C8 vs 720s

[conmax]

does anyone think the hipo version of the C8 will equal the 720s? i realize that little is known about the C8. also, it seems likely that Chevy has McLaren in its consideration. there may be too much of a price disparity, 330k vs 160k, to be considered competitive, yet Chevy will have to consider many more expensive mid engine sports cars in its marketing. McLaren has to be considered a benchmark. although not a 1/4 mi car, the 720 has impressive times in the 9.70's in the 1/4, for a rear wheel drive car. also, the hipo version of the C8 may be 2 yrs away and it is unlikely that McLaren and others will sit still for the next 2 years.

[Brian Kissel]

Well, as I've said many times on this forum, I was getting tired of GM not revealing the C8, and a 720 was in my future. Well after doing much research recently, there is just too much negative feedback on the Mclaren. I am hoping GM comes out with the rumored 1000hp all wheel drive version a couple years after the initial reveal. I do believe it will be very competitive with the 720 at a much more reasonable price. My money is making me quite good interest currently and I am eagerly waiting for the reveal, to decide what to do. Time will tell.

Regards Brian

[John]

Con max, you have noted some very important future comparison parameters.

We have the top Camaro beating a version of the McLaren 570S on the track, so yes, IMO, the ZORA version of the will far best the McLaren 720S. However, by time ZORA is out, there could well be a $450,000 McLaren 800S, so while I am sure that ZORA would perform outstandingly, I can not predict how well ZORA, at least than half the price of McLaren’s all CF 800S, might do.

One thing for sure, we are in for one exciting Corvette generation 1 ride.

[John]

Brian, I am always amazed by the quality of both the interiors and the exteriors of the McLaren! As nice as any Ferrari I have ever seen.

But having owned one super exotic decades ago, I learned the hard way that those of us who do super long trips are at major risk if you have a mechical breakdown, but worse yet, not only is the nearest dealer very hundred hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of miles away, but even when you get your vehicle there, parts for that exotic’s repair parts can be multiple weeks or even more than a month out. Flying home from nowhere, then flying back to get one’s car a month later just plain sucks, and as all can imagine, is beyond expensive every which way.

’Hence, with our averaging 10,000 miles a year just on our road trips, a Chevrolet Corvette is a very appealing exotic to us.

[Z_Rocks]

I know a guy who makes good money doing Commercial Real Estate. He has 4 cars. A Lambo, Ferrari, Z06 and a Ford 150.
80% of the time he drives the Z06, 15% of the time the pick up truck (when he needs one and going to the Gym) and 5% of the time the the exotic ones, when he goes out to dinner or wants to show off his successful life to clients to get their confidence.

He always says, no other car gives him the joy that Z06 does and he already has his name on the list for the C8.
GM is making us a car, that if not abused, can easily go over 100,000 with no major problem and still satisfy your ME feeling for a fraction cost of the others.

In South Florida we have a lot of Exotic cars, because the weather is good most of the time. But most of those owners, own Corvettes. Why, because they know the reliability and cost effectiveness of Corvette vs. others.

[JB]

No question in my mind the top dog corvette whatever it ends up being called will smoke the exotics such as the mclaren 720 from a performance standpoint...

usually its the interior build quality that the automotive press will find fault with in the corvette...blah blah blah. ...

i do believe and this is just my opinion the all electric tesla supercar coming in 2020 will out accelerate the gasoline electric hybrids of ferrari and mclaren and even corvette..

road course work should favor the full ev s after one lap...battery cooling on full ev s being the issue.l

[3 Z06ZR1]

Brian, I am always amazed by the quality of both the interiors and the exteriors of the McLaren! As nice as any Ferrari I have ever seen.

But having owned one super exotic decades ago, I learned the hard way that those of us who do super long trips are at major risk if you have a mechical breakdown, but worse yet, not only is the nearest dealer very hundred hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of miles away, but even when you get your vehicle there, parts for that exotic’s repair parts can be multiple weeks or even more than a month out. Flying home from nowhere, then flying back to get one’s car a month later just plain sucks, and as all can imagine, is beyond expensive every which way.

’Hence, with our averaging 10,000 miles a year just on our road trips, a Chevrolet Corvette is a very appealing exotic to us.

Nice post!

[MikeC8]

If you own a exotic $350K or several let’s face it you have to pay to play. No way around it. Pro athletes are the prime market along with successfull multi millionaire entrepreneurs and rich kids that inherit millions. That’s it folks. Working for someone else most likely isn’t going to put you in a exotic today.
On the flip side an exotic can put the average joe in the poor house down the road. Nothing can lead to failure faster then living beyond one’s means. I’ve read that 70% of the population by age 65 doesn’t have sufficient retirement saving’s to retire in a comfortable fashion.

[John]

While we agree the Corvette ME will not be considered an exotic by those who own a $250K+ one, it is sure going to look like one to the average person driving down the street.

Over 10,000,000 times, after the price of the C8 is widely known, someone will say to their spouse, “Can you believe that is only $70,000? We paid much more than that for our pick up!”

[MikeC8]

The C8 is going to look and drive like an exotic but won’t be a money pit. IMO. The Z06 already drives like a exotic.

[John]

MikeC8, well said!

[JB]

Mclarens are cool ...witht he doors that open upward....the girls love that ....so from a public perception point of view...the mclaren will still be top dog...

from a performance standpoint I have no doubt the corvette top model will smoke the 720 on a road course.

zero to whatever acceleration will be wi5in a few tenths as no matter how liht or how much hp and tq getting off the line with this much power is proving to be challeng8ng.

of course if there ends up being electric motors up front for awd.....in the top corvette it might actually be quicker than a few tenths ....compared to the 720..

personally I dont want dual motors so Ill be aiming for the lower cost version of the corvette where it just has the 500 hp lt1 derived v8 midship.

i dont want all the complications of dual motors including hybrids.

Keep It Simple Studid is my moto...

Im sure the 300k mile validation process will make the top dog corvette model ultra durable...so ownership experience will be seamless (especially when compared to exotics)

John...Fill us in on what type of exotic car you had and some of the ownership experiences to remind us not to go off and buy a ferrari 430 while we are waiting on the c8..(kidding)

im one of those guys that really cant stand the extra bend over maintaince and repair bills of cars...i just want to get in my sports car and drive everyday...i hate having my car sitting in the shop for long periods of time even when they give you a loaner.

ill never do a tuner car again either...every twenty years or so I mess around tearing apart a motor etc, adding heads cam headers and or forced induction and as a daily those mods never hold up or should I say the surrounding compnentry doesnt hold up and the car becomes one of those vehicles sitting for extended periods at some “tuner” shop

[Mobius]

Yeah, although I can appreciate Ferraris, Lambos and McLarens, who wants to deal with the parts and labor issues with these cars?

Ship the cars for service? Blah

Around $3000 for a replacement Lithium Ion 12V battery for a McLaren? Ouch

$14,000 for a Lambo clutch job? No thanks


Who needs that hassle and cost when you can get your Vette tended-to at a dealership just down the street.

The C8 Corvette - The Practical Supercar™

[ltomn]

Add in the required service calls, even the preventive ones are expensive and for folks like me in out of the way places, often a long drive. GM is in most American towns of any size and many of them will have a certified Corvette mechanic. That alone will justify waiting to seriously consider an ME Corvette.

[Fasttoys]

My Omega keeps better time than my Rolex and cost half the price but the Rolex is considered more exotic and prestigious. I think the same will be with the new top of the line ME. Most buyers paying 350k+ for a sports car are not necessarily looking for a performance bargain. The 720 is a nice car and its unbelievably fast. I think the Corvette ME is going to shock the world and I can't wait to have mine.