Test drove a C8...not impressed

[joe603]

Might I suggest a low mile S550 GT500. Non-CFTP prices aren’t bad. Unless you have to have a manual, then that’s not a fit for you. Very well mannered on the street and is a sledgehammer when you get on it.

Still pretty high for GT500s...80-90k for non-CFTP

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[MAGS1]

Still pretty high for GT500s...80-90k for non-CFTP

If you don’t mind a little mileage:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d4e40e26-8403-4bbd-b005-3dc2eaf7f6e6/

 

[joe603]

If you don’t mind a little mileage:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d4e40e26-8403-4bbd-b005-3dc2eaf7f6e6/

Nice! Don't want the Recaro seats though...Still deciding on if I want a new DH or a used GT500. I think the vette is out unless the '26 is leaps and bounds better than the 25.

 

[TonyNJ]

I'm willing to bet that a Z06 is an awesome car to drive, but not so awesome to live with.

That's honestly the thing...living with the car. If my wife isn't comfortable, we're taking the Jeep GC everywhere instead. I'll keep an eye out for a supercharged, low-miles DH 6MT I think.

The passenger seat area in the C8 vettes looks miserable. The driver's seat is the only place to be.

 

[Bender]

I'm willing to bet that a Z06 is an awesome car to drive, but not so awesome to live with.

That's honestly the thing...living with the car. If my wife isn't comfortable, we're taking the Jeep GC everywhere instead. I'll keep an eye out for a supercharged, low-miles DH 6MT I think.

Driving on the street the manors of the Z06 are surprisingly good depending on what mode the car is in. Mine has the Z07 package so it is much stiffer than any stingray and a bit more than the base Z06. I also lowered mine about 3/4 inch. Bumps are firmer but ride is just the same. The front lift is a must on these cars where i live especially lowered.

Wife and I went out for dinner a few weeks ago and we had extra time for coverage with our kids and she just said lets go for a drive on random backroads and she quite enjoyed it and wasn't uncomfortable at all. I scared the hell out of her coming off a turn into a WOT run 2-3. Then every time we stopped she just wanted me to keep pinning it.

Once our kids are a little older we want to take a roadtrip to the tail of the dragon. We were down there last year on a family vacation so it wasn't as fun in a Jeep Wagoneer

 

[Gilberjj]

A couple months ago, my European friends/colleagues came to visit and rented a c8 with z51 handling package. It also had a titanium exhaust. We drove my car (GT350R base) and the c8 up winding mountain roads to Mt St Helens. BEAUTIFUL drive.
The c8 is a superior sports car to the GT350R. Even on PS4s (compared to my Cup 2s on my R), the c8 was nimble! The car feels like its strapped around the driver. I personally loved the interior. The materials and quality were superior to my GT350R... but we all knew that. The seating position of the c8 was wonderful. I felt low down, as if the car were rotating AROUND me, whereas my GT350R sits up higher and uses incredible mechanical grip to SMASH it's way through the corners in comparison.
But don't hear what I'm not saying... I would NOT trade my GT350R for a c8. Despite being a fantastic car to drive, it lacks soul and emotion. It's clinical and precise, but doesn't leave me wanting more. My GT350R in comparison is like a hammer to my nervous system. It requires the driver to be much more active and engaged. If I put together a series of turns, braking and shifting... it was all because of me. The c8s engine and transmission made speed so effortless... but less fulfilling in comparison.
My European friends (one owns a modern 911) both preferred my car as well and shared similar sentiments.
I totally understand why someone would choose a c8. They look great, drive well and they can be had for a decent price. If it had a good manual transmission, MAYBE I'd consider it further, but without, it's just noise in the sea of fast cars that are available to us nowadays. What a time to be an auto enthusiast!!!

 

[joe603]

A couple months ago, my European friends/colleagues came to visit and rented a c8 with z51 handling package. It also had a titanium exhaust. We drove my car (GT350R base) and the c8 up winding mountain roads to Mt St Helens. BEAUTIFUL drive.
The c8 is a superior sports car to the GT350R. Even on PS4s (compared to my Cup 2s on my R), the c8 was nimble! The car feels like its strapped around the driver. I personally loved the interior. The materials and quality were superior to my GT350R... but we all knew that. The seating position of the c8 was wonderful. I felt low down, as if the car were rotating AROUND me, whereas my GT350R sits up higher and uses incredible mechanical grip to SMASH it's way through the corners in comparison.
But don't hear what I'm not saying... I would NOT trade my GT350R for a c8. Despite being a fantastic car to drive, it lacks soul and emotion. It's clinical and precise, but doesn't leave me wanting more. My GT350R in comparison is like a hammer to my nervous system. It requires the driver to be much more active and engaged. If I put together a series of turns, braking and shifting... it was all because of me. The c8s engine and transmission made speed so effortless... but less fulfilling in comparison.
My European friends (one owns a modern 911) both preferred my car as well and shared similar sentiments.
I totally understand why someone would choose a c8. They look great, drive well and they can be had for a decent price. If it had a good manual transmission, MAYBE I'd consider it further, but without, it's just noise in the sea of fast cars that are available to us nowadays. What a time to be an auto enthusiast!!!

This is exactly what I felt during the test drive. I don't have a GT350 to compare too, but my 21GT 6MT with a performance pack, custom aftermarket stereo and tons of things I've added here and there just feels more alive vs the C8. Now maybe a Z06...but that's above my price range.

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