[drfeelgood]

So as the title states, I sat in a C8 today. It was in the showroom in Costa Mesa, so we couldn't turn the engine over, couldn't drive it (obviously) and couldn't really turn the volume up on the stereo... quick thoughts

It's tight... very tight. Maybe the guys that drive corvette's are used to this, but wow, it feels like you are in a cockpit. Little to no room to do anything but drive. Controls are easily reachable. Nice comfortable palm rest of the mode change turn knob.
Head space is minimal... 6 foot guy got in,, pulled the seat all the way down and back and his head was touching the T-Top. If you are taller than 6 feet and you hit a bump... ouch

Steering wheel is the same feel as our aftermarket carbon fiber wheels from wildhammer.

Reaching the vertical strip of buttons on the right won't be difficult, but they are small and it's a lot of them, finger memory will help in controlling functions.

Screen to the right is the same as in our 2019 Camaros.

Leg room was adequate for me, but I'm short. Wish I could give first drive comments to compare to the Zl1, but maybe in another 9-12 months or so.

[Glen e]

Overall, how was the quality of the leather/stitching ?

I had a C7 and the interior never compared to a Porsche /Audi /BMW or Infiniti. The leather in my 2015 looked OK but semi-cheap.....

[Camaro_QC]

Can't wait to have one close so I can sit in it and see for myself.

[Hell Raiser]

What dealership was it in. I was told they haven't even started building them and won't be out until late Dec.

[drfeelgood]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Overall, how was the quality of the leather/stitching ?

I had a C7 and the interior never compared to a Porsche /Audi /BMW or Infiniti. The leather in my 2015 looked OK but semi-cheap.....

I saw three levels of seats.

First appears to be headliner-grade cloth seats

Second was low grade leather, non perforated, white stitching

Third was higher grade perforated leather , with heated/cooled seats

All three were Recaro... here are pics, sorry if they come out bad, posted from my phone, will adjust when I get to a computer

[drfeelgood]

Originally Posted by Hell Raiser

What dealership was it in. I was told they haven't even started building them and won't be out until late Dec.

Connell Chevrolet in Costa Mesa, CA

Free lunch , viewing and able to sit in the vehicle event both yesterday and today from 11a-7p.

Got to see all of the wheel options, seat options, colors, etc as well

[FringBirdAloha]

Originally Posted by drfeelgood

I saw three levels of seats.

First appears to be headliner-grade cloth seats

Second was low grade leather, non perforated, white stitching

Third was higher grade perforated leather , with heated/cooled seats

All three were Recaro... here are pics, sorry if they come out bad, posted from my phone, will adjust when I get to a computer

GT1 seats are the base variety. They are leather trimmed.
GT2 seats are the upgraded seats. Also leather trimmed but with more adjustment, bolster, ventilated, heated.

Competition Sport - they are leather and Gm Performance textile material in places of high wear. They are trimmed in carbon fiber and have a very aggressive bolster.

[drfeelgood]

Originally Posted by FringBirdAloha

GT1 seats are the base variety. They are leather trimmed.
GT2 seats are the upgraded seats. Also leather trimmed but with more adjustment, bolster, ventilated, heated.

Competition Sport - they are leather and Gm Performance textile material in places of high wear. They are trimmed in carbon fiber and have a very aggressive bolster.

Thank you, much better explanation than mine

Also, from the looks of the seats in the showroom, looks like
Both the GT2 and competition sport are trimmed in carbon fiber

[FringBirdAloha]

Originally Posted by drfeelgood

Thank you, much better explanation than mine

Also, from the looks of the seats in the showroom, looks like
Both the GT2 and competition sport are trimmed in carbon fiber

I’m pretty thrilled about the C8, I can tell you that!

[drfeelgood]

Originally Posted by FringBirdAloha

I’m pretty thrilled about the C8, I can tell you that!

It was an odd experience finally seeing it in person. We are so used to concept cars that never come to fruition. We are used to seeing exotics up close with a $200k price tag. To see this car , a combination of the above and know that it is actually happening at an affordable price tag is very surreal.

[unavailablezl1]

This is the first vette I have ever thought about buying. The past reliability has always had that question in my mind. But since this is revolutionary for American made, save for the GT, I really want one bad. I love the looks everywhere, save for the busy back end. I think I will sell a kidney.

[drfeelgood]

Originally Posted by unavailablezl1

This is the first vette I have ever thought about buying. The past reliability has always had that question in my mind. But since this is revolutionary for American made, save for the GT, I really want one bad. I love the looks everywhere, save for the busy back end. I think I will sell a kidney.

I'm not even sure the automotive world realizes what's happening here. This is kind of a turning point in the American sports car world. Like you said, yeah the GT was a mid engine, but an UNAFFORDABLE one for 99% of the population , and a limited run to boot.

possibly every new corvette moving forward is going to be mid engine.... bonkers

[Artos]

I wonder how tight it is compared to the C7...I'm 6' & it was the feel of the vette that turned me off. I love what GM did here & kinda cool to see so many looking into it, but doubt I'll ever be inclined to consider one for myself. Maybe it just takes some seat time??

[mblum]

Originally Posted by drfeelgood

I'm not even sure the automotive world realizes what's happening here. This is kind of a turning point in the American sports car world. Like you said, yeah the GT was a mid engine, but an UNAFFORDABLE one for 99% of the population , and a limited run to boot.

possibly every new corvette moving forward is going to be mid engine.... bonkers

I'd have to agree.

Honestly, I haven't been following the new Vette very closely until the past few months, and as more info has been released I've been increasingly impressed with the car and with the amount of time GM has put into it I hope the engineering is well thought out, which I expect it will be. I got the feeling the C7 hit the upper threshold of the front engine/rear drive platform as far as the chassis's ability to efficiently use the power it had without "race" level of suspension and tires. I'm very excited to see the new C8's ability on a track, I have a feeling it will be a very impressive and balanced car at it's limits. And when the upper trim levels of the C8 are released there will be a lot of buzz.