How important is performance of Corvette C7 to the actual buyers?

The truth is that it does not matter a bit.  This is why +General Motors  can come up with a car that is considerably heavier than its predecessor, add a little bit of horsepower that is not even available at all times (courtesy of AFM), slap on some truly tacky plastic garnish and shoddy paint and then call the day while the suckers line up to buy it (at least for now).

Here is an example what the problem with Corvette buyers really is.  Yes, this is the underside of the hood sporting a very patriotic airbrush creation.  Now, there is nothing wrong with being patriotic but anyone painting the underneath of the hood obviously has priorities unsuitable for an alleged sports car.  On the bright side, good thing this under the hood, instead of the screaming chicken on top of the hood, Smokey and the Bandit style.

The sad reality of the main core of Corvette buyers is that as usual. there will be a matching prop added to proudly display this underside masterpiece at the next car show instead of getting some grime under the hood from spirited track driving.  Nothing beats living up to the expected stereotype...