[sdaityari]

Background: a Corvette in Need for Speed

Imagine the early 2000s - I was a ten-year-old with a new PC trying out the fun games all the cool kids were playing. A shiny new branded computer was a significant investment in those days - comparable in price to a used car! It was difficult for me to convince my parents to purchase new games - so I had to be happy with either CDs available among friends & relatives, or demos (essentially trial versions with 1-2 levels of the game).

One of the demos was Need For Speed III - Hot Pursuit. Although I have played numerous variations of the game since, what remained imprinted in my mind were the opening scenes of this demo - where you were greeted with a bright red ‘98 Corvette. The race would start on backcountry roads - and the camera angle would shift from the third-person view (where the round headlights were prominent) to the first-person view (where the drizzle on the windscreen looked majestic). More exotic cars like Lamborghinis and Koenigseggs filled up my imagination much later in life - so in a way, I always had the dream of driving a Corvette through a drizzle on country roads.

Demo load screen


Demo start with the Corvette


First Person's view with the raindrops on the screen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYP4mzwErOY

When I grew older, I realized that a supercar was probably never going to be in my budget. Additionally, Transformers was released in my teen years and I made up my mind to one day buy a yellow Camaro resembling Bumblebee (more on this later).

C8 Corvette Launch



Over time, many things changed in my life, and I never gave it much thought until the launch of the C8 Corvette in 2020. Corvette had always been an affordable sports car, but its positioning has moved from a muscle car in the 1960s to pushing supercar territory in terms of performance. The C8 Corvette looked gorgeous with a futuristic design and insane levels of performance (it takes less than 3 seconds to go from 0-60 mph). GM emphasized its affordability with an MSRP of $59,999 (more on this later too!)

I was in a situation where I expected to move to the US soon - and I immediately had my sights on the C8. Unfortunately, a pandemic was on the horizon and things were about to change

The pandemic affected automobile supply chains drastically, specifically the Corvette. Production officially began in February 2020, there was soon a huge backlog of orders. Customers either had to wait even 2+ years for a unit, or they were going at 100% over MSRP. Dealers and resellers made good money in this time. Unfortunately, some manufacturers have even made this artificial scarcity a strategy to ramp up prices even now (looking at you - Nissan Z).

[sdaityari]

Flirting with the C8

I moved to the US in October 2021 and purchased an X2 M35i. The three cars that I had considered other than the X2 were the Ford Mustang, Porsche Macan and … drumroll … the C8 Corvette. Quoting myself from my X2 M35i ownership thread (My 2022 BMW X2 M35i | Buying a Car in the United States for an Indian Immigrant),

Originally Posted by sdaityari

The Corvette appealed to me for a different reason. It was my dream car in Need For Speed, and the prospect of owning it gave me butterflies in my stomach. The C8 looked gorgeous, and at a base price of $60K, I would gladly pay a premium if it meant having it in my garage. If all other factors were in my favor, I would still exchange my current car (that I eventually purchased) for the Corvette any day.

There were two issues with the Corvette - the pricing and the waiting period. Though $60K was the base price, the ones pre-ordered by dealers were specced much higher. You would be lucky to get one below $70K. At $60K, I was already stretching my budget.

As has been the case since its launch in 2020, waiting periods for the Corvette range from 6-9 months. If I was patient enough, I could order one from the factory at near about $60K (+ taxes) and get it before I completed a year in the US. I could also find a rare Corvette sitting on dealer lots at a premium of $10-20K over MSRP (or sometimes up to $100K over MSRP) if I had the money. On principle, I had decided not to pay over the MSRP in any case. And I was not going to be patient with my time. After all, one primary motivation to move to the US was cars and I couldn’t wait to get into one.

Looking back, a Corvette purchase in 2021 may have been a very bad decision because my first year in Jersey City, I only had street parking. The curb rash on my X2 from some close parallel parking attempts would have broken my heart had it been on the C8.

This wasn’t the first time I had flirted with the idea of a Corvette. The very first travelogue from the US that I published on Team-BHP (Welcome to V8ville: Touring the Californian Coast in a 2019 Dodge Challenger), GTO had shared photos of a recently concluded road trip on a Corvette - to which my reply was:

Originally Posted by sdaityari

The Corvette is high up in my bucket list. I will probably try it out the next time I visit the US. The 2020 redesign looks absolutely wonderful IMHO - I am amazed by the driver focused interiors. All of that at a cost similar to the Shelby GT or Charger Hellcat - I would pick the Corvette if I have the money to buy it someday

The last issue that I had with the Corvette (which I never acknowledged fully) was that it wasn’t a practical car - which means that you can probably never have just the Corvette in your garage. My parents often visited the US from India, and I couldn’t afford to rent a car every weekend we wanted to go out!

[sdaityari]

Recent Developments

I got married in 2023 and in the winter, we completed a 5000 km road trip in 2 months (some notable locations were Yosemite, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion). I believe that trip encouraged her to learn to drive (there had been many seeds to this, but she finally took the plunge in January). Before we go further, here's a slight detour from the main story.

Golden Gate Bridge


Partington Cove


Pfeiffer Beach


Zion National Park


Horseshoe Bend


Antelope Canyon




Sequioa Trees at Yosemite


We purchased a used 3 Series with about 50K miles and she enthusiastically learned the basics of driving on New Jersey streets. The 330i was to ensure that the eventual jump from the 330i to the X2 was smooth for her.

We got the car from Chicago - it was -20C in January as we picked it up.


If you have an Indian license, you can get one in New Jersey by just passing a knowledge test. However, she’d never driven in India so she had to go through the road test. I knew her basics were solid, and she was able to pass the road test on her first try in April. A summer trip to India was a short hiatus, but she jumped right back once we returned.

The first time my wife was able to drive to her work on her own. Notice the student drive magnetic sticker on the bonnet - I ensured there was one on each side of the car.


By July, she was daily driving the 330i to her workplace in Princeton, about 30 miles away on one of the busiest highways in New Jersey. This meant - we could now get the Corvette as a second car - only if dealerships would not sell over MSRP.

[sdaityari]

C8 Price Trends
Since the first C8 came off the ramp in Feb 2020, it was difficult to get one in your hands. Production finally caught up to demand in 2023 (53K units vs only 20K in 2020). The summer of 2023 also saw the launch of the hybrid Corvette eRay. By mid 2024, we were finally seeing C8s being sold at MSRP or at a slight discount. However, there was one change in July that would change the entire landscape.

In late July 2024, Chevrolet announced the launch of the C8 Corvette ZR1 (with a 1000 HORSEPOWER!). Deliveries were expected in early 2025. This caught the attention of many enthusiasts and prospective buyers, who opted to wait for a much more powerful version of the Corvette than to pick the base models.

That opened up an opportunity for me. Dealerships with C8 inventory had to get rid of it and one could see discounts in the range of 5-10% over MSRP. I wasn’t interested in a more powerful version of the Corvette (the Stingray did sub-3-second 0-60 time already, which was a significant jump from the 4.5 second 0-60 times of my X2 M35i).

Choosing a C8 Corvette Trim Level
Since its launch, the Corvette Stingray has seen a couple of rounds of price increases already. The 2024 Corvette Stingray 1LT coupe was now priced at ~$67K. The convertible had a further premium.

The main difference between the coupe and convertible is the roof. The coupe has a fixed roof, while the convertible has a retractable hardtop. The coupe’s roof is still detachable, with an option to put the roof in the trunk - so both versions offer the convenience of open-air driving. Additionally, the engine is visible on the coupe but is covered on the convertible.





The coupe is lighter than the convertible due to the lack of a retractable hardtop mechanism. This weight difference can potentially impact performance, handling, fuel economy, acceleration, and handling.

One may also argue that the convertible offers more practicality (taking the top off on the coupe is a pain and takes up all the rear trunk space) - but with the weather here, I doubt I would have ever used that feature.

The coupe has three trim levels - 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. The 2LT felt the most appropriate choice between features and price. A few features of the 2LT over the 1LT are:

- Seats: Heated and ventilated front seats, power driver and passenger seat lumbar control, and memory driver and passenger convenience package
- Steering wheel: Heated steering wheel (a must in sub-zero temperatures here)
- Interior: Color-matched interior options
- Technology: Android Auto, wireless phone charging, navigation system, and remote start
- Safety: Blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, and theft-deterrent system
- Other features: Automatic climate control, keyless open and start, and auto-dimming mirrors
- Upgraded Audio System: The 2LT features a 14-speaker Bose premium audio system, delivering superior sound quality compared to the 10-speaker system in the 1LT.
- A camera-based IRVM: This was particularly interesting because the visibility is really bad in such a car.

However, the biggest feature that the 2LT unlocked for me was the “Front Lift with Memory” option. The Front Lift System will raise the front end of your vehicle to provide you with approximately two inches of increased ground clearance. You can additionally save the locations where the car would automatically lift when going under 25 mph.

I started sending out inquiries and my inbox exploded.

I noticed a pattern - smaller dealerships generally had just 1-2 Corvettes in stock, and wouldn’t allow a test drive without a deposit. This was a good amount of money - and I wasn’t about to put it down without confirming what I was getting into.

There were two large dealerships with 50+ C8 Corvettes in inventory - one ~100 miles away at Atlantic City (Ciocca Corvette) and another ~500 miles away in New Hampshire. Ciocca was willing to let me test drive one without a commitment and I thought it was time to take the next step.

[sdaityari]

Test Drives

While I was almost convinced about the C8, I wanted to test drive a few competitors. Two of my shortlisted cars were the M2 and the 718 Cayman.

The BMW M2 or the M4 are great cars to drive, and I love the handling of my X2 - but I wanted to drive one of those to benchmark against the Corvette. In fact, my X2 was due for a service, so I picked one of the dealerships that had many M2s in stock. I scheduled the service appointment and the sale appointment in parallel.

When I reached the dealership, I came to know that they had a policy of not letting M vehicles out for a test drive without a down payment. This was especially surprising as I had clearly stated my intent to the internet sales manager over mail and they had proceeded to book an appointment.

I wonder if many potential buyers choose cars just based on the hype and reviews. If it wasn’t the case, how would these dealerships sell these high value cars?

The experience at my nearest Porsche dealership was very different, though. This was the same dealership I had test drove the Macan in the past, and I was willing to overlook the exorbitant rates they would have charged me back then. I had confirmed my intention over mail and the sales person was a car enthusiast - so it made the discussion very fruitful.

I got into a manual 718 Cayman with just ~20 miles. It is a truly exceptional mid-engine car. The power and 0-60 times are much lower as compared to the Corvette (with the MSRP of the base model close to the 3LT trim). Equipped with a turbocharged flat-four engine, the 718 provides more linear power delivery and shines at higher revs. It offers a more refined and balanced performance, excelling in handling and agility.

Power, handling, and the cost aside, one of the reasons that was a dealbreaker for me was the crammed pedals. The dead pedal takes up a significant amount of space in the 718, so the clutch and brake pedals are close by. Though it didn’t feel dangerous to me, my feet did touch each other a few times when braking.



Interestingly, I stalled the vehicle in parking, and the Porsche took a split second to start itself up as soon as I pressed the clutch pedal. It could be a convenient feature, but I would need to get used to it.

For the Corvette test drive, I decided to go to Ciocca’s Princeton dealership as it was much nearer.

First, I drove a top spec Camaro to set my baseline. I had driven the Challenger and the Mustang extensively in the past, and I could place the Camaro somewhere in between them in terms of both power and handling.

The Corvette test drive was short (The Princeton dealership didn’t give out test drives of the Corvette - this was an exception) and felt way superior to the Camaro - these weren’t even comparable, with the Corvette in a league of its own. The handling and power were there, and the acceleration didn’t feel overwhelming - until I measured it with the inbuilt timer. I realized where the Corvette excels is being very stable at high speeds. Driving at 70 miles an hour feels like I am going at 30 in any other car.

All my issues with owning a Corvette had been solved. It was time to go and get a C8 ‘Vette.

[sdaityari]

Pulling the plug

The Princeton dealership only had a few Corvettes in inventory, and could potentially request a specific one to be sent from Atlantic City - so I decided it was best to go to Atlantic City and pick one from the lot.

On 31st August, we got into the 330i and drove to the Atlantic City dealership of Ciocca Corvette. I was fairly sure we would return with a new car.

We reached and saw ~100 C8 Corvettes at the dealership. I had shortlisted a few VINs from the website and had a quote from the dealership and pre-approval for a loan - we just had to decide a fair price for the 330i.



We selected a 2LT trim with the red mist metallic color, and natural (brown) colored interiors. It had the front lift system, 20 spoke wheels, red painted calipers and a performance exhaust.

At one point in the process, I walked out because the dealership wouldn’t meet my request by ~1K but I realized that having the new car for a longer time was better than getting it at ~1K less later (if at all).

Saying goodbye to the 330i!


I have made many car purchases in my life, but this was the first time when I did no pre-delivery inspection (PDI). One reason was that it was fairly late - the dealership closes at 5 PM and the concerned folks had stayed back till 7 PM preparing the documents and the delivery of the car. Second, I wasn’t going to be able to get through a checklist even if I wanted to. I do not recommend this as we will get into it shortly. For now, I was excited to get some miles on this beauty.

Just after delivery



On the way home


Once we reached home


One of the official accessories I installed on the car was a red engine cover. The contrast with the red paint makes it very appealing.

Out with the black cover ...


... and in comes the red

[sdaityari]

Short Review of the 2024 C8 Corvette

The C8 Corvette Stingray boasts a stunning exterior design that blends classic Corvette cues with modern, aggressive styling. Its mid-engine layout gives it a sleek, aerodynamic profile, with long hood lines and a short rear deck. The LED headlights and taillights add a touch of futuristic flair, while the available aerodynamic packages enhance both performance and aesthetics.

The C8's muscular curves and bold proportions make it a head-turner on the road (people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders). Overall, the C8 Corvette Stingray's exterior design is a masterpiece of automotive engineering and artistry.

In my opinion, the front view is the best




The stingray badge is prominently visible on the bonnet


The rear view is my least favorite for the C8


The side view is very unique - and the door handle is not visible


It is neatly tucked away


The door opens wide on each side


With Stingray badging on the door sill, to remind you it's not a Ferarri you are stepping into


20 spoke Aluminium wheels with all-season tires


The frunk opens up with a button under the center of the right headlamp


Deep storage space in the frunk


The rear trunk opens up with a button underneath the first "E" of the Corvette


It's a large space but every time I open it, I get distracted by the engine


Closed rear trunk - notice the camera on the top (this is another perk of the 2LT) - the IRVM can turn into a camera


Corvette easter eggs


Stingray badging on the rear


with prominent taillights and one side of the dual exhaust


Removable roof panel (can be stored in the rear) - notice the deer in the background


I have only opened the roof panel and stored it in the trunk twice. It fits into position but is a pain to align properly, so I avoid doing it (in addition to the wind noise and the cold weather)


Frunk has a power closing mechanism ...


... so does the rear trunk


Turn indicator at the back when unlocking


Turn indicator at the front and ORVM liftings when unlocking


Front lift in play (notice the car lifting up when I press the button)

[sdaityari]

The C8 Corvette Stingray's interior is a significant departure from previous generations, offering a modern and driver-focused cabin, often resembling a fighter jet.

My initial impressions:

• Driver-oriented cockpit: The interior is designed with the driver in mind, with a digital instrument cluster and a large, intuitive infotainment screen angled towards the driver's seat.
• Sporty and comfortable seats: The seats offer excellent support and comfort, both for daily driving and spirited track sessions.
• Premium materials: The use of quality materials, such as soft-touch plastics and leather, elevates the overall interior feel.
• Some quirks: All buttons are neatly organized in a line - so it may need a bit of getting used to.

Overall, the C8 Corvette Stingray's interior is a significant improvement over previous generations. It offers a comfortable, functional, and sporty cabin that complements the car's impressive performance.

The heads-up display shows your current speed and the speed limit in touring mode.


Console in tour mode (stationary)


Console in sport mode (stationary)


There's an inbuilt timer to measure 0-60 times. In this case, I managed to get a low 4-second time in the normal touring mode.


Close view of the steering - mostly standard buttons except the Z button


Various options to change in Z mode (activated by pressing the Z button on the steering) -
Engine Sound: Stealth, Tour, Sport, Track
Steering: Tour, Sport, Track
Suspension: Tour, Sport, Track
Brake Feel: Tour, Sport, Track


View of the ORVM from driver's position


View from IRVM isn't too great


But it changes to the rear camera feed on the flick of a button - some say it takes some getting used to - I felt at home right from day 1


Various options in the inbuilt Android-based infotainment system


Second page of the options in the infotainment system


Another view of the front infotainment system. Notice how it's tilted towards the driver. The AC vent is just below the screen.


Front Camera to check if you are too close to the curb


Multiple front camera views to check sides (curbs)


Rear Camera


Passenger's seat (not very exciting)


Standard cupholders


Interior buttons in place of a gear selector, mode selector dial, and three buttons in front of it (traction, front lift, and front camera)


View of all interior buttons


Wireless charger and speaker


Engine view from inside the cabin


PDR (Performance Data Recorder)


Reviewing PDR (performance data recorder) - serves as a dashcam alternative


Review of videos of the PDR (Performance data recorder)


Seat adjustment buttons


Bose audio system and seat memory buttons


Button to open door next to the lock/unlock buttons


Interior, driver focused view

[sdaityari]

Overall, the C8 Corvette Stingray delivers an exhilarating driving experience that exceeds expectations. Its mid-engine layout and powerful V8 engine combine to create a thrilling and engaging ride.

Powerful and responsive engine
The 6.2-liter V8 engine produces 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Stingray from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. The engine's power delivery is smooth and linear, yet it delivers a thrilling surge of acceleration when you demand it.

Exceptional handling
The mid-engine layout and advanced chassis tuning provide exceptional handling agility and precision. The Stingray corners flat and confidently, with minimal body roll. The steering is direct and responsive, offering excellent feedback to the driver.

I call it exceptional despite the understeer reported by many reviewers like Throttle House, but I haven't felt it in the first 2K miles just yet. Perhaps, I am too conservative in my driving approach but so far, so good.

Comfortable ride quality
Despite its performance capabilities, the Stingray offers a surprisingly comfortable ride quality. The adaptive suspension system does a good job of absorbing bumps and imperfections in the road, while still maintaining excellent handling characteristics. I am looking forward to a 3-4000 mile road trip later this month.

Engaging driving experience
The C8 Stingray is a truly engaging driver's car. It rewards you with its responsive steering, precise shifting, and thrilling acceleration. It's a car that you can truly connect with and enjoy on a spirited drive.

Overall, it's a true driver's car that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

Here's a cold start to end my review - The C8's roar often catches new folks off guard (you may not notice but I intentionally did it as a Blue Tesla on the opposite just parked with its high-pitched hymn)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klrEmPEJdYg

Minor Paint Defect

Remember when I got too excited to perform the PDI on the car? Well, I realized the same night that there were two paint defects (spots on edge of the frunk). I raised the issue immediately with the dealership and eventually got it fixed.

I was initially skeptical whether I would be able to get it fixed - it wasn't too obvious but a defect nonetheless - and I guess it was only fair for me to ask.

While no one in the dealership denied the issue, the way they got it fixed under warranty took some time. I realized this is a dealership that works best when you call - which meant most of my emails went unanswered.

While the work only took a day, they needed two weeks to complete it under warranty with the appropriate paperwork. As I stayed two hours away, they were kind enough to give me a loaner car - a brand new Blazer EV (with just 15 miles) - so most of the time, I was excited about the new car while the Corvette waited on their lot.




Trip in December
I have already clocked 2000 miles in this car (just weekend drives in 2-3 months - some of the highlights attached) but a major trip down South is due in the later half of December. A few highlights of the trip are the Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, the Corvette Museum & factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky - but I am really looking forward to finally taking it on the track and drive through the tail of the dragon.

Designated US 129, and known as the Tail of the Dragon, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel. Those 318 curves in 11 miles are considered “the destination” for thousands of motorcycle and sports car fans throughout all seasons.

In fact, I also have a miniature version on my desk to remind me that the next adventure is not far away. If you read until the end of the post and were wondering about the custom license plate (which I also scribbled on the miniature version), "JONAKI" in Bengali translates to fireflies. We didn't want to associate it with raw speed but a feeling of serenity.



Meanwhile, here are a few snapshots from my first 2000 miles in the Corvette.

At the Bear Mountain State Park (New York)




Scenic overview at the beginning of winter at the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania (Delaware Water Gap)


At the abandoned Paulinskill Viaduct near the Delaware Water Gap (it was a railway crossing over a valley, which has been abandoned for decades)


At Rionda's Tower. Legend has it that if you switch off your headlights and go round the tower thrice at midnight, the devil himself appears. With DRLs, that's not possible, so I went there during the day


Posing with a medal for the NYC marathon (my first full marathon) - a rare photo in the few days with an intermediary license plate for those with a keen eye

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[GTO]

Whenever I read threads like these, it reminds me of how much fun the USA is for enthusiasts, and the sheer variety of cars you can have. A powerful car like this at an attainable price, which you can also use on a daily basis, backed by a long warranty, with clean roads (not all of USA though) is really a pipe dream in India. Big congrats on your C8 Corvette! It was always a dream machine and now, with this mid-engine layout, the Corvette truly bridges the gap to more exotic machinery.

I remember your Challenger road-trip thread as well.

Have a blast with the pure American muscle! Going to the top of our homepage today .

[lordtottuu]

Christ, that’s one good looking car. The older corvettes were good looking but something about the contours of this one screams exotic.

Congrats on this slab of American muscle and many miles of happy motoring ahead!

[cpabhijit]

Lovely, lovely looking car, fabulous colour. Congratulations.

On the aside, I see you sporting On shoes. Did you run the marathon with those? How did they hold up?

[sdaityari]

Originally Posted by GTO

Whenever I read threads like these, it reminds me of how much fun the USA is for enthusiasts, and the sheer variety of cars you can have. A powerful car like this at an attainable price, which you can also use on a daily basis, backed by a long warranty, with clean roads (not all of USA though) is really a pipe dream in India. Big congrats on your C8 Corvette! It was always a dream machine and now, with this mid-engine layout, the Corvette truly bridges the gap to more exotic machinery.

Thanks! This was one of the reasons why I was so keen to move to the US. I finally feel content in terms of what I have in my garage

Originally Posted by lordtottuu

Christ, that’s one good looking car. The older corvettes were good looking but something about the contours of this one screams exotic.

Congrats on this slab of American muscle and many miles of happy motoring ahead!

I somehow missed mentioning in the review about how many head turns I get in the Corvette. At the stop light, every other car's occupant turns to admire it (some even give me a thumbs up if they notice me looking at them admiring it). Americans feel proud of their product and often approach me to talk about the car.

There was a kid in a supermarket parking lot who shouted - rev it up - and I gladly obliged. The Autozone guy who came to check if the mats fit my car was awed at how good the Corvette looked in person. Random folks on the street stopping to admire the car (I generally keep it in my view if I am at restaurants).

I love the attention I receive every time I take the car out (this is a feel-good factor in addition to the driving dynamics).

Originally Posted by cpabhijit

Lovely, lovely looking car, fabulous colour. Congratulations.

On the aside, I see you sporting On shoes. Did you run the marathon with those? How did they hold up?

Thanks! Excellent observation on the On shoes. I was posing after the marathon and wearing my On Cloud 5 shoes - perhaps the lightest ever shoes I have worn. I use them as my regular shoes and the occasional run (I generally don't cross the 5K in them). Their weight makes them perfect for travel and long days. When I started running, On was my aspirational brand (and decently priced for the value), but I have found their supershoes a bit stiff for my comfort - I prefer ones with a thick cushion. I got the Cloud 5 for regular wear because of the general comfort.

I had initially planned to run the marathon in my carbon-plated Puma Nitro Deviate 2 (my go-to race day shoes). But in the two races leading up to the marathon, I felt the cushioning of the shoe get worn out and I developed some pain in my foot around the 15-20 km mark (I have owned them for 1.5 years and run about 300 km in them now). It was too late to get new shoes for a marathon less than one month away, so I ran in my training shoes (Asics Novablast 4). Next season, I will pick a new carbon-plated shoe.

[v1p3r]

Congrats on this fantastic piece of Americana. This is the first truly desirable 'Vette, and I'm glad you bought this - a very un-desi thing to do if I may say that.