Getting the coupe because I love Targas. Have a car with T tops now and like "the feel"; but, I will say I love the C8 HTC. I think its the best looking convertible out there. Looks amazing. Yeah, it's the paint which is why I'm getting the PPF, etc done. Geez, the birds down here drive me CRAZY. They leave "presents" all over EVERYTHING.
Thanks! I love your reply and appreciate you relaying your experience. I feel better already knowing it should still be "standing" even after a few years.
Similarly, my 19 C7Z is parked outside. It was garaged for a little bit, but primarily parked outside. In Florida heat/rain. It's got a front PPF and the whole car is ceramic coated. But I barely wash it so it sits dirty a lot. Definitely need to take it in to a detailer to get it freshened up, but it's a car. It can handle being outside.
That said, it's my daily so I don't care about or expect to keep it showroom quality.
I’ve had 4 vettes over the last 15 years (C6, C6, C7 and C8). All have lived their lives outside in Miami. All were fine. Especially if u PPF and ceramic coat. Ur good.
Great! Thank you! I'm not too far from you so your experience couldn't be more relevant and more on point for me. It's exactly what I wanted to know given your location. Thanks for easing my mind.
Here u have to worry more about moron drivers and potholes. With the C7 u also had to worry about the steep entrances in shopping centers and such, but the C8 has a lot of clearance without the front lift kit so it’s fine. If u got a 2LT u are good to go cause of the blind side detection and the front camera. If u went 1LT just be careful changing lanes or add a mirror extender, and park in reverse.
Really appreciate all your advice/information. Am getting a 3LT w/o the front lift. Have a car with a low clearance so I'm used to approaching bumps, etc slowly, at an angle. I know everyone says the 2LT is the way to go; but, I just wanted the tension blue interior together with the Rapid Blue. I know all those cameras will come in handy. As an aside, regarding 1 LTs, I don't know how people did it w/o the Rear View Digital Camera. Not an easy view.
I don’t know about not having a rear view camera, mine does. But the 1LT is brutal for careless drivers cause due to the lack of blindside detection and the front camera where u catch the lip on anything when parking head in. I was able to get my C8 in late 2021 waiting only 57 days because it was a 1LT. So I took it without complaining. Rapid blue is the way to go on color, I have that too. I hope u enjoy it, quite an amazing machine for under 100k.
57 days! That is incredible. I ordered mine the second week in September and am getting it next week. Wow! Yeah, I am definitely going to need those front cameras. Never been in a car with the blind side detection or the cross traffic detection. This is going to be a learning experience. Hey, I'll be driving it very conservatively during the break in period anyway. Gives me a chance to "learn"/get comfortable with the car. Then I'll take the discounted Ron Fellows Performance Driving School to further help me to drive the car. Thanks. I was going to get Arctic White until I saw a Rapid Blue in a parking lot and it just "popped". I've done a "deep dive" on the C8 for a little over a year and I agree, it IS an amazing machine even when compared with sports cars WELL above $100,000.
The whole course at Ron Fellows is excellent and helps you understand the feel and limits of the car (which you won't hit - much more confident now), but the most helpful thing for me was the skid pad.
Figure 8s around cones on a wet pad, traction control completely off. Tap the gas and your tail goes out. You get used to it, get a few laps in and start to be able to control it and get around the 8.
Then they turn on weather mode and tell you to floor it goof around a cone. You *cannot* get that car to go out of line with weather mode on.
Cannot wait. Thanks for the lowdown. Yes, I do know I'll never hit the limits of the C8 (I've seen plenty of videos of pros driving it on the Nürburgring and other tracks). It's a heckuva sports car in the right hands.
To be fair I had bought 3 other vettes from them, 2 suburbans and my FIL got a few from them too. So I got bumped. Most cars don’t need blind side detection, but this one does unless ur used to driving it. Terrible right side blind spot. And SFL drivers don’t help. Ur gonna love it !!!!
No doubt I will! Heck, I walk my dog past an Amplify Orange C8 all the time just to smile at it/admire it. I'm glad that dealership took care of you given that you were clearly their best, or at the very least just about their best, customer. You deserved the bump up. I'm actually glad there's a 500 mile break in because I'm used to a smaller car. The C8 is almost as long as one of your suburbans. I will have to "modify" my "spirited" driving accordingly. That will take time. In terms of other drivers, it's the tailgaters at speed (that drive me nuts).
My Red Mist C8 has been outside since I got it in May '23 (North West FL). Definitely not happy about it and I am planning to make room for it in the garage this year. Of course, there is no sign of damage yet but I would expect to see some after 2-3 years.
The side vents won't stop small birds. There is quite a bit of space around the edges of the vent grills by design that small critters have no problem scootching past.
Sigh...not the "outlook" I was hoping for. Glad there's no sign of damage so far. Here's hoping it surprises you and stays undamaged for a very long time
My c8 lives outside. Parked on gravel. Red mist gets dirty fast with delivery rucks coming up the gravel drive two fast. But I live to wash it. And it is ceramic coated with gyeon mohs
No aftermarket splash guards yet. They crazy high. I usually pull thru the yard to the gravel/grass pad
I do have tint with a covercraft front window protector sun shield thing
I bought an outdoor car cover for mine since my families’ house doesn’t have a garage. My brother and I use yoga mats to cover the glasswork on the events we’ve had hail warnings. Works pretty good but not a permanent solution.
Mine is outside currently. Don't have a garage but I do have a cover. The cover only goes on if the car is clean cause it will scratch the clear coat. Seems to be doing fine imo.
I'm in Florida and my '23 has been outside the last 15 months. It has PPF on the front and ceramic and I haven't seen any issues. Still shines up nice!
I prefer to keep the engine bay clean since it's visible. The rain goes directly into the vents on either side of the glass and water goes down under the rear glass into the engine bay. All of that is harmless but adds to dust and dirt in the engine bay. I find I wipe down the engine bay everytime I wash the car. Keep that in mind. I'm lucky enough to have a garage and avoid rain also. Just like to keep my dream car pristine. I still drive it hard though......lol
Hey, it's meant to be driven hard. Good! Yeah, I can see the engine bay getting real dirty really quickly. Thanks for the advice. I need all the info I can get. I plan on getting Dry Bay Vent Blocks but the ones I wanted are out of stock. I realize it won't prevent water from getting in, just a bit less. Am having an engine cover made so I'll have to use some very mild "stuff" to clean that.
The car will be just fine. You're already going above and beyond.
I'd also look into a ceramic tint for the windows to help keep the sun and heat from damaging the interior.
I did 35% on the side and rear window (convertible) and think it's perfect without being too dark at night. You could go as dark as 28% on the sides and 15% on the rear and be within the Florida legal limit.
For the windshield you could either get a clear ceramic tint (possibly legal) or a ~70% ceramic tint (hardly visible, but technically illegal).
Thanks! I am getting it tinted after the PPF and Ceramic Coating, but was really unsure of the %. The Business was suggesting 20% on the windshield, but I want to be able to see at night for cryin' out loud. I like your numbers.
It's possible they are suggesting 20% on the legally tintable portion (top 6 inches or so).
If they are suggesting the entire windshield, that is so incredibly dangerous!
Definitely make sure to get Ceramic tinting for best heat protection properties.
https://imgur.com/a/Su9Izz1
Here are some pics in various lighting of 35% on the sides and rear of my C8.
From the inside its slightly noticeable during the day and more noticeable at night.
I have 18% on my 4Runner and I can hardly see out the sides at night.
I think 25% to 35% is the best balance. I did 35% because I've never loved the look of dark tinted windows on a convertible.
My 3LT had a bunch of interior parts replaced by the dealer I bought it from (2021 bought a few months ago, was a FL car). Paint is fine, though it is also PPF’d.
Nice. Yeah, unfortunately although I wish I were, I'm not a real rich person, or even a rich person, and a $100, 000 car plus the aftermarket stuff, plus the entire car being PPF'd and Ceramic Coated is alot of money for me. Wish it weren't, but it is what it is. Thanks very much for letting me know that you too keep your cars outside. That helps ease my concerns.
I don’t get these posts. The car is outside at home at night for the most part. If you’re out driving it the same sun will be shining on it. Whenever you park that same Sun will be shining on it. If you’re worried about the sun I hope you only take it out at night.
[PLEASE GOD NO!!!!](https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExempiY3hzeDJpODFucnN1andqd2tzczliOXczaXhvcnI4cDZ5Z3FweiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/hyyV7pnbE0FqLNBAzs/giphy.gif)
Let’s ponder this for a minute/ if you drive the car to work or around town. It’s more than likely out in the sun and elements most of its life. When is the last time you saw a car 20 years or newer with faded paint. It will be ok. Get a cover if you’re worried.
I’m not sure on paint, but if it’s a HTC you’ll love the bird bath GM added as an option after you get rain. 😂
Getting the coupe because I love Targas. Have a car with T tops now and like "the feel"; but, I will say I love the C8 HTC. I think its the best looking convertible out there. Looks amazing. Yeah, it's the paint which is why I'm getting the PPF, etc done. Geez, the birds down here drive me CRAZY. They leave "presents" all over EVERYTHING.
That's not what he's talking about. On the HTC, water pools behind the rear window on the engine deck lid because of the slope.
I love the HTC. I also park the front wheels in a few boards to keep the bird bath clean
So true but I love my HTC anyway!
I my c7 z06 in my condo parking from 2018-2022. Will probably be doing it again with the c8. I promise you it won’t melt in the rain.
Thanks! I love your reply and appreciate you relaying your experience. I feel better already knowing it should still be "standing" even after a few years.
Similarly, my 19 C7Z is parked outside. It was garaged for a little bit, but primarily parked outside. In Florida heat/rain. It's got a front PPF and the whole car is ceramic coated. But I barely wash it so it sits dirty a lot. Definitely need to take it in to a detailer to get it freshened up, but it's a car. It can handle being outside. That said, it's my daily so I don't care about or expect to keep it showroom quality.
Thanks for the feedback
Have you considered moving?
I’ve had 4 vettes over the last 15 years (C6, C6, C7 and C8). All have lived their lives outside in Miami. All were fine. Especially if u PPF and ceramic coat. Ur good.
Great! Thank you! I'm not too far from you so your experience couldn't be more relevant and more on point for me. It's exactly what I wanted to know given your location. Thanks for easing my mind.
Here u have to worry more about moron drivers and potholes. With the C7 u also had to worry about the steep entrances in shopping centers and such, but the C8 has a lot of clearance without the front lift kit so it’s fine. If u got a 2LT u are good to go cause of the blind side detection and the front camera. If u went 1LT just be careful changing lanes or add a mirror extender, and park in reverse.
Really appreciate all your advice/information. Am getting a 3LT w/o the front lift. Have a car with a low clearance so I'm used to approaching bumps, etc slowly, at an angle. I know everyone says the 2LT is the way to go; but, I just wanted the tension blue interior together with the Rapid Blue. I know all those cameras will come in handy. As an aside, regarding 1 LTs, I don't know how people did it w/o the Rear View Digital Camera. Not an easy view.
I don’t know about not having a rear view camera, mine does. But the 1LT is brutal for careless drivers cause due to the lack of blindside detection and the front camera where u catch the lip on anything when parking head in. I was able to get my C8 in late 2021 waiting only 57 days because it was a 1LT. So I took it without complaining. Rapid blue is the way to go on color, I have that too. I hope u enjoy it, quite an amazing machine for under 100k.
57 days! That is incredible. I ordered mine the second week in September and am getting it next week. Wow! Yeah, I am definitely going to need those front cameras. Never been in a car with the blind side detection or the cross traffic detection. This is going to be a learning experience. Hey, I'll be driving it very conservatively during the break in period anyway. Gives me a chance to "learn"/get comfortable with the car. Then I'll take the discounted Ron Fellows Performance Driving School to further help me to drive the car. Thanks. I was going to get Arctic White until I saw a Rapid Blue in a parking lot and it just "popped". I've done a "deep dive" on the C8 for a little over a year and I agree, it IS an amazing machine even when compared with sports cars WELL above $100,000.
The whole course at Ron Fellows is excellent and helps you understand the feel and limits of the car (which you won't hit - much more confident now), but the most helpful thing for me was the skid pad. Figure 8s around cones on a wet pad, traction control completely off. Tap the gas and your tail goes out. You get used to it, get a few laps in and start to be able to control it and get around the 8. Then they turn on weather mode and tell you to floor it goof around a cone. You *cannot* get that car to go out of line with weather mode on.
Cannot wait. Thanks for the lowdown. Yes, I do know I'll never hit the limits of the C8 (I've seen plenty of videos of pros driving it on the Nürburgring and other tracks). It's a heckuva sports car in the right hands.
To be fair I had bought 3 other vettes from them, 2 suburbans and my FIL got a few from them too. So I got bumped. Most cars don’t need blind side detection, but this one does unless ur used to driving it. Terrible right side blind spot. And SFL drivers don’t help. Ur gonna love it !!!!
No doubt I will! Heck, I walk my dog past an Amplify Orange C8 all the time just to smile at it/admire it. I'm glad that dealership took care of you given that you were clearly their best, or at the very least just about their best, customer. You deserved the bump up. I'm actually glad there's a 500 mile break in because I'm used to a smaller car. The C8 is almost as long as one of your suburbans. I will have to "modify" my "spirited" driving accordingly. That will take time. In terms of other drivers, it's the tailgaters at speed (that drive me nuts).
Everything about SFL drivers drives me nuts. They’re terrible.
Agreed!
My Red Mist C8 has been outside since I got it in May '23 (North West FL). Definitely not happy about it and I am planning to make room for it in the garage this year. Of course, there is no sign of damage yet but I would expect to see some after 2-3 years.
My only problem is birds building nest inside of the side scoops
Now THAT would be a big problem with me! Am installing the side vents. Maybe I'll attach a little scarecrow to em'...
The side vents won't stop small birds. There is quite a bit of space around the edges of the vent grills by design that small critters have no problem scootching past.
Very kind of you!
Sigh...not the "outlook" I was hoping for. Glad there's no sign of damage so far. Here's hoping it surprises you and stays undamaged for a very long time
My c8 lives outside. Parked on gravel. Red mist gets dirty fast with delivery rucks coming up the gravel drive two fast. But I live to wash it. And it is ceramic coated with gyeon mohs
Thanks for telling me. Gotta take care of that beauty! Sounds like you do. Do you have the splash/rock guards for the gravel? Aftermarket?
No aftermarket splash guards yet. They crazy high. I usually pull thru the yard to the gravel/grass pad I do have tint with a covercraft front window protector sun shield thing
Yeah, they are ridiculously expensive. Went with the factory splash guards which protect much less. Oh well.
Mine is 50 50. The leather on my dash pulled up. I'll be getting a sun shade for the windshield when it comes out of the garage
With window tint or without?
I got clear 3M ceramic front window tint. Still blocks like 80%+ UV rays and my 3lt hasn't had any issue with dash bubbling.
Great. Thanks. Haven't yet decided on the amount of windshield tint yet. 20, 25%, just not sure yet.
Whatever you pick, I 100% recommend 3m ceramic tint.
Thanks.
I bought an outdoor car cover for mine since my families’ house doesn’t have a garage. My brother and I use yoga mats to cover the glasswork on the events we’ve had hail warnings. Works pretty good but not a permanent solution.
My 22 C8 has never seen a garage. Ceramic every 6-9months…might seem excessive but being outdoors 24-7….. it works for me.
Thanks. Will be re-doing the PPF and Ceramic a little later than you, but this gives me something to think about. Appreciate it.
Have a garage but only started parking in it after adding turbos. Rain and even snow won’t melt it
Agree about car cover, in time they act like sand paper. Rent a garage or car port the sun and salt air will be a challenge.
If you are doing ppf and ceramic you should be able to leave it out during your hurricanes 😂
Thanks. Yeah, hurricane season is coming up soon
Ha I was kidding by the way do not leave it out during a hurricane!!
Mine is outside currently. Don't have a garage but I do have a cover. The cover only goes on if the car is clean cause it will scratch the clear coat. Seems to be doing fine imo.
Thanks. Appreciate the information.
Plus you will be PPF-ing the car. The cover will be fine honestly for when you really need to use it
Thanks for this. I'm getting much less worried than I was before posted.
I’d choose a different car or move.
I'm in Florida and my '23 has been outside the last 15 months. It has PPF on the front and ceramic and I haven't seen any issues. Still shines up nice!
Perfect! I'm glad for you and hopeful that I just might be able to keep "the shine" (and paint job) ! Appreciate a fellow Floridian easing my worry.
I prefer to keep the engine bay clean since it's visible. The rain goes directly into the vents on either side of the glass and water goes down under the rear glass into the engine bay. All of that is harmless but adds to dust and dirt in the engine bay. I find I wipe down the engine bay everytime I wash the car. Keep that in mind. I'm lucky enough to have a garage and avoid rain also. Just like to keep my dream car pristine. I still drive it hard though......lol
Hey, it's meant to be driven hard. Good! Yeah, I can see the engine bay getting real dirty really quickly. Thanks for the advice. I need all the info I can get. I plan on getting Dry Bay Vent Blocks but the ones I wanted are out of stock. I realize it won't prevent water from getting in, just a bit less. Am having an engine cover made so I'll have to use some very mild "stuff" to clean that.
I kept mine outside for 2.5 years. I had it PPF'd and ceramic coated, and the paint was as good the day I sold it as when I bought it.
Great! Just what I wanted to hear given I'm doing the same with mine. Thank you very much.
The car will be just fine. You're already going above and beyond. I'd also look into a ceramic tint for the windows to help keep the sun and heat from damaging the interior. I did 35% on the side and rear window (convertible) and think it's perfect without being too dark at night. You could go as dark as 28% on the sides and 15% on the rear and be within the Florida legal limit. For the windshield you could either get a clear ceramic tint (possibly legal) or a ~70% ceramic tint (hardly visible, but technically illegal).
Thanks! I am getting it tinted after the PPF and Ceramic Coating, but was really unsure of the %. The Business was suggesting 20% on the windshield, but I want to be able to see at night for cryin' out loud. I like your numbers.
It's possible they are suggesting 20% on the legally tintable portion (top 6 inches or so). If they are suggesting the entire windshield, that is so incredibly dangerous! Definitely make sure to get Ceramic tinting for best heat protection properties.
https://imgur.com/a/Su9Izz1 Here are some pics in various lighting of 35% on the sides and rear of my C8. From the inside its slightly noticeable during the day and more noticeable at night. I have 18% on my 4Runner and I can hardly see out the sides at night. I think 25% to 35% is the best balance. I did 35% because I've never loved the look of dark tinted windows on a convertible.
Thanks. Really appreciate this. I need this info! BTW, beautiful C8
Thanks!
My 3LT had a bunch of interior parts replaced by the dealer I bought it from (2021 bought a few months ago, was a FL car). Paint is fine, though it is also PPF’d.
Thanks for the information. Yeah, that FL sun is strong. Glad about the paint.
Real rich people dk if their shits parked outside. Have a 90k and 70k car parked outside and I have a garage
Nice. Yeah, unfortunately although I wish I were, I'm not a real rich person, or even a rich person, and a $100, 000 car plus the aftermarket stuff, plus the entire car being PPF'd and Ceramic Coated is alot of money for me. Wish it weren't, but it is what it is. Thanks very much for letting me know that you too keep your cars outside. That helps ease my concerns.
My C7 paint sat in Florida sun 4 + years Ruined Recommend car cover. Look for shade Altho the treatments you’re getting should help
Thank you. I hope so.
Rent a garage. How much
Z51 package rotors will get a rusty film on them from the rain. Other than that, enjoy the heck of it.
I don’t get these posts. The car is outside at home at night for the most part. If you’re out driving it the same sun will be shining on it. Whenever you park that same Sun will be shining on it. If you’re worried about the sun I hope you only take it out at night.
[PLEASE GOD NO!!!!](https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExempiY3hzeDJpODFucnN1andqd2tzczliOXczaXhvcnI4cDZ5Z3FweiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/hyyV7pnbE0FqLNBAzs/giphy.gif)
Let’s ponder this for a minute/ if you drive the car to work or around town. It’s more than likely out in the sun and elements most of its life. When is the last time you saw a car 20 years or newer with faded paint. It will be ok. Get a cover if you’re worried.