Drifting

disagree

1-Porsche will definitely lose some GT4 sales to the C8 as they’re both mid engine and in a similar enough price range.
2- If someone has space/time/money for just one true sports car, and they can spend 200K or more, then I agree with you, as that person gets the RS, 488, 720, etc that they want, and doesn’t consider any C8 variation.
3- However if they have space/time/money for multiple sports cars and they really track, then there will be guys with an exotic for show and a cheap C8 to flog on the track instead of getting a GT3/GT4 for regular track work.

ilovemaui

I'm looking forward to seeing one. I've owned two. A 1996 C4 LT4 and a 2005 C6 Z51. The C6 was a great car and after heads, cam, headers, CAI, and 411 rearend it was an incredible car. The C6 was scary fast and fun to drive. Having now owned a 911, I think I'll stick with the 911. The 911 is a much better sports car IMHO.

mitchellc

I suspect that the C8 Corvette will be a much more appealing offering internationally, and that Chevrolet prepared for this change by committing to RHD production for the first time in Corvette's history. This is a cool opportunity for an American-manufactured auto to have global cache. Here's hoping that after import duties and taxes on engine displacement, that the C8 remains competitive abroad.

I dug up a some quick and dirty sales numbers for Corvettes compared to other sports and supercars. These sources may be a bit dubious, but can show a directional comparison.

- Over the last five years, Corvette units for US and Canada have averaged ~30,000 annually, though 2018 showed a dip to 20.7k units (source: http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/chevr...sales-numbers/)
- For 2018, Porsche shipped 35.5k 911s and 24.8k 718's in 2018 globally. (https://www.thesupercarblog.com/supe...ecord-numbers/)
- McLaren shipped 4806 units in 2018 (https://www.thesupercarblog.com/supe...ecord-numbers/)
- Lamborghini shipped 3989 non-Urus units in 2018 (https://www.thesupercarblog.com/supe...ecord-numbers/)
- Ferrari shipped 9251 units in 2018 (https://auto.ndtv.com/news/ferrari-r...n-2018-1988141)

These numbers are anecdotes rather than trends, but probably show the approximate market size for the high-power sport/supercar segment. Even though 2018 was a down year for Corvette compared to the prior four, in the US and Canada alone, more units were shipped than McLaren, Lamborghini, and Ferrari shipped combined (18.0k units)... worldwide.

kiznarsh

I was changing my oil a couple weeks ago and my neighbor with a 991.2 walked over and asked if changing oil is hard on these cars. "Nope, everything's accessible from underneath without removing any panels."

"Then why are they charging $500?!"

Because people are willing to pay it?

This. Competition is good for us.

I've never been a fan of GM interiors (shocking, I know) but seems like they've made huge strides starting with the C7.

Noah Fect

You know the label on that tube of glue wasn't joking, right? Especially the part about using it in a well-ventilated area.

Nm2far

Putting a deposit, fully refundable down. Will see what price comes in at a premium build (Z51, 3LT, full leather, FAL, etc) consider only if no ADM, and wait and see what reviewers say about performance and quality. Just like with Porsche’s if you decline delivery they’ll have no problem selling. If you want one in the first 6 months probably need to take a number now. Let’s give America a chance to do it right.

R35driver

This car and the z06 variant will steal alot of guys from cars like the GTR, Cayman, and even the M4cs or competition model. Possibly even 1st gen R8, new NSX, or Mclaren 12c owners for the Z06 model.

Good on chevy for keeping the industry on its toes though. every once in a while the supercar brands need to be reminded they can't just rest on their badge and heritage to move cars.

richk

I am going to agree with Serge. Won't consider this car or anything from Chevy. For me its just P cars and F cars. Do the Chevys offer good value yes...but the camaros and corvettes are plagued with problems and are heavy. After Chevy has produced this car for a few years maybe I will consider.

If I was shopping for a car in the 60's I would buy an early gen 991 coupe. I just love P cars.

Fined

I got the whole mid-engine lust thing out of my system completely. I had a 987.2 Cayman S for about a year.. was able to buy it low and sell it for a little bit more. So that worked out. And I learned I either want a rear engine or a front engine.

Mark Dreyer

How do you know that tracking your 987 wouldn’t LESSEN the risk of the engine failure? I don’t know, but neither do you. All I know is that there are a lot of those cars being tracked with no engine failures. Mine is one of them. Over 10 years of regular dedicated track use, and that “inferior” engine still purrs like a Swiss....errr I mean a German watch.

FWIW I am not bashing the Vette. I’d love to take one around Sebring a few laps, and I think Vettes are awesome bang for the buck cars. And as for what car can thrash what ever other car, I could take a Miata around Sebring faster, way faster, than someone in a GT2 RS with no track experience. My point is comparing one car to another in a track situation is way less about the car than the driver. Choose a car you like and go have fun. I love the Porsche brand. It has been an awesome car ownership experience over the past 30 years. I would be glad to track a car of another brand. So many fun cars out there!

CarAholic

I do believe Porsche will loose some sales with the new C8, Ferrari and the other exotic brands not so much. I am one of the buyers that Porsche just lost a sale with. Was #1 on a list for the 718 Spyder for the past three years and am passing on my allocation. Now this doesn't have a 100% to do with the C8 but it got my gears turning.

For me I'm tired of Porsche neutering the baby of the family and yet drastically increasing its price. I was having a hard time justifying the 718 after they announced the most criticized item of the 981 was not being fixed. At a 120k build I could buy two C8's or just add a C8 to my current line up for not much more money.

So while it won't drag everyone away, Porsche will for sure loose sales, especially in the base-S 718 market. The grand sport and Z06 I believe will pull GT sales away as well as they won't have to play the Porsche allocation & ADM game.

Ohio Performance

The 50/50 weight distribution of my past M3's made it a breeze to steer with slight throttle input. Of course they did not have 500 bhp, but I never felt like I was on a top. We will see how well they balance their suspension when it comes out.

chillindrdude

Wait...so a thread titled Corvette Success was moved but a McLaren Success stays?!?! Wtf?

Jon70

I was thinking the exact same thing

garfunkle

Interesting that people mentioned the C8 giving Porsche competition and curbing prices.... sadly the C7 stingray was faster than a 911S... I do lust after a C7 Z06 with a Carbon Fiber package