$59,995 Corvette C8 Price Shows It Is the Best Bargain Mid-Engine Sports Car We Ever Had

With a base price of $58,900 ($59,995 with destination fee), the new mid-engine Corvette C8 proves that GM delivered on its sub-$60k promise. I cannot think of another car that could come close to the performance of the Corvette C8 for less than $60k. I remind you that it can reach 60 mph in just over 3 seconds and reach a top speed of 194 mph. The only car that can come close to it in terms of performance is the Caterham Seven 480 that can accelerate to 60 mph in about the same time as a base Corvette C8, but for $51,000.

Yet, I am not sure that all of you would agree that the Caterham Seven is a regular car. Anything else in this price bracket - including the 335-horsepower Supra, 405-horsepower M2, or 300-horsepower 718 Cayman - is too slow in terms of performance. As we reported earlier, for $59,995, you get a base 2020 Corvette C8 1LT, that comes with eight-way powered, leather-covered seats, Brembo brakes, a 12-inch instrument cluster, and an 8-inch central display. GM also offers the C8 Corvette Stingray in 2LT and 3LT guises for $67,295 and $71,945, respectively.

Why is the New Corvette Stingray C8 a Bargain?

The new Corvette C8 Stingray price shows that it is a bargain mid-engine sports car. Its closest mid-engine competitors include the Acura NSX ($157,500), Audi R8 (169,900), or even something with exotic Italian flair ($gazillion). So far, this incredibly low price point makes it a curiosity on the market because it's a starting sticker that no other new car can match. I would argue, however, that the new Corvette Stingray is a good deal and a bargain in regard to its equipment and optional packages. I mean, you can get a performance exhaust (that sounds godly) for $1,195. It can also be had on the cheaper 1LT trim. Even more impressive, however, is the fact that the Z51 Performance package, for which I thought you would have to pay up to $10,000, sells for a freaking $5,000.

In the package, which, again, can be specified on the 1LT, you get:

- Michelin PS4 Performance tires

- Performance Suspension

- Adjustable Threaded Spring Seats

- Larger Brake Rotors With Z51 Logo on Calipers

- Enhanced Cooling

- ELSD With Specific Axle Ratio

- Rear Spoiler and Front Splitter

- Front Brake Cooling Inlets

- Performance Exhausts (the one that adds five horsepower more)

- Magnetorheological dampers (optional on the Z51-equipped models for $1,895)

2020 Corvette Stingray 1LT C8 ($59,995)

The equipment list for the 1LT shows that GM actually provided a lot of gear even for the least endowed financially Corvette enthusiasts. The 2020 Corvette Stingray 1LT C8 includes:

- dual-zone climate control

- 8-way power seats

- 10-speaker Bose audio system

- an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

- 12-inch digital instrument cluster

- Mulan leather on the GT1 seats

- Brembo brakes

- rear parking sensors

- leather-wrapped steering wheel

2020 Corvette Stingray 2LT C8 ($67,295)

On top of the 1LT, the second trim levels bring even more goodies such as:

- a head-up display

- heated and cooled seats with memory function

- heated steering wheel

- 14-speaker Bose audio system

- navigation

- SiriusXM satellite radio

- driver-assist features

- GM's Performance Data Recorder system

- a wireless phone charger

- in-dash nav system

- front end camera

- power-folding mirrors

2020 Corvette Stingray 3LT C8 ($71,945)

Finally, the 2020 Corvette Stingray 3LT C8 rounds up the C8 Corvette as a capable and convenient sports cruiser with features as:

- GT2 seats with carbon fiber trim

- nicer door panels

- more delicate materials on the dash and in other parts of the cabin

- suede trim

Which 2020 Corvette Stingray C8 Should I Buy?

Everyone should pick up a $67,295 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT C8, paint it red or black, and add the following equipment to it:

- Z51 Performance package ($5,000)

- front-suspension lift system ($1,495)

Rounding up the price at $73,790, this Corvette Stingray C8 will be able to cope with the 0-60 mph sprint in less than three seconds, have enough grunt to conquer any track (thanks to the Z51 Performance package), and become an excellent daily driver (courtesy of the front lift system). I cannot see any other car at this price point that could jeopardize the Corvette Stingray 2LT Z51 dominance.

Interestingly enough, at $73,790 the perfect Corvette I've just proposed undercuts the price of the Shelby GT500 by a couple of hundred bucks. That one starts at $73,995. I am eager to see how these two compare on the track and in a drag race. While the Shelby GT500 may offer best horsepower/dollar value (1hp/$97.36 vs 1hp/$149), I am not sure that the GT500 will be able to hold a candle to the 'Vette on a proper track.