A year ago, Tom Stroup, the voice behind Find the Right Road, took delivery of a 2023 Corvette—a machine built for performance, precision, and pure driving pleasure. Since then, he’s put over 12,000 miles on it, taking it from the iconic Tail of the Dragon to the picturesque Tunnel of Trees in Michigan. He’s tested its limits on the racetrack, refined its setup with key modifications, and encountered a few quirks along the way. After a year of ownership, it’s time to break down what works, what doesn’t, and whether this mid-engine marvel lives up to the hype.
The Build: A Well-Optioned Performer
The 2023 Corvette in question rolled off the assembly line on May 24, 2022—just the second day of production. With a VIN ending in 00114, it’s one of the early C8s to hit the road. Stroup opted for the 2LT package, Z51 Performance Package, Magnetic Ride Control, front lift system, yellow brake calipers, and matching yellow seat belts. Sticker price? $82,525. If you were to order the same spec today, expect to pay at least $3,000–$3,500 more.
Maintenance and Fuel Economy: The Reality of Living with a C8
The first round of maintenance happened before the car even hit the road. Stroup had two extra quarts of transmission fluid added—a must for hard driving—as well as a full brake fluid flush to high-performance fluid, preparing the car for track use.
Daily driving stats? The Corvette averages 17.9 mpg, though Stroup’s wife does a fair bit of highway commuting, which keeps fuel economy respectable. Push the car harder, and those numbers will undoubtedly drop.
Modifications: Protecting and Personalizing the Beast
From day one, the goal was to keep the Corvette looking and performing its best. First on the list was a set of Scrape Armor radiator guards—$400 for the parts, plus a $100 dealer install fee. These help prevent road debris from damaging the vulnerable front-end cooling system.
Next came full Expel PPF (paint protection film) on the front end, mirrors, A-pillars, and headlights, installed by Lingenfelter Auto Spa in Michigan. At $2,500, it’s a significant investment but one that ensures the paint remains pristine.
Other upgrades include a custom boomerang-style license plate frame ($100), a Chevrolet-branded sunshade ($130), a $150 car cover for winter storage, and a $110 battery tender to keep the electrical system healthy.
Future Upgrades: What’s Next for the C8?
While the Corvette is largely in its ideal form, Stroup has a few future tweaks in mind. He’s considering the engine appearance package to enhance the aesthetics under the rear hatch and custom strut tower covers that fit around the Magnetic Ride Control components. Lastly, he’s debating whether to go all-in on a full ceramic coating to complement the existing PPF.
The Issues: Quirks and Gremlins
No car is perfect, and while the Corvette has been reliable overall, there have been a few strange occurrences.
- Infotainment Glitch: Twice in 12,000 miles, the center screen failed to power on at startup. A quick restart resolved the issue, but its cause remains unknown.
- Check Engine Light at the Track: Stroup made the mistake of switching drive modes under load on the racetrack—Tour to Sport, then to Track—confusing the engine and transmission computers. The check engine light appeared but cleared itself after an OBD2 scan reset.
- The Phantom Start: One day, while sitting quietly in the garage, the Corvette started itself. Both Stroup and his wife were nowhere near their key fobs or the MyChevy app. To this day, the mystery remains unsolved.
Wear and Tear: The Battle Against Time and Mileage
Wear points on the Corvette have been surprisingly minimal. The door sills show some scuffing from frequent entry and exit, but the seat bolsters remain in excellent condition. The biggest annoyance? Brake dust. The wheels are constantly dirty, and while third-party coatings may help, Stroup hasn’t experimented with them yet. If anyone has a solid recommendation, he’s all ears.
A Car That Lives Up to Its Reputation
The 2023 Corvette continues to impress. The design turns heads everywhere, and the lightweight targa top is finally manageable enough that Stroup’s wife can remove and reinstall it solo—something that wasn’t the case with previous generations.
Performance-wise, it’s a dream. Acceleration is sharp, the ride is comfortable for long road trips, and the transmission—despite concerns about C8 gearbox reliability—has been flawless.
One unexpected bonus? The Ron Fellows Performance Driving School. Corvette owners get a discounted rate to attend, and Stroup highly recommends it, even for those who never plan to track their car. It’s an eye-opening experience covering everything from launch control to advanced braking techniques.
What’s to Hate? A Few Annoyances
No car is without flaws, and Stroup has a few gripes with the C8:
- Radiator Guards Should Be Standard – Spending $500 on something that should’ve been included from the factory is frustrating.
- Ventilated Seats Underwhelm – Compared to the 2020 Blazer, the cooling seats are weak and ineffective.
- Phone Charger Placement – The wireless charger works well, but it’s tucked away in an inconvenient spot. Forgetting your phone inside the car is almost inevitable.
- Trunk Heat Issues – The rear storage area gets hot. If you’re hauling groceries, don’t expect ice cream to survive the trip home.
A Car Worth Every Penny
After 12,000 miles and a year of ownership, Stroup has no regrets. The 2023 Corvette remains a joy to drive, a thrill on the track, and a head-turner on the streets. It’s a car built for those who love to drive, and Stroup plans to enjoy every mile of the next 100,000.
Thinking about getting a C8? He gives it his full endorsement.
For more automotive adventures, reviews, and deep dives, follow Find the Right Road on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FindtheRightRoad.
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