Hey "cfug"; welcome to the Forum. Your question will have people answering either way, since many are die-hard C7 fans and others like me were pushed over the edge for a Corvette because of the C8. Really, both are great cars so it comes down to your choice. I'd suggest you:
1. look at the many YouTube videos out there reviewing each car individually and also those comparing them. The C8 is pretty well a 100% ground-up new design and considered revolutionary for Corvette, due to its mid-engine and other design changes. That's what's caused all the buzz. But many consider the C7 to be the pinnacle of the front-engine design Corvette;
2. you really should try and see a C8 up close; there's a world of difference seeing it on a video compared to in-person. It sounds like you're familiar with the C7 so you've likely had a chance to see it in-person already. Ideally, it would be nice if you could visit a dealer who had both a C7 and C8 for you to look at, at the same time. With production of the C8's having resumed, we should hopefully see them starting to arrive at Canadian dealers again in the next 6 to 8 weeks (?). Find a dealership close to you that orders lots of Corvettes and has more C8's coming in, get to know the new car sales manager and put yourself on his/her radar by expressing an interest in a new C8 but indicate you're trying to choose between the C7 and C8...then hopefully you'll gain access to a new C8 when it comes in; perhaps not to sit in it but I was allowed to view one inside and out when it was in a dealer's shop getting ready for a customer's delivery;
3. seek input from people who have owned a C7 and now own a C8. But right now, C8's are rather scarce in Canada. That will change over the next several months. And perhaps someone here on CCF will chime in to describe their thoughts on the C7 versus the C8, if they've owned both. You may however expect some bias from people who have already gotten rid of their C7 in favour of a C8;
4. how important is it for you to have a standard transmission? If it's by far your preference to "use a stick" then the C7 will be your logical choice;
5. consider your finances, since an older or used C7 will save you TONS of money, compared to a new C8. So if money is a big factor, that makes the choice very easy;
6. consider how much of a hurry you're in to get "the car of your dreams". Depending upon your age and future goals, maybe now is the time to get a C8, if doing #1 and #2 above, has you strongly leaning towards a C8. On the other hand, if you're OK waiting, know you'll enjoy a C7 right now as much as or almost as much as a C8, know you'll be able to buy another Corvette down the road (ie. the C8) then for sure, pull the trigger on a C7 and save the dough, not only when buying a Corvette now but hopefully later when the C8 has been out awhile, demand has diminished and with that, perhaps pricing or GM throwing in better finance rates or free options...or you can try to buy a used C8 w/o taking as much of a depreciation hit down the road. We know that when the C8 Z06 comes out in 2022(?), there will be C8 Stingray owners trading them in for the Z06 and that could be your opportunity to find a nice used C8 Stingray. Doing this gives you the best of both worlds: owning a C7 and then a C8;
7. if you're super concerned about buying a new model year, then that also makes your decision easier: buy a C7 which has been in production for many years. On the other hand, GM tells us that during the COVID shut-down, it addressed most of the early glitches found with the C8. Time will tell but perhaps that's now less of a concern for the C8.
Whatever you do, you can't go wrong with either choice. But it boils down to your preference and perhaps the foregoing factors will help you decide. Good luck!