The C7 is experiencing the same market rebound that the 458 is. The "last front-engined Corvette with a manual" phenomenon (a la the 458 being "last mid-engined NA V8")
The C7 ZR1 might be one of the greatest hoonigan cars of all time. You probably need a tire budget the size of the GDP of small 3rd world country to truly enjoy the car, but damn, if you did have that kind of budget, enjoy you most certainly will.
Well, certainly however it’s handicapped by its insufficient cooling system. If you can drive it in 60 degree weather at all times I guess it’d be perfect.
The C7 ZR1 is the car to have mong term. The C8 is a better car and that Z06 is a beast but the last gen C7 seems to be in higher demand.
Interesting points on the C7. Im hoping to get a ls3 C6 again soon, ducks in a row. Im not alone that I can afford way more car but don't want or need the excessive power cars have now. I also admit it takes talent and training to safely go "fast". Fast means on a track, not on public roads. Couple that with the overall surveillance everywhere and serious legal repercussions for much over 20 mph over the limit - why bother if the only use is public roads ? My personal opinion, as a person living in a cheaper, older part of town is that its not good to stand out and appear to have money unless you live somewhere "safer". Blending in with the struggling masses can be a good thing. I do enjoy the experiences yall are sharing with the new cars.
Interesting to consider that the C7 ZR1 had around a $15,000 rebate at the end of their run. They essentially couldn’t give them away.
FWIW- I actually like that luggage carrier on top. Gives off vibes of being a back-to-the-future rocket car!
Same thing happened with the 2009 Honda S2000 CR. Dealers still had CR models on their lots into late 2012. Of course, the CR was outfitted with no top, no radio, etc. Today it is the most valuable S2000.
You know I've had my C8 4 years now. Very reliable car. The only thing serious that went wrong with it was the retractable roof got out of alignment. Fixed under warranty. Probably happened when I opened it when it was too windy and it caught a gust. Early on I had an OTA update problem that killed the battery. I view that as GM's error more than the car's. The tires are not cheap. Replaced 3 rears for nail issues. $600+ for each time it happened. Insurance also not cheap. $2400 / year with a clear record. Ouch. Features I really like: The camera up front so you don't hit something when pulling into a spot. The convertible top (use it all the time). Apple Car play (I use Waze all the time). Mine came with wired Car play but I bought a wireless dongle and it works quite well. The self closing trunk. The front lift with GPS memory. Features I never use: Head up display. The PITA stuff: The trunk in back is pretty small and stuff does get hot back there. Getting to the battery is a total PITA. Drove it a few weeks ago from Vegas to Phoenix and back. Its a really comfortable car on the open road. About 16K miles on it now. I bought the extended warranty. I'll keep this car a while. Haven't found another DD that excites me and everything has gotten so much more expensive. I paid $89,000 for a 3LT Convertible Z51 with almost every option and another 2 grand to ship it from Maryland to Vegas. Those days are long gone.
This is in the snow with the standard Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires. >>> no problem of course. .
GM Really Wants You to Follow the Maintenance Schedule for Your C8’s Transmission https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2024/11/20/gm-really-wants-you-to-follow-the-maintenance-schedule-for-your-c8-corvettes-transmission/ Good vid, - Jump to 3:10 . .
Actually, not a good video. They get the cannister change requirement wrong within the first 2 minutes (The first video) The first DCT cannister filter change is at 7,500 miles (GM is VERY adamant about that), THEN every 22,500 miles after that. NOT every 7,500 miles as they say. Fluid change is every 45,000 miles OR 3 years, whichever comes first. Gotta love the internet...guy is holding THE sheet from GM and still gets it wrong
C8 service records are rapidly becoming of great financial importance on the secondary market with this model generation.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Engine Oil Life Monitoring System is mileage AND time sensitive (even if you've only driven 400 miles, at one year, the Oil Life Monitor will go to 0%). The Transmission Fluid Monitoring System is ONLY mileage sensitive so you do have to keep up with your time (45,000 miles OR 3 years in service). In my car's case, I had the canister filter replaced at 7,700 miles (free), and then at 3 years in service (22,000 miles on the car), I had the fluid and filter changed. In my case (based on how many miles I'm putting on the car), I will be replacing the cannister filter and fluid, at the same time, every 3 years.
I never understood why GM did the C7 ZR1 in the last model year of the C7 generation. Literally EVERYONE knew that the C8 was going to be mid-engine, which, IMO, hurt the C7 ZR1 sales. They clearly aren't going to make that mistake with the C8 ZR1. That said, if you have a C7 ZR1 with ZTK and a manual, no doubt you have a car that will actually appreciate over the next decade.
Because they had a bunch of crate engines that needed to go somewhere, preferably in something with four wheels.
