[Semitone]

Well, finally, after a year of speculation, real reviews and performance tests of the Corvette C8 are finally trickling in. I have to admit I am impressed with the reviews never having been a GM/ Corvette fan. I’ve seen some comparisons to the 911 and the Corvette seems to hold its own. I guess the 718 isn’t even worth a comparison yet.

In any event, given the price and performance, hard not to think this leaves a mark on the 718...return of the six or not.

I’m going to have to see and try one in the flesh for myself. I have three Porsches currently and have been noodling the 992. Went for a test drive last week and liked it much better than the 991.2. ( I even chose the 718 GTS over a 991.2) But seems like the Corvette is a compelling offer and I will definitely need to make the effort to compare.

What are others thinking now?

 

[dreamer]

Corvette will scream down the road and handle better than older models. But frankly, it’s ugly compared to any Porsche. If aesthetics aren’t important there might be a concern. I don’t see any.

 

[Treemagnet]

We need an unbiased professional driver’s track comparison and opinion of the C8 and GT4. The extreme HP difference may tilt track times; regardless, an honest detailed track comparison of “low end” mid-engine sport cars would be interesting, if not eye opening.

 

[Silversword]

718 will still be a Porsche though, and unless things change drastically, that's going to mean something over and above the numbers. There will always be those for whom the badge is more important than performance.

 

[Muppet]

Strange no ones mentioned build quality here yet.
Have American cars improved drastically lately?
If I was spending serious money on another new car then build quality and finish is one of the most important things.

 

[GTS]

I wouldn't want a bunch of disgruntled UAW members assembling a new car for me right now. Even if the C8 makes good sense in terms of performance, it's still a GM product. I will check one out after the hype dies down, but I don't expect it to impress me on looks, technology, or quality.

 

[alfaguy]

In a word.....yes it has!
And some of the traditional 'high quality' cars have gotten worse.

 

[rsmith]

it'll be interesting to see how reviewers like the C8 once they start the comparison tests and the car is in its second and third year of production. All the reviews are still based on pre-production cars so the car could get better than the initial reviews too (brake feel and understeer reports). I seem to recall the reviews being very happy with the c7 interior when it first came out, but by the time they got around to comparison reviews they were back to calling it cheap. A plus and a minus is comments about the C8 still being a Corvette.

I don't think there is any doubt a z51 c8 (probably a base one too) will spank a 718 (maybe even the GT4?) on the track and at the stoplight drags. But how does it feel for regular sunday drives? The car is bigger and heavier than the c7 which means it's significantly bigger and heavier than the 718. I spend well equip'd z06 money for a Boxster GTS because the car was more fun to drive and a large part of that in my mind was the size and weight difference. Now it's worse.

I really look forward to the higher performance versions of the c8 and giving them a test drive. I had a dream of buying a Z06, but I'm a researcher and a planner and made the mistake of talking my wife into checking out Porsches. I fancy myself a Vette guy having grown up with one and owned that car for a while. Now I'm finding myself to be a bit of a Porsche guy and despite only having had my Boxster for a year looking ahead to my next Porsche. The drive is awesome. but I also would have chosen the Z06 over the 911 a year ago. go figure.

 

[Viffermike]

If anything, the C8 will boost the 718's case for existence. Great reviews or not, the C8 is, essentially, a re-configured C7. There's very little new tech underneath the sheet metal, which I'm reserving judgment on until I see one in the flesh (haven't yet).

Besides: the reviews I've read so far are decidedly mixed regarding driving dynamics. The C8 apparently oversteers badly at the limit, has comparatively numb steering and brake feel, and doesn't seem to operate as a whole that's greater than the sum of its parts -- something that all great sports cars do, from the Miata upward.

And I'll repeat what I've stated in multiple related threads: Chevy dealers are not Porsche dealers. The gulf there is a mile wide. The ownership experience will be a strike against the C8 in the same way that it has for all other 'vettes -- and, probably, more so since there's less competition than ever before in that market.

 

[rsmith]

If anything, the C8 will boost the 718's case for existence. Great reviews or not, the C8 is, essentially, a re-configured C7. There's very little new tech underneath the sheet metal, which I'm reserving judgment on until I see one in the flesh (haven't yet).

I went to one of the dealer reveals out here in Colorado and I will say I think the C8 looks better in person than in pictures. Sure, the backend could look a little better somehow, but I would have no concern driving around in one based on looks alone. The HVAC controls on the ski slope though, that, at least in a few minutes in the car, seems like a deal breaker for my wife and I for what it does to overall passenger comfort.

 

[dreamer]

I’ve looked at pictures of this vehicle both exterior and interior and I don’t get it. I’ve said before that I think it’s ugly and I stand even more firm in that belief. On the outside it looks like a Hot Wheels car. On the inside it’s like a spaceship or ??? It couldn’t possibly be so incredible performance-wise to override those issues. I think some people are just loyal to the name, Corvette and can overlook the appearance. I think any comparison to a Porsche is ludicrous. Just because they moved the engine?

 

[sailor99]

I am a Cayman guy. The Cayman fits me like glove. I started small, and I have been building “brand equity.“ My first Cayman was a 981 base model. After attending a two day Porsche sport driving school course at Barber Motorsports Park, I was ready for more power. I traded for a 718 Cayman S and it is awesome. It is not my last Cayman and I am in the process of thinking about my next one.

I applaud what GM has done with the new C8 Corvette. It is a compelling alternative to the Porsche lineup. Competition in the marketplace leads to innovation. Everyone is taking notice. The C8 is the latest, but I believe that Porsche is the greatest. Time will tell.

As a “motorhead“, I am excited about the C8, but not really interested in owning one. I don’t believe that it diminishes the Cayman at all. The Cayman is often imitated but rarely equaled.

 

[Soda]

I am not interested in the C8 at all, really.

 

[alf_17]

It seems a lot of people think that just because the new C8 will be mid-engined, have a big powerful V8 and be relatively cheap it will automatically be the best sportscar for all.
That might not be the case as different people look for different qualities in a car.
And just because the car will be mid-engined does not mean it will be a great handling sportscar, it is not in anyway a magic feature to have a mid-engine layout.
First gen. Toyota Previa was mid-engined.
Not that I think the C8 will be a dud, I just think people should have realistic expectations.
Furthermore it is not a new thing that the Corvette is going to a mid-engine layout, it has been like that (although front mid-engined rather than rear mid-engined) for many years, it is just that the engine and driver/passenger is swapping places.

 

[MLJJ]

When they put a flat-plane crank in it I may be interested - after a couple of years of working the bugs out.

 

[roundtail]

I'm going to be smug:

When you climb into a 718, you're driving a Porsche. And it's one of the best driving experiences ever built.

When you climb into C8, you're driving a Chevy. And it will not be.

And that makes all the difference to anyone who desires the difference.

So each will have its buyers, as it has in the past. This time around, it's Driver's car vs. Transformers car.

 

[MLJJ]

I'm going to be smug:

When you climb into a 718, you're driving a Porsche. And it's one of the best driving experiences ever built.

When you climb into C8, you're driving a Chevy. And it will not be.

And that makes all the difference to anyone who desires the difference.

So each will have its buyers, as it has in the past. This time around, it's Driver's car vs. Transformers car.

I think you are spot on, although a few here that have (do) owned both will disagree I think. I have a few friends that will only buy US sports cars, ignoring where they are built or where the materials to make them came from. These same folks are typically watching racing venues in Darlington, Dover, Daytona, Bristol, etc. I doubt they know IMSA or F1, except those here. A close friend is holding out for the C8 Z06 package

 

[roundtail]

I think you are spot on, although a few here that have (do) owned both will disagree I think. I have a few friends that will only buy US sports cars, ignoring where they are built or where the materials to make them came from. These same folks are typically watching racing venues in Darlington, Dover, Daytona, Bristol, etc. I doubt they know IMSA or F1, except those here. A close friend is holding out for the C8 Z06 package

Someone will disagree for sure. In the end, it's mostly subjective anyway (unless you're playing win-a-beer with magazine track test results, lol). All marques have their fans. Choice is good!

 

[Graustark]

I am a Cayman guy. The Cayman fits me like glove. I started small, and I have been building “brand equity.“ My first Cayman was a 981 base model. After attending a two day Porsche sport driving school course at Barber Motorsports Park, I was ready for more power. I traded for a 718 Cayman S and it is awesome. It is not my last Cayman and I am in the process of thinking about my next one.

I applaud what GM has done with the new C8 Corvette. It is a compelling alternative to the Porsche lineup. Competition in the marketplace leads to innovation. Everyone is taking notice. The C8 is the latest, but I believe that Porsche is the greatest. Time will tell.

As a “motorhead“, I am excited about the C8, but not really interested in owning one. I don’t believe that it diminishes the Cayman at all. The Cayman is often imitated but rarely equaled.

Agree. Not my jam, but I love that variety is out there. Like a Nissan Cube I saw with a "got toast?" sticker. Nice to see another mid-engine choice out there.

 

[Baka1969]

I saw a review that said the interior seemed cheap and chinzy. The more things change the more things stay the same.

I've owned two Corvettes and don't think a third will be in my future.