3 Reasons to Buy a C8 Corvette Stingray Instead of a Hybrid Corvette E-Ray
The C8 Chevrolet Corvette finalized the model’s transformation into a competitive supercar. The Stingray was the first mid-engine production Corvette, and since then, Chevrolet continued the trend of firsts with a flat-plane crank V8-powered Z06. Now, the Bow Tie has the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the first hybrid Corvette. Still, you might be better off buying the C8 Corvette Stingray instead of the obscenely fast E-Ray. Here are three reasons you should consider a Stingray instead of an E-Ray, and they all have to do with the Stingray’s merit as a performance bargain.
How much does a Corvette C8 Stingray cost?
An entry-level 2023 Chevrolet Corvette 1LT starts at around $65,895. According to Car and Driver, that puts the Stingray 1LT at about $40,000 less than the new 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 1LZ.
That’s certainly a point in the Stingray’s favor; both cars are blisteringly quick American mid-engine supercars, but the C8 Corvette Stingray is much cheaper than its fancy new sibling. Even a fully-equipped Stingray 3LT Convertible with the Z51 package and other upgrades barely eclipses the $100,000 mark.
It doesn’t stop there, either. The range-topping E-Ray 3LZ Convertible starts at about $122,245. In comparison, the range-topping 3LT Convertible Z51 demands about $84,845; it’s another difference of close to $40,000.
How fast can a Corvette C8 Stingray go?
The new hybrid Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray is faster than the C8 Stingray and even the Z06 when it comes to acceleration. However, the C8 is no slouch; a Stingray Z51 can hit 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, or 0.3 seconds behind its new hybrid supercar sibling.
Still, one of the reasons to consider the Stingray over the E-Ray is its performance bargain status. Both cars use the mighty 495-horsepower 6.2L LT2 V8, and both hit 60 mph in under 3.0 seconds. However, the Stingray is much, much more affordable. On paper, potential owners have to question whether the extra horsepower and eAWD are worth the extra money.
Does the E-Ray have a hard-top convertible?
The new 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray follows the C8 Stingray with a hardtop convertible option. Instead of a soft drop-top like the previous C7-generation convertible, the mid-engine Corvette packs a convertible hard top that operates in 16 seconds.
That’s another point in the Stingray’s favor; potential owners don’t have to pay E-Ray prices to get into a mid-engine Corvette with an electric hard top. Moreover, both models have a coupe with a manually removable roof, just like past generations.
Which one should you buy?
The new E-Ray is quick enough to keep pace with a Z06 through the quarter mile and fast enough to go toe-to-toe with world-class supercars and hypercars. Moreover, while the hybrid Corvette is much more expensive than the Stingray, it’s cheaper than other hybrid supercar options like the now-discontinued Acura NSX.
If your list is limited to snagging a performance bargain with a hardtop convertible, consider saving money and finding a C8 Corvette Stingray instead of an E-Ray. Do you prefer the new E-Ray to the Stingray? Tell us in the comments below!
