Allpar C8 Corvette Debut Causes Renewed Demand for Viper Return

[Bruce H.]

True , but eventually they’ll get it right within a few years.

History would suggest they address C8 issues by replacing it with the C9...so yeah, maybe within 6 years or so

[dewilmoth]

History would suggest they address C8 issues by replacing it with the C9...so yeah, maybe within 6 years or so

100%.

[J TNT]

C8 vs 911 ................
Don't shoot the messenger......lol !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skEiZdgW_dg

[ViperNC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUHNATBzFjE

C8 Z51 on track. Whatcha think?

[viperBase1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUHNATBzFjE
C8 Z51 on track. Whatcha think?

In general, I think the overall perception/reaction at this point is "meh".
Especially with the big reveal of the Convertible a few weeks ago. Nobody cared.

The initial reports about the Tremec DCT are good..
but still have no information about the effects of the AFM on this DCT (and stress test results over time).

Add to all of that the on-going GM Workers STRIKE.. The C8 has gone from a paper tiger > to a limited track kitty > to a stuffed animal (for now).

[Voice of Reason]

In general, I think the overall perception/reaction at this point is "meh".
Especially with the big reveal of the Convertible a few weeks ago. Nobody cared.

The initial reports about the Tremec DCT are good..
but still have no information about the effects of the AFM on this DCT (and stress test results over time).

Add to all of that the on-going GM Workers STRIKE.. The C8 has gone from a paper tiger > to a limited track kitty > to a stuffed animal (for now).

Im not getting that sense at all. But hey keep thinking that base model is going to be a 5+ second 0-60 car when magazine tests are showing the Z51 car at 2.8. Lol.

[gfviperman]

GM has been known to send a ringer to the mag rags whenever there is a new "C"...

The numbers are never duplicated in the real world ...

[viperBase1]

Im not getting that sense at all. But hey keep thinking that base model is going to be a 5+ second 0-60 car when magazine tests are showing the Z51 car at 2.8. Lol.

Geez it took 3 days before anybody here bothered to respond to the question of "what do ya think about the track vid?". N' it was me
=> It doesn't appear that anybody cares to respond to NCVipers' question about TheSmokingTire track video. Nobody cares.

That's the same lack of interest I'm seeing on other car forums too.
No doubt the Corvette forum is all a blaze from the C8 fan boys, but no place else.

You appear to be stuck on the 0-60 time.
The initial Magazine reviews have been MIXED at best and the more contemporary reviews seem to be getting worse.
There was a comparison review with a Porsche 911 (992) that was particularly less than stellar for the C8.

My impression of the TheSmokingTire track video was
(1) his review was more favorable than I thought it would be.
(2) it looks like the C8 has a problem putting the power down
(3) I'm perplexed by the excuses for the built-in under-steer in a mid-engine car with grippy tires
(4) it sounds like shit. IMO it sounds like absolute crap.

I did appreciate how he emphasized the price of the car "as tested was $85K" (and so did some of the Magazines).
$85K is finally part of the factual record. Also at the end of the vid he said "its still a GM car.. still very "vetty".

Fingers crossed the Tremec DCT holds up over time.

[dewilmoth]

Geez it took 3 days before anybody here bothered to respond to the question of "what do ya think about the track vid?". N' it was me
=> It doesn't appear that anybody cares to respond to NCVipers' question about TheSmokingTire track video. Nobody cares.

That's the same lack of interest I'm seeing on other car forums too.
No doubt the Corvette forum is all a blaze from the C8 fan boys, but no place else.

You appear to be stuck on the 0-60 time.
The initial Magazine reviews have been MIXED at best and the more contemporary reviews seem to be getting worse.
There was a comparison review with a Porsche 911 (992) that was particularly less than stellar for the C8.

My impression of the TheSmokingTire track video was
(1) his review was more favorable than I thought it would be.
(2) it looks like the C8 has a problem putting the power down
(3) I'm perplexed by the excuses for the built-in under-steer in a mid-engine car with grippy tires
(4) it sounds like shit. IMO it sounds like absolute crap.

I did appreciate how he emphasized the price of the car "as tested was $85K" (and so did some of the Magazines).
$85K is finally part of the factual record. Also at the end of the vid he said "its still a GM car.. still very "vetty".

Fingers crossed the Tremec DCT holds up over time.

Agree as a whole. The car looks dated already and deliveries have not even begun. I am sure they will sell a lot of them because the Vette crowd is rabid.

I personally am much more curious about the follow on models, but have little faith that GM will avoid screwing them up in some way.

[Bruce H.]

I'm waiting and wondering if the exterior styling will grow on me in time, which I find is often the case with something new that's quite different. I'm also a life-long lover of organic body shapes. But at the moment I'm not appreciating the exterior shape which I find too angular, and not all that cohesive overall, particularly the side intakes which I think are horrible. Not expecting it to win any awards for looks, but I can see there's a lot buyers will like about the car. Should be a huge success for GM...good on them!

[SRT_BluByU]

Feels clumsy to me styling wise.. not even close to the elegant shapes of ferrari or viper. My gut tells me this design will age like the new Cadillacs… quickly. Reminds me of mid 80s styling theory.. busy angles

[J TNT]

Styling typically follows that of fighter planes / jet planes and is why we are seeing more angular shapes in sports cars .
FCA had a good design seminar on this 5 years ago and how shapes have varied from the 50's to now .
In the end it comes down to personal preference ...

[EZ 2B Green]

Styling typically follows that of fighter planes / jet planes and is why we are seeing more angular shapes in sports cars .
FCA had a good design seminar on this 5 years ago and how shapes have varied from the 50's to now .
In the end it comes down to personal preference ...

In that case, the next Viper could look more like a flying saucer.

[Scott_in_fl]

Lamborghini has not done bad with sharp, angular shapes. Their entire lineage has been very angular, and the future seems to be staying the course -- Sian, Centennario, Veneno, Urus, etc., etc. Mac stays with fluid shapes, Ferrari seems to blend both.

The point is that GM is not off the mark by trying to go with an angular look. The car looks real good, but I do agree that some elements seem strained, or just lacking in creativity.

The side vents are terrible. Clearly they were trying to copy the Aventador but did not want to look like they were doing so. The rear is also lacking harmony in a huge way. That rear wing is abysmal. Maybe worst ever.

The sound is also bad. You lose the effect of dressing up a woman in a classy cocktail dress if she opens her mouth and still sounds like a hillbilly. The should have worked on getting a high rev engine into the car so that they could refine the exhaust note to sound more appropriate. Several opportunities were missed this time around (perhaps budget constraints), but maybe they make up for it in coming versions.

Overall though, it is a homerun. For an initial stab at an entirely new car, they did an amazing job. I hear it is even more fantastic IRL. Whatever handling issues arise, the ME platform will allow a ton of adjustability over the long haul. If they need to play with wheelbase, slide the engine fore/aft, extend the rear, etc., they can do it with forthcoming designs given what they learn with the C8R. The FE platform was tapped out, but the ME has loads of headroom for the engineers to play with for many years. Maybe we see longtail versions like Mac I'm excited about it and I think we're going to be pleasantly surprised about how this car evolves.

The worst part is the dilution that is coming for ME cars everywhere. These C8's will be on every corner. GM will ramp up to 50k/year in no time. You will see 10 a day. If you have a new NSX, Huracan, Mac 570, R8, etc., I think you're going to find that your car becomes much more "pedestrian" as a result of the C8 effect that is looming.

[commandomatt]

Some of these last posts are hilarious.

Considering that we are followers of a car that never got good magazine reviews, where our latest offering was styled after a 10 year old model and design and one that certainly sounds like crap right out of the box......let’s give this C8 a chance to evolve a bit

It’s not like the 2013 Viper took the world by storm when it was unveiled but a few years later, it did in fact turn into a world class car

[capevettes]

Well, I should have my 2020 Corvette by April. $67,000 out the door with 1LT and the Z51 Performance package. I have seen 15 of these cars in person. Much better looking car in person. 2.8 to 60 and an 11.1 1/4 mile means it's no slug. I have seen all the reviews and they are generally positive. There is some understeer on the track. They may make some adjustments. If you can find a better new sports car for the money, I haven't seen it.

My plan is to keep this car for 2 years and move on to the higher horse variant/Z06 when it arrives. I will give you my objective thoughts on each both on the street and the track. We should be rooting for something American made.

[Old School]

We should be rooting for something American made.

^^^^ This ^^^^

[Fourtrax250r]

Some of these last posts are hilarious.

Considering that we are followers of a car that never got good magazine reviews, where our latest offering was styled after a 10 year old model and design and one that certainly sounds like crap right out of the box......let’s give this C8 a chance to evolve a bit

It’s not like the 2013 Viper took the world by storm when it was unveiled but a few years later, it did in fact turn into a world class car

Excellent post. I couldn’t stand the reviews the Viper would get .

[Fourtrax250r]

^^^^ This ^^^^

Agreed. Hopefully this will get FCA to bring back the Viper. Plus, it made Me proud to be at an IMSA race and see the American colors on the C7R and the respect the team got From it’s European competition.

[ViperNC]

Agreed. Hopefully this will get FCA to bring back the Viper. Plus, it made Me proud to be at an IMSA race and see the American colors on the C7R and the respect the team got From it’s European competition.

This is the view I miss...
tusc-road-atlanta-2014-93-srt-motorsports-viper-rob-bell-dominik-farnbacher-jonathan-bomar.jpg
So I'll add my opinion. I thought the video about the C8 was spot on... especially his comments at the end of the video and believe he was being very objective. The C8R looks awesome in comparison to the street going version which to me is a little MEH. Guess we'll see if the Z06 and ZR1 get the flat plane crank setup which makes the car a hell of a lot more interesting. The C8R actually looks more like a Corvette to me for some reason.

[SRT_BluByU]

Some of these last posts are hilarious.

Considering that we are followers of a car that never got good magazine reviews, where our latest offering was styled after a 10 year old model and design and one that certainly sounds like crap right out of the box......let’s give this C8 a chance to evolve a bit

It’s not like the 2013 Viper took the world by storm when it was unveiled but a few years later, it did in fact turn into a world class car

I disagree.. Although the Gen V had a tip of the hat to the Gen II design it is its only style and follows the basic design cues of the entire Viper line. Its curves, seams and sight lines are very well thought out and elegant.

[SRT_BluByU]

This is the view I miss...
tusc-road-atlanta-2014-93-srt-motorsports-viper-rob-bell-dominik-farnbacher-jonathan-bomar.jpg
So I'll add my opinion. I thought the video about the C8 was spot on... especially his comments at the end of the video and believe he was being very objective. The C8R looks awesome in comparison to the street going version which to me is a little MEH. Guess we'll see if the Z06 and ZR1 get the flat plane crank setup which makes the car a hell of a lot more interesting. The C8R actually looks more like a Corvette to me for some reason.

yes.. agreed.

[viperBase1]

The car looks real good, but I do agree that some elements seem strained, or just lacking in creativity.

I agree.
"Seems Strained" is a great way to say it. Feels "angular" for the sake of being angular". It doesn't work for me.
Seems to work on the C8R.

The sound is also bad. You lose the effect of dressing up a woman in a classy cocktail dress if she opens her mouth and still sounds like a hillbilly. The should have worked on getting a high rev engine into the car so that they could refine the exhaust note to sound more appropriate.

Yeah, the exhaust note doesn't fit all the sharp angles. Its confusing.

......lets give this C8 a chance to evolve a bit
Its not like the 2013 Viper took the world by storm when it was unveiled but a few years later, it did in fact turn into a world class car

Sounds reasonable.

This is the view I miss...
tusc-road-atlanta-2014-93-srt-motorsports-viper-rob-bell-dominik-farnbacher-jonathan-bomar.jpg
So I'll add my opinion. I thought the video about the C8 was spot on... especially his comments at the end of the video and believe he was being very objective. The C8R looks awesome in comparison to the street going version which to me is a little MEH. Guess we'll see if the Z06 and ZR1 get the flat plane crank setup which makes the car a hell of a lot more interesting. The C8R actually looks more like a Corvette to me for some reason.

Yes! Very well put.

I think the Flat Plane Crank should fix the exhaust note problem.. (as long as GM doesn't screw it up somehow).
FPC sounds so good on the GT350.

[Scott_in_fl]

Well, I should have my 2020 Corvette by April. $67,000 out the door with 1LT and the Z51 Performance package. I have seen 15 of these cars in person. Much better looking car in person. 2.8 to 60 and an 11.1 1/4 mile means it's no slug. I have seen all the reviews and they are generally positive. There is some understeer on the track. They may make some adjustments. If you can find a better new sports car for the money, I haven't seen it.

My plan is to keep this car for 2 years and move on to the higher horse variant/Z06 when it arrives. I will give you my objective thoughts on each both on the street and the track. We should be rooting for something American made.

If I had more room in the garage, I'd be right there with you. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

I'm excited for the car and I loved my prior vettes, so I'm pulling for GM here.

As stated, I would have done a few things differently, but that's just me being nitpicky with what otherwise seems like a terrific first effort. The best part is that they now have a really, really good point of reference from which to do the Z06/ZR1. If they do it right (and so far it seems someone is paying attention -- i.e. FPC motor), a widebody variant with another 250-300hp should be dynamite. Seriously, take my deposit now.

[capevettes]

If I had more room in the garage, I'd be right there with you. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

I'm excited for the car and I loved my prior vettes, so I'm pulling for GM here.

As stated, I would have done a few things differently, but that's just me being nitpicky with what otherwise seems like a terrific first effort. The best part is that they now have a really, really good point of reference from which to do the Z06/ZR1. If they do it right (and so far it seems someone is paying attention -- i.e. FPC motor), a widebody variant with another 250-300hp should be dynamite. Seriously, take my deposit now.

Scott, I was planning to wait for the higher horse variants. but wanted to spend a couple of years with a C8 with the Z51. I just sold my C7 Z06, which was a great car, 7 speed manual. The best is yet to come, I'm sure. Just wish Viper was still in the game. Competition just makes these cars better. This will be my 36th Corvette. I have owned all 8 generations. I may be a fanboy, but the Viper I have now is the last of my small fleet that I would ever sell.