A Look at the Practicality of the Mid-Engine Corvette for Fellow Car Guys!

[UPscaler]

Hey all!

I get asked fairly frequently what I do for a living, and the answer for the past three years has been that I'm a freelance automotive journalist. I'd produce videos, shoot photos, and write about cars. However, I recently became the Social Media Manager of one of the largest editorial automotive outlets in the world. They're called MotorBiscuit, and I started writing with them in February but have since been moved to marketing to grow their YouTube and Instagram presence.

So, I thought I'd post here and give you guys a look at what I'm working on! I got to spend a couple of days with a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette to make a video on its daily usability. I even snuck my 7.5" Smokin Rockets Honest John kit into the video

If you'd like to help support my career endeavors, subscribing to the channel would be extremely helpful! We've got lots of cool stuff coming, including more review videos, SEMA coverage, LA Auto Show coverage, and more!

Braden

 

[lakeroadster]

Well done. Thanks for posting this, a rocket guy, that's into cars. Sweet!

As to 'vettes, it's all personal preference. After the 1967 version... I kind of quit paying attention.

 

[cls]

the 2022 vette is the best ever.

 

[UPscaler]

Well done. Thanks for posting this, a rocket guy, that's into cars. Sweet!

As to 'vettes, it's all personal preference. After the 1967 version... I kind of quit paying attention.

I promise this one is worth making a return peek at.

...except for the markups. This car has an original MSRP around $74,000. It's used with 2,700 miles on it and they're asking $101,995.

Braden

 

[UPscaler]

the 2022 vette is the best ever.

My head's vote goes to the 2023 Corvette Z06. Here's hoping they put me in one of those, too!

Braden

 

[lakeroadster]

the 2022 vette is the best ever.

By what measure? Chevrolet has always been a working man's car. It falls short by that measure

 

[bjphoenix]

I don't know why the mid-engine wouldn't be just as good as a DD as any other one.
I've owned 5 different ones, from 1966 (427) through 1975 and used them all as DD.

My uncle was a journalist and wrote a car column for a newspaper, he ended up with the 1966.

 

[Hobie1dog]

If I had a 5 car garage it would likely be in one of the bays (after winning the Lottery)

 

[Sandy H.]

By what measure? Chevrolet has always been a working man's car. It falls short by that measure

I agree that Chevy has always had options for a working man's car (until the last few years. . .) but I always viewed a Corvette as the flagship/performance car for that brand and therefore one I would be unlikely to own new if ever. A Camaro (or Firebird) was closer to my believed pay scale, but just a few weeks ago my brother saw a new 3/4 Ton GMC for $65k sticker (plus required adders) and that was in a non-hot market. If that Vette at $74k is only $9k more than a truck, wow. . . by ratio, I bet the 1970's trucks were way cheaper than Vetts! Not researched, just opinion from life experience.

I can say for sure, if I could buy a 1967 Firebird that was solid with no motor or transmission for the original sticker price for a complete car (mine was around $2600-2800), I'd be driving to the bank right now! Having said that, it would be dumb, as the bank won't open for 10 hours and I should get a night's sleep, but if it were the case, I'd still probably drive to the bank!

I'm not interested in the new Corvettes, as they have never been on my radar, as I never thought I could afford any of them throughout my life. Might be a great car, but I'm more bummed about the $65k trucks that I might need to buy someday vs. the $74k sports car.

Either way, sounds like something I'd like to dirve for a week for free. . .

Sandy.

 

[cls]

what measure? Chevrolet has always been a working man's car. It falls short by that measure

Vettes were never working class cars. That's just silly.

 

[rharshberger]

Vettes were never working class cars. That's just silly.

Actually they used to be within reach of anyone in the middle class willing to save enough to buy one, I knew several NCO's when I was in the service that saved large chunks of their yearly pay and after 5 years or so were able to buy a Vette and have a payment about the same as a typical 90's family car or pickup. Now the only way a "middle class" person will afford one is if they live in it after purchasing it, or have a significant other who is willing to work just to make that payment.

 

[UPscaler]

Actually they used to be within reach of anyone in the middle class willing to save enough to buy one, I knew several NCO's when I was in the service that saved large chunks of their yearly pay and after 5 years or so were able to buy a Vette and have a payment about the same as a typical 90's family car or pickup. Now the only way a "middle class" person will afford one is if they live in it after purchasing it, or have a significant other who is willing to work just to make that payment.

A 1969 Corvette was around $8,000 new, which works out to around $40,000.

The base price of the C8 Corvette is around $60,000.

So it is a good bit more, but not super crazy. The option pricing and namely the markups are what put them out of reach.

Unobtainable for many, but for the performance figures and driving experience it's an all-out bargain. It puts Ferrari performance in the "every
man's" hand in the same way the original Corvettes did compared to European roadsters of the time.

Braden

 

[lakeroadster]

It puts Ferrari performance in the "every man's" hand ...

Yep, if you rent one for the weekend.

 

[Adam3836]

Hey all!

I get asked fairly frequently what I do for a living, and the answer for the past three years has been that I'm a freelance automotive journalist. I'd produce videos, shoot photos, and write about cars. However, I recently became the Social Media Manager of one of the largest editorial automotive outlets in the world. They're called MotorBiscuit, and I started writing with them in February but have since been moved to marketing to grow their YouTube and Instagram presence.

So, I thought I'd post here and give you guys a look at what I'm working on! I got to spend a couple of days with a 2022 Chevrolet Corvette to make a video on its daily usability. I even snuck my 7.5" Smokin Rockets Honest John kit into the video

If you'd like to help support my career endeavors, subscribing to the channel would be extremely helpful! We've got lots of cool stuff coming, including more review videos, SEMA coverage, LA Auto Show coverage, and more!

Braden

Dude nice job on the video …
I am a mopar guy and you had me really interested and focused on the vette….
Thing sounds amazing love the rumble

 

[bjphoenix]

A 1969 Corvette was around $8,000 new, which works out to around $40,000.

My 1966 was $2400 new and had no creature comforts, just the optional engine. My 1975 was $8500 sticker price including every option I could add.

 

[tsmith1315]

My 1966 was $2400 new and had no creature comforts

As it should be!

My 1975 was $8500 sticker price including every option I could add.

Big block, 4 speed?

 

[Daddyisabar]

Subscribed. Make a follow up with a convertible, real easy to move high power monsters in the front seat. As an old dude I often drive my 93 Ruby Red convertible to launches across Colorado. If an old dude can daily drive the much harsher, cramped and hard to get in and out of C4, then anyone can daily drive the soft and comfy C8 with all the modern bells and whistles.


Find the C4 Vette that off roaded to the Tripoli Colorado Hartsel site behind the gravel pit and next to the bison ranch!


Old dude having drive thrugh Popeys in Pueblo after the launch and at the height of covid. Great highway gas mileage on slow drive home with full belly. Not so great on the trip down to SCORE early that morning do to a lead foot.

Old school rocket packing in a BMW after launch in Wyoming. Coupes work but not as good as convertibles. The Vette was in the shop!


Sweedish Chevy drop top works good too!

 

[Big-Bob]

As the owner of a 1976 Corvette, I think the new mid engined "Corvette" is pretty much garbage. While Corvettes have never been the most practical cars around, I can drive my '76 pretty much anywhere, on normal roads, with potholes, curbs, driveways, etc. It has actual wheels (15") with real tires that actually have sidewalls (225/70-15) and enough ground clearance to be driven anywhere any other '70s car can be driven, and some places a new minivan or sedan with huge rims and virtually no tires cannot. Pretty much all cars (and trucks) have become far less practical than they used to be. Even so called SUVs are coming without real tires anymore.

 

[bjphoenix]

Big block, 4 speed?

I seem to remember that 1973 was the last of the big blocks. My 1975 had the highest horsepower 350, 4-speed, optional suspension, leather, top radio, that's what I remember.

 

[Woody's Workshop]

Liked, Subscribed.
Wish you all the best and much success!

 

[Hobie1dog]

subscribed

 

[lakeroadster]

I'm assuming the Ho-Jo is a kit? Who's the manufacturer?

 

[Back_at_it]

Nice review. I was on the list for a C8 to replace my 17 Camaro. Found a dealer that was selling at sticker so I got on the list and when the time came placed my order. Was due to arrive in July 2022. After a year on the list I got the call from the dealer that my order would be delayed into 2023 and I was now looking at delivery in May/June 2023 which was almost a full year after the original estimate. Needless to say I told them to stick their wait list where the sun don't shine and ordered something else.

As much as I like them, the idea of paying over sticker for one is insanity. I'll have a C8 someday and with the economy, housing and car markets crashing it shouldn't be long before these are just another used car on the lot.

 

[UPscaler]

I'm assuming the Ho-Jo is a kit? Who's the manufacturer?

Smokin Rockets

Nice review. I was on the list for a C8 to replace my 17 Camaro. Found a dealer that was selling at sticker so I got on the list and when the time came placed my order. Was due to arrive in July 2022. After a year on the list I got the call from the dealer that my order would be delayed into 2023 and I was now looking at delivery in May/June 2023 which was
almost a full year after the original estimate. Needless to say I told them to stick their wait list where the sun don't shine and ordered something else.

As much as I like them, the idea of paying over sticker for one is insanity. I'll have a C8 someday and with the economy, housing and car markets crashing it shouldn't be long before these are just another used car on the lot.

Yeah, the markup scene and production delays have certainly made the C8 an interesting case study. Chevy is employing anti-flip measures for Z06 buyers, but aren't making any explicit anti-markup calls.

Here's hoping you're right! If these came down to, say, even $5,000 under MSRP, they would be an amazing deal for the performance.

Braden

 

[Back_at_it]

Smokin Rockets


Yeah, the markup scene and production delays have certainly made the C8 an interesting case study. Chevy is employing anti-flip measures for Z06 buyers, but aren't making any explicit anti-markup calls.

Here's hoping you're right! If these came down to, say, even $5,000 under MSRP, they would be an amazing deal for the performance.

Braden

Agreed. Will be interesting to see if GM's measures to limit flipping are effective. I know of three people that have gotten markup calls from their local dealers already. Two were $50K over, one was $20K over. Both buyers that got the $50K markup cancelled immediately while the $20K buyer is seriously considering walking away.

I'm sure there will be enough buyers out there to sell every Z06 they make but I find it interesting that buyers are already walking away from cars with markups in this range. These markups were considered normal for a base Vette six months ago but are too much for the market on a Z06. Should make things interesting.

Here's to hoping the car market returns to normal pretty quickly. There are a couple of models I'm hoping to buy before we're all forced into golf carts.

 

[Steven]

And there's still room for more.

 

[Rocketjunkie]

I had a 1981 Trans Am, the last year of the 'Bandit' body style. I paid $10,000 for it new. It had a turbo that took a couple seconds for full boost. Between my long hair and the car, it was a cop magnet. I got pulled over at least once a month. I replaced it with a minivan and only got pulled over twice in 18 years.
This is when I sold it in 2000.

 

[Daddyisabar]

Poor dealerships having to make a profit anyway they can. Their days are numbered before Corporate Management adopts the direct marketing model like Tesla and turns them all into minor repair and charging stations. All EV with remote updating!

Independent, family owned dealerships in the rural farm towns, turn them into giant Kum and Go's. Maybe a few converted to fossil fuel burning museums where the old dudes can come and drink coffee and reminisce about shifting gears and ancient carburation technology.

 

[OKTurbo]

I got the old Buick out today. During the late 80’s early 90’s this was the Corvette beater. Not as fast, but Stop light to stop light it was king. Mine runs mid 12’s in it’s current street mode…pump gas with alcohol injection. Its still a ton of fun on the street.

 

[rharshberger]

Poor dealerships having to make a profit anyway they can. Their days are numbered before Corporate Management adopts the direct marketing model like Tesla and turns them all into minor repair and charging stations. All EV with remote updating!

Independent, family owned dealerships in the rural farm towns, turn them into giant Kum and Go's. Maybe a few converted to fossil fuel burning museums where the old dudes can come and drink coffee and reminisce about shifting gears and ancient carburation technology.

Dealerships days are numbered anyways, many people are now buying online and avoiding the dealers and their games, the new car dealers around here for the last 5 or 6 years wont even haggle price...I was told by one salesperson...we know what we have and you know what we have because of the internet, the price is what it is. Used cars you can negotiate on a little bit, when we bought my Mini Clubman 3 years ago, we negotiated, got the price to within about $25 per month of what we were willing to pay, the dealer refused to budge, we walked out got in our minivan and started to pull out of the dealer ship when the salesman came running out, they agreed to our price. I negotiate and my bank account manage tells them yes or no...SWMBO is a bookkeeper and keeps close tabs on what we can afford or not when it come to buying large purchase items.