With GM’s Release of a New 5.7-Liter V8, It’s Time For a $45,000 Base Model Corvette

1. I could not agree more I have owned Vette’s for over 40 years currently own 2 mid years and a 15. You could buy that Vette and always upgrade the engine when you have money. My sons have done massive amounts of upgrades to their cars and can’t understand why I have not shelved one of my mid year engines and put in a 502. So a low priced Vette would be a great starting point for young and old. ??

2. Im on my 8th used Vette,the wife keeps telling me I should finally buy a new 1.The price is right,but I still enjoy rowing thru the gears so Ill hang on to my 40th rag top 6Spd.

3. What about a LGX 3.6L DOHC-4v V6 or LTG 2.0L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo; this should be enough to drop the price of a C8 Corvette to $25-30K as thinking swapping the 6.2L V8 for a 5.7L should equate to $15K in price savings is insane.

4. I think part of the “Corvette Mystic” comes from the fact that ALL Corvettes are badass. When I’m getting gas, even the Soccer Moms in their vans/SUV’s and Pencil Neck Nerd Boy in his Prius know I’m rolling in a Vette. The guy at the next pump over in his Mustang GT350 looks just the same as the tourist in their Enterprise rental to the uninitiated, non-car person.

5. Sounds like a great idea. I never really understood the pricing structure of the Camaro v C8. Not sure why anyone would pay $65k for a Camaro.

6. Why would GM want to put old technology into a completely new high technology car. Also just because the old motor has less horsepower doesn’t mean it’s cheaper to produce. This is clearly evident in many Chevrolet motors that are available for purchase. Lastly, I don’t want to see Corvette to be a value leader. It’s a Corvette not a Camry, it’s a Corvette not a Falcon, it’s a Corvette not a K car. Chevrolet has plenty of cars for young buyers to buy and modify. If they think they have to have a V-8 they’re plenty of cars with this old technology available on the market. This old technology motor will probably end up costing just as much to bring up to current admission standards LT for five or six. This is the old days haters carbs and hands are cheap or can be found at a junkyard. They don’t have to have a new Corvette and and an old motor isn’t needed to make a hot rod. This is a stupid idea and, I think, simply click bait.

7. fuggaboutit we had enough underpowered CORVETTES IN THE70 and 80”s.

8. Omegatalon, beyond the 5.7, there were numerous other cost saving measures discussed in the article.

   Joe, I’m assuming you were calling the 3.6 and 2.0 ideas underpowered? You can’t possibly be refering to our hypothetical 400 HP 5.7 after seeing what the Stingray is out there doing with “just” 495 ponies. If I read your comment right then I agree wholeheartedly. As a consumer, I’d also give a V6 or turbo-4 “Corvette” a hard pass in favor of something more interesting on a used lot.

9. I think if the Camaro goes away in the near future this would be a great replacement for it.

10. Agree with Joe. Keep the Corvette special with all the bells and whistles and horse power. Time is long past for Corvettes with “entry level engines”. Price is already low enough.

11. GM already has a problem building the current 2020 and 2021’s. How are they going to have the building capacity to make a new cheaper corvette?

12. Bring back the Chevrolet Chevelle to the line up with enough room to compete with the Dodge Challenger. Dodge provided a great template on how to bring back a retro 2 door muscle car done properly and with room for four real people and the most configuration options ever from awd gt to challenger demon/ redeye. The Chevelle is the answer GM needs

13. just curious.. other people are commenting after my comment and my comments are still awaiting moderation. no sense commenting if no one will ever see them. and if comments are being censored i have to question the reliability of your blog.

14. I’m all for a cheaper base Corvette. I would definitely be interested. Also if GM discontinues the Camaro I’d like to see them replace it with an all new retro styled Firebird and especially the Trans Am. They could sell them at Chevrolet dealerships. Just don’t put the Chevrolet name or logo on them. I would be game for a new Trans Am too. And yes I know all about the Trans Am Depot’s Trans Ams. I love them but they are expensive. When I was 19 I bought a used 76 Trans Am. Two years later I traded it for a used 77 Corvette. I’ve owned seven more Corvettes since then. I’m a Corvette and Trans Am fanatic.

15. Probably the dumbest suggestion I’ve heard. You don’t want an entry level vette that sucks. Buy a used one. Don’t dillute the brand. This is exactly why it will never ever happen.
    Besides that block is missing a out 8 billion things to make it smog legal.

16. Revive or just bring slick, sporty, and now “safe” Corvair . Imagine with technology (Chevy has) and if talking of dropping the Camaro (Dull) a jaw dropping mid engine (turbo of course X2) machine. Not only compete with all markets, the fact of being able to Right a Wrong ! Do the words “Death Trap” of old send your mind racing., of course you remember., think though that 67′ body then, and what the freaking talented Designers could do Now! Oh My Goodness! Imagine ” See the USA in a Chevrolet ! Goosebumps !! Anyway it would be AWESOME!!

17. Alex Sommers: You wrote an excellent article and you have an excellent idea or ideas. A venerable 350 engine, fuel injected without Z51 package offered. Instead a 6-speed overdrive 7th freeway gear, should be initially only available in a stiff and it would have to be a drive by wire stick shift with sensors and motors working to ensure that the chassis stiffness and body characteristics were not compromised in any manner. Separate options could be eDifferential with two final drive ratios available; Two suspensions, one called a GT suspension and the other called a Sports suspension could be available with a price differential. No spoiler available during build but available at dealer in aftermarket; same with 5VM ground effects kit and front carbon fiber splitter. Base Corvette wheels only with aftermarket wheels available, dealer installed or installed by out-side vendor; No convertible option; open exhaust system option available option; front axle lift and stereo upgrade systems both available. All removable roofs only in body color or full flash painted carbon; any other roof panel options to be purchased through dealer or after market and installed by the vendor doing the sale, or the owner. No track option; no my mode. Instead, options are Wet mode; daily driver mode; sport mode, and a configurable Z-mode for like $650.00 option. One size brakes only; stock tires included determined by zip code or upgrade by customer configuring a choice of three tires: All weather; snow or sport. Security packages should eliminate Lo-Jack in favor of On-Star connected system and include reduced engine power; engine restart resistance and reduced speed in reverse. Phone charging should be standard in all models, as should phone connect and also the dash cam camera and front and rear back up/forward parking cameras cameras. Further an additional Go-Pro or equivalent windshield camera with microphone and mounts focused upon the driver. For performance enthusiasts, a hopped up version of 50 horsepower could be made available, called the, “Stingray Super Sport,” with circle SS symbol available with some suspension upgrades also available. A dedicated Corvette key storage slot should be available on the left dash area of the car that would have a manual switch toggle to allow the battery to start under low load power conditions. Special extension tools designed to reach the front and rear windows and also hatch windows should be made available. Two extra cubby spaces and/or cargo nets on the front bulkhead interior should be provided to all Corvettes. An app should be made available for owners who want to keep a log book or record of their car and experiences, available in the car as extra cost option. Option to be merged with the cell phone of one’s choice. Magnetic ride control not available on this option & would be exclusive to the Stingray SS edition only. Choice of two final drive ratios and a sportier 1, 2, and 3rd gear option set also could be ordered for extra money over stock. I love the article because Alex figured a brilliant way to sell more cars. Further, it will sell more cars than steal cars from the upper echelon. The aftermarket both GM and private obviously would love it too. Retooling shouldn’t be needed. This Corvette would have only Sky Cool Gray interior or Black interior available. The only interior qualities would be the LT1 or the LT2 upgrade with available would be the LT2 leather interior, or the LT1 materials. Racing seats would not be an available option LT 1 or extra cost LT2 seats only. Standard brakes only on this base Corvette. Other options to be worked out by Corvette and GM. How the eRay would fit into the entire grouping of the Corvette cars to be determined. AF

18. Didn’t Chevy try that with the 99 FRC otherwise known as the low priced low optioned Bill Bob Vette? Flopped. GM turned it into the Z06 in 2001 and pulled their ass out of the fire.

19. …..2 liter turbo, 3liter v6 …..the old continentwould be a huge market,

20. ….the 99 FCR was a starterpoint but it was an half hearted atemp of GM…..could have workt if GM had thought it through….and had the wil…

21. Alex Ford: Thank you for your post, I always enjoy your enthusiasm!

    Michael P, the FRC only cost $394 less than a coupe in ’99. So, not really the same thing.

22. The 5.7 Engines sighted in this article in whatever universe or fantasy wouldn’t save GM any money whatsoever. They wouldn’t be Emissions certified or anything close to feasible to engineer to do so. They are low RPM Truck motors based on the old Small block design. I know all the White Trash guys with 1988 IROC Camaros with a oil Burning 175 HP 305 dream of a new Corvette with a 350 5.7 Engine in it! Real deal the LS based Small Blocks and the current Corvette and Camaro Engines share no parts with the Old school 350 engines. Chevrolet loss on each Corvette that MSRP is less than 68k is rumored to be 3,500 they don’t start making any money until they surpass 70k MSRP. First year when a new model or complete platform change is always the best deal because they keep increasing the option package pricing and Base MSRP will also creep up every two years or so into the model run. The Option packages and performance packages are steep on the Vette the Base MSRP Equipped Vettes are not what GM is interested in building it’s just to get customers in the door loss leader. The future model that will replace the Camaro will be key for Chevy to compete with Ford and Dodge rumor is it will be called the Chevelle and size will be similar to the Dodge Challenger surpassing the Mustang it will be in 2 and 4 door with great volume potential like the LX Chrysler vehicles. That will be the 45k market not a 2 seater Mid Engine Vette. Not too many guys under 50 can buy a 2 seater car unless they’re Single without Kid’s the Wives always win!!

23. Where do they sell 60,000 dollar vettes at. Have never seen this nonexistant beast. Not a single dealer in southern california selling at msrp. Mark ups of 5000 to 30,000 have been my experience. Keep your marked up cars till you find the fool to give you thousands extra and be happy about it. Greedy dealers chase customers away for life. From a retired g.m. employee.

24. Please do not cheapen the Corvette brand.

25. also want manual 5 speed gearbox,windows and locks, and make it 38k$, thats will make me a new buyer

26. The biggest problem with the 99 FRC was that it’s base price was only $400 less than the base price of the 99 Coupe. There was really no reason to buy one.

27. Folks not upset the apple cart but there has been talk in automotive communities for years since the C8 was proposed that a modern low cost alternative be sold at a vastly cheaper price point leaving the beautiful C8 exclusive. The talk is to return the mid-engine Fiero a veteran mid-engine design already available to GM in their engineering closet. If you We some material updates a real sized engine like the V8 option or turbo 6 at 35k plus or minus they could clean up.

28. “The problem is that even for the most successful members of the coveted 24 to 39 demographic, outside of the Kardashian/Jenners and the Facebook guy, $60k is a stretch for a second or third car.”

    About to be retiring from Active Duty, I cannot disagree with this statement more. Go to any military town (Watertown, Oceanside, Clarksville, Jacksonville et al), and you will see young military kids under 25 rolling in brand-new full size trucks, Shelby Mustangs, Camaro ZL1s, all optioned out, and ALL costing more than a basic 1LT C8.

    Right now, it seems the only younger types getting the C8s are the Youtube and Insta junkies using sponsor money to burn these cars out for the sake of gaining followers and likes.

    The arguement of kids under 25 not affording a Corvette is a wash, and I a, not buying it one bit. GM needs to change their marketing approach, starting with their dealers. My sour expereince at James Corlew Chevrolet is typical. I arrived in my BMW 335is, mint condition, on an appointment to talk about a Corvette purchase. Being a younger guy myself, the salesman was completely uninterested in a Corvette. Didn’t take me seriously one bit…but was all about trying to get me into a Camaro or Truck. So, off to the next dealer!

    The ideas in the article are great, but I have a feeling that if GM was able to afford to go any more basic, they would have! After all, the union guy putting on the wheels at the assembly plant absolutely needs to make $75k a year, so that salary needs to come from somewhere!!

29. The venerable “small block” has come a long way since the 265. The 283,302, 327 ,350,400 all have a place in Chevy history. The DZ’s, LT-1’s. ZZ’s are all astonishing horse power performers thanks to the engineers and others like Smokey Yournick,John Lingenfelter, Grumpy Jenkins and others to name a few. I have had my share of these motors over the years in a variety of shoe box tri five Chevy’s, C1, C3 Corvette’s, Chevell’s, Monty Carlos. Great motors but NOT for the NEW mid engine Corvette !!!!
    They still have a place in current time though. Nostalgia muscle cars for one, classic cars for an other. As a matter of fact I still have a couple of small blocks in the garage that I haven’t used since their rebuild back in the 70’s. The original 350/ 250HP from my 71 C3 I replaced it with a 370HP LT1and a 301 made from a 59 283 bored ,.060 over from my 55 Chevy, D gasser back in the day. Why I still have them, I don’t know.
    I currently have a 17 C7 that my wife and I really enjoy and only recently sold my 61 Corvette, also powered by a 370hp LT1.
    So, Alex, this new small block might be , and most probably is a great motor but impractical for the C8 and beyond.
    As for Millennial’s and Gen Z folks, they are, with exception to you,are in a different time. Boomers grew up in a time of numerous manufacturing jobs. People learned trades. Today it’s go to college,get a degree in something, play video games ,etc. Not working in the garage tinkering,modifying, improving what they have. The horsepower wars of the 60’s are over and for the most part they, the Millennial’s and gen Z’ers don’t want to get their hands dirty. Our society has changed. The lack of good paying jobs will keep the majority of young people from buying cars like the C8. They may lust for the mid engine corvette but don’t have the money for it. Changing the motor will not bring down the cost of this car. GM wants to appeal to those who have the money such as professionals earning big bucks.
    Sorry for the rant but I think GM wants only to appeal to those Millennial’s and Gen Z’ers who” HAVE the MONEY”
    It would be great if GM were of a mind to create a low cost ,entry level Corvette but I do think it will never happen !!

30. Sorry, but the proposition that using an obsolete hunk of cast iron in a new Corvette is in any way going to save money requires willful ignorance. We’re talking about only the long block of the 5.7L truck engine which has been out of production for almost two decades. It would need to meet current fuel economy and emissions standards. That would require a fuel system, intake system, ignition system, exhaust system, integration with the powertrain controller, and all the requisite durability testing and government certification testing. Never mind the parts to simply make it fit the car, such as the accessory drive, motor mounts, oil sump, etc. You’re talking millions of dollars and thousands of hours of development work to save a couple hundred dollars by using an obsolete engine that would have a negligible market. There’s a reason why the LT1 was replaced by the LS1 14 years ago. The original small block Chevy architecture was at its limit. I’m all for making a lower cost car with a down market interior and fewer unnecessary electronic gizmos, but there’s no way you can make a car that complies with current government regulations that offers the “value” of a car that was developed 60 years ago when there were absolutely no government regulations.

31. Brian and John Karl, thank you for the well thought out comments!
    Brian raises a good point about military youths (thank you for your service!). When I was selling ‘Vettes, I also found some young customers in the oil field guys. I could/should have included a provision for people who were smart enough to get their college paid for or skip higher ed. all together (or, as some have pointed out, stayed single).
    JK, I don’t have a specific retort for you or others bringing up logistical problems. Keith asked me if I wanted to write about the new 350s, a light bulb popped on, and I ran with it. I’d love it if GM produced a more attainable ‘Vette, but I’m aware that it is a long shot.

32. Hi Alex
    Thank you for your reply.
    I had a rant didn’t I ! Just had to put my 2 cents in.
    I did love those old small blocks though. I guess that’s why I still have a couple in the garage. If I were to get involved in a project such as a shoe box or Chevelle or any number of cars, “Chevy cars,” from the 50-60-70’s I’d use that old small block.
    Parts are readily obtainable, reasonably priced and in my opinion easy to work on and tune.
    The only way a Corvette will get less expensive is in a deep depression when no one has money and they need food etc. I hope I never see that.

33. Wow what a bunch of miserable ( supposed Vette owners ) in the 60’s the average age of a new Vette purchaser was around 26 it is now high 50’s to low 60’s. Pretty soon they will be funeral cars if they don’t find a way to get some younger people to buy them ! Way to much electronic junk in them for the last 20 years does every car really need power seats memory mirrors or now electric glove box door. Cheapen the brand? Most people have no idea any more what makes a car go all they see is the shape. My 2 cents ?

34. This is super speculation. I’m 79 years old, and after years of Porsche ownership, just bought my very first Vette, a 2000 C5 roadster. While I like this very much, I surely would line up for a $45 grand mid-engined Vette. The lower tech does not bother us old guys much at all, and the performance per dollar is very attractive.

    please sign this Sunny 1

35. Get a Camaro if you want a GM sports car under $50k. Corvettes are supposed to be high end.

36. Here’s the problem I see with the past decade of Corvettes — even the base engine makes for more car than the average driver can handle. The Corvette has gone from sports car to GT to supercar, and the C7 Z06 and ZR1 are death traps to the average driver if you turn off the electronic stupidity control. Back in the 1960s, the base Corvette came with a 300hp or less engine that could be had in any Chevy passenger car, or you could option your way to some fuel-injected or big block monster. Now the C8 starts at 495hp. Yeah, big numbers look impressive on paper, but how many people are capable of using it, let alone having anywhere to use it safely? The wimpiest V8 GM currently makes is the 355hp 5.3L truck engine, and it would require minimal work to fit into the Corvette, since it’s the same engine family. That sounds like a reasonable base model which would still be more than adequate for 90% of buyers and possibly attract new buyers who think the current base engine is excessive. The question still remains as to whether they could take out enough cost to make it matter.

37. Aside from the technical issues of a different motor (dry sump, cooling, cam design, vehicle balance, EPA, exhaust design, etc) the idea works if the ‘new’ car is just a little under the current pricing but the current car goes up a ton. This is what Mercedes did with the SL550 and SL450, what BMW and Toyota did with the new Supra 4 and 6 cylinder models, and Porsche did with the 4 and 6 cylinder Caymens. None of these ‘entry’ level cars has near the performance of the senior car, which remains almost attainable. I think the $59,995 C8 was a mistake and that it should have been at least $75,000, and exclude the 1LT version.
    If the laws of supply and demand hold true, as they seem to be on this car, and demand outstrips building capacity, then you raise the price until demand decreases to meet capacity. In that way, you don’t piss off all the folks waiting on lists for a car they may never receive. This situation invites a competitor to bring out a vehicle priced right on or just under the new C8 and take some of that market away, assuming they have production capacity. BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Toyota are all capable. Porsche is almost already there with Cayman 6 cylinder if it had a little more boost. Even Ferrari did it successfully with the California which is significantly less expensive than a 488 (458 when it came out) and only wound up adding to annual sold units.

38. a lower price vette was the idea behind the C-5 corvette hard top coupe and it did not sell till they put the higher HP engine in the car.

39. 45k meaning 65k. I’m on the market for a $50K USD corvette and even 2017’s z51 lt1 with very low mileage are above the $50k USD, so I doubt a 2020 or 2021 smaller engine corvette will be under $60K.

40. Two things that could work in my opinion.

    1. A COPO C8 race series (road coarse and/or drag racing?) with this motor as the spec motor. How about even a COPO C8 drift car?

    2. As Jimmy stated earlier, a proper “legit” Corvair biased on the C8 architecture. Without the exotic materials or tech with this motor as the premium model. With I-4 & V6 models also to be used in budget autocross/late model (current model?) racing.

41. Partially reasoning the cost of a 63 split window being equivalent to $36,000.00 today. The government did not mandate 8 airbags, ABS, electronic stability control, and on and on.

42. If they’re going to axe the Camaro and don’t want to dilute the Corvette brand/image… Then use the new mid engine platform give us a new fiero with the current camaros 2.0 Turbo or LGX v6…msaaaybe a cheaper V8/lesser powered as an option or to keep it from stepping on the vettes toes. Wanna get crazy with hybrid options? Have at it. Cheap out on the interior or on the interior if you want… Use the current camaros interior… I don’t care ?, but if you’re gonna take the camaro you guys give us something. If hyundai can get a mid engine car out there gm can/should too.

43. I think you are looking for a Camaro, that’s cheaper, the problem is the labor cost of building a new car, go buy a factory five GTM kit car if you want cheap fun easy $35K to $40K build

44. How in the world do you think replacing one pushrod V8 with another one is going to save $15K? That’s nuts. So how else are you going to save money? Manual windows, seats, and mirrors? Might sell 100 of those to racers, but they wouldn’t want the lower powered engine. Steel suspension components instead of aluminum? The C8 is already pretty heavy.

    Whoever came up with this idea really doesn’t know much about engineering or manufacturing, I’m afraid.

    Aside from that, this engine wouldn’t be a bolt in. It would have to be converted to dry sump, because the engine in the C8 sits too low for a wet sump design, so you’re already adding costs.

45. Great idea! It’s the only way me (and a lot of people I know) will ever be able to own and drive a mid engine corvette…

46. GM Getting its ass kicked in the stock market time to get on with BEVs now you might say that’s heresy , but the market has spoken ICE is DEAD, MUERTE , KAPUTS , FINITO , Adios Amigo!

47. Rey,

    While Wall Street dictates stock prices, many people forget that real consumers are responsible for actually keeping the lights on in the automotive sector and there is a huge disconnect between what the NYSE and John & Jane Q. Public want from GM et al.

    Outside of Tesla, exactly zero electric vehicles have found any modicum of success in the automotive market. EVs are a niche product, at best; only accounting for 1.9% of new car sales last year (down 7% compared to 2018). Let’s take a look at the market’s reaction to the ICE-Killers, shall we?

    Before being passed by the Tesla Model 3, the Nissan Leaf was the best selling electric car in history, moving 141,907 units since its debut in 2010. That is roughly how many F150s Ford sells every two months; customers aren’t exactly beating down dealership doors when a shipment of Leafs arrives.
    Chevrolet’s own attempt at an affordable EV, the Bolt, found 23,297 homes in its first full year on sale (2017) but has slipped each year since. Chevy moved 18,019 Bolts in 2018 and 16,418 last year, even as GM “pulled the plug” on its cross-showroom competition, the Volt.

    It is the same story at prestige automakers.
    Just nine months into production of the I-Pace electric crossover, when buzz should have been high, Jaguar dealerships were reporting a backlog of six months’ worth of inventory. They were only able to find 1,309 Americans willing to take home an I-Pace in the first six months of 2019.
    BMW’s attempts at electrification since 2014 have also been met with a resounding “meh” from car buyers. Both of their electric cars saw sales peaks in their second year on sale with the entry-level i3 being purchased by 11,024 US residents and the i8, Bavaria’s first try at a two-seat sports car since the M1, moving a humble 2,265 units in 2015. Each ensuing year has seen declining i3 sales, culminating in 2019 when the final tally was just 4,854. i8 sales fell to just 488 in ’17 but have minimally rebounded in the past two years, selling 772 units in 2018 followed by a return to four digits in ’19 with a mere 1,102 deliveries.
    Even Tesla’s sales (Model 3 sales were up 14% last year to an impressive 159,000 sales in the US) are largely regional. Famously, the Model 3 was the third best selling car in its native California but it also relied on its home state for a massive 40% of its sales. If you zoom out to the nation at large, you will find no electrics in the entire list of 25 best selling vehicles.

    With the general public lacking enthusiasm for plug-in cars, low oil prices, a shrinking global demand for new cars (which has been accelerated by a pandemic), and an end to many government tax incentives on EVs in the world’s top two car markets, the US and China, it is, shall we say… bold, to count internal combustion out at this point in time.

48. I think if this was to happen with a 5.7 corvette it would my first purchase of a new vette I love the idea

49. “Let’s dilute the Corvette brand?” WHY???

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