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Looks good!
Curious, do you keep your stock parts to be able to sell all the carbon fiber when the time comes
or will you package it up with the car and sell it as a carbon fiber edition?
Jeremy, I do not keep the OEM parts. I return them for what is called a "Core Exchange". I get money back when I return the OEM parts.
Originally Posted by Majofo
I doubt Steven would sell this car
Probably wouldn't get much more with mods than a stock C7
Agreed....this Corvette is going to stay in my garage. No one would ever give me the back what I've invested in it...whether it be Carbon Fiber, aftermarket exhaust or cold air intake.
Damn, is that because you buy through the dealership? That's crazy!
Wait a second, you mean from the vendor of the cf because they use your oem part to make the next one?
Gotcha...that makes sense, Steven...
just wasn't sure there was trade in program.
I'm assuming it's like anything else where they charge you a core charge then credit it back when they get what your part.
^^^ Exactly right, my friend! Many pieces are "pure" carbon fiber. Others are carbon fiber overlays. I was STUNNED to hear from a GM executive that they also utilize this process too. But if GM can do this, so can I !!!!
As expensive as this carbon fiber journey has been, I can only imagine what it would be like to own a Ferrari or Lamborghini and order these "pure" aftermarket parts for the car.
Yeah that's nuts...I mean, a LOT of the car comes with CF on exotics obviously and if you can afford a 200K car, I'm guessing they buy whatever tickles their fancy without much thought.
I mean if you were replacing entire metal panels with CF then obviously you'd want the benefit of lightening the load and want a true CF part. Overlays are just fine, at least they aren't
friggin vinyl wrapped!
^^^ Exactly right! Like I said, if it's good enough for GM, it's good enough for me. It's definitely not a cheap process either. They match the weave of the Carbon Fiber to match the OEM pieces (like the dash). So there is a process that goes into it.
I've even sent back some pieces that weren't finished properly. My driver's side backing of the seat had a "fogging" to it that I couldn't get rid of. I contacted Apsis USA-they had another seat back made for me and sent it to me at no charge.
@cu2wagon
Honestly, probably the most intriguing part of the damn museum. @Steven Bell I did have a good time...we were in Nashville for a wedding
and on the last day we opted to drive up to the Mammoth Caves...on the way
I saw "Bowling Green" and I was like...that certainly sounds familiar. So we
made a pit stop! $10 for both to walk through in about an hour...very cool!
I would have liked to see the production line. Now I have to have a 'Vette.
@rockstar143 I'm glad you had a good time, J !!! Joe....get a C8! They are fabulous.....
They really knocked it out of the park
And the vette has historically been compared to the performance of a Ferrari for a fraction of the price
Now it's really a domestic Ferrari for a fraction of the price
They really knocked it out of the park
And the vette has historically been compared to the performance of a Ferrari for a fraction of the price
Now it's really a domestic Ferrari for a fraction of the price
Yep....2.9 seconds, bitches-your ball, Ferrari.
Ironically, the Corvette has been compared many times to Porsche and Ferrari....that's who the C8 was benchmarked against during development! The problem is that in so many articles, each article says, "the Corvette is the best car for the price". Price is always a part of the conversation. Hopefully the C8 will be recognized for it's positive attributes and price won't come into the equation....even though it's 1/3 the price of the cars it is benchmarked against.
Ironically, the Corvette has been compared many times to Porsche and Ferrari....that's who the C8 was benchmarked against during development! The problem is that in so many articles, each article says, "the Corvette is the best car for the price". Price is always a part of the conversation. Hopefully the C8 will be recognized for it's positive attributes and price won't come into the equation....even though it's 1/3 the price of the cars it is benchmarked against.
And more reliable and cheaper to fix... Let's face it... The Corvette is the poor mans super car!
Not to mention it seems I see just as many Corvettes as I do Dodge Chargers. So parts are easy to find... Plus, Chevy can build a high revving V8!
I think price always will, Steven.
The fact that a consumer can spend 1/3 the price but get all of the performance will always be a headline.
GM wants it, C8 Owners want it...Ferrari and Porsche will not even bat an eye because at the end of the
day they are paying the other 2/3 for the prestige of the brand and all that comes along with that, no matter
how shallow the motive.
Ironically, the Corvette has been compared many times to Porsche and Ferrari....that's who the C8 was benchmarked against during development! The problem is that in so many articles, each article says, "the Corvette is the best car for the price". Price is always a part of the conversation. Hopefully the C8 will be recognized for it's positive attributes and price won't come into the equation....even though it's 1/3 the price of the cars it is benchmarked against.
Originally Posted by Midnight Mystery
And more reliable and cheaper to fix... Let's face it... The Corvette is the poor mans super car!
Not to mention it seems I see just as many Corvettes as I do Dodge Chargers. So parts are easy to find... Plus, Chevy can build a high revving V8!
Here's the thing though guys...people buying Ferraris new don't give two shits about price or reliability or the cost to maintain them. They buy the Ferrari because Ferrari that's about it, the price isn't even a thought in the equation for them. I highly doubt this Corvette is going to steal enough sales from the high end exotics to make a dent. Where it will steal sales is from the Shelby Fords, the high end Camaros, lower end Porsches (Cayman, Boxster, base 911), BMW, AMG, etc.
For us poors, there's always the C8 Corvette which will never have the prestige and pedigree of a Ferrari but will be every bit as good to drive...and a whole lot cheaper to keep on the road, especially when bought used.
I hope you're all doing well. I've been continuously recuperating from my open heart surgery on January 7th....so it's been 180 days now! I feel great and getting back to normal.
BIG UPDATES.....
I've been furloughed from my day job, so I decided to try and make a go of it myself and "quit my day job". I started a Corvette podcast! There is NO content via podcast on Corvette. There is plenty of YouTube content, lots of email and e-newsletter content. But none on podcast. And podcasts are HUGE right now. I'm using my radio name on the podcast to keep things consistent. Last month marked the start of my 43rd year on the radio here in KC.
So please take a listen to CORVETTE TODAY, the podcast. I release a new episode every Monday!
First, more Carbon Fiber! First, the windshield wiper arms....
Next, I've added Carbon Fiber to the trim piece between the door sill and the seat. Luckily, I don't see any more exposed black plastic anywhere now....
A new Glamour Shot!
Finally, my wife and I bought a house in December here in Kansas City. But the 3 car garage was not finished....AT ALL. So now the garage walls are painted white. The wood trim that connects the vertical concrete and the drywall is painted Torch Red-same as the Corvette! Plus, I had the garage floor done by a company called ETEK. It's 4 times stronger than epoxy and comes with a 15 year warranty. I think you'll like the results!
Last edited by Steven Bell; 07-13-2020 at 10:54 AM.
Congrats on making the leap and going out on your own, Steven!!! I will definitely give the pod cast a listen. And wow, the Corvette and the new garage look amazing!
Guess that locks in the need to always have a red Stingray.
To be perfectly honest, that garage looks amazing, but the garage door is, uh, a bit ho-hum... Too bad there isn't some sort of way to dress them up. Like with some sort of overlay. Something light so it wouldn't add much weight. Really too bad.
Carbon fiber trim along the door and the garage floor would set it off nice
Good idea....I don't know how I would do that, but I'll now be thinking about it.
Originally Posted by SuperTrooper169
Congrats on making the leap and going out on your own, Steven!!! I will definitely give the pod cast a listen. And wow, the Corvette and the new garage look amazing!
Thanks for trying out the podcast....I'm very proud of it! I hope you like it. Thanks for the kudos on the garage too.
Originally Posted by KaMLuNg
hello my name is steven and i'm addicted to CF
Yes! I'm looking for a support group, as we speak....LOL!
Originally Posted by cu2wagon
Guess that locks in the need to always have a red Stingray.
To be perfectly honest, that garage looks amazing, but the garage door is, uh, a bit ho-hum... Too bad there isn't some sort of way to dress them up. Like with some sort of overlay. Something light so it wouldn't add much weight. Really too bad.
Dude, you're right-the garage doors are now ho-hum....so is the entry door from the garage into the house (with the red trim). I need to paint that door white to match the garage. I'll get that done sometime soon. Maybe get some white panels for the inside of the garage doors or something.