C'mon, the pattern is utterly predictable.

Every time they come out with a new generation of Vette it gets rave reviews by the car mags. First round of articles raves about how fast, sexy looking, high-tech, etc. the car is. They always talk about how they've finally solved the perennial quality, build, rattle problems. They always say that THIS Vette finally puts GM "up there" with the Porsches, Lamborghinis, Lotuses of the world.

The comparisons to the "old" generation Vettes abound. Sure it's better -- 6-10 years in car technology advancement is a long time. But the competition isn't standing still either....

After a while people start to realize that it's .... just another Vette. Faster than snot, great engine, better handling, awesome bang for the buck.

But poor design & ergonomics, interior materials, build quality, rattles galore, maintenance headaches, expensive to repair, high depreciation.

You have to ask yourself... Does the Corvette truly run with the big boys? Does it carry the same prestige as the big boys? Why does the Corvette's appeal continue to be primarily middle-age (40s-60s), midlife-crisis white American males, particularly of the gold-chain-wearing variety?

If the Corvette is so world-class, why isn't there strong demand for them overseas? Well, I did see ONE C5er in Germany on the road, but that was one in 3 weeks of driving. And it was highly likely a GI driving, not a German.

I like Corvettes for what they are, but I hate the fact that they always try to portray an image of being something that they are not. Basically a Corvette is just a super-Camaro -- something for today's 20-something 4.6-L Mustang driver to aspire to (no more Camaros...).

Cheers,
Gerry