The Corvette Hobby is CHANGING. 

I bought my 03’ C5 from my father in law just before my Wife and I got married. I drove her away in it and it means a lot to me sentimentally because of that and since my father in law offered it to me first and for a deal too. Cars are cars but if you understand what it’s all takes for it to do what it has done in its lifetime and maybe even helped it get to where it is, it’s much more fulfilling of a relationship to have. Since technology is so fleeting these days I don’t feel the relationship can or will ever be quite the same between man and machine. 👍🏽

My C6 Z06 is my forever Vette I think, and my son loves it. I plan for him to inherit it as soon as I can no longer drive it. I hope he keeps it forever too.

Always look forward to your podcast on Fridays. Yes, you are correct. Our society has become a disposable society. It is so sad.

C5s are the sweet spot between repairability, analog driving, mileage and modern functions.

Very well said Lyle. Maybe I will hang onto my C5. … Peace, brother.

'69 427 tri-power 4spd restoration and '80 auto Cali car, both coupes. They have been a part of the family since I was a kid. I drove the 80 from high school through college, prior to restomod'ing. We have C3's in the family, but I love all generations. I think you nailed it.

I'm 55. I have my Grandfather's 1st new truck. It is a 1976 k20 Suburban. It has given us decades of service and the newest generation is using it to learn to drive now. That old girl is as beautiful and well maintained as when my grandfather bought it. It is 100% part of our family. I hope that my children keep my C5 long after I'm gone.

I owned a ‘69 convertible from 1970, to about 2010 it was well cared for.

I know this is a Corvette channel, but I am 50 years old still own my 1987 Iroc-Z 5.7L since I was 21, still 100% stock and original. Purchased from the original owner, it’s just part of me, I have done 98% of my own repairs.

I bought my ‘02 Vert new and drove it 146,000 fabulous miles! I’m 81 and would like to pass the Vette along to someone in the family. Sadly, no seems interested. Not sure what to do-I guess I’ll keep it, but it’s getting harder to enter and exit!😂🙄

I Have a 2005 Corvette, I know my son he love it and he trying to take care the car because he loves the American car specially Mustang and Corvette he think those muscle cars are the driving experience more happy and you can feel something when are in one those cars 🚗 This Hobby is life style.

Long live all the Corvettes with a manual transmission!

Great video. I have a 1967 that I'm able to work on with just some basic tools. The most advanced item on that car is probably the clock. On the C8 , about all I can do is change the oil, filters and wiper blades. To think that in ten years parts may not be available for a car that you spent $100K+ is crazy. With all the supply issues GM has had with the C8, I don't thing there will be an ample supply of replacement parts in the future.

The possibility of ending up with a bricked corvette due to the failure of electronic components that cannot be easily and affordably replaced is definitely a concern that I did not worry about 20 years ago.

I agree 100 % with you!

Lyle: great video as usual. Thanks for helping to keep the hobby alive. That said, while I agree with all your comments and prognostications, I think folks are missing the bigger picture. In my mind, what's been driving the entire collector's car market are the baby boomers with lots of disposable cash. I would bet that most of the comments below were made by guys like me, "senior citizens". In about 25 years when the youngest baby boomer turns 85'ish and theoretically should stop driving and wrenching on cars the market for collector cars will turn south in a big way. Of course, that assumes we're still driving cars and not flying around like the Jetson's.

I own a 2003 C5 and a year ago I bought my wife a 1979 C3. I can’t tell you that the C3 is much easier to work on than the C5 but they are both fun to drive in spite of the huge difference in the horse power. I’ve been working on cars since I was 10 years old and have done clutches several times by myself but I’m almost afraid to try it on that C5. I can see why the popularity seems to be growing in the C3’s.

Man As A Early Production Of A 1968 427 Big Block Corvette My Father Passed On To Me, You Motivate Me More Than Ever To Get Back To It, It’s Been Part Of The Family Since 1970, Now Stowed In Storage, A Slow Restoration Is What’s Next For My Other Baby.. Thank You Sir, Please Keep Up The Great Content..

Sounds like the C4 will be more in demand in the future!!!!!

Excellent video and thought provoking. Agreed about the complexity.. my ‘09 C6… love it and plan to keep it until the day I’m gone, love the beauty of the design and curves. Hard to work on? You bet! But I’m blessed to have an excellent local shop that knows the car. One thing I will say about the newer generation is how they self diagnose (OBDII)…. Huge improvement. My brother has a gorgeous’65 and yep simple to work on but ya know not the same safety standards as we have today. Traction control and ABS…. Wow! I also believe the aftermarket will pick up the slack on some material.. but I know it’s a roll of the dice sometimes with that stuff. Keep up the good work Lyle!

Finally, I sold my C6 Z06, 2LZ w only 13,600 miles after 28 months of ownership. I did not feel safe driving the all aluminum frame, carbon fiber quarter panels. Plastic bumpers and fiberglass hood, roof, doors, and hatch. Now I don't worry about dropping an exhaust valve in the cylinder and blowing up a 20K engine and damaging the drive train and rear end. Cash is King...

Looks like I will be staying with my C4 . I have to say it is difficult to get into it and difficult to get out of it. But I ENJOY driving it. So far I have been able to repair it. When I no longer can either repair it or get in and out of it I will let someone else enjoy it, Or not,it's their choice.

I have a brand new C8, L3 stingray, and I do miss the old cars being more easily serviceable. But I’m also 67 years old and don’t want to work on cars anymore. The C8 is a rolling super computer, it took three people to program the car, and I am not a computer person. But I have four sons and nine grandchildren and still counting… This car will not leave the family lol

I remember when I had my C4 corvette and I couldn't find a replacement Solar load sensor online and there weren't any around in my country

I owned a C3 for 22 years. It didn't have power steering or AC. The brake light switch (a unique 1968 design) failed every few years. I sold the car and bought a new 2001 C5. Of course, its EBCM failed, but starting in 2001, those WERE repairable for $100 by absfixer. Sadly, The diff seal failed twice. The door lock modules failed. The smog pump's rear check valve failed every 2-3 years, requiring the intake manifold to be removed. The transmission seal needed replacement, costing $2300 in 2012. The HVAC display disappeared, requiring a resoldering of the PCA. At 52,000 miles, a window motor was making noise, as was the AC compressor. The HUD display faded to almost invisibility on hot days. The engine drank a quart of oil every 2500 miles. After 13 years of ownership, I had had enough. My MX5 Miata was not nearly as fast, but it has been rock solid reliable for 16 years. How can you become attached to what turned out to be poor reliability and quality. The car came from the factory with a shifted sail panel (behind the target top). I just can't buy another Corvette. A latest generation NSX would be far more reliable. Even a GR Supra would cost less to own after the warranty expires.

One key issue, in reference to your closing question, is obsolete parts. If the hobby is to survive, we need someone at the NCRS or Corvette Museum, or elsewhere, to take on the daunting task of investing the cash, time, and engineering of repopping all of these parts that are not being produced nowadays; causing these cars to become big paperweights. Plug and play software programs to reprogram faulty modern software equipment I think can make modern vehicles more viable. I gave up on working on anything electrical when the C4 came out. So, I’m at a loss too with the modern stuff. Nice to drive as long as they don’t have any glitches. But, I think the focus in conclusion should be on replacement part production; because they’re only as good as their weakest parts.

My 57 Corvette was so easy to work on👍🏻👍🏻 the only thing I would attempt to do on a C8 is change the oil😂

Great insights…I have owned 14 new Corvettes starting in 1970. Technology has quickly dated the Newer Vettes and moved them from hobby to image possession. The front engine C7 is my last Vette . C8 is fast but not beautiful.

I agree with you 100 percent Lyle, but what you're talking about is the same with the Dodge Chargers and Challengers (discontinued again), the Camaro (discontinued again), the Mustang and so many other performance cars including BMW and Porsche. It's the car hobby in general. So much of society has taken on a disposable mindset, things are not made to last as long and are simply meant to be disposed of and move on. A big point for me is I think in many respects Corvette owners are their own worst enemy. Keeping cars as extreme low-mileage garage queens by not driving them makes the need for aftermarket or OEM suppliers to make replacement parts nonexistent. Owners can't expect parts manufacturers to make and keep things on the shelves if they only sell a few every year especially in the modern economy. Add to that poor diagnosing skills and "parts cannon" approaches to repairs by DIY'ers or bad dealerships/shops (which unnecessarily uses up existing parts) and the problem exacerbates itself quickly. I bought a C7 because I thought it was the last Corvette I could actually work on and maintain but I've learned since then some of the challenges with parts. No way I'd own a C8 especially out of warranty and can't imagine owning a car with the complexity, costs, and limited production of something like the E-Ray.

I own a c5. I’ve toyed with the idea of moving up to a c7. I work on my c5 when it needs it. I’m never crazy about it being broken, but I do like knowing more about my car when I do the repair. I have a lift so many repairs are easier. I feel the c7 is getting beyond what I can do, so I loose that knowledge and bond. I look at my yellow c5 vert and think it’s still pretty nice and the urge goes away. I think Lyle is right when he thinks the hobby is changing. That “I fixed it myself “ capability is getting a little out of reach and for some they’re perfectly happy but for me , obviously, I struggle with not being able to give the fix a try. I guess doing the fix is part of my hobby thing.

I’ve owned my red ‘78 since 1988 it is in very good condition and I’m able to work on it. Any part I need is available for it, I plan on handing it down to my son one day

Nice insight. Knowing about the difficulty getting parts for my C5 makes me wonder about the wisdom of handing it down to one of the kids. I don't like the idea that I am leaving them a burden. I love the car myself. I have put a bunch of $$$ into repairs and it still has a little ways to go. Anyway that'ts just part of the problem. As you said buying a C8 with the idea of passing it on would probably end up getting it sold by whichever kid I had left it to. I dont think they would want to pay the car insurance on a ride like that.

Excellent content. Very well said - thank you.

It's not just Corvettes, but most every car built since about1985, they are disposable. And let's not talk about trucks pulling cabs to do routine service. When you want and can afford to have fun and go fast, buy something new and enjoy it, knowing resale value is minimal. I mostly appreciate extreme base model cars, straight six, manual trany, no air conditioning or power windows, etc. Less is more in the old car game.

I definitely see your view Lyle and like alot of things, change occurs. As consumers, we tend to not retain items for long periods of time. The market is far more massive than decades ago and we have more choices so the thrill of having the same item, cars or not, for an extended period of time may not be as enjoyable, I suppose. We chase trends and want the biggest and best and not realize what we have in front of us.

I would love for you to show some of maintenance you perform. I am very wary about my nearest Chevrolet dealership, I had to ask multiple times which exact oil they were using, I have a c7 so I'm not too worried about it but a c8 is in my future, possibly the Eray. I don't even know if they can change the tires on the carbon wheels . . . but they will surely sell you a c8 Eray/z06/zr1 with those wheels on it. . . .

Great as usual

I feel the values of many older vetted will erode because younger people are just not into classic cars

Thank you for this eye opening professional perspective, I had no idea parts are hard to come by :( Your video's are very informative and so I've been looking for a late model C4, or late model C5 with a manual (in very good condition with records no decs etc) for the past 5-6 months but in my area Vancouver BC Canada they are hard to come by especially at a reasonable price. I now question if an older Vette is good idea.

That is happening to all new cars. The computer fails, the car is gone. A C3 you fix with with a wrench as you point out. Tou cannot do that with any car from this century. And once they use batteries, done... the battery dies, the car has to be recycled. Long gone are the cars for ever I am afraid.

Fun fact, 97-00 is repairable (probably), it’s just a nightmare to work on. I have been stubborn in finding a way. I found a forum post last year and someone “may” have repaired one. But from what I see, it’s easier to retrofit the 01+

C6 base. Very easy to work on.

I've had my C5 for 20 years now, and don't plan on getting rid of it. Sadly, I don't have a son or daughter to pass it down to, so I worry about it's future. That's a whole other regret, I guess. But, I also worry about my EBCM going out and there not being a viable option. It's a 2000, so I'm in that bad range. Some company with the right capabilities really needs to step in and help us out. GM sure won't do it. They don't see Corvette ownership as a tradition any further than they can use it as a marketing tool. This isn't really a blame... but I think the aftermarket has sort of fallen behind in keeping up with the changes. Outside of engine tuning through the computer, not much has grown tech-wise with the aftermarket. That said, I understand the obstacles and shortcomings of doing so

Yes..........way more technical. That is when YT comes in handy in what is wrong and can I fix this myself. Nothing worse calling a repair garage and having no clue what is wrong and how to correct it, you just get insulted to the highest degree.

thinking positively, as these cars age and encounter computer and electronic issues with no parts for an otherwise killer car someone is going to figure out how to retrofit them to an analog configuration with maybe aftermarket engine and fuel management. Can’t imagine a c6 z06 left sitting in the weeds over a black box. That said the only vette service around me is the overpriced stealership. Makes me wonder how long im keeping my car

So, as Corvetttes became more expensive, harder to repair, and harder to source parts, the common folk's interest in them has waned. Who would've thunk? During the same time the general population has gone from envying and admiring Corvette owners to resenting them.. Once again, who would've thunk?

All I know is that I'm planning on keeping my C6 until I can't drive anymore!!!

I think we got away from what a Corvette is it's a American made sports car but with the computers going in the cars and the only ones that can work on or understands them are the ones that knows computers I was born way before computers came out and I know all about old cars that don't have any computer's in them and I love the one I have as for this hobby if it keeps going the way it's going we are going to lose because no body will keep there Corvettes right now it's made for the rich because who can afford a 2.000 two hundred thousand dollar car back when mine was made it was 10.958.20 but my grandpa didn't want me to get a Chevrolet vega at that time it was only 1.200 hundred dollars to get it brand new

When i shell out the clutch on my 2011 supersonic blue metallic Vette, i want you to do the job. Not the cheapest, but the best. how much of a discount do i get ? HAHA

The problem is that the 70’s corvettes are so slow and weak , that you are better off making hot rods out of them than restoring them. I know the pump and dump is going on day in and day out, but no matter how hard flippers try, I’m not going to pay more than about $8000 for a mid 70’s-early 80’s corvette. They’re just not worth it .

I own a C5 that I inherited when my father passed away. He bought it new in 2003. He loved it! It hasn't needed too much work but I did most of it myself. My C5 is like a family member to me and can't imagine NOT having it - especially with its connection to my Dad. I agree with you, if I bought a new C8 (for example), I would be afraid to own it past the warranty. The C8 is sophisticated and complicated. Relatively speaking, my C5 is simple. I was able to fix the ABS, the HVAC display and the oil pressure sensor (thanks to the internet).

I own 1972 Corvette T-Top 4sp Std Eng. bought in 1973 so I’ve owned it for 51yrs. Your right easy to work on because it simple.

As past Corvette owner, Corvette business owner, Corvette parts manufacture, suppler to Corvette GM plant, Sr. Bloomington Gold judge (1967-1969 years) and Corvette author, it’s my personal opinion the Corvette hobby went south when the prices went up. Prior to 1989 most middle come households could afford a Corvette. These owners were grass roots Corvette enthusiast along with past Corvette owners 1953-1988. Today’s Corvette owners (not all) are upper middle class or higher that tend to purchase out of the need to be flamboyant. This mindset doesn’t build long term connection with the past hobby enthusiasts.

I totally agree with you, Lyle. I own a 1967 Corvette Coupe and everything on it is mechanical, easy to work on, or replacing a part. And there’s nothing complex about it. Being a car girl, I do all my maintenance on it. Keep up the great work!

As a woman who was gifted my C5 from my brother-in-law, please consider looping women into your comments. I hope my neice's and nephew's will one day take over not Uncle Jim's, but Aunt Ann's C5!

I might get a hard time over this one....I sold my 2019 several years ago and bought a 66 for the very reasons you talk about. Open the hood and stare. Never had more fun !! Of course completely different car with its own set of issues. Got a shop manual and away we go.

I fully agree with you. It is becoming a disposable car, like everything else in this world. :(

Unfortunately the economy is causing many of us to have to leave our love too. Very sad!

I own a 2012 GS 3LT Manual bought brand new in 2012, that has only 35,000 miles. No issues, and plan on keeping it until the end!

My 2015 C7 Z51 M7 is 9 years and 7 months old with just over 90,000 miles. We love the car to this day and have no plans to sell it.

I have my dad's C3, I need tires which I can't afford right now but I love that car. The smiles and thumbs ups....so much worth it!

Lyle, 95% of the guys I know owning and driving Corvettes are not gear heads. Guys that own cars from the 50s through the 70s grew up with vehicles they could keep and maintain. I own one car that fits into that category and have owned it since new. It is cared for and maintained by me, and it is a family member. The C5 I own is a car with electronic gremlins that I've been able to fix myself, but in doing that, the car has been laid up, out of service for months at a time hunting down those electronic gremlins. I have been successful because of persistence and patience. Newer generations will surely see those gremlins too and the guys I know will be stumped and have to tender their car to "real" Corvette shops to find the problem at a significant cost to them. When more gremlins show up, they will, IMO become frustrated and "dump" their Corvette, seeking out a replacement, a new version with no or little mileage. The Corvette will be passed from one owner to another and some of those gremlins will be fixed, helter/skelter a little at a time, but at a high cost to do so. So, I agree, the Corvette hobby will change dramatically. Second and third owners will bear the brunt of repairs and costly maintenance.

Lyle never under estimate the people working on cars. Yes it may be difficult now as new but with time things will become known and easier. My C5 looked difficult when new but today I tackle many issues myself. With the help of many including a guy in Florida that teaches me new things every week has made things easier. My Fiero that is mid engine looked impossible when I bought it new. Now 40 years later with knowledge snd The web I can fix about anything. Knowledge is king and in time we will learn more and things become easier. As the prices come down we will tackle these issues make videos share the info. The dropping of the rear package is not much different than the Fiero and even a modern Camaro. Things come out the bottom not the top. You may be shocked in t five years the C8 tech you will be teaching us.

I am glad we spoke about this Lyle. I didn't tell you this on the phone. It was one of your videos that lead to my decision that I'd get a C5 instead of late C4. I wanted something that was mostly mechanical. That I could turn a wrench on if need be. I won't do everything myself but I've done some work on her with a buddy. It was rewarding to see the final results. It's this simplicity that I know will make me enjoy the C5 for several years. If it does turn out to be as reliable as we discussed then I may pass it along. Hopefully not like the previous owner. (: Thanks again Lyle for all your efforts and love for Corvette. You are helping to make a bunch of Corvette fans out here in California.

You are spot on here Lyle. And on the flip side of this, took my 73 Vette recently to the dealership to get the front end aligned and they said they couldn't do it. Didn't have the software. I wound up taking it to the local CO-OP to get it done.

I think this is a sad truth. I went from a C7 Grand Sport to a C6 Grand Sport and one of the reasons I like it so much is because it has less tech than the C7. The aging out of electrical components that are non repairable and no longer produced is def scary for those of us who are interested in long term owner ship.

Lyle, this is a really interesting topic, and thanks for bringing it to the forefront. You and I talked about this briefly at Carlisle. I am fearful not only of the Corvette hobby falling off in the years to come, but of the "car culture" as a whole deteriorating as the technology and engineering changes, and we are less able to "work" on these vehicles. I currently have a C5 (50th Anniv.) and a C3 (Collector Edition) and there is little interest in my family to continue the tradition after I am gone. This makes me sad, because I know how much joy ownership of these cars has brought me, not to mention the countless friends I have made as a function of being part of the Corvette family. Fifty years from now, every car currently on the road, will be at least 50 years old, and gasoline engines (unfortunately) will be obsolete and replaced by the technology of the day. I won't be here to see it, but it is certainly interesting to think about. Thanks again for all of the compelling content! Bob S., Pittsburgh

How I made my Mom panick, and Dad roar with laughter at 1966 new car show. I've loved Vettes since I was toddler. My parents took me to see the new cars at carshow in 1966. My dad had his Bell & Howell 8mm camera in hand. In the center of show was new 1967 C2 on a turn table display. I broke free from my moms hand and took off towards the display. My mom gave chase but was slowed by her high heels. In a flash I was past the velvet rope surrounding display, and climbed up on turntable. Mom was embarrassed, and Dad obviously laughing due to unsteady & shakey camera hand work, lol. The reps stopped the display from turning, then they opened the drivers door and sat me in drivers seat! I was so happy & proud that I got to sit in my dream car. I was 5 years old.

Completely agree. We love the C7 however, the ease of working on and utilizing shops such as yours has us looking at C3 and C4 Corvettes for long term

I have absolutely ZERO interest in a computerized Corvette. And I hate the looks of newer Corvettes. My favorite years for Corvettes are 1974-1977. Yes, I like the 1968-1972 models, but they were out of my price range back in 1989, when I bought my 1976 model. I was 16 in 1976, and I thought the Corvettes of that era were the most beautiful cars in the world. I still do. I went through a few tough years with my '76 Corvette. It was in beautiful condition when I bought it, original AZ car, no rust. But it needed work. All the rubber suspension bushings and body mounts were bad, it had leaking brakes, and a few other problems. I was renting a house at the time, and had very little place to work on it. And besides a motorcycle, it was my only transportation. I had no garage, but I did keep it covered. I went through several car covers. Finally in 1995, I bought a house with a 2 car garage, and shortly thereafter, a beater transportation car. Finally I was able to set about restoring the Corvette. It took almost 15 years to get to the point where I could call it finished, if you can actually say that a classic car is ever really finished. Pretty much everything was replaced. I still have the original engine and transmission, but I built my own engine for it, and had a TH350 custom built for it. The goal was not so much for more power, though it does make about 100hp more than it originally did. It was mostly about reliability. It is completely stock appearing, with VERY few exceptions. It has gone from a restoration project to a collector car. I take it out early Sunday mornings when there is almost no traffic on the road and drive it a little. And that is pretty much where it will remain for the rest of my life. I am now 65, and will not be doing any more serious work on cars, other than minor repairs and maintenance. I don't feel that anything newer than a C3 is really suitable as a hobby car or collector car. The C4 looks more like a Camaro than a Corvette. My '76 still turns heads like crazy, and I get a lot of compliments and questions about it. Nobody seems to even notice a C4. I find the styling to be bland and boring. And I have no interest in performance when it comes to a Corvette. I do have a home built hot rod street/strip car with over 600hp and a manual transmission. It is a blast to drive, but can be a handful on the street. It is far from being cosmetically perfect. It is strictly old school, no computers. My son in law helps me work in it when necessary. I gave up drag racing a couple years ago. But for now, it satisfies my "need for speed". I don't believe ANY computer car is suitable for a hobby car. Even if you have the skills and diagnostic equipment to work on them, and can find parts, I certainly don't see how it could be any fun. I'm a car guy, not a computer guy. I avoid computers as much as possible. At best I see them as one of life's necessary evils. The C5 and newer Corvettes are not only unattractive to me, but they are completely impractical. And I don't mean because they only have two seats. They are so low you can't back out of a driveway or over a speed bump without dragging the bottom of the car. And they have pretty much nothing in the way of tires. Huge ghetto wheels with a one inch wide strip of rubber wrapped around them are not only disgustingly ugly to me, but they are completely undriveable. My '76 can be driven anywhere any other car can. It has plenty of ground clearance and 225/70-15 tires.

Just now entering my 50th year as a hands-on Corvette guy. Bought my first, a pretty little 68 coupe in Silverstone Silver with a gunmetal interior, in May of 1975. Mainly because it was a 1968 with an abundance of one-year-only parts, it could be challenging to keep up to snuff, but in those days, the hardest mechanical challenge on the car was the dreaded rear wheel bearing failure and the always leaking brake calipers. These days, you just by the whole trailing arm with a new bearing included, and calipers with stainless sleeves. Throw an extra set of points and maybe a fuel pump in a tool bag and drive the car anywhere. Fast forward to present day, and I am trying to resurrect a much neglected 89 C4 convertible. The endless supply of sensors, a rather archaic fuel injection system, and an even more rudimentary ECM and on-board diagnostic design and the car is quite the challenge for a guy who grew up on carburetors and mechanical pumps. I can't imagine wrenching on anything much newer. I specifically went looking for an L98 car when shopping for a C4 since I had lived through the experience of the dreaded optispark failure on a 1993, and the torque that oozes from the little 350 beats the higher horsepower LT1 any day in my book. What disappoints me with the 1989 is the lack of a supply of critical parts availability. GM seems to have just about discontinued everything on the car from something as simple as a battery cable to more complicated things like wheel speed sensors. I also own a 1987 Ferrari, and its a hell of a lot easier to find factory replacement parts for it any day of the week. Makes no sense to me why GM hasnt done a better job with keeping common wear parts available. The aftermarket picks up some of the slack, but reliability and quality in aftermarket stuff is abysmal, in my experience. All this stuff contributes to the changing of the hobby, but it really is across the spectrum of the entire four wheeled landscape. I wouldn't want to try and diagnose and wrench on my 2024 Honda either, so I guess its all relative to a large degree. Just my two cents worth, which I'm probably overvaluing, lol.

Lyle your thoughts couldn’t be more factual. You don’t know how many times I’ve heard a corvette club member say man i wish i would have never got rid of my c3 , c2, c1. I see what you’re saying when it involves older Vettes. I believe price for older Vettes will continue to rise as parts for them are easy to get. For some newer Vettes will become a visiting relative that comes and goes from time to time when they visit you and return where they live. I have my 1975 vert and will pass this to my son as a family member car. Nothing like passing on a classic car. I really think it also depends on the owner like you I’m sentimental with things I really value. Thank you Lyle for these type of videos that make the audience think 🤔

I have a neighbor who owns 6 cars, 5 of which are classics and 1 of which is a C-2 Corvette. He says most Corvette owners are crazy, that they have Corvette rooms, Corvette clothes and obsess about their cars. I have 5 cars, 2 of which are older Corvettes. They aren't family members. This may be a hobby but they are still just cars. Love your channel.

I understand that this is a Corvette channel, but I could not agree more with the content of this video. I am 65 years old and my two garages have 2 69 Camaros, one of which is a Stock Eliminator and an 80 full size Blazer, which was my first new vehicle. They are a joy to work on and I lose total track of time when I am in the garage working on them. They are also a pleasure to drive as the cars are "alive" and you have to "interact" with them, while you are driving. Parked beside one of those cars is a 2000 Camaro SS convertible with a 6-speed. It is fun to drive with the top down, but it does not have the same appeal to me as the other 3 cars, nor is it as much fun to work on as it is already way too complicated and I have a career in electronics. My current daily drive is a '22 Ram 1500 Classic and it has already had to go in for a software update as the radio was draining the battery with the ignition off. The programming, for the transmission is poor, as the car does no slow down when you take your foot off the gas, nor does is upshift properly when the truck is cold. But, I needed something to tow my racecar trailer. As a hands on guy I prefer anything analog. As for the corvettes, I find it a challenge to believe that the classic lines of a C2 have morphed into this angular contraption which bears the name today.

I agree with you that's why I own a 1975 L82 4 speed Convertible

That's a very expensive hobby. Personal I think a C3 is the way to go. They have the sexiest lined. The C8 is wicked but the C3 is the best!!!!

So true! I have also thought about these things. You really nailed it when you mentioned the complexity of these cars is increasing…while at the same time, peoples ability and knowledge of working on cars is decreasing. Example, my young adult kids have friends (some young men) who literally couldn’t change a tire much less replace a brake caliber. They couldn’t fix an issue with a C3 much less anything newer. And sadly some don’t even want to bother with learning how.

Topic applies to ALL COLLECTOR CARS, not only Corvettes. The technology while great, but we are heading towards a disposable world...😢

I think there are a couple of reasons that I can think of off hand why things have changed. People today are more inclined to instant satisfaction and want the latest and greatest. My parents grew up in the depression and every penny counted so they just didn't throw things away, cars or anything else. They kept them as long as possible. Finally, because we had to work on cars ourselves and we could do it, it made us more connected to them. When you bust a knuckle and get the satisfaction of getting points adjusted correctly or fixing anything else, you feel like part of you is in the car. Today I read about having to get the extended warranty and finding a good shop instead of trying to fix anything alone. So they aren't as connected. Just my two cents with just a minute or two of thought.

Actual discussion starts at 2:00. Disagree with the simplicity argument for passing down Corvettes. Early Corvettes (especially C1-C2) are classically beautiful. The C-3 are a caricature of a sportscar and only the first few years performed. C4-C7 are essentially 40 years of the same styling (boring!). C8 popularity remains to be seen. Certainly off to a good start via a redesign, but if it remains the same styling for another 40 years, it too will become boring and a caricature of a sports car. People want to keep the cars that are classically beautiful, others not so much.

My 14 year old is putting dibs on my c7!!😅😅😅

I am 37. I bought my c3 1978 Corvette about a year ago. I have two small kids 7 and 4 and they love the thing. They always want to help me work on it and love driving around back roads with me. a lot of guys I know at my work are getting into classic cars and c3 Corvettes are very popular because they are often affordable compared to others. I don't see the newer ones being collector cars but I can definitely see the classic one becoming more popular.

It's not only Corvettes but all the exotics are no longer DIY fun anymore, sad really!

I have had my 1971 t-top Corvette since 1974 28000 miles!

As a 2003 C5 owner whose EBCM recently failed, I feel this. I sent it out to a reputable "Fixer" recommended on the forums for repair but I was told the +5v power supply was damaged and not repairable. Now I'm looking for a working replacement. Lyle, if you have a source for one, please let me know!

I’ve always been a minimalist. I understand why people want all the electronics in their cars. These certainly can improve performance. But I, too, keep cars “forever” and found the electronics start to go way before the life of the cars is over. As long as parts are available, that’s fine…but there is an expense that comes with all the fancy gadgets. I bought a baseline 2008 C6. No heads up display, no magnetic ride, etc. pretty plain. However, far less to go wrong and hope to take the money I saved (and will save on maintenance) and do some other mechanical upgrades that will still aid in performance beyond stock.

I remember thinking that the Corvette hobby had changed when attending a 1998 show in Bowling Green Kentucky. Before then, the shows were all about C1s and mostly C2s with aftermarket parts and a huge swap meet; everybody said solid axles and midyears. At the 1998 show, it was all about engine dress up kits and accessories for the C5.

It sucks, been a shadetree mechanic my whole life .I don't think my son will work on my c5. I just hope he will love it enough when it's his to be able to pay to maintain it.I believe it should not be that hard.

This is why I own a C4, stil easy to work on myself 😊 and ill hand it down to my son when im in the coffin ⚰️

Even when we did NOT physically own a corvette (and for many years we didn’t) my father and I attended Corvettes at Carlisle every year. Corvette is in our blood.

I had my Corvette since I was 16 years old and my grandpa got for me it's a 1977

I agree with your thoughts on the corvette to a point. But the same can be said about all older cars. The thing I see hurting car enthusiasts most is hear sayers and government restrictions. Soon cars will out of the operators control and only do what the powers to be say it can do. Already government is making laws to prevent you from modifications being made to the cars manufacturers are making it so you can't change it. I feel most people just can't find the joy we had doing things ourselves so the personal joy we had the newer generation just doesn't get to develop.

I agree. I've owned C5 2 C6 and 2 C7s and I think the C5 is the last of the lifers but just barely.

This issue also affects mustangs, Camaros, challengers, etc.

My "Corvette hobby" is C-4. No interest in buying any of 'em built after it... Parts are easy to find, I can do most repairs/maint. myself . . . and I get plenty of smiles per mile.

Owned a '77 for a couple of years when I was much younger...sold that a lifetime ago. Bought a '96, 10yrs ago...had nothing for miles on it, put maybe 2k miles on it, and sold that a few years ago. Ordered a new '19...my first brand new 'Vette. I can see everything you said, about parts not being produced long after they've ceased production of a car. Those electrical/electronic parts that fail are what will unfortunately hobble these newer cars. Truthfully, it's what's made me think that, even though I ordered it new, not quite sure it'll be my forever 'Vette...may go back to a C3 someday.

GM not supporting their flagship sports car is a huge issue to this platform. GM is not supplying any replacement front bumper covers for the C6 z06, zr1, grandsport wide body cars. This is a HUGE issue as there is no aftermarket alternative that has acceptable fitment. Something as commonly damaged as a front bumper cover being unavailable is a huge detriment

Actually I think the hobby has gotten better over time with the addition of RU-vid, Ebay, and other social media. None of it existed in the 80s and 90s.

Good observations on your part Lyle. Perhaps the complexity of the new models will bring about a Renaissance for the C3s (and older) models. It could also boost the creation of more C3 restomods that have some modern features without the incredible complexity of C8s and newer.

It's also hard to get into. Have you seen the prices and markups? And I am not talking brand new. I have been thinking about a corvette for a while but I may go Mustang because for a toy car the barrier to entry is not that high price wise.