All right, I'll say it:

"phenotyp" (phenotyp) 12/04/2019 at 14:08 • Filed to: c8, corvette

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After watching Jay Leno and Tadge Juechter drive the C8 convertible, I can’t hate on it at all. It looks so much better in motion than the still pics I’ve seen to this point.

Judgement reserved until I can see one in person, but I think the convertible looks way better than the coupe. I’m not sure how much I actually like it, but I don’t hate it. They hit their mark.

Although, optioned as this is, it’s $90K; I could think of a hundred things I’d rather buy for that money.

Michael Cohen > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 14:26

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The ‘vert looks great. As a convertible lover I think it has just  a small penalty in terms of weight that’s really not going to matter unless you’re really chasing lap times. The chassis is probably fantastic even with the roof off.

Saracen > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 14:28

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Looked fantastic to me in person.

Milky > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 14:30

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I’ve seen some around and they look huge. Kind of like with the Taurus, you dont realize how big  the ass is until you’re next to it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 14:37

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I just wish the tailights weren’t so ugly.

Then again knowing GM we can just wait 3-4 years when they do a mid model re-fresh and change them. 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Michael Cohen 12/04/2019 at 14:37

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I believe that last couple Corvette generations have had the chassis designed as a convertible and the roof is added later so it’s not an integral stru ctural part.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 14:39

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A reminder that Alfa Romeo is still trying to sell the 4C at about $70,000. This is base model C8 territory.

The 4C is about to receive a summary execution unless they do some serious cheapening of the 4C to put it more in line with the average price of an Alfa.

OPPOsaurus WRX > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 14:40

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i think some of the problem with the car is the name. A Cor vette has always been front engine and changing that seems to go against the brand. I bet it would have been received better with a different name.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/04/2019 at 14:40

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Or patiently wait for the aftermarket body modifications to show up, then spend exorbitant amounts of money getting the parts color-matched.

phenotyp > Milky 12/04/2019 at 14:40

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I believe it. Thing’s got some serious booty.

phenotyp > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/04/2019 at 14:46

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I think they fit the form language well enough. It’s still way more Transformery than my tastes go, but I’m not sure what a better solution would be.

I mean, this

is pretty fugly, if you ask me.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 14:57

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Convertible does look pretty good, but detailing is still just SO BUSY.

From MT’s recent COTY:

If the new Corvette has a weakness, it’s the exterior design. The judges’ opinions ranged from harsh (MacKenzie: “Bill Mitchell would be spinning in his grave. “) to damning with faint praise (Walton: “ Fine from 100 feet . “).

The main issue: As you get closer to the vehicle, you see tributaries of pointless lines going off in every direction. This sort of sloppy linework—folds and creases that exist for the sake of existence—first appeared on the previous generation. Did the Corvette design team want to link the two products, to maybe help convince current Corvette owners to trade up for the newer model? Perhaps. Whatever the reason, although the car’s shape is good, the details are not. However, that just means that Chevy has a real opportunity in a few years with the midcycle refresh. As our guest judge and former Jaguar design boss Ian Callum said, “Great car to drive. Shame about the styling.”

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Milky 12/04/2019 at 14:57

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Fits 2 golf bags and weighs 3700 lbs.

Michael Cohen > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 12/04/2019 at 15:05

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Right. There’s a few cars like this--Boxster/Cayman and the old Z4 that was coupe and roadster. I would think the new Z4/Supra was done like this too. Also the regular Corvette isn’t really a coupe, it’s a targa. 

phenotyp > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/04/2019 at 15:12

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No disagreement here. Certainly not my style. But with the exception of the C1 and C5 (maybe the early C4), Corvette’s design language has never been clean. The C7 was busy and ugly as fuck. This seems like the mid-engined translation of the C7. Totally agree with MT’s assessment, there.

That said, I think they hit their mark. Chevy’s never really aimed for timeless design.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > OPPOsaurus WRX 12/04/2019 at 15:13

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They sold out the entire year’s production. I’d say it’s been received pretty well.

Future model year sales will tell the story. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 15:14

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It’s definitely got Decepticon Face, but I’ll reserve judgment until  seeing one in person.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 15:16

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Definitely agree on the C7. Striking/attention-getting , not beautiful.

It really is a shame, considering how good in looks in profile.

BahamaTodd > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 15:35

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A result of putting a trunk behind the engine.

BahamaTodd > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/04/2019 at 15:36

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If its anything like previous Corvettes, they don’t get mid-cycle refreshes.

BahamaTodd > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 15:40

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I’ve seen both in person and yes the convertible does look better - especially with the two tone black roof.

Corvette Convertible and C8.R Reveal at the Kennedy Space Center

BahamaTodd > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 15:44

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My parents just placed an order last weekend for a red Z51 coupe to replace their red manual C7. Oppo review once its received, I assume sometime in summer 2020.

Milky > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/04/2019 at 15:45

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Chonky and definitely a 2 golf bag problem.  That wide and tall of an ass just doesnt work for me.  

Milky > BahamaTodd 12/04/2019 at 15:53

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I just wanted to do this for myself but Ill share.

Imo the C8  is too  squared off, its the same width top and bottom.

wafflesnfalafel > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/04/2019 at 16:04

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T hat’s exactly it - I really do think the c6 looks better, (though not a better car,) especially in the wider Grand Sport or z06 versions. But that new c8 spider especially in  white is pretty darn sexy...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 12/04/2019 at 16:07

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I think the aftermarket will come out with plenty of options.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > wafflesnfalafel 12/04/2019 at 16:08

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Yeah, white and silver seem best on camera.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BahamaTodd 12/04/2019 at 16:10

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White/silver with as much black accenting as possible seems to be the right spec.

412GTI > BahamaTodd 12/04/2019 at 16:17

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It’s interesting, I think the older crowd is taking to the mid-engine shift better than originally expected. Look forward to seeing an Oppo drive of it. 

412GTI > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 16:20

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I still haven’t seen one in person, but I am generally excited for it. That Leno video definitely confirmed that this will be the best looking convertible they’ve made (since it’s not really a convertible).

I’d probably still go with something German that looks like a beetle for 90k but I get this cars appeal. 

phenotyp > Milky 12/04/2019 at 16:46

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Agreed, but very Corvette.

Sammyno55 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 12/04/2019 at 16:58

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I never understood the need to hold 2 golf bags. I play tennis at a golf/tennis club. Most of the members keep their clubs in the lockers. Let's have car designers make the cars to hold a tennis bag instead. The scenery is better on the tennis courts than the golf course, anyway.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BahamaTodd 12/04/2019 at 22:04

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They do and don’t. Cosmetically they don’t, but mechanically there are annoying changes every couple of years.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 22:04

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I think the base C7 is ugly, but the GS/Z06 look amazing. It needs the widebody.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > phenotyp 12/04/2019 at 22:06

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After seeing it in person, I liked it less. It’s just too big and WAY too busy. The fact that they patented a clutch by wire specifically for the C8, but then canned it is just the worst. GM ALWAYS messes up automatics.

BahamaTodd > Sammyno55 12/04/2019 at 23:00

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All tennis courts are the same. You can keep your rackets at the club. Where I live in North Palm Beach there are literally more than 20 golf courses within a 10 mile radius.

Powershiftmedia-ResidentDSMGuru > phenotyp 12/05/2019 at 06:35

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Having seen several in person I love them very much and that’s a lot for me to say. 

Sammyno55 > BahamaTodd 12/05/2019 at 09:39

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OK, don't golf bags fit in the SUV then? It seems like most people who would but a C8 would have another car. Making a 2 golf bag trunk a requirement, seems to hurt the styling. 

BahamaTodd > Sammyno55 12/05/2019 at 10:34

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The Corvette is overwhelmingly a GT that many people use as their daily driver. The previous generations have always had really good cargo room so GM knew they had to maintain that feature.

My parents have a C7 and a Wrangler. When they go on a road trip they take the C7. And they just placed an order for a C8.