As much as I want to buy the new Corvette, here's why I can't

I gotta tell ya, even though I'm mostly a Mercedes/BMW/Porsche/Audi buyer, in the back of my mind, I'm always wrestling with the thought of buying a Corvette.

No one wants to like the Corvette more than me.

But everytime I get close to writing the check, something just feels wrong in the pit of my stomach.

Why?

Well, I can live with the exterior.

I've never had a huge problem with the look.

I even like the new Corvette, with its exposed headlights and its 'Ferrari-like' queues.

But when comes down to it, I just CAN'T stand the Corvette interior!

The last generation rubbermaid look simply BLEW!

So I held my hopes out there listening to all the GM propaganda, saying how they are getting way better, etc.

I convinced myself that they had a long time to improve it and this new generation effort would finally be the one.

Well it isn't.

Is the interior better than the other one?

Yes, of course.

But that's like saying Ellen DeGeneres is way better looking than Sandra Bernhard.

And yes, I do have a secret fear of what could be the homeliest woman on earth, Sandra B.

She SCARES me!

Back to the Corvette interior...

It is nicer but it is SOOOOOO bland and boring.

There is a simple fix in my opinion...

The best looking Vette ever was the split window fastback coupe.

Why not just create a modern tribute to that car?

Look at this interior photo from the Nomad concept...

THIS, is what the new Corvette should have looked like inside.

Message to GM:

Make a Corvette with an interior like that, with an exterior that is the modern version of the split window coupe and you'll finally see 001 plunking down his chips to buy one.

You just don't know how bad I've wanted to, all these years.

And by the way...If Bob Lutz could pull it off, that would be THE car he would be forever remembered for.

Matthew1 - 2/1/2005 1:24:36 PM

+1 Boost

JD, you can't tell the difference between a Ferrari and a Corvette? Hand stitched leather interior vs flimsy plastic panels?

Supermodel syling vs American flab?

Technology vs leaf-springs?

I think I can tell the difference.....

Neverfollow - 2/2/2005 4:11:09 PM

+1 Boost

Ok guys. Being a former multiple Corvette owner myself, the last one being a 1995 ZR1, I have always held a soft spot in my heart for Vetts. That being said, I never really warmed up to the C5 generation of the car. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the interior, I don't know. What ever it was, I still feel the need to stand up and defend the "Chevy guys" for being blasted by so many of you. I have gone to many Corvette events in my life including, but not limited to, the grand opening of the National Corvette Museum, several Bloomington Golds, Mid American Fall Festivals, etc etc. Every time I would attend one of these things, there were always several of the corporate people (past and present) in attendance. I'm not just talking about Zora and Larry Shinoda, but several others that were always around to sign autographs and answer questions about the car on many different levels. These people never struck me as being corporate bean counters. They were real car guys just like you and me. They really cared about the car and it's legacy and were always careful of preserving its history and assuring it's future. All of them were honored for being able to contribute something to the car's heritage. When Team Corvette decided to take on LeMans several years ago, no one expected them to do so well. Look at them today!

Regardless of how you feel about the car or what it might say about you as the driver of one, all you need to do is spend 15 minutes behind the wheel of any one of them and it will all make sense to you. My last Corvette driving experience was in a recent Z06 model. The car was so much fun I'm still shocked that it's legal to drive on the public streets in this politically correct climate. Sure it was loud, sure it had lots of road and wind noise. Have you ever driven a Viper? It can't get any worse than that. You don't here any Viper owners complaining about cheap interiors do you? I can sense all of you Porsche guys getting ready to start typing pretty soon so I'd better finish up.

There is something to be said for a car that lets you know every now and then about how much fun you are having while your driving it. I've done 165mph in an Audi RS6 with a Latte in one hand and my wife asleep in the passenger seat. She never even woke up to hit me. A Corvette always puts a smile on my face no matter what I'm doing with it. I usually have to suck down some Nitrous to giggle that much!

Keep up the good work Chevy. There are a few of us out here who get it, and we've got your back!