Zora? Is that you? - Page 3

ariZona28 · 06-21-2025, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 102SS

Check this out

The general builds a Super Car and morons dump on it for idiotic reasons

https://www.lsxmag.com/news/corvette...lready-haters/

Car guys have been criticizing new models for a long time. It would be nice if they would take a step in the other direction and offer a stripped down version for the racers and minimalist guys. Wonder if the demand is there? I know a manual is not in the cards, too bad. Yeah, I know an auto is faster but to some, myself included that's not the point. Shifting on a road course is a large percentage of the fun.

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FarmerFran · 06-21-2025, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Car guys have been criticizing new models for a long time. It would be nice if they would take a step in the other direction and offer a stripped down version for the racers and minimalist guys. Wonder if the demand is there? I know a manual is not in the cards, too bad. Yeah, I know an auto is faster but to some, myself included that's not the point. Shifting on a road course is a large percentage of the fun.

Thier version of the vette has been a stripped down version called LT1 - for max price, currently 70+k and no frills, for 70K no cooled seats and fancy crap, so there you go!

ariZona28 · 06-21-2025, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

Thier version of the vette has been a stripped down version called LT1 - for max price, currently 70+k and no frills, for 70K no cooled seats and fancy crap, so there you go!

Yeah, I know the base 1LT has a lot less crap on it but it still has too much. 10 speaker system? You only need one for chimes and alerts. Electric seats? Manual are much simpler and lighter. Air Conditioning? Not needed on track. Think 5th Gen Z/28 only C8 Vette. I know it wouldn't be a big seller but it would be nice to be able to option one down for max weight reduction. Fantasy baseball I know. Guess I'll just keep my C5Z track toy.

FarmerFran · 06-21-2025, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Yeah, I know the base 1LT has a lot less crap on it but it still has too much. 10 speaker system? You only need one for chimes and alerts. Electric seats? Manual are much simpler and lighter. Air Conditioning? Not needed on track. Think 5th Gen Z/28 only C8 Vette. I know it wouldn't be a big seller but it would be nice to be able to option one down for max weight reduction. Fantasy baseball I know. Guess I'll just keep my C5Z track toy.

Yep, we are saying the exact same thing.

102SS · 06-22-2025, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

Yep, we are saying the exact same thing.

gm has their reasons for not offering a manual and they are good enough for me

They knew they would face criticism for that choice.

Part of their reasoning was take rate for the manual on the C7 Vette was 26%

From Corvette Blogger:

"Of the nearly 200,000 C7s produced, the total take-rate for manual transmissions was 50,611 or 26.55%. The low-sounding percentage is one of the talking points that Tadge & Co use to justify their switch to a one transmission strategy on the C8."

https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2019...e-c7-corvette/

detamble13 · 06-23-2025, 03:24 PM

I wonder if gm looks at that 26% of manual buyers and assumes they would just purchase the auto if no manual were available. Some would but you're definitely losing some buyers. The C8 has sold well enough and from the base Stingray to the ZR1X it covers a lot of ground. There is still room for improvement to the driving experience and that would be adding a manual.

Martinjlm · 06-23-2025, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detamble13

I wonder if gm looks at that 26% of manual buyers and assumes they would just purchase the auto if no manual were available. Some would but you're definitely losing some buyers. The C8 has sold well enough and from the base Stingray to the ZR1X it covers a lot of ground. There is still room for improvement to the driving experience and that would be adding a manual.

I think that is less of a consideration than the question of whether the defectors from among the 26% was enough to cover the capital equipment, tooling, integration engineering, and certification required for the additional application.

m6-lt1 · 06-23-2025, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detamble13

I wonder if gm looks at that 26% of manual buyers and assumes they would just purchase the auto if no manual were available. Some would but you're definitely losing some buyers. The C8 has sold well enough and from the base Stingray to the ZR1X it covers a lot of ground. There is still room for improvement to the driving experience and that would be adding a manual.

They definitely lost me as a buyer. I could have afforded a stingray but wasn't interested. The C8 Z06 on the other hand is so epic I'd be willing to forgive it for not having a manual. Only problem is I can't afford one new and by the time I can the C9 will have came out.

Iron Lung Jimmy · 06-23-2025, 09:51 PM

The transmission in the C8 is like green eggs and ham. Like the character in that story who was sure he didn't like green eggs and ham until he tried them, you don't think you would like that transmission until you drive one then its like "Oh shit, this thing is amazing!"

102SS · 06-24-2025, 06:14 AM

By contrast Porsche in 911 models where a manual is available(thats right some don't even get a stick) the take rate is 40%

https://www.motor1.com/news/721273/2...he-911-manual/

detamble13 · 06-24-2025, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

The transmission in the C8 is like green eggs and ham. Like the character in that story who was sure he didn't like green eggs and ham until he tried them, you don't think you would like that transmission until you drive one then its like "Oh shit, this thing is amazing!"

Damn Jimmy what an analogy. I'll never read that story now without thinking of a C8.

My insistence a manual is offered relates to my own personal experience driving my Camaro. I've never been to the track over my 13 years of ownership. I'm not opposed to it but work and my kids sports take up my time. The back and forth to work and occasional highway on ramp are made way better by the six speed manual mated to the LS3. If I owned a Corvette the places I drive wouldn't be any different and the chances I wring it out to full potential, or at least try, would be rare. I'm sure the DCT is a great transmission and allows the C8 to exploit its full potential but actual owners are more likely to drive to Home Depot than their hometown track.

m6-lt1 · 06-24-2025, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

The transmission in the C8 is like green eggs and ham. Like the character in that story who was sure he didn't like green eggs and ham until he tried them, you don't think you would like that transmission until you drive one then its like "Oh shit, this thing is amazing!"

Nah, I’ve driven a modern DCT paired to a flat plane crank NA V10 (Audi R8), so I’ve tried it in an arguably more exciting car than a stingray but less exciting than a Z06. I’d still take my slow manual Camaro SS 1LE over the Audi and the stingray.

Also the whole thing about the manual take rate on the stingray “only” being 26% isn’t being looked at properly. That 26% is 10% HIGHER than the manual take rate on Camaro’s from 2020-2024. You can download the data on these forums and see for yourself. I’m not joking/lying, Camaro owners much prefer the auto versus the manual.

FarmerFran · 06-25-2025, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 102SS

By contrast Porsche in 911 models where a manual is available(thats right some don't even get a stick) the take rate is 40%

https://www.motor1.com/news/721273/2...he-911-manual/

Porsche owners are a lot different than vette owners. Every Porche owner i know is a "car driver".

102SS · 06-25-2025, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Nah, I’ve driven a modern DCT paired to a flat plane crank NA V10 (Audi R8), so I’ve tried it in an arguably more exciting car than a stingray but less exciting than a Z06. I’d still take my slow manual Camaro SS 1LE over the Audi and the stingray.

Also the whole thing about the manual take rate on the stingray “only” being 26% isn’t being looked at properly. That 26% is 10% HIGHER than the manual take rate on Camaro’s from 2020-2024. You can download the data on these forums and see for yourself. I’m not joking/lying, Camaro owners much prefer the auto versus the manual.

I would rather have an A10

06-24-2025, 06:14 AM	#38
102SS waiting at the tree Drives: SIM 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Niagara Falls Posts: 4,297	By contrast Porsche in 911 models where a manual is available(thats right some don't even get a stick) the take rate is 40% https://www.motor1.com/news/721273/2...he-911-manual/ __________________ 2010 2SS/RS A6 Just a few bolt-ons and appearance doo dads

06-23-2025, 03:24 PM	#34
detamble13 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS LS3 VR Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chatham, ON Posts: 765	I wonder if gm looks at that 26% of manual buyers and assumes they would just purchase the auto if no manual were available. Some would but you're definitely losing some buyers. The C8 has sold well enough and from the base Stingray to the ZR1X it covers a lot of ground. There is still room for improvement to the driving experience and that would be adding a manual.

06-23-2025, 09:51 PM	#37
Iron Lung Jimmy Drives: Iron Lung, Jimmy Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,577	The transmission in the C8 is like green eggs and ham. Like the character in that story who was sure he didn't like green eggs and ham until he tried them, you don't think you would like that transmission until you drive one then its like "Oh shit, this thing is amazing!"