration turned to Porsche and specifically the 911. As I've now aged further still, the C8 has me wondering if it's time to stop aspiring and instead decide it's time to actually do. Thanks as always for the unrivaled car content George...
Just Do It!
The thinking man’s car review channel. One of the best on RUclips.
I agree completely. Very intelligent commentary. My favorite.
How are c8 prices right now? Above MSRP ?
Agreed!
@@davecarlson6275 8888888887777777777778777u77uu867uu77777777
I would argue THE best on RUclips
Any Corvette review referencing Zora Arkus-Duntov deserves a thumbs up!
Fantastic review.....thank you thank you...As a former C5Z ,C6Z, C7GS and now awaiting my C8HTC (ordered 8/20 and it arrives first week of June '21), you knocked this evaluation out of the park for me. GREAT JOB and keep 'em coming....
So after a year how do you like it compared to the others?
@@clubracer6 Accelerates like no other, handles the road like on rails, rides so smooth and exudes confidence in the driver. My wife rarely drove our C7GS (nose too long, worried about wrecking the spoiler), she loves the C8 (never touched the C5Z-Lingenfelter and the C6Z-Hennessey as the modifications scared her), attended the Spring Mountain opportunity which only raised her confidence (15 men and her and she wasn't the slowest in class ;) ). Enough said.... ;)
@@gregorykoning572 Very cool and funny you mention your wife. I am a die hard manual guy, but falling for the C8 and the bonus of no manual is maybe my wife will drive it more and get more into this hobby/obsession with me. Thanks for the reply.
This man is an excellent car reviewer.... should be much more popular!
Got my Z51 2LT ZBM w/MRC in June and have managed to put 2100 miles on it before Thanksgiving when I parked, covered it and put the trickle charge on it. Driven several Corvettes but this one is it for me. All I’ve ever wanted.
So good! Drove on track at NCM Corvette. Trying to get my hands on a C8 Z06 HTC in Elkhart Lake blue 3LZ with Tension blue Interior
Understeer in the c8 is not a flaw, its intentional. Lots if inexperienced drivers are going to purchase this car unlike its competitors. It is to protect Chevrolet customers.
and, if the understeer is that bothersome just do the track alignment and swap the rubber to R888's or similar and I think that cures the issue. No?
@@tomtom72 speed phenom has the most track time experience with this car. At least on RUclips that is. But he does the track alignment with sport cup twos and I've never heard him complain once about understeer
Corvette has been produced in Bowling Green since 1981
The Corvette has been built in Bowling Green KY since the 1981 MY.
And designed in Detroit.😉
Also we can let it be known how much better this man is doing reviews than the other youtubers
Motoman! Firstly, I am going to admit that you have not been my favorite car review guy. But, I have to tell you , you did your own Moon Shot with this review. Superb photography, serious in depth car content discussion, and you put us in the drivers seat with how this car performs way over its weight (cost) class. No one, anywhere, has done it so well.
Good job on the video! One of the things I love about the C8 is it will accommodate a tall 6’4” guy like me. I had a C6 convertible that I fit into no problem, and enjoyed putting 91k miles on it before selling it. I then wanted a C7, but I couldn’t fit in any version of it. Since the C8 came out, I’ve waited 4 years for the frenzy of ridiculous $30k to $50k mark-ups to cease, and for the secondary market to soften. Thanks to the shifting frenzy to Z06, ERay, and also more availability, 2023 is the time to pounce. I finally got a 2021 3LT Z51 HTC C8 w/1,300 miles on it for $10k under MSRP sticker. I don’t understand how someone passed up 2 years of driving this amazing wonder. It still has new car smell. Only 650 mi/yr? I’ve got 300 miles on it in two weeks, and it’s been out of action for ceramic coating, radar detector installation, and a vicious rain storm. It’s time to make up for lost fun, and squeeze in some track time too. I’m back in the Corvette tribe, and couldn’t be happier with this rocket! Keep up the good work.
Great buy and insight . . . congrats!
As an aging baby boomer, I had come to think of a Corvette as uncool, a car for, well, an aging baby boomer- a key reason that I would want to get into something else. The new mid-engine breaks the perception, it's something an old guy drives. The new style is awesome, and the retractable hardtop a must! A very sexy sports car, at a great price, that one can take off on the highway and get outstanding gas mileage.
Our 2023 C8 3LT HTC is perfect. It’s a non-Z51 with performance exhaust, front lift, magnetic ride, front splitter, low spoiler, and the black exhaust tips. It will never see a track with me in it and the mag ride was worth every penny. I thought the manual transmission in my C6 would be missed until I drove this automatic. At 75 years old, I finally found my perfect car.
I am 83 so I wanted the 2021 convertible as soon as possible. I paid an extra $15,000 over list to get one from the dealer in 2 months. It was called a special order.
You can't take it with you enjoy
Happy to see you continue to do great work and looking strong and healthy. Keep it up!
Sublime, intelligent review; so professionally done. As a pilot, of course the setting adds considerably to the viewing value. In the C8, I do believe GM has America's Ferrari-killer, to say nothing of the iconic Porsches as well. This car is just spectacular. Again, a superb review.
Best launch footage I've seen, maybe ever
That was the best angle for a launch. He really caught how fast the car is. Was thinking the same thing.
Corvette ZO6, built to the gills, bose audio zero distortion, top notch mechanics, instrumentation. USA RULES
The Z06 is supposed to be a track specific car in the C8 series this time around. You will also be able to purchase a race derived motor like in the GT3. As far as weight is concerned, you can easily drop 100lbs by buying aftermarket wheels and brake rotor, but the Z06 is coming with carbon ceramics. I dont want a 200k Corvette to ever be a thing like Porsches strategy.
A 200k corvette is definitely coming, but it won’t be the upcoming z06
@@mogulme6190 The market wont support it at all. The ZR1s orders plummeted at the begining of the C8 rumor. Dont forget Volkwagen wants Lamborghini gone asap, and McLaren was saved by oil rich countries. Sports cars are simply a money losing proposition. Porsches SUV brought the company back into profit.
@@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921 nothing you said really pertains to corvette...the difference with Lamborghini is that everything they make is way over 100k. The base c8 can be 100k with a bunch of options the top tier z06 will probably top out close to 150k so it’d make complete sense that a c8 zr1 would break the 200k mark
@@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921 zr1 orders plummeting has absolutely nothing to do with anything you said either...also research the fact that the average current base model c8 buyer is way wealthier than pass corvette buyers
@@mogulme6190 So is everyone else that buys luxury sports cars. The wealth is measured in assets. Since the C7, asset prices rose considerably. Salaries did not however rise, and many would say they decreased based on inflation. The point being is that GM is not in the exclusive luxury market, or perceived as being so. At the 200k level, people go somewhere else for their cars. Acura NSX is a great example of overpricing your target group of buyers.
Moonshot 👍👍👍 ....we love our 2020 C-8 🔥check out our review and let us know what you think. Body build coming soon on our channel 🔥
Good vlog. The only thing I am not with you. I ordered the convertible but WITHOUT the Z51 package. It is $6000 now and i don’t intend to track drive it and I live in Florida, we only have straight roads.
Best C8 review to date.
Base price C8's are sold in Unicorn, USA
Patience, USA
I had one and flipped it. It is crazy..
Are we just gonna ignore the fact he is filming in a dream airplane hangar
@Rubedo Alaberti thanks for pointing that out. This is my first video catching him. Came for the amazing C8, stayed for the solid review and sweet hangar.
Welcome to our show, Aaron. You can see the blue plane in action here: ruclips.net/video/VNq820peQ8U/видео.html
He's not driving real fast, he's just flying really, really LOW!
It seems to me that GM would have a excellent hard-core lightweight Corvette with a GT3 version. Excellent idea. The question is now how much could they charge and how many customers would be interested.
Not sure if anyone corrected you when you were talking about the Corvette from the 60s being made in St. Louis. Last year for the Corvette in St. Louis was 1982. There wasn’t a 1983 Corvette that was the move to Kentucky. But I believe every Corvette from 1954 to 1982 were all made in my hometown not too far from my house in the STL. I believe the 53 was kind of the first year prototype they were made in Michigan but then they brought them down here and 54. My dad back in the day had a friend that used to hand spray paint the cars lacquer back in the day. Great review on the car gave you a thumbs up great location with the airplanes in the backdrop, thank you very much.
I w anted to wait until the C-8 had a manual but at 80 years old I did not think I could wait!
Unfortunately no manual option
Just came across your channel (August 2024) - love it! As per your final moonshot wish - the ZR-1 has now arrived!
Many thanks for the very informative details on the C8.
Great review! And perfect timing finding it on my part. My C8 just hit the dealership. My car is almost Identical to the one you reviewed. Same color combination outside, Z51 and Mag Ride package. I however went with the 3LT and the front end raise option as well. I pick up my car next week and you have made it much, much harder to wait. It's going to be an awesome New Year!!!
I've never been a convertible guy but in person the vert vette looks 10x better than the coupe.
The hardtop fixes all the normal convertible problems - if I get one of these it will be drop top. The targa on my C7 is nice but seeing the sky with a push of a button is just too easy to pass up.
I have a coup now and the HTC is way better because you can keep your golf clubs in the trunk and put the top down. Plus the wind noise in a coup with the top off is unbearable. My HTC will be here in April. 👍
The 991.1 GT3 also goes into neutral when both shift paddles are pulled...
I believe most flappy paddle gearbox cars do.
Moonshot. Yes, C8 GT3
Corvette production moved from St Louis to Bowling Green Kentucky in 1981.The C-8 needs a manual GM says no way,At least Porsche listened and the 992 can now be had with a manual.Great review as always. Love the hanger and the aircraft inside.Try to get a P-51 in the hanger when you do future reviews
Corvette Zora. Wishlist granted!
From an engineering standpoint, I don't really consider such things like this as a moonshot. This is simply a byproduct of highly competent engineering with management willing to provide them with an environment that allows outside-the-norm development. This kind of stuff just requires management to say "ok." There are forever shortages of opportunity in engineering. There's sound business reason for a lot of it, for example, time and cost constraints, hitting center mass in the mainstream market space, and mitigating risks. Sometimes engineers get a little extra leash. A good example is Honda's Civic styling, a pretty aggressive choice in a mainstream market, but it offered the ability to break out of the mold and have a visually interesting product that's unique and instantly identifiable in a sea of mundane shapes. I can INSTANTLY see a Civic in a mass of cars on the road or in a parking lot. That alone can carry a lot of weight. This is especially true with a desirable image. Remember the second gen Dodge Ram that made their pickups look like mini semis? That was an instant homerun and sales skyrocketed, all because someone said "ok." The C8 is a great example of this too. They've been talking about it for what seems like a couple decades, always wanting to make a mid engine corvette. It's always so wonderful to finally be given the ok to actually do something more wild, well not even wild, just better. And that's generally the case. Engineers want to make better, and usually this big swings in design are completely grounded in science and purpose, but no one let them move forward with it. So many amazing cars started as prototypes or little skunkworks projects, projects of passion and vision. The Miata wouldn't exist without these passion projects and vision of something better, something more ideal, and finally someone saying "ok." I'm so glad the mid engine Corvette now exists. I'm also very excited to see it evolve in the coming years with trim releases but also how Chevrolet will evolve and improve upon the mid engine design in generation 2, 3, and more. The Corvette is finally mid engine. Now lets see how far they push it.
Own C6 manual grand sport. That connection is like Velcro, can’t imagine anything better than alien tech...
Mine is being delivered on Nov 17th! Mid life crisis at 69! I plan on living for a long time😎🇺🇸
Enjoy her!
@@MotoManTV Thanks. Enjoy the show!
Design of the tunnel prevents manual transmission
Yes. So these conversations are pointless. Surprised MotoMan was not aware of this as it is common knowledge.
No it doesnt. They are reportedly going to install batteries in there for the hybrid version. There is no reason they couldnt engineer a manual.
@@EK-rr2md Putting batteries in the tunnel would not compromise the structure. Cutting into the tunnel would compromise the structure.
@@philsalley3278 You would have to cut into the structure to add batteries, lol. Adding a couple of holes for shift linkages wouldnt compromise anything.
@@EK-rr2md Why would you need to cut into the structure to add batteries inside a tunnel that is open below? A structural beam (the tunnel) would lose some of its structural strength if its integrity is compromised. I believe Chevy has stated this as a reason for not offering a manual, which other than purists, magazine and RUclips reviewers would add nothing in terms of performance other than losing consistently to the DCT.
Very cool review! Had fun listening to the end.
WOW it looks amazing! I upgraded mine just a couple of days ago with Victor Racing parts, i think the wing would fit this one perfectly!
Your moonshot scenario makes a lot of sense
Yes, manual transmission, I am old school. Ordered a 2023 C8 HTC yesterday for delivery around summer of 23 but have never even driven a paddle shift....lol
Fantastic video as per usual. I was looking forward to you getting a C8 to test for quite some time. As expected, you didn’t disappoint. Well done... thank you.
Great review MM!
The Z06 version of this is going to be insane
I really want to hear that flat plane v8 howl
I am #244 at MacMulkin for the Z06; all the available info and guesses make it sound like a sweet track car!
Wonderful thorough review. Dare I say it was a moonshot review!😉 BTW you need a “space frame” for a moonshot. 🚀
Also like the idea of specials. How about an SS version.
Terrific review! You have a new subscriber.
The Z51 Package option can be dropped if the additional cooling option was available being that you can get the performance exhaust (395HP) option and the brakes are the same.
I bought a 2021 2LT. I love it
Excellent review!!
At 86k, that’s hard to beat.
Great review.
Great review. A moonshot aptly describes what GM has done here. Mine lands Jan 27th
FYI - The Z51 Package DOES NOT INCLUDE THE MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL SYSTEM..... It's a package you need to purchase separately....
You’ve given me a lot to think about here. I’ve honestly never been a big Corvette fan. I’ve always respected it as a great affordable American sports car icon, but this mid engine setup is now on my short list of must own cars. If I were ever crazy enough to sell my ND Miata, this car as a convertible would probably be my choice, but please, please GM release a version with a 6 speed M/T.
I know I am heavy on space references with this episodes, but this is a completely different universe than a Miata. Would highly suggest it as alternative without the troubles of reliability associated with the Germans.
The engine access the easier way is buy the coupe targa top car, also a Convertible. Press a button and lift the lid and there is your engine! The top with three latches can be in the trunk and you are on your way in 30 seconds.
wait till the DOHC 32 valve flatplane crank version comes out... totally different beast
From a devoted fan... Awesome video. You truly do spoil your subscribers with your amazing content. I think you’re stretching with the ski boot reference but if you were a skier I guess you get it? I’m a Hooper and if I had the wrong basketball shoe I guess it will be equivalent? Either way I enjoyed it great work keep doing what you’re doing
Thanks for the kind words, Christian!
I’m shopping these cars right now. Above all else, the manual transmission is the biggest reason why I’m picking the Porsche GTS 4.0 over the C8. Take that out of the equation, and the outcome changes. Please, GM.....
I'm with you. I picked up a 997 turbo manual and am now thinking of a 992.2 GT3 manual. Would like to try a Z06 C8 but not if there isnt a manual.
I think that they might do that with the Zora model. It may be a special variation. Possibly limited production.
@MotoManTV Excellent video as always. I would love to see a light weight twin turbo Grand Sport. Wide body massive carbon fiber breaks. Moonshot- Twin charged Grand Sport! Super charger for immediate torque & Big turbo for top end. I LOVE your idea of a GTRS version of the C8!!! I would LOVE to see a more svelte C8 Grand Sport ZD Edition. GS ZD (Zora Duntoff) as he designed the C8 for racing. It would be super lightweight as above with the option to remove trunk and shorten the body or add a inner chiller inside the trunk for super low intake temps. Remove all sound deadening and thin glass add cage or roll bar liken to your boys at Weissach. 😉🤔🤯😜🙏🙏🙏
Nice piece! I bought the Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo in 1990. It was blazing fast with a manual transmission. I wouldn't mind a manual transmission in the C8 if I was 40 again but at 70 - no thanks! One correction: the Bowling Green plant was opened in 1981.
This was a great review. Thanks for the info.
Very cool car!
The coupe is already a convertible. Just takes a little Manuel labour. And you can see the LT2 engine bay!
The magnetic ride control may leak in the future. It will be hella expensive to replace....
They may leak, but I'll bet that the piston stack will wear before the body starts to leak. No matter as they are about the same price as the antique FX3 replacements, about 370 ish each shock. I'll wager that Bilstein makes them and by the time you need to get new ones there will be an exchange/rebuild program in place. just like the FX3 program. I'd be more worried about the e-LSD going thru clutches. Remember they are using that to torque steer the rear end in corners.
Toys cost lots -- four wheeled or two legged.
Still worth every penny - best feature in my C7 is the mag ride, not sure I can go back to standard dampers now... I’m too spoiled.
Can't wait until they're 40k used
Never gonna happen lol. Dealers are greedy
Right? Still 65k for a decent used one
I still don’t get larger rear brake rotors in the rear. Certainly when braking the weight dives forwards. I know you said “please note where the engine is”. A 911 has its engine in the rear but the front rotors are bigger than the rears.
I love this video
I loves this review
I love this spec
The Porsche has had decades in similar form to iron out everything, this vette is very new and will only get better as they add engineering adjustments to this setup. The Porsche has been refined over decades with minor adjustments that being scaling it larger
What is your take on magnaride and front lift?
moonshot - eliminate the body creases and simplify the rear
Here me out...
Twin turbo V6 with 48 volt system that the AMGs have this will give the car better weight distribution. Make it all wheel drive! Thoughts?
The Zora model will have a twin turbo 5.5L V8 with a hybrid front end, so it will have AWD and about 1000 HP.
Had the chance to track day a C8 and while it has some very good traits it does suffer from understeer and it’s quite bad with the “street “ 4 wheel alignment but gets significantly better with the “track” 4 wheel alignment but that causes absurd tire wear. Chevy has some serious chassis and suspension work to do to make that a good car.
Wider front tires might help. Did you use any of the PTM modes on track? Even my C7 understeers in standard track mode, PTM Sport 2 allows for greater slip angle in the rear. Assume the C8 is tuned similarly to keep people from swapping ends while trying to impress their friends.
I love Corvette's and still own my 2008 convertible. The C8 convertible still looks like a coupe to me with the top down and you pay almost 10k more for it. Other than that and not being offered in a manual I do like everything else about it. I just wish they made the C pillars disappear when it goes topless.
Awesome job.Thanks.
Do they have automatic transmission?
"pull both paddles back for neutral"
Porsche does this too.
I wonder why you say the Bose stereo "kinda kicks"? (To me it sounds like you're saying it's a bit of a flop )
Mine is on-order. It's a 3LT with upgrades galore, but not z51. IMO, z51 is worth the money if you're going to the track with it, but I am not.
I like the double clutch automatic with the manual over ride. I like conveniences too. Adaptive cruise control would be on my list. I live in Houston....
The only thing you didn't cover is that you lose the glass panel showing the engine with the convertible option
GT3 makes sense since IMSA GTLM class is eliminated next year. Something in between the Z06 and Z51. Not a GS either.
You are one oft the best .... an i say this from Bavaria/Germany. Facts, facts, facts .... phantastic 👍
Vielen dank!
Would you take the z06 or a lamborghini huracan?
Great video..... but did you say “fiberglass”? Vettes have not been made of fiberglass in a long time. The body is plastic similar to a Barbie corvette. I currently have a C6 and my C8 will be here in April😀😀😀😀
If the state trooper doesn't hear me coming, I might be able to beat the LIDAR gun... can we get a AWD Ultium BEV with all wheel steering? Randy Pobst tracks times at Laguna Seca and Willow Springs would be interesting see with this set up.
Are you able to drive the Corvette in track mode for around town or should that only be used on a road track situation
I did.
terrific review sir. well done. awesome car. want one.agree re your moonshot idea.
There's a ton they got right.....and about 30% that they got wrong. I am not a big fan of the rear design. A bit too many sharp edges, a wing that doesn't fit the look, and a few too many plastic looking black trim pieces. Car drives fast enough. Probably handles great. Good review. For $59k its worth it. But as the price climbs it is not such a great deal overall.
Agree the rear is too busy. Spoiler delete helps cleans things up a bit.
@@johnmoore3504 Yes, I would delete that and some of the other black trim pieces that add distraction to an otherwise pretty decent design theme. I wouldn't pay $85k for one either however. At $59k they are a worthwhile purchase. Just my opinion.
What about an AWD VERSION
Si, Bruh-!!! El-Excellento! - - - About the NEXT Moonshot; GT3, Sub 3K & Manual, I am with you all the way!