Time for new Ride. C8 Z51 or 2019 GT350R seems easy, right?

Just sold the car in my sig. I really liked it BUT I want to do more with my new car..Track Day fun (road course) and cruises etc..

My Cobra REALLY held its value well, bought for $32,100 brand new, depreciated about 40% (sold it for $19,000 to a friend).

So I would like to have that same type of thing again 17+ years from now

I really think I would like BOTH cars (GT350R / C8 Z51) and they both would be a hoot on the track. Probably enjoy the street driving of the C8 better. Value nod to the 350R IMO.

Maybe there is no "wrong" choice..only a better "right" choice?

Not trying to start a "Ford vs Chevy" thing, I sincerely believe they are both GREAT cars. Its a big choice for me so being able to read others thoughts may help.

I think the current state of auto sales helps with the GT350R, as they are sitting on some lots. Although the price of each is pretty much identical.

I think both will be a hoot to drive, but without a doubt the GT350R will retain it's value far better than the Vett if you're looking for a repeat like your Cobra.

Boils down to personal preferences usually in the end. I would want the awesome C8 dual-clutch auto, so my personal preference would be the C8.

If you had added a third option, the 2020 GT-500, my choice then would have been the GT-500.

IMO the C8 value will plummet, but I would rather have the C8.

I haven't drive either of those cars but for daily fun I'll cast my vote for the C8.

Ideally you should drive both and see which you like more. The C8 will probably depreciate steeply once the higher performance variants are out. The GT350R is the "last" manual Shelby plus it is NA, FPC, and perfect for track days. There are rental companies out there that do have a C8. You should add the ZL1 1LE to your list if you like the GT350R.

Well Good! I see its not an EASY choice!

I cant do a Camaro...no matter how good or not they are. If I had planned on many many track days..maybe. But I am only looking a max 3 times a years...maybe 4.

Maybe I just need to cool my jets and not get too amped up to buy quickly.

If an investment is what you want, buy neither. Both are depreciating assets.

Go pick up a 2015 GT, do some springs, shocks and pull the back seats, you are 90% GT350R at 25% the cost....

At the end of the day, the GT350R is a fancy track Mustang while the C8 Z51 is a street spec poor man's Ferrari.

I'd personally pick the C8, aftermarket will be epic. The car is mid boggling.

I also can't help but raise an eyebrow at the GT350, without the Shelby hype, would it be just a modern 99/01 Cobra? That track/handling focused car that was completely over shadowed by the C5Z and Terminator?

Corbic said:

If an investment is what you want, buy neither. Both are depreciating assets.

Go pick up a 2015 GT, do some springs, shocks and pull the back seats, you are 90% GT350R at 25% the cost....

At the end of the day, the GT350R is a fancy track Mustang while the C8 Z51 is a street spec poor man's Ferrari.

I'd personally pick the C8, aftermarket will be epic. The car is mid boggling.

I also can't help but raise an eyebrow at the GT350, without the Shelby hype, would it be just a modern 99/01 Cobra? That track/handling focused car that was completely over shadowed by the C5Z and Terminator?

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Nah, don't want an investment, just don't want HUGE depreciation.

I agree on the GT350, it being "special" is getting overshadowed. The 350R just seems LEGIT!

Well. I guess I will cool my jets on getting the GT350R NOW (due to good deals available), get over to a dealership and put eyes on a C8 coupe (have only seen a vert in person) and get the lowdown on ordering a 2021 1LT with Z51 pkg. And then finalize a decision.

Depreciation answer is clear 350R. The big question I would have is what would you prefer to drive over the next 17 years (Manual or a DCT).

Over a 17 year period the depreciation difference might be 20K-30K between the two cars. The value of 30K in 17 years will become a fairly minimal amount especially if you look at that cost being spread over 17 years.

In summary, I would say Pick whatever will bring the most enjoyment.

C8 Corvette. But you can't go wrong with either.

C8 all day.

VRYALT3R3D said:

You should add the ZL1 1LE to your list if you like the GT350R.

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My order of interest would be
C8
C6Z
ZL1 1LE
350R

Im leaning toward the C8.

Ill be contacting a local Corvette "only" dealership that is local and will see what they are doing for MY21 orders.

I think my build (If I go through with it) will be.

1LT
Z51 pkg
Body Color match
Red Seat Belts
Bright Red Brake Calipers
Elkhart Lake Blue

Undecided on Magna-Ride, but leaning towards it.

There will 100% be huge depreciation with the vette. If you care about resale value at all, you buy the 350r, period, end of discussion.

Which would I personally buy? The mid engine vette.

gimmie11s said:

There will 100% be huge depreciation with the vette. If you care about resale value at all, you buy the 350r, period, end of discussion.

Which would I personally buy? The mid engine vette.

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Depreciation is a secondary concern. I got lucky with the Cobra on that. Never planned on it to work out that way.

I keep my cars for a long time regardless. I had a 1995 Mustang GTS, sold it in 2003, bought the Cobra... so 2 Mustangs since 1995.

I’d wait for the C8 Z06.

I drove the GT350 and was severely disappointed in it. It's an unpopular opinion but I'd consider an ATS-V long before considering the GT350 so yeah, get the C8.

Machdup1 said:

I’d wait for the C8 Z06.

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I wish. I am trying to stay under $70,000 MSRP

You should be able to find a 350R for 50.