Caustic

I love the new Corvette. I was looking at an R8 V10, but the C8 has all the things I've been looking for in my next car that I'm going to wait a year to see what shakes out before committing to a purchase. I have very few concerns about the design except this:

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/07/23/...stable-brakes/

The C8 is moving to a brake by wire system that I thought only the NSX uses (besides hybrids in general). I'm not confident in what that the pedal feel will be like, and I'm not confident in what Chevy will program it to be like. If there is one thing I don't want, its a brake pedal that feels dead to me. I know this is the future, but it is one more thing that I feel takes away from the man-machine connection. I have my doubts, but this stuff has to start somewhere.

Craigy

Dang what an impressive megamash thread. Surely someone on here has an NPI number and can get KA some xans by now.

Looking forward to my C8. I am #1 at my dealer.

I have been shopping cars for too long. Was looking at the usual suspects, late Gallardos, 997 and 991 turbos, new and used R8, 992, 458, even the new NSX. Never really even considered a corvette-- too cheesy, too boring.

But watching the unveil, I was impressed. When the CEO said the starting price, I was sold. Ticks all of my want list items, lots of power, proper dual clutch, lots of performance, mid-engine, you name it. Compared to everything else, it's dirt cheap. And bonus, it's brand new, I can spec it exactly how I want, and I've got a warranty that will last until it's time to trade in for something new.

Noah Fect

Can't be overemphasized, either. Nobody who has had to shell out thousands of dollars for things like delaminated headlights, warped door panels and poor paint durability is going to be receptive to any attempts to spread FUD about potential Corvette quality problems. By sticking customers with the consequences of one expensive quality defect after another, Porsche has lost any authority it might have had to criticize other manufacturers' build quality.

They did stand by the GT3 engine, but a car is more than its powertrain, and they aren't really any better than anyone else at interior quality. The only difference is how much it will cost you to remedy their issues.

fast1

About a 110 lbs of that weight difference is the engine: 400 lbs for the 911 vs 510 lbs for the 993. The first 911 only had a 2L 130 HP engine and 129 lb-ft of torque. So when you consider the weight of the much bigger engine, transmission, drivetrain, wheels and tires of the 993, you probably have about 250 lbs (just a WAG) of that 500 lb difference. Then you have government mandated safety requirements which increased the car's weight significantly between 1965 and 1995. The bumpers on 1960 sports cars like the 911, MG, and Triumph looked more like ornaments than bumpers. Other than bumpers, wheels and tires, most of the added weight increase was hidden.

So my point is that all of the additional weight didn't come just from the car getting larger. The 993 is a tad longer and wider, but its body looks remarkably similar to the body of a 30 year older 911. At least that's my recollection when I saw them side by side. OTOH the 992 is just a much bigger and luxurious car than a 993. Porsche knows its market a lot better than I, so I'm certain that they had to build a large, luxurious,GT car to grow their market.

.2PDK

.2PDK

Brake by wire should be way down the list of things to "shake out".

That bespoke Tremec DCT should top the list IMHO.

If it proves reliable then GM will have a winner.

If it becomes the new A8t then watch out.

Shockwave

STG

https://jalopnik.com/fewer-and-fewer...l-c-1836977905

fast1

Hard to believe that only 20% of C7 buyers opted for a manual last year. OTOH I suppose that so many people live in the city, and just don't want to go through the hassle of shifting every few seconds.

Guest89

Porsche had a 992 at Sebring (in the PCA / Porscheplatz tent across from pit in); didn’t see one at Watkins Glen a month ago, and there obviously wasn’t one at Road America

Road America is a major event for Corvette - they have the permanent Corvette Corral location outside Turn 3 and Dan Binks runs his annual charity auction there during the weekend (for Camp Anokijig)

Porsche’s major domestic events are Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans; they have VIP hospitality at each event, a small Porsche boutique in the vendor area, and a display set up either at the hospitality location or by the boutique that features a race car or current noteworthy sports car (or both). Petit is usually their largest event since PCNA is an hour or so away

Porsche also showed multiple 992s at Amelia Island (one at the Werks Reunion and one at the Concours itself on Sunday)

Edit: Additionally, GM has a large OEM activation setup at every IMSA race (i.e., with a Corvette road and or race car present). Ford also used to have an activation with a GT road car, Focus RS, Raptor, GT350, etc. at each race

ipse dixit

Hard to believe that there were as many as 20% buyers who wanted a MT C7 Corvette.

STG

Caustic

It's interesting to hear about how each manufacturer targets marketing, and where. Good stuff.

Psorcery

I bought the new 2020 c8 corvette.. AKA I'll do anything for attention and look at my ****.

Guest89

Generally speaking the corvette/GM presence dwarfs all other brands at IMSA events. The autograph lines are LONG for corvette, ford, Penske (Castroneves and Montoya), and Wayne Taylor teams. The Porsche one is pretty manageable in comparison.

I spent an hour or so last year hanging out with a few of the Porsche drivers last year after the race - they had a tire test on the Monday after road America last year (not sure about this year). I bought my car in 2015 on the day they won Le Mans overall; my car now has their signatures under the hood. Try that at any other type of race!