You would think, by now, every question about the eighth-generation Corvette has been asked and answered many times over.
But as we talk to prospective C8 owners, the same handful of questions keep coming up, and they’re not the ones you would think.
The questions generally aren’t about 0-60 performance or lateral G skid pad results. Instead, they’re asking about the option packages and everyday livability.
With that being said, here are the top 5 real-world questions we get asked most about the eighth-generation Corvette:
- Do you need the Z51 package if you aren’t going to track your Corvette?
- Is there a big change in driving a mid-engine C8 vs. a front-engine car C7?
- Do you miss the C7’s easy-access storage behind the seating area?”
- What is the passenger experience like sitting on the other side of the “Great Wall?”
- Do you know of a dealership that doesn’t charge over MSRP?
So, obviously, we needed to talk with a C7 owner who had recently transitioned to the new C8 platform. Fortunately, we knew just the right person to talk to, Frank Macaluso.
As many of you know, Frank is a fun, easy-going fixture at many major car shows around Atlanta.
With several prior Corvette ownerships under his belt, we knew he would give us his unvarnished impression of the differences between living every day with the two generations.
American Muscle Meets Beautiful Design
Rod Worley – Editor – When did you first notice Corvettes, and how many have had a place in your garage?
Frank Macaluso – 70th Anniversary C8 – Even as a young teenager, Corvettes stood out to me. Especially when you compare them to the British and Italian sports cars of the day.
To me, Corvette was “American muscle meets beautiful design.”
Over the years, I’ve had C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, and now C8. So in total, I’ve had eight different Corvettes.
However, the 2018 Carbon 65 edition was my favorite until this 2023 70th Anniversary C8.
Rod Worley – Editor – The Z51 Performance Package is a popular option. This equipment group includes, among other things, a performance exhaust, an electronic limited-slip differential, and Brembo brakes.
So do you think the upgrade is worth it if you don’t track your car?
Frank Macaluso – 70th Anniversary C8 – I’ve had the Z51 package on my C5 through C8 Corvettes. Since I rarely spend time on the track, this package ultimately gives me peace of mind.
Yes, the more powerful brakes, like the other parts of the Z51 package, are a nice addition.
But the base package would be fine for daily street use and long weekend touring. In fact, the base model may be smoother riding, depending on the options you choose.
Learning Curve To Drive
Rod Worley – Editor – Driving-wise, is there a learning curve from a C7 front engine to a C8 mid-engine?
Frank Macaluso – 70th Anniversary C8 – I’ve been driving front-engine cars for 56 years. And yes, there is a different feel to driving a C8 because you don’t have the long hood and familiar fender bumps.
As you look over the hood of a C8, you get the sensation that nothing is in front of you. Also, there is a different sensation going around corners.
It takes a little bit to get used to, especially the first few times. However, your confidence grows as you spend more time behind the wheel.
With a mid-engine design, you feel like the car rotates around you vs. being pushed through the corner. I don’t usually track my cars, but once you get used to it, the mid-engine would be much faster through the corners.
Honestly, this new generation handles corners like it’s on rails. But yes, I can see how some people jump behind the wheel of a C8 and get into trouble because of its unique handling characteristics.
Cabin Ergonomics
Rod Worley – Editor – Since your 2023 70th Anniversary is a mid-engine design, you naturally lose the storage area behind the seating area. How significant of a loss is that in everyday use and on trips?
Frank Macaluso – 70th Anniversary C8 – The loss of easy access cabin storage means you must always plan ahead. If it’s a cold day, and you jump into the car, you will naturally turn on the heated seats.
But what do you do with your coats after you warm up? Your only option is to pull over and stow them in one of the two storage areas.
Likewise, anything larger than a laptop or book ends up in the front or back storage area. The convenience of cabin storage isn’t something you consider until you head off for a weekend getaway.
Also, remember the back storage is larger but gets warmer because it’s beside the engine. The frunk (front trunk) is cooler but much smaller in size.
Rod Worley – Editor – Another question we get asked is about passenger isolation from the driver due to the “Great Wall” between them. What’s your experience?
Frank Macaluso – 70th Anniversary C8 – The new C8 is a terrific experience for the driver, but not so much for the passenger. The passenger side is a confined space with just their seat and the leg room in front of them.
The interior design does isolate the driver from the passenger to a large part. You have to hope your passenger enjoys the view out of the windshield because that’s all they have on long trips.
But the fit and finish of the interior are world-class. The C7 was good, but the C8 took it to a new level.
Dealership Experience
Rod Worley – Editor – Even three years since the C8 debut, many dealerships still charge significant markups over MSRP. How long were you on a waiting list, and how was your dealership experience?
Frank Macaluso – 70th Anniversary C8 – I was on the waiting list for about a year and a half at Day’s Chevrolet in Acworth, Ga. Because that dealership wasn’t gouging customers, I heard they were taking calls from people from other states trying to get on their allotment list.
Chris Massey is the salesman I dealt with at the dealership and is one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Several people from the Classic Glass Corvette Club of Marietta also use him.
He’s honest, knowledgeable, and doesn’t push unwanted options. The right salesman at the right dealership makes a big difference in the buying experience.
The C8 Is World-Class
No matter how you judge the latest generation of Corvette from Bowling Green, it’s world-class.
From the starting price to the performance, fit & finish, few sports cars come close. While the Corvette visualizer can answer many of your questions, it can’t answer the daily livability ones.
So we’d recommend talking to a C8 owner to get greater insight into the total experience.
Because we know you have real-world questions about the eighth-generation Corvette.
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