Five reasons the new Corvette will stay an old man's car (AW article)

[DarthAWM]

I am an anachronism. I know I am a person who is not of the modern age. I appreciate how computerized fuel injection and timing maximize power and fuel economy. I am amazed at how an engineer(or series of them) figured out how to use weights and springs to adjust ignition timing versus RPM. I love the mechanical over the electronic.

With that said I love the C7, I accepted it much faster than the C6. I must have taken me a year before I really started thinking the C6 looked good. The C7 has some draw backs: cylinder deactivation(heavy, not really necessary IMHO), and the rear end(It doesn't scream Corvette to me). But the pluses out weigh those to me. Massively torquey motor(only 20 ft-lb off the LS7) Sleek, aggressive side and front views and a beautiful interior(I was one who thought the C6 interior was pretty darn good) and the high tech gauges really impress me.

At 36 I'm younger than most here and providing oil stays over $70 a barrel I figure on owning one before I'm 40, 38 if things work right.

[kRoNiX]

I've loved Corvettes since I was 14, and i'm 28 now....

[KennyGS]

Hilarious! Prognosticating about GM's target demographic for a $60K car, and why it won't be a "young customer."

[Roadkillz]

Originally Posted by DarthAWM

I am an anachronism. I know I am a person who is not of the modern age. I appreciate how computerized fuel injection and timing maximize power and fuel economy. I am amazed at how an engineer(or series of them) figured out how to use weights and springs to adjust ignition timing versus RPM. I love the mechanical over the electronic.

With that said I love the C7, I accepted it much faster than the C6. I must have taken me a year before I really started thinking the C6 looked good. The C7 has some draw backs: cylinder deactivation(heavy, not really necessary IMHO), and the rear end(It doesn't scream Corvette to me). But the pluses out weigh those to me. Massively torquey motor(only 20 ft-lb off the LS7) Sleek, aggressive side and front views and a beautiful interior(I was one who thought the C6 interior was pretty darn good) and the high tech gauges really impress me.

At 36 I'm younger than most here and providing oil stays over $70 a barrel I figure on owning one before I'm 40, 38 if things work right.

There are two fuel economy technologies that GM is using (one it seems GM has gotten the hint and is dumping). AFM adds cost, complexity, weight, NVH issues and really not much benefit with regard to fuel economy. IMHO if they went with a concentric camshaft VVT system instead of AFM it would be lighter, more powerful, and get the same fuel economy. Though we would have to wait and see how they improved the system in the Gen V engines.

Eassist has been a huge miss for GM, as a result GM announced not that long ago that it will stop making hybrids (ranged extended EV or EV only now). The Malibu with the Eassist system cost $3,000-$5,000 more then its competitors and yet doesn't get better fuel economy then them. Honda and Nissan took the route of reduced mass and CVT and the Accord is rated at 27/36 (this is a big car too). Nissan gets 27/38 from its CVT I-4 powertrain combo which blows Eassist out of the water and for a huge discount over Eassist. Ford went with a 1.6T engine which is also a good route to take, it has the power and torque of the Honda and Nissan 2.5L and without a CVT (which some people hate) it gets 25/37. Mazda went the route of an extreme I-4 engine (13:1 compression ratio on 87 octane).

Now it looks as though GMs 1.6T engine which they use in Europe is making its way to the US and the Malibu is on the list to get it.

[Roadkillz]

Originally Posted by KennyGS

Hilarious! Prognosticating about GM's target demographic for a $60K car, and why it won't be a "young customer."

I see lots of flaws in this article, basically what he stated probably only really applies to him and the people in the part of the country that he lives in.

[Aleem 1983]

Originally Posted by BLK 1

I really dont care what they say, Longtimer and I will drive the C7 with pride!

BLK 1

Ahhhhhhhhh how I love the trouble

[Fattoys]

Being part of many European car clubs I think GM will still have some other problems bringing in this crowd. I know one problem that will be hard to overcome is that the Corvette is under the Chevrolet umbrella. If the C7 becomes successful bringing in the Euro crowd I wonder how long they stay in before they go back? I know many will have gripes bringing their Vette into a Chevy dealer for service, heck I know many owners do this now. I am one who doesn’t care and will buy whatever I like + I have never been brand loyal and since 2000 I have owned 42 cars and two of them being corvettes. But I know many Eruo car owners and for some of them it’s about the ownership experience and the bragging rights and many have been brain washed that Eruo is better. So for those idiots I am not sure a Corvette is going to fulfill their needs. Observation: Every month when I go to C&C I hear many Euro owners comment on how many mustangs and corvettes are at the events while thinking who cares it’s not about that and get over yourself. I feel many have the perception that European cars are better built and will never give the C7 a chance. Other issues: Getting 911 owners to cross over: A lightly optioned new 911 will cost you about 100 to 110k I know Porsche is getting crazy expensive and even a heavy loaded Box-S is about 75k
So I wonder if a person who can afford a P-car at that price point will be moving down to a 60 to 70k C7? The other concern: Sports car sales our on the decline and unfortunately we have a shrinking middle class with a mediocre economy while many are experiencing a shrinking pay check. But one thing GM has going for it, The new C7 is the best two seat performance sports car you can buy under 70k….

[BLK 1]

Originally Posted by Aleem 1983

Ahhhhhhhhh how I love the trouble

Longtimer is a great guy on here and he knows I'm just kidding around.

BLK 1