I Own a $100K Corvette C8 and Chevy Put Me in a Basic Malibu for My Loaner Car, 'Most People Don't Have Corvettes,' They Said

The C8 Corvette is the greatest leap forward in American automotive history since Zora Arkus-Duntov first slapped a V8 into a fiberglass bathtub and told the Europeans to try to keep up. The move to a mid-engine layout was inevitable, and it has paid off in spades.

The C8 is a $100,000 sledgehammer with the finesse of a ballet dancer, a car that can run toe-to-toe with exotics from Modena and Woking and make them sweat. And yet, despite all the engineering brilliance, the car’s biggest flaw isn’t in the suspension geometry or panel alignment; it’s the part of the ownership experience that Chevrolet still hasn’t figured out: the dealership.

Redditor’s 7,500-Mile C8 Corvette LT3 Z51 Road Trip Review & Reliability Insights

A Redditor summed it up best:

“So we took our 4000-mile cross-country trip that became 5611 miles. Got back on time for the 7500 service. So here’s my review so far

(2025 c8 lt3 htc z51…)

Never once had a back ache or regretted taking the car (except the 100-mile, 30mph sandstorm in north Texas, followed the next day by the blizzard in Albuquerque. Excellent ride.

And if you take your car on the Bonneville salt flats (free), expect to spend $50 at the car wash getting the salt off.

Had one glitch in the touch screen freezing up around 4000 miles. Push and hold the hang-up phone button for 10 seconds, and the screen reboots. No problem since.

One glitch, 6000 miles, where the center console worked, but the lights didn’t come on. Restarted the car later, and no problem since.

Somewhere along the way, we put the top down (parked), and it had a popping sound. Didn’t think much of it but put the top up in case it was going to rain, and we were 50 miles from cover (I-40). Worked fine after that. But later we find it chipped the paint has chipped on the front left corner of the trunk lid.

It’s at a local Chevy shop getting fixed now, but we looked and saw the hard top was slightly out of alignment. Not sure if that caused it. We never put the top down when moving over about 3mph.

And that brings me to the Chevy service experience. Our nearest Chevy service center was mediocre at best. The service guy said 2 days. For an oil and filter change?? No loaner. Whatever. But he also said they rotate tires, and then they didn’t. The service manager said it wasn’t included. But I also went in with tires at 27,24,28,28. They didn’t even check or air the tires during the “27-point inspection”.

Now it’s in for the paint fix and lid alignment, and they did give us a loaner. She writes up a Malibu. I said, ‘What’s this?’ When we had our Lexus, we were put in the same Lexus. We had the Infiniti QX56, we were put in an Infiniti SUV. So I asked where the kind car was. She said, “We don’t loan corvettes. Our insurance won’t let us.” I said, “Excuse me. You just checked my insurance and made me sign that I’m responsible. So why is your insurance relevant?”

“Well, most people's insurance wouldn’t cover a Corvette.”

‘…and most people don't have a Corvette on their insurance. Mine covers it. You just verified that while I was standing here.’

So she finally puts me in a base model Silverado. And it sucks.

But it made me realize the Chevy culture is that they sell expensive cars but don’t see themselves or their customers as luxury customers.

My 2007 $45,000 Lexus put me in a $45,000 loaner. My 2008 $60k Infiniti put me in a $50k smaller but nice SUV.

But my $100k Corvette? Chevy puts me in a basic $25k Malibu.

Is this standard? Or is it just a Houston thing?

The c8 is amazing but it’s just weird that corvette has a gem and they project “poor” status to their buyers. Maybe have some Cadillac CT5 or Escalade or something for Corvette loaners, or a full trim package Tahoe or something.

It really degraded my respect for their brand image, sadly. And I love my car.

Do the Ron fellows school, too, if you get a chance. It was great.”

This is not just a one-off grumble from a cranky customer. “Third Vette and never got a loaner,” wrote tushiman. “They don’t care if we bought a $140k Z06, you get treated like a Bolt owner,” added S_P12. These are not cheap cars we’re talking about. 

2025 Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible: Engine Specs, Performance & Pricing Breakdown

• This model features a mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Z51 Performance Package enhances performance with upgrades like a performance suspension, Brembo brakes, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a performance exhaust system.
• The starting MSRP for the 2025 Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible is approximately $75,300. When equipped with the Z51 Performance Package and additional options, the price can rise to around $106,340.
• The vehicle measures about 182.3 inches in length, 76.1 inches in width, and 48.6 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 107.2 inches. It offers a combined cargo capacity of 12.6 cubic feet between the front and rear storage areas.
• With the Z51 package, the Corvette accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 2.9 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in about 11.2 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to around 184 mph.

These are track-capable, technologically sophisticated performance machines that command six figures and then some. When you buy a C8, you’re not asking for champagne service, but you shouldn’t get treated like you’re there for a warranty claim on a busted Trailblazer either.

The car itself? A revelation. The C8 eRay adds electrified torque and all-wheel grip that borders on science fiction, while the Z06 rips through air with a flat-plane crank V8 that sounds like Detroit doing its best Ferrari impression, only louder and less apologetic. 

2025 C8 Corvette ZR1 Preview… Twin-Turbo Power & Supercar Supremacy

And now, on the horizon, the C8 ZR1 looms like an angry animal with twin turbos and an expected output north of 800 horsepower. These are machines that don’t just compete with the world’s best, they sometimes surpass them. The C8 is the spiritual successor to the original Acura NSX, a supercar you can live with, drive across the country, and still destroy lap times at Spring Mountain.

And yet, even as it scales the heights of performance, the Corvette remains chained to the ground by the culture of the brand that birthed it. 

There’s a cognitive dissonance here, an identity crisis. The Corvette is outgrowing Chevrolet, and you can feel the friction in every service bay. Especially when being told, “Most people don’t have Corvettes,” when asking for a loaner. That quote alone should be engraved on a plaque and nailed to the wall of every Chevy dealer still stuck in the mindset of selling Aveos and Silverados.

How Chevy’s Loaner Policy Undermines Corvette Ownership

And it’s not just about perception. It’s about opportunity lost. One Redditor even said, 

“Maybe even give me exposure to another optional vehicle. Maybe my wife needs a new car.” 

That’s not just a request for a better loaner, that’s a potential Cadillac sale, a Silverado RST upsell, a brand advocate in the making.

Instead, they gave him a Malibu and an attitude. Compare that with Lexus, Infiniti, or even Ford’s boutique treatment of GT500 buyers, and it becomes clear: Chevy built a world-class car, but forgot to build a world-class customer experience.

Of course, there are outliers. “The tech lets me walk back to the service bay and look at things when it’s on the lift,” said one commenter. Another was given a Cadillac CTS during recall work. So there’s hope. But that inconsistency is part of the problem. When you pay used Ferrari money for a car, you shouldn’t have to gamble on whether your dealership sees you as a performance enthusiast or just another oil change.

2025 Corvette ZR1 Order Breakdown: Production Numbers, Popular Colors & Ownership Rules

• Chevrolet has received 302 confirmed orders for the 2025 Corvette ZR1, encompassing both coupe and convertible models. This limited initial production run echoes the exclusivity of the original 1953 Corvette, which saw only 300 units produced.
• Black emerged as the most popular exterior color choice, accounting for 91 of the 302 orders (30.1%). Other notable selections include Competition Yellow with 38 orders (12.6%) and Sebring Orange Metallic with 24 orders (7.9%).
• The production of customer-ordered 2025 Corvette ZR1 units began on April 28, 2025, at GM's Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. This facility is renowned for producing all Corvette models, ensuring meticulous craftsmanship for each vehicle.
• To discourage immediate reselling, GM has implemented a one-year ownership retention policy for the 2025 Corvette ZR1. Buyers are required to keep the vehicle for at least 12 months; failure to comply may result in penalties such as loss of factory warranty and restrictions on purchasing future high-demand GM models.

Still, all is forgiven when the car hits the road. A C8 on full boil is a declaration of independence from old-world elitism. The 5611-mile road trip described by our Redditor, from sandstorms in Texas to salt flats in Utah and snow in New Mexico, is proof that this car isn’t just fast. 

It’s livable. Comfortable. Fun. The screen might freeze, the trunk lid might chip, but the machine underneath is unflinching. It’s not fragile like an old Ferrari or neurotic like a Porsche, it’s made to be used.

In the end, the tragedy isn't that Chevy built a bad car, it’s that they built a great one and paired it with a support system still stuck in 2005. The C8 is brilliant. The ownership experience? Still catching up. Until that gap is closed, buying a Corvette will remain one of the most rewarding and frustrating decisions an enthusiast can make.

What has your dealership experience been like with the C8 Corvette?

Let us know in the comments below. 

Image Sources: Chevy Newsroom, Pexels, Reddit User: r/C8Corvette Any-Profession1608

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.