2008 Corvette

[muscarel]

Motor Trend had a first drive at the new 2008 Corvette. New Horsepower ranges are from 430-436 based on options. With a weight around 3200 lbs (7.5 lbs/hp), it's hard to argue the performance per $ value of this car. Supposedly, they improved steering feel and the manual transmission as well. What do you think?

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...rolet_corvette

[Texan1]

I think its great. Drove an 06 and was thoroughly impressed. With the interior, exhaust and performance updates....I am sure I would feel like this on a cruise:

[muscarel]

With the new GTR having maybe 450-480 HP and alot more weight (speculating), the GTR will probably not be much faster if at all than this new base model corvette. 480 HP in a 3600 lb car is the same 7.5 lb/hp. At least in a straight line.

With cars getting more and more power, Nissan better get the GTR to market quick before it will be "underpowered".

[Samson]

The Corvette has always been a performance bargain. The 2008 is no exception. There is no car that can equal the performance for the money. I would absolutely love to get one if I had the coin.

[Queenskid24]

Originally Posted by Samson

The Corvette has always been a performance bargain. The 2008 is no exception. There is no car that can equal the performance for the money. I would absolutely love to get one if I had the coin.

I agree 10000%. The day i can afford it, im strollin in the Chevy dealer

[ttrank]

I have known too many people who don't like their vettes quality. You get a ton of performance but no quality. I would rather spend a bit more on a better car.

[depoz]

Same I know a few people that have had current vettes that got rid of them because they didn't like the quality. If performance is everything to you and that's all that matters, then it's hard to beat for the money. But you get one thing and you trade off for another.

[allforthecash]

Originally Posted by ttrank

I have known too many people who don't like their vettes quality. You get a ton of performance but no quality. I would rather spend a bit more on a better car.

+1....if you want to get bang for your buck its your car ....i rather run slower and jump in something better...

[dTor]

Originally Posted by ttrank

I have known too many people who don't like their vettes quality. You get a ton of performance but no quality. I would rather spend a bit more on a better car.

I agree about the quality, but how much is a "bit more" to you? I don't think (though I haven't kept up with what's available) that you can get 430+ hp 2-seat coupe for $5k, $10k, or even $15k more than the Vette with comparable speed and handling characteristics.

Having said that, I don't think that even their "supple leather" option will really improve actual quality, only perceived refinement. Who knows, maybe Chevy has finally discovered the art of polishing a turd.

[Samson]

Originally Posted by ttrank

I have known too many people who don't like their vettes quality. You get a ton of performance but no quality. I would rather spend a bit more on a better car.

Pretend it's 1967. Then, picture yourself driving your Vette with rattles and all. Then mash the accelerator. All is forgotten. I know, I had a '67 427 tri-power. It was hot, noisy and rattled a lot, but when you got on it, there was always this big, sick grin that I would get. Back then, it was the baddest ride you could get save for a 427 Cobra.

You are right that Vette quality has been suspect in the past, but Chevy has really been stepping up to some of the issues that have kept the Vette from being truly remarkable. Hopefully, the C6 will continue to be refined and the lessons learned will be applied to the C7.

[dTor]

Originally Posted by Samson

Pretend it's 1967. Then, picture yourself driving your Vette with rattles and all. Then mash the accelerator. All is forgotten. I know, I had a '67 427 tri-power. It was hot, noisy and rattled a lot, but when you got on it, there was always this big, sick grin that I would get. Back then, it was the baddest ride you could get save for a 427 Cobra.

You are right that Vette quality has been suspect in the past, but Chevy has really been stepping up to some of the issues that have kept the Vette from being truly remarkable. Hopefully, the C6 will continue to be refined and the lessons learned will be applied to the C7.

We said the same about the C5 before the C6 came out. The beancounters will always win over the engineers in a large corporate environment. Or, to put it more simply, you get what you pay for. A Chevy will never have an interior comparable to a INSERT IMPORT LUXURY SUPERCAR OF CHOICE HERE.

[GeeWillikers]

You know, the Corvette's lack of refinement is the only reason you can get one for the price on the window. Given the competition, price of service, reliability, etc, they're a bargain.

Look at a comparable Porsche. Lots more $ out the door, lots more $ in the service department, lots more for parts after warranty, comparable reliability.

I won't even mention Ferrari or any other supercar in the Corvette's range.

Say what you want about refinement, but you can't beat bang for the buck in the supercar range. Corvette's rattle but Ferrari brakes cost $5,000 (low estimate for ceramics) and can only be serviced at the dealer..

[Texan1]

Originally Posted by ttrank

I have known too many people who don't like their vettes quality. You get a ton of performance but no quality. I would rather spend a bit more on a better car.

Hey, you usually post fair comments...sure the corvette may have some issues with quality.........don't recall our infiniti's being perfect either....far from it....with squeaks and rattles out the azz, and service bulletins for everything under the sun. You know, had you said poor or average quality...at least there would be some credibility in your comments...but "NO QUALITY".......give me a freaking break. The corvette is a badazz azz car with a great history going back to 1953. That is just a biased comment imo.

[Texan1]

Originally Posted by Samson

Pretend it's 1967. Then, picture yourself driving your Vette with rattles and all. Then mash the accelerator. All is forgotten. I know, I had a '67 427 tri-power. It was hot, noisy and rattled a lot, but when you got on it, there was always this big, sick grin that I would get. Back then, it was the baddest ride you could get save for a 427 Cobra.

You are right that Vette quality has been suspect in the past, but Chevy has really been stepping up to some of the issues that have kept the Vette from being truly remarkable. Hopefully, the C6 will continue to be refined and the lessons learned will be applied to the C7.

The 2007 domestic brand, open-mind award goes to............*drum roll please*........................................... .................................................. .................. SAMSON



Runnerup:

GW

Originally Posted by GeeWillikers

You know, the Corvette's lack of refinement is the only reason you can get one for the price on the window. Given the competition, price of service, reliability, etc, they're a bargain.

Look at a comparable Porsche. Lots more $ out the door, lots more $ in the service department, lots more for parts after warranty, comparable reliability.

I won't even mention Ferrari or any other supercar in the Corvette's range.

Say what you want about refinement, but you can't beat bang for the buck in the supercar range. Corvette's rattle but Ferrari brakes cost $5,000 (low estimate for ceramics) and can only be serviced at the dealer..

[Texan1]

Originally Posted by dTor

We said the same about the C5 before the C6 came out. The beancounters will always win over the engineers in a large corporate environment. Or, to put it more simply, you get what you pay for. A Chevy will never have an interior comparable to a INSERT IMPORT LUXURY SUPERCAR OF CHOICE HERE.

Who gives a rats azz, do you drive your car around staring at and stroking your elegant dash material