Is the C8 Corvette Stingray Too Refined?

The C8 Corvette Stingray is powerful, quick, and handles well. But like a lot of modern sports cars, has it become… boring?

If all you want to do is go fast buy yourself a Tesla Model S Plaid. It will rocket you off the line and leave just about every other car in your rearview mirror. But despite the incredible speed, the car is about as exciting as being in line at your local DMV office. There is no sound, no real involvement, it is just too refined despite the acceleration abilities. Has the C8 Corvette Stingray fallen into the same trap? There is more to a sports car than just speed. It needs to thrill as well. It needs to involve the driver. And it needs to even be a little bit dangerous. Does the C8 have those things? Corvette Forum member vrhaines recently posted a thread asking that very question. Is the C8 boring?

The member explains that he has now put 1,000 miles on his C8, and he believes it is a great grand tourer. But at the same time, it feels soulless compared to prior Corvette generations and muscle cars that he has owned. So, he asks the question if anyone else feels that way. Is the C8 Stingray missing something? As you would expect this post has elicited quite a response. Some members don’t agree. Others do and offer tips to make it more exciting as well as other cars that should be considered. Let’s explore this in more detail.

Too Refined

Quite a few members agree that the C8 has become too refined. Below are a couple of these responses.

hawk02:

Yep. Not a very exciting car to drive. At least I can drop the top and get some pleasure driving topless. I’m looking to trade mine in for an eRay sometime in the future. I’m betting on it being a fun street car. Not so much the Stingray.

StayinStock:

You’ll likely catch flame for this post here but I can understand what your saying. With refinement comes a loss of that raw feeling of previous gens. The c8 for better or worse is more of a computer aided driving experience. The plus is this makes it more accessible for more people to drive it hard… the pitfall is it becomes less engaging…

rmorin1249:

The Stingray has morphed into somewhat of a cruiser.

They all make a fair point. The C8 Stingray has become so capable and easy to drive that it is too refined if you are seeking driving thrills at anything close to legal road speeds. And that is not an issue that is unique to the Corvette. Look at just about any modern sports car. The Porsche 911, the Toyota Supra, the Acura NSX. The newer versions of these cars are all faster than those of previous generations. But they are also less involving. The modern car is typically heavier and more insulated. It has more technology. Safety regulations and consumer tastes have made it so. The result is a C8 is not as involving as a C7 which is not as involving as a C6, and so on.

Make the C8 Exciting Again

So, if the C8 Stingray has become too refined, what can be done about it? You could gut the interior and turn it into a track car, but that is a bit extreme. Some members offered more sensible ideas.

yell03:

Add AWE Track exhaust and get back to me, it transformed the car. I had the NPP exhaust on my Z51 and still felt the car was lacking. Added the AWE Track exhaust and it is so much better. Speed does not equal fun – a great sounding exhaust even on a slower car is fun.

EvanZR1:

Back to the OP’s question/comment, there are a couple of things that can make a big difference, one that costs money and one that’s free: The free one is to drive the C8 in manual mode 100% of the time.

Fishfryer527:

The C8 with the top on or up is not an exciting ride, it’s too good at everything and too isolating.

An exhaust can make a huge difference in driving excitement. Hearing that LT2 roar can transform the car. There are several great options on the market. Also, as we all know the C8 does not have a manual transmission option. But you can drive in manual mode. Do it. It is more involving and gives you a greater sense of control and more excitement. The open-air suggestion is a good one as well. Having the top off in any car gives a bit more drama and excitement to the drive. Also, take the C8 to a track day. We promise you boredom will not be an issue at a track day.

Buy Something Else

It is possible that even if you take all the steps mentioned above the C8 will be just too refined for you. And if it bothers you, there may be no other option outside of selling your car and getting something else.

StayinStock:

I’d say if you want a car that can do both with all the modern creature comforts [Camaro] ZL1 1LE manual is your target… Absolute weapon of a car in stock trim. Probably one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven personally. Its refined but also feels like it could break your neck at any point if it decided too.

vCarlos:

Personally, with a family in mind, you will love the Hellcat. It is a beast, an unrefined beast. No manners, just raw power to the wheels, that supercharger whine, and if you really want to go nuts get the earlier hellcat challenger when they offered the 6 speed manual.

It is a big world out there and there are a lot of cars out there. Would a Hellcat or Camaro ZL1 1 LE be more exciting? Perhaps. That doesn’t mean they are better or faster. But if at the end of the day, you are just looking for a thrill these cars are more raw. They can be just what you need.

There is also the saying that the Miata is always the answer. And there is a reason for that. It is nothing like a Corvette of course. But you can throw the thing around at legal speeds and have a blast. Or you could buy an older Corvette if you want to stay in the family but want that engagement back. At the end of the day, it is your call. But do you think that the C8 Stingray has just become too good, and too refined?

Jump into this thread and let us know what you think right HERE in the forums!

Images: Chevrolet

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