c5 c7

I know that many members of the forum recommend only large volume dealers for new Vette purchases. While many have had success with this, some of us have found that lower volume dealers can do just as well as the big guys.

I purchased my 2015 Laguna Blue Z51 Coupe with 2LT and Magnetic Selective Ride Control from a dealer that sold 24 Corvettes in 2014 (they are not a Top 100 dealer). I had 2 constraints on my Vette (Z51 and standard roof) and received my vehicle in less than 2 months WITH the Credit Union discount.

My dealer is Brenengen Auto in West Salem, WI. They have a Corvette specialist and I dealt with him and the General Manager. Throughout the process they kept me informed of the status and answered all of my questions.

Don't be afraid to purchase locally through a great dealer, regardless of how many Corvettes they sell. Just do your homework ahead of time and 'kick the tires' of your local dealer.

Glen e

of course local dealerships are fine IF THEY TELL THE TRUTH...I had one the same way as you, he told me right out he did not have the allocation, would not take my deposit, and suggested a forum dealer.

There is nothing wrong with "checking" with the small dealer - but he must not lie, like so many do. And the problem is there is not way to really check if he's on the level. So.....the only thing we do know here is a forum dealer is the absolute guaranteed way to get a car...it's that simple...and why you see us defaulting to that suggestion in so many posts...

runutzzzzz

Good to hear!

I purchased my 14' from my local dealer that had only 3 allocations for 2014 and my experience was great!

My 15' was purchased from Applegate in Flint MI, I think they only sold a dozen or so in 14 and I got their first allocation. The salesperson was absolutely wonderful! I've purchased some 35 cars in the past 10 years and it was the best experience I've ever had. He followed up promptly and gave me updates daily.

c5 c7

I understand what you are saying Glen. That's why I posted my dealer's name, so others won't be reluctant to use them.

pjitty

Ordered my vette in August from a small dealer. Was told 6 to 8 weeks. Called 2 weeks ago for a heads up. Was told possibly by the spring. Went to a large volume dealer last week and placed an order with them. I could of been driving my vette now. Learned my lesson...

Joe D

Glen e

Kracka

I got mine from a small family-owned dealership in Pennsylvania courtesy delivered to my local dealership who didn't have any available allocations (which they were honest about). They had an allocation at the time for me and the rest is history

dbdave

Back in March I had found a C7 I wanted to go look at at Brenengen but there was a similar version located at Jorns Chevrolet in Kewaunee, WI. I just happened to be going to Green Bay one day so I swung over there to look at it and the car was very close to what I was looking for. It was actually more money than the one at Brenengen but I took it anyway. I had actually planned to go look at the one Brenengen had but the one at Jorns was so close to what I wanted that I made the deal and saved more running around. It's just the way it worked out.

I was very surprised that there were 2 new C7s like what I was looking for in stock at different dealers that were close to me in WI. Neither one are very big dealerships but they both deal quite a bit in Corvettes. Jorns is a big supporter of Corvette clubs in the area and sells quite a few new and used Corvettes. I met a couple of guys from the LaCrosse area at the 20th Anniversary Museum celebration that said the same thing about Brenengen.

I will definitely be dealing with either of these dealers for any of my future Corvette purchases.

c5 c7

That's great to hear, Dave.

I also sold my C5 to Brenengen and was treated very well and got a fair deal. Its nice to have some good dealers in our area to choose from. Around here, a dealer that sells 20 odd Vettes in a year is pretty high volume. It's all relative.

mksz51

I acquired mine from a small dealer in rural Illinois who sold less than 10 Corvettes in 2014. Here's an observation of mine - you are MUCH more likely to run into the "BS spewing dealer" at a larger dealership in an urban area. Rural dealers don't do that - I think because their clientele (mostly farmers or other people who work with their hands and body for a living) won't tolerate the BS. The rural dealership would never survive.

KenHorse

Purchased my 2014 from a small Corvette dealer but timed it right so my order went to 2000 within minutes of entering it.

(also ordered my Z51 at $3K below MSRP at a time when no one else was discounting)

pettvette

I ordered from a local low allocation Corvette dealer 11 weeks ago. They knew I was looking and actually called me to tell me that they had 2 allocations.... After 8 weeks of being at 1100 I cancelled that order and went with a Forum dealer 3 weeks ago today.. I'm already at 3000.

As a side note, the original dealer has not cancelled my order and its still at 1100... The sales person is afraid to tell the owner I cancelled... Its a Museum delivery car, so I'm not sure how they will handle that... Just not sure I want an exact twin in the area.....

LIE2ME

During my effort to buy a C7, I encountered both the BEST and the WORST of buying from a small dealer.

My story...

I had wanted a C7 from the time I saw the earliest leaked Jalopnic sketches. I owned a Carlisle Blue C6 at the time (my first Corvette) and just loved the car. I also knew the C7 was going to be something quite special. My plan had been to wait for the 2015 (you know, first year Gremlins and all), but by February of 2014, after seeing all the beautiful photos on this forum and even a few Stingrays in person, I just had to have one. Truth is I have never very good at waiting.

So, at the end of February I ordered a Blade Silver over Adrenalin Red coupe from a small non-forum dealer who ASSURED me at the time he had “plenty” of allocations. Well, he didn’t have ANY!!. By the time I realized his story was all B.S., and cancelled my order, the $2,000.00 mid-year price increase had hit.

I had been scoping out Auto Trader anyway, and the same day I cancelled my coupe, I saw an Arctic White convertible sitting in in the showroom of a very small rural dealership several states away. Although it was a ‘vert, it had all the options I wanted (2LT, Auto, NAV, NPP, even had suede seat inserts which I had not considered). The best part was the price (about $6,000.00 under then current MSRP), and since it happened to be a pre-price increase car, it was really $8,000.00 under MSRP. I knew this had to be a GM supplier price (of which I am not), but I decided to call anyway.

Well, I was right. It was the GM supplier price, but the sales manager went the extra mile and asked me if I happened to belong to a credit union, I replied that I have been a Navy Federal member most of my adult life. “Congratulations”, says the sales manager. “Credit Union members get the same discount as GM suppliers.”

I immediately bought the car and had her shipped to me via closed carrier. The rest is of course, "history"...

-------------------------------------------

So the WORST was that the first small non-forum dealer outright lied to me (I never did figure out why).

The BEST was the second small non-forum dealer sold me a new C7 vert for $8,000.00 less than it would have cost me to order the same car (and this was at a time that virtually nobody, to include most forum dealers, was discounting).

I guess the moral of the story is that dealing with a small non-forum dealer can be more of a "crap shoot", but can still pay off in the end.

patrickboyle

I'm happy to hear about this. I'm going to be after a C7 now that my Z is gone. I too live In WI. I will look these folks up before making any purchasing decisions.

olympic

I've had my new C7 for only two days now. Absolutely no regrets purchasing from a local dealer. He sold 14 2014 C7s. He is a sponsor of the local Corvette club and incapable of anything but openness and honesty.
He provided ample discounts and, the day I picked up the car, he found yet another discount (through USAA for veterans). It was so last minute that I had already written my check so he'll be mailing me a check for that last discount.
Oil changes whenever I want with Mobil 1 at no charge.
Corvette hat and t-shirt provided.
Total communication throughout the process…event codes, confirmations, and pics of the car being unloaded.
Car was built 10/27 and arrived at his dealership 11/18. Pretty fast for a west coast delivery. One year NCM membership was also a nice touch.

firemist1

You need to join that Corvette club now!

olympic

Already have. Or rather about to. You need to attend four meetings/events before you're voted in.
Dec 4 will be my fourth meeting.

firemist1

I know. I am the Prez. Congratulations on your new C7!

dbdave

Really? A bit snobbish, don't you think? Help me understand.

firemist1

Not really. Gives both sides ample time to ensure it will be a good fit, not just take his money and run. Works out best for everyone involved. During the first four events, prospective members get all the privileges of membership without any cost (except voting) and he can participate in our events. Olympic is a good guy!