# 1 ME Appeal to Me

[John]

My Highest ME Appeal


We know that there is 90% chance the ME will have the following negatives (compared to the outstanding C7):

The ME will: cost more; have less cargo space; not offer a manual trans option; not have a soft top convertible option; be harder to service, etc.

However, this thread is not a ME vs FE advantages vs. disadvantages discussion thread, for please let us continue to discuss that in this separate thread:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-disadvantages

This thread asks, “what is the ONE overriding reason you are planning to get an ME?”

Thank you.

[John]

The # 1 appeal to me of the new mid engine Corvette will be its enhanced engineering!

I have always been excited by engineering advancementsh, and while I am not debating whether ME or FE in and off themselves as to which has inherent better engineering, my thought is that whereas the C7 started as a 2014, the ME will be a 2020.

Imagine all the product, engineering, electronic and similar improvements that have occurred in the last six years.

[Mobius]

For me, I've always loved Corvettes and I've also always wanted a truly powerful (500+HP) ME sports car.

So, put these two together, and what do you get? Me owning a 2020 ME Corvette, that's what.

[FrankLP]

While the only hindrance for me to purchase a new ME Corvette would be financial resources, the main reason I would buy one in a heartbeat is due to that very heartbeat! The heartbeat of America.

Ive been a Corvette fan for as long as I can remember. The idea (and hope) of being here to experience (let alone owning) such a revolutionary milestone in Corvette history is huge.

I actually prefer the design geometry of a ME car over a FE car, so imagining the Corvette as an ME car is very very exciting for me. Obviously I’m biased in so many ways, but I’m confident that the ME Corvette will be stunning to me... love at first sight type of stunning.

So I suppose the main reason I’d buy the ME Corvette is because it IS (finally) a ME Corvette!

[Plasboy]

While the only hindrance for me to purchase a new ME Corvette would be financial resources, the main reason I would buy one in a heartbeat is due to that very heartbeat! The heartbeat of America.

Ive been a Corvette fan for as long as I can remember. The idea (and hope) of being here to experience (let alone owning) such a revolutionary milestone in Corvette history is huge.

I actually prefer the design geometry of a ME car over a FE car, so imagining the Corvette as an ME car is very very exciting for me. Obviously I’m biased in so many ways, but I’m confident that the ME Corvette will be stunning to me... love at first sight type of stunning.

So so I suppose the main reason I’d buy the ME Corvette is because it IS (finally) a ME Corvette!

So what will you do if they don’t call it a Corvette?

[John]

According to my insider, it will be called a Corvette. It would not be good if it were not, both in terms of “brand recognition,” but what about those we know who have the word “Corvette” tattooed on them, though I suppose those folks could get the word “Zora” tattoed” in a place of bi-lateral symmetry.

[FrankLP]

So what will you do if they don’t call it a Corvette?

Don't call it a Corvette?!! What is this blasphemy you speak of?! LOL

In all seriousness, if by some strange act the delirious decision is made to call it something other than... gulp... Corvette, I guess I may have a new/additional "love interest". But that's assuming that its DNA would be intrinsic to the Corvette... it's bloodline is still from "The Heartbeat of America".

I will say this though... I will never be as excited about or interested in an ME Cadillac, Ford or Dodge. My reason being that none of those would/will carry the revolutionary weight and historical significance that an ME Corvette would and will have. And I truly believe that the automotive Gods (and the Marketing & Financial Gurus) at GM fully understand this.

And thanks John for the reaffirming information!

[Rfong]

Many sports car enthusiasts aspire to someday own an Italian Exotic. This is epitome of excellence in the car world. I can attest the thrill and exhilaration driving on of those Supercars is overwhelming. However with those high thrills comes some baggage. The first and foremost being cost. Cost not only to buy but to maintain those temperamental beasts. Ferrari and Lamborghini are both mid engine cars, except the California and 599 by Ferrari, which are front engine.

The negatives about owning a true exotic are worry and concern. You always have to consider where you can drive that car, where to park it, and determine if the exposure it demands will be detrimental.

There is also a matter of dealing with “Haters”. At least in San Francisco, there are mean people who will hate you for owning a beautiful car. Be it jealousy, envy, or public disrespect, they are in your face with their unsolicited opinions. In this day and age you have to worry about personal safety and security.

You are also concerned about putting too many miles on it as high miles are the resale curse with these cars. Losing a few $$ is not the case when you have more than 20,000 miles, you lose 20-30% value and with a $300,000 dollar car, that is a significant number.

Corvette bridges the gap to exotic-land. You get world class styling and performance all under the reliable GM moniker.

Corvette seems to be immune to the Haters. Maybe because it is made in America? For whatever reason, Vette fans wave enthusiastically and give thumbs up instead of sneers and spit.

The ME moves the Corvette even closer to the exotics with the med engine and styling and still with all the qualities that make it a “normal” car to own.

I can’t wait for 2020 and hope the look will be as distinctive and unique as all the speculation.

[USVTRN]

Well put, Rfong!

What attracts me to the ME is that I think it will be something that aesthetically, surpasses the looks of the 488 GTB and performance-wise, surpasses the C7 Z06 -How can that be a bad thing? Another thing that's not mentioned much is the price; I'm actually hoping that it will MSRP between 80-100k so that way, you will see them a lot less than the Z06 (I realize that i'm probably alone in this line of thought).

[Ty27]

I too have loved Corvettes all my life and with the ME coming soon, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. I also like the fact that middle Americans can afford them and buy them. So I hope they are priced so you will continue to see them everyday, all day, including the ME. Exclusivity is for the exotic (over priced) European cars. They purposely over price them so you don't see many. The Corvette has always been different.

[John]

**** are you all smart. GREAT ANALSIS & IDEAS!

[LightningBolt]

I have been a fan of the Corvette my entire life and fortunate enough to own few. One of my first cars; however, was a ME Fiat X 1/9. That car was an underpowered maintenance nightmare, but Holy **** was that ME fun to drive!!! (when it ran, of course! ) So now I'm eagerly awaiting what 35 years of american engineering and the long awaited ME platform will bring to my favorite car. I guess that's what attracts me, the promise of an awesome handling American sports car with Corvette styling and real horsepower!!!

A year ago we sold our last sports car and I was seriously ready to pull the trigger on a new C7 Z06. Then I became convinced that the rumors of a Corvette ME might have some merit. So I held off, and we're driving our daily drivers until the day comes that I can place my order with Mike. Interesting back story there. I'd love to take delivery at the Museum, but Criswell is literally in my wife and my old stomping grounds and it would be really cool to fly out there, pick up our ME and break in the car visiting old friends before we head south. That will be totally cool!

p.s. I'll take mine in what ever constitutes Torch Red please!

[John]

LightningBolt, sounds like you have very specific and fun plan ahead!

We hope to do similar, getting ours there and driving it cross country home. Of course if the car doesn’t get made until late fall (like our Z06 was), we sure not going to drive cross country, over the Rockies through the snow with it (and would have it shipped or similar).

[whl3]

First, like John, I'm attracted by any engineering advancements of any four (or two) wheeled vehicles. Not that the ME Vette, as we perceive it to be today prior to its formal announcement, demonstrates any far reaching new engineering advancements. ME design is not new. In fact, or unfortunately as you may see it, the Corvette is one of the last two seat cars to enter this foray! Of the eight Lotus cars I've owned over the years, six of them have been a mid-engine design. All of them, regardless of engine placement, are as distant from my Z51 C7 as any car could be. Don't get me wrong, my C7 has been one of the most satisfying cars I've ever owned, whether I have it on track or on the Interstate highways. My wife is an even bigger salesperson for the Corvette than I am! The ME Lotus cars, however, have been, in my experience, the most fun cars that you could ever experience on track. The Exige S's, my 2-Eleven, and 23B, have power to weight ratios very similar to that of the C7 and close to the Z06. Their weight is almost half of the C7's (and C7's weight is admirable for what the car is!). I'm anxious as h**l to find out how a mid-engine Corvette will respond to track conditions! I'm no engineer or vehicle dynamist, but I believe my perceived experience for it to be a real hoot!

Secondly, for what the renderings have thus far shown us, it looks like Chevrolet design has done their homework. I know one of the Milford Proving Grounds test drivers. He has not told me one detail ("of the car he is not allowed to talk to me about!") other than he knows my likes/dislikes and has said that I won't be disappointed.

There was a front page article on the ME Corvette in "Automotive News" this week. The title was "Midengine Vette aims to halt skidding sales"! I'm convinced, even automotive journalists, know very little about what they write! In it's sixth year of production, of course sales will have tailed off. The market has reached its saturation point. I have two friends that have ordered 2019 C7 GS's. They couldn't care less about the 2020 ME Vette, and price would not be their objection. Only those of us who are real gearheads realize that for Chevrolet to brake the mold of the average age of new Corvette owners, they have to dive into other brands and steal their existing and potential customers (like they did me with the C7). If Tadge hits a homerun with the 2020 ME Corvette like he did with the C7, "skidding sales" will be no more! I have confidence he will.

[John]

for what the renderings have thus far shown us, it looks like Chevrolet design has done their homework. I know one of the Milford Proving Grounds test drivers. He has not told me one detail ("of the car he is not allowed to talk to me about!") other than he knows my likes/dislikes and has said that I won't be disappointed.

I am so glad to hear a fourth person’s perspective who has seen the car. I have heard that it looks are, from three different folks who have seen it, respectively commenting that It is, “incredible looking, superlative, and gorgeous.”

We are ready GM. Let’s at least start the pre-reveal tease process. Always fun to have never-ending discussions on whether we are looking at the front fender or the rear one as we did last time (laughing at ourselves). But at least it gives us something live and real. Bring it on!