Are Corvette Owners Getting Younger?

GM is trying hard to shed the image and the stereotype.

A recent Corvette Forum thread asked the question, “Is the Corvette community getting younger?” While it may seem like there are a lot more young Corvette enthusiasts than there were ten or fifteen years ago, research shows otherwise.

In the last ten years, the average age of a Corvette owner has jumped five years, from 54 to 61. What’s causing the shift, and why does it seem like the opposite is true?

The cost of new cars has been steadily increasing, and the C7 is not immune. Although the C7 is a world-class sports car at a relative bargain price, it’s still an expensive proposition for most millennials, many of whom are struggling to find jobs and are saddled with student loan debt.

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When they do get settled, those that are car enthusiasts tend to purchase nice, used Corvettes. More well-heeled enthusiasts find European and Japanese alternatives more attractive. To many, the Corvette — and its aging owner base — doesn’t project the image they want. Say what you want, but in a car as extroverted as the Corvette, that is important to some folks.

Chevrolet is doing their best to turn the tide, inviting well-heeled young enthusiasts to sample new Corvettes in stylish locations on the coasts, complete with cocktails and trendy music. Part of the C7’s success lies in its styling, much of which was carried out by younger enthusiasts inspired by classic Corvette designs that want to move the brand forward.

While it may take time for the Corvette to shed its image as “an old man’s car,” plenty of younger enthusiasts are more than happy to drive and enjoy their Corvettes, free of concerns about public perception. What do you think? Add your voice to the discussion in our forum.