As Mark noted in our first Editors' Personal Car blog post, this new series details our experiences with the cars we actually own -- the cars that we coughed up our own hard-earned cash for. We're hoping to give you a glimpse into the joys and pitfalls of ownership, as well as share why we bought and love them. For our fourth intro installment, I'll be providing details on my 2008 Chevrolet Corvette.
Vehicle: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
Trim Level/Options: Corvette Coupe 1LT with six-speed manual transmission; Z51 Performance Package, Dual-Mode Exhaust, Competition Gray Wheels
Purchase Price: $43,504
Current Edmunds TMV: $35,378 (Private party TMV, as of 1/27/10)
Modifications: Replaced the original driver seat with an aftermarket Corbeau A4 seat; "Mild to Wild" dual-mode exhaust controller
Other Currently Owned Vehicles: None
Previous Vehicles Owned: 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser wagon, 1983 Volkswagen GTI, 1987 Honda CRX Si, 1989 Honda CRX Si, 1991 Eagle Talon TSi, 1991 Nissan 240SX, 1997 Mazda Miata
In late 2007, I had owned the Miata for about three years. It was a fun car, but I was pining for something, well, faster. And I wanted to own a new car for the first time in my life, thereby avoiding anything that would be unreliable (my GTI), finicky due to aftermarket performance mods (turbocharged 240SX) or constantly smelling like curry-scented air freshener on inside (the 240SX again). Basically, I got tired of buying other people's stuff.
I didn't grow up desiring Corvettes. I hadn't even driven one until I started working for Edmunds.com back in 1999. Even then, I wasn't really impressed; at the time, the C5 ('97-'04 fifth-generation Corvette) seemed too wide and unrefined. The C6 was better but still flawed. So at the start of my late 2007 calendar-year search I was looking at new performance cars in the low to mid $30,000 range. There were some good cars here (BMW 135i, Ford Mustang, Nissan 350Z, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX) but none resonated enough with me to make a purchase.
Around that time the 2008 Corvette came out. This was the first major update to the C6. Chevrolet added a more powerful base engine (the 430-hp 6.2-liter V8) and, most notably, made two upgrades to help address previous faults: a new steering rack for better feel and an improved manual transmission shifter.
I drove a red 2008 test car we had in the office. The latest Corvette still wasn't perfect, but its wicked performance couldn't be ignored. A stripper base coupe with all the performance options, in my opinion, seemed worth the financial stretch over cheaper cars like the 350Z. Plus, I liked the idea of owning a Corvette while I was still young enough to enjoy it.
I also noticed around the time that there were deals to be had. On the Corvette forums, there were (and continue to be) a few dealers who frequently listed Corvette pricing that you couldn't find anywhere else. In May of 2008, I dealt directly via email with the internet sales manager at Boardwalk Chevrolet in Redwood City, Calif. He was offering GM Employee pricing, which for my car meant about $6,500 off the $50,235 MSRP. It was, in the words of Don Corleone, an offer I couldn't refuse.
I had two early issues. The car's original battery was bad and died three days into ownership; having the car towed from my house to the dealer was not a good omen for the GM-vehicle ownership experience. And there was also an early problem with the parking brake sensor, which was fixed under warranty. But since then it's been trouble-free.
The Corvette is mostly a weekend toy and hence has only about 4,500 miles on it. I've taken it to one track day so far and have had fun on a couple road trips with Editor in Chief Karl Brauer and his Ford GT. Associate Editor Mark Takahashi also wants me to go out with him on his next Elise track day. So that, along with maybe a couple mild suspension mods, are on the docket for the Corvette in 2010.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
By cruiserhead1
on January 27, 2010
10:13 AM
How is the Corbeau seat? Quality and comfort good?
I like the Vette but it does have a ... less than desirable image. But for that, it's still the best styled Vette in many generations.
Looks great in black.
If GM could bring the quality of the interior up to current Buick/Caddy levels, it would be so tempting.
Does it still use the Cobalt steering wheel?
But, that's not really what the car is about so take it with a grain of salt
By brn
on January 27, 2010
10:36 AM
I was going to say it's a good looking car, but ya had to include a picture of Karl's Ford. The Ford wins. :)
Nice ride. When they put 430hp under the hood of a base Corvette, they made it more attractive.
By jriz
on January 27, 2010
10:36 AM
Nothing makes a car look humungously tall like parking it next to a Ford GT.
By cruiserhead1
on January 27, 2010
11:04 AM
parking anything next to a Ford GT is the equivalent of standing next to Eva Mendes in a bikini: You're either in the way or dressing.
By ahightower
on January 27, 2010
11:09 AM
That's a long list of imports. I hope the Vette is good to you. Really enjoying this new feature on the blog!
By bromans
on January 27, 2010
11:24 AM
@cruiserhead
Corbeau seat is good. Figure I'll provide more detail about in in a later post. Yes, the Cobalt and Corvette share a steering wheel. It's actually fine as steering wheels go, but many sports cars have better ones.
By dougtheeng
on January 27, 2010
11:55 AM
Its a nice looking car, there is no denying it. All that power for that price! Its enough to forgive the interior...
By subytrojan
on January 27, 2010
12:02 PM
Tahoe! j/k
Nice track photo! Did Rex shoot it? :o)
By rick8365
on January 27, 2010
02:06 PM
Nice car! Good luck with it - enjoy the miles with that sweet V8 soundtrack.
Looks like you used painter's tape for obvious reasons at the track but what do you have across the nose of the car?
Just had a thought - it is great that the base engine is now 430HP but the new Mustang GT and its HP rating just popped into my head. It really is crazy that the new GT will have HP so close to the Vette.
By brn
on January 27, 2010
02:07 PM
Does the Chevy have even lower profile tires than the Ford? huh.
By bromans
on January 27, 2010
03:24 PM
@rick8365
I covered the nose with clear shelf paper, though I caught some flak from co-workers; they called it a car condom. -- Brent
By carlisimo
on January 27, 2010
07:58 PM
How are track days? Did you buy separate insurance for that?
By rick8365
on January 28, 2010
06:00 AM
Thanks.
I'd rather field the flak than weep over a sand blasted nose. Smart man.
By pflyer
on January 28, 2010
06:42 AM
Brent,
Great choice. The 2008 and on C6 is the best made Vette, yet IMHO.
Two questions: How is your tire wear going? I understand the Z51 package is tough on tires. Maybe 10,000 miles at the most.
Second question: How does the Z51 package feel in the "daily driver" mode? Does the ride beat you up or is it OK?
Love your wheels, also. The shiny, bright wheels look cheesy on a Vette.
By chavis10
on January 28, 2010
11:30 AM
One of my favorite cars of all time.
By bromans
on January 28, 2010
11:33 AM
@carlisimo
I've only done one so far. No, I didn't have separate insurance. Two main impressions from it: 1) It's a lot different driving your own (expensive) car on the track than a press-loaned/driving-school/race car, which is what I've normally been in for track time. Generally, I was less willing to drive all-out, and I was still learning the car, too. 2) The Corvette handled better than I expected. But oversteer breakaway is not all that progressive, which I've learned first-hand is because of the Goodyear tires.
@pflyer
Tire wear: Well, said track day certainly reduced the tires' lifespan. But there's still plenty of tread left. Z51 package does include the upgraded tires. Not sure if the alignment specs are different. But personally, tire replacement is just part of owning a sports car. Also, wheel alignment and driving style also have a big influence on how long the tires last.
Ride quality: For a sports car, the ride quality is quite agreeable. Even with Z51, it's an easy daily driver.
--Brent
By estreka
on January 28, 2010
09:57 PM
I've had the good luck to drive a C4 convertible, C5, and a C6 manual. The C4 felt brutish and combersome. It also drove like a lowered truck. The C5 felt equally gigantic, but far more nimble.
The C6, however, truly is revolutionary for the Corvette line. It feels like a modern sports car. It still feels gigantic (and not in that GT way), but the lowered seating position gives you the feeling that the car is very athletic, which it is. The seating position also makes you feel like you're sitting in a 90's Camaro/Firebird. Whereas the S2000 and Miata are great for folks of medium height, the Corvette is great for taller people (I'm 5'9").
By chavis10
on January 29, 2010
06:29 AM
I read replaceing the Eage F1 SCs with Pilot Sports make all the difference in the world. I think that is one reason the ZR1 comes with Pilot sports and feels better on the track compared to the Z06 (in addition to other chassis mods and MR shocks).
By trackwrex
on February 1, 2010
10:14 AM
gotta LOVE that 'vette. hey brent, we gotta have charlie go out in his on the next track day. which at this moment, keeps getting postponed. lol. darn this rain!! but i have to admit: i like the rain. the V gets to play (no, no Yokos on her- thank goodness!)
By jederino
on February 3, 2010
03:57 PM
Beautiful Car! I just gotta say it's gutsy to drive such a nice car on Track Day. Even if you're careful, I'd be nervous about other boy racers in their cheap cars. If they crash into you, who's gonna cover your repairs?