Do you think GM hurts Corvette?

[soggytaco]

Do you think GM is hurting Crvette by offering other less expensive cars with the same H.P. as Corvette like the GTO, new Camaro concept, or the new Cadillacs?

 

[Vettefan87]

Yes and no, whether you buy a GTO or not it still isn't a "Corvette". That alone is a big statement, at least to me. They are howerver hurting the older generation Corvettes....Like us C4 guys that are somewhat stock :cry
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[soggytaco]

Yah I am going to have to do some mods to my LT4 next winter but if I just bought a c6 it would **** me off that some guy in a GTO has the engine.

 

[Vettefan87]

True but the vette is far more aerodynamic, and I am sure it is faster even in a drag race. Not to mention I am sure the vette would out handle a GTO in the twisties.
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[JRMaroon]

First of all, great topic and question. I'm looking forward to the responses. I don't think this hurts Corvette. All of this performance is good for the consumer. In the 60's The General offered even more models with as much or more than Corvette if you compare BB cars to SB Vettes. In my opinion, a Corvette buyer is in the market for a Corvette.

Jeff

 

[ZZRider]

I do not feel it hurts the corvette. Different buyer groups I believe. The 400 hp GTO does not offer the performance of the vette due to weight, aerodynamics, etc. My WS6 had the LS1 like the C5 vette, many other cars in the past have shared the same engine as the vette. Some years, the vette was not the hp king in the GM lineup (the Buick Grand National Turbo comes to mind).

The hp wars are a good thing to me, and though it may be tough on the older stock vettes, it's what GM needs to do to compete. Heck, DC has 425hp SRT sedans, station wagons, and Jeeps now that can challenge a stock C5, C4, etc. The new Mustang GT500 will have a conservatively rated 475 hp. I say bring on the hp, give the vettes some more!

 

[LT4man]

Save The Wave!

 

[JimVette]

The horse power ratings maybe up there for the other cars but look at their weight. The mustang is about 400# heavier than the ZO6. I think it even outweigh's my ZR1.

 

[Tuna]

Different markets, different buyers.

The Corvette and Cadillac XLR share a basic chassis - after that, they are totally different cars and do not compete with each other.

The GTO and CTS-V aren't even in the same zip code when it comes to markets. Ditto, the STS-V. While the GTO can be had for under 40K, the CTS-V stickers at $50K and the STS-V is in Z06 territory. Don't know how or where the Camaro will fit in to this.

For now, only the GTO is cheaper than the Vette.

And, GM sells every Corvette they build right now.

 

[82ColEd]

I dont think they do. I believe the Corvette is in a different segment. When we bought the 97 Camaro, we didnt compare that to a Vette, even though the Z28 has a LT1 in it, like a Vette, but that wasnt why we bought it. We bought it because the 'Stang didnt drive well, or look nice; other cars didnt have the features She wanted, so we looked at the Z28, although it was more money then we wanted to spend, but it had everything She was looking for in a car. I think, someone looking for just a sportscar will get just that.

Just my 0.2 cents (0.17 Euro)


-Stefan

 

[wwr]

Worth More in the long run

I think owners are going to see the value of their Corvettes go up after GM declares bankruptcy. A few facts; if GM spends money at the rate they are today they'll be broke in 3 years. Practically everyone on Wall Street wants the Company cleaned up(divisions dropped). Nothing will be sacred. Even though they sell Corvettes remember the same guys are driving the Company into the ground. Multiple dealers might make it such as GM, Toyota, or whatever combo is out there. I think Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, dealers are going to be in trouble. What bugs me is since 1980 (1st Hondas and Toyotas came here then) GM has not been able to make one car 3 or 4 years in a row without changing something. MAKE ONE CAR AND MAKE IT RIGHT AND STICK WITH IT. That's where the bread and butter is. That frees up money to make Corvettes and other fun stuff. Three divisions with basically the same crap won't make it anymore. Think of this; there are now TWO generations of car buyers out there who have NEVER owned an American car.


wwr

 

[donsar]

GM is luckily still in business. They do what they have to do to stay competitive in the market. I do not think that they give any thought at all to the effect on the Corvette when they boost horsepower in other models. The Corvette is still the GM flagship with regard to styling, weight and overall performance. There are lots of cars out there with greater HP but they are not Corvettes in any sense of the word, at least at the price line that the Vette sells for.

 

[soggytaco]

What bugs me is since 1980 (1st Hondas and Toyotas came here then) GM has not been able to make one car 3 or 4 years in a row without changing something. MAKE ONE CAR AND MAKE IT RIGHT AND STICK WITH IT. That's where the bread and butter is. Think of this; there are now TWO generations of car buyers out there who have NEVER owned an American car.


wwr

To your point, the only GM cars that I have ever owned are the two Corvettes that I have owned. I think GM makes a lousy looking product. I read somewhere the average age of a Buick owner is like 60. Cadillac escalade does ok but their cars can not compete with the sleeker German and Japanese cars. The Chevy economy cars are just plain ugly.

Chevy tries to come out with these economy sports cars like the cobalt SS (one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen). Instead of making the base models more attractive with better quality.

The bottom line is with the exception of Corvette and Caddy G.M. makes a lousy product. Look what Dodge has done over the past three years. They are selling like hotcakes even Ford is catching on with some good looking new designs.

 

[Ezmunie]

First of all, great topic and question. I'm looking forward to the responses. I don't think this hurts Corvette. All of this performance is good for the consumer. In the 60's The General offered even more models with as much or more than Corvette if you compare BB cars to SB Vettes. In my opinion, a Corvette buyer is in the market for a Corvette.

Jeff

I agree with JRMaroon, I think GM has historically done this, but look at where the Corvette is now. It is still the icon for the American sports car. Corvettes are in a class of their own, and hp is not the only thing that puts them there.

 

[Gersh]

Yeah, I think it will hurt--it will reduce Corvette market share and ultimately Corvette viability. I also agree that the business world (Wall Street) recommends that GM and Ford and Chrysler all reduce the number of products and lines to improve their competitiveness in a world market, and maybe stave off bankruptcy.

 

[nearone]

Only Corvette

My friends who want HP build hugh hemi's for their muscle cars. They don't buy it off the assembly line. But, the Corvette enthusiasts still buy Corvettes. You can go 0-60 all the time, but you can't go 150 on the streets. I am in my third Corvette. I am 60 and I don't look at Buicks. My 84 yr old friend, Cleo, just picked up his 2006 Corvette. He said it rides better than his 8 series BMW. My wife mentioned the other day that Corvettes look so good, you can't really tell how old they are if you don't know the body styles. (Corvette owners don't drive dirty cars). What other car can you say that about. GM will not go out of business and the Corvette isn't going away. Who owns a Pontiac? Isn't that the name of some Indians? So owning one would be slavery! Corvette is the American Sports Car. (Not that I am biased in any way)

 

[STRAYDOG]

No complaints here GM has done a nice job................The C6 has evolved to a great sports car at a great price, you have to pay 20,000 miniumum more to match the C6...........A few things like better quality seating leather is about it......the Corvette wins Lemans ....forgive me for saying this but>>> stop >>>>>>>>wineing...........word of wisdom from a 1966 big block owner.......the corvette has evolved quite well ....Opinion based upon driveng just about every muscle car & runing the 1/4 "...since 1965....Woof

 

[VAROOOM]

Corvette engine in other GM models

I think this is great. Many people can not afford a Corvette and this gives them a performance car that some can afford. Chevrolet has done this in the past AND you know the Vette is going to out perform any car they stick this engine in.

 

[Norseman]

To own a corvette is not as exclusive as it used to be. Back in 73 when I drove my brother's vett. Everyone waved when one saw another vette on the road, not now. They're not quite a dime a dozen but it's getting there. Now one needs to purchase a Z06 to belong to anything like an exclusive club.:cool
However you can't blame GM for needing to keep up with the Mustang GT and the new Charger; should they loose market share just to keep the corvette engine exclusive to corvettes.