The new Corvette just got a total redesign, and it’s absolutely badass and probably the most anticipated car ever! Corvettes of yesteryear were the mid-life crisis machine of choice, but the new one appeals to the masses. And with it starting under $60,000 MSRP, it seems like everyone can already imagine one in their garage.
So, with the C8 being so cheap, you may be trying to figure out exactly how to spec your new C8 Corvette. Or, you may not be in a position to buy Chevrolet’s brand new mid-engine sports car, and you’re waiting for heavy depreciation to kick in to buy a heavily discounted used one. Yeah… Chevy is going to make a ton of them! For 2020, they’ve already allocated 40,000 units to the public, and it’s hard to blame consumers for drooling over those stunning good looks backed by a mid-mounted dry sump 6.2-liter V8 ready to deliver a performance of a lifetime.
Yet, that means one thing, and one thing only. There are going to be a ton of used ‘Vettes available by the end of this year. And with the help of depreciation, a used first year mid-engined C8 ‘Vette might just be the bargain of the century!
So, in this article, I’m going to build out a C8 Corvette and show you the must-have options you need to check out if you’re building a new C8 Corvette, and the ones you’ve got to look for if you end up buying used. Not only will they dramatically enhance your driving experience, they will help the sports car hold value during your ownership and maximize your return when you do go to sell it! Now that’s a win-win!
The 2LT Trim Package
So, lets jump in! First, you’re greeted with the question of coupe or convertible. But, since it’s a performance car that you want to get the most resale back out of, you should go coupe all the way.
So, the first option you’re definitely going to want to get is the 2LT trim package, especially if you’re going to be driving this more than just to the car shows on the weekends. It gives you tons of creature comforts on the inside like heated and ventilated seats with memory, heads-up display, a place to charge your phone wirelessly and an upgraded rearview mirror.
On the exterior, you’re getting a forward-facing camera, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alerts. Also, for track days, you get the absolutely necessary performance data recorder. Yeah, it adds $7,300, but for everything you get, it’s money well spent!
The Paint and Interior
Next up, we have paint, and really that is up to you. The most common colors for 2019 ‘Vettes were silver, blue, and red. The Rapid Blue is tough to beat, but for me, Torch Red is classic, nd it looks fast standing still!
Now, let’s talk about the interior. Again, it’s personal preference if ordering new. Just remember the more custom you make your car, the less people will be interested in it down the road.
The Z51 Performance Package
Okay, now, the next must-have option is the Z51 performance package! The things that really stick out and make it a no-brainer are the big Brembo brakes, performance-tuned suspension, and the electronic limited slip differential to fulfill all your two-wheel desires. Also, if you’re going to track, it has a heavy duty cooling system to keep things cool when you heat things up on the pavement!
Engine appearance package is up to you, but isn’t going to help with resale value. So, personally, I’d skip it. But, if you’ve got to have the LED lighting to show off the mid-engine V8, there are worse things you could spend a thousand bucks on.
In terms of wheels, I’m fine with standard. Since there’s so many C8’s being produced, I’d go with the standard to save the cash and then buy some aftermarket wheels as soon as possible. It’ll really help make your car stand out among the sea of Corvettes that’ll be roaming the streets in no time!
The Front Lift
Now, the next must-have option is the front lift with memory. Yeah, it’s roughly $1,500, but if you’ve ever driven a car with a long nose, having this system installed is a no-brainer, especially since it has GPS memory. So, plug it in once and it will automatically raise the front about 2 inches. If it saves your front bumper once, it more than pays for itself!
Now one thing real quick, as we go through these exterior options, remember one thing! With the used performance car market in general, people are going to pay a premium for go-fast options from the factory. So, things like the Z51 with the LSD, Brembos and performance exhaust, and the 2LT trim with the performance tracker and extra cooling are worth the extra money.
But, non-go-fast options like upgraded centercaps, body color dual roof and optional wheels will not make your car more valuable on the used market. So, all these exterior options are not going to make your car more valuable if you ever sell it. So, I wouldn’t get any of them unless you just like lighting money on fire. Oh, and a wing could be considered a go-fast part, but, man, I do not like the look of it at all.
The Seats
Now, for seats, I was at the unveiling of the C8 Corvette, and yes, the competition sport buckets are nice, but they aren’t $2,000 nice! I would get the standard GT1 buckets, and if you need the extra support, snag used Recaro racing seats for the time while you own the car, and sell them for what you paid and put the GT1 buckets back in when you decide to sell the Chevy!
The Carbon Fiber Interior
The carbon fiber interior trim is the next must-have option, mostly because this is where you’re going to spend most of your time, and carbon fiber not only looks cool, but it makes the interior feel special!
The 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission
Another must-have is definitely the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Yes, I know you can’t get a manual, which is a shame. But the proof of concept, the heavily modified Holden Ute, affectionately known as Blackjack, only had C7 doors, but the Porsche PDK dual-clutch gearbox… So, if the C8 transmission is anywhere near the quality of the German shifter, we’re in for a treat! And word on the street… it is!
So, the driving experience of a mid-engine Corvette with the first dual-clutch is going to be legendary! Let’s go!
The total price for the C8 ‘Vette is $73,795. But, by the end of this year, I bet these things are going to be the best car you can buy under $50,000.
The Corvette Museum Delivery
Period. If you must buy one new for that new car smell, the fifth must have option is Corvette Museum delivery! Yeah, all you have to do is select the R8C option when you place the order, which costs $990, but the memories you’ll make are priceless!
Not only do you get a tour of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant where your 8th-generation Corvette will be built, you get a photo book full of pictures of your Corvette’s build process! I think it really is the cherry on top, and if you’re one of the lucky 40,000 to be able to get a 2020 ‘Vette, it’s worth the price of admission to do at least once!
Final Thoughts
I think the C8 Corvette is a great car, and one that’s going to scare those guys over in Germany and Italy quite a bit! It’s crazy to think the top-of-the-line C7 ZR1, which was an absolute monster, only beats the base C8 by 0.2 seconds from 0 to 60!
It’ll be really interesting to see what comes with the Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1. I bet they’re going to be mind-numbing! So, would you wait for the C8 Z06 like I’m going to? Or are you thinking of buying one of these C8s brand new? Or are you looking for the bargain of the century and going to hunt for a used one in about 12 to 18 months?
When I was at the C8 unveiling, the hype was real! And I know the C8 is going to be the first ‘Vette I will own!
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