tibasnatch

I had a 2011 GS vette that I kept for almost 2 years....it held its value pretty decent. I usually only keep a car for around 2 years and then want something newer. What would hold its value the best after 2 years of driving with maybe 10k a year max on miles put on.

Most I would want to spend is $60k. Should I try for a new GS? A used Z06? or buy one thats already been depreciated like a 2014 or 2015 stingray.

Basically just asking what would lose least value after 2 years or so.

thanks

Larry/car

Base Stingray, select options that provide a return at trade in time. I practice what I preach, I am on a three year cycle.

shocked

Which options would those be?

Snowwolfe

No options will return what you paid for them.

Patman

Definitely buy used if you're only going to have it a couple of years. You'll retain a higher percentage of your purchase price in this scenario.

Phanni

For $60,000, don't expect much.

Kent1999

I would say
*Z51
*2LT
*manual transmission
*A bright color with wide appeal

Reasons?
*Z51 is widely known to be the 'performance' model and gets headlines on the sale ad.

*2LT: lots of buyers like to have something above the 'stripper' base model, liking the HUD and heated/cooled seats -- thus the 2LT. The 3LT does add more leather, but I don't think the return is there above the 2LT, as most people might be hard pressed to see the difference.

*MT: I know most new Corvettes come with the automatic, but it *seems* like the manuals bring a premium on the used market. Also, there seems to be a lot of talk about A8 problems. True or not, the talk depresses values.

*Bright colors: (red, white, not sure about yellow -- I like it but it can be polarizing). Grab more attention in lots, walk-arounds and ads. A good number of people like the darker colors -- black, green, etc, but I think they just don't catch the eye as well. I know -- this one's *totally* subjective.

My observations only -- I'm sure others have different viewpoints.

Squeaky Wheel

Depends I suppose on what color/options you want. Some are harder to find than others. Also, how do you plan to use it? Any track use? Personally, I'm just a cruiser. I tend to buy slightly used low mileage examples that are 1-2 years old and highly optioned. I treat them well an put relatively low mileage on them before moving on. Have never lost more than a few K$.

Current example is a used 2016 3LT coupe with less than 5k mi's. Usually upgrade after a few years to another Vette, although I'm now retired, so may keep the current one for quite some time. It's my favorite of them all!

......Forgot to add that I have sold all my prior Vettes outright. None were traded in.

rmorin1249

Depreciation will be worse the first 2 years on a new one.

Fully loaded car will return the lowest percentage of cost when you sell or trade.

MGreg

I'm in the market to replace my C6 with a new or low mileage C7 and have been asking myself a lot of these same questions on cost vs value. I will probably keep the next Vette for quite a few years, but still the process of selecting options is vexing. Mag ride has nearly doubled in price this year... $3495 on the Chevy web site. I like the mag ride on my 3LT C6 but it seems like a lot to pay for my daily driver around the suburbs. Adding nicer wheels, mag ride, and a few other minor things quickly adds 10K to a sticker and those items may or may not help a lot at resale time. I honestly think that the 2LT trim package and good looking wheels gives me just about everything I really want.
Cheers
Mike

Eff A Ford

Get what you want and enjoy it

Larry/car

Select options that enhance the driving experience: M7, 2LT, Navigation/PDR. I am also into the convertible. These are my total options on the last two corvettes.
Stay away from: wheels, stripes, premium paint, colored calibers, badges, carpet protectors, special trip packages, even the NPP performance exhaust and magnetic ride (money spend, little or no return). The Z51 option will yeld a return of about $1,000. Trading my 2014 on a 2017 yelded a depreciation rate of about $3,000 per year. If you factor the factory warranty value, about as good as it gets. And the most important; another new car. (Research various options on Kelly Blue Book, will give you an idea what options have any value at resale)

hope2

right now a 2016 convertible rental 3LT automatic. you will lose less money in two years then any other C7 Corvette, just look it over and buy it right. They are selling in the 40's.

MAKC7

Definitely buy used as pricing are cratering.

dvilin

Nice used Z06, a nice thrilling ride for a couple of years.

449er

If you are buying new, purchase a base model Corvette, resale value is poor on any options that you may choose when the car is new.

shocked

Thanks, I pretty much had a 1 or 2LT M7 base in mind. I did look at the NADA guide a while ago and the only options that were listed as value adding were transparent top and nav. I would assume Carplay and Android Auto have made NAV less valuable.

Z0Sick6

Get a used 2016 with 2LT or 3LT (don't pay more for the 3LT though, you won't get more on resale).

You can find these in the $47K range if you look hard on the car sale websites. In 2 years, I bet the car is still worth $38-40K. At 3-4K depreciation a year - it would be a good deal considering the car will be a 2016 in 2019... 3-4K a year for such a recent model year.

roadbike56

I bought used and if you are looking to minimize depreciation, as has been said, absolutely buy used. Also, buy a Stingray, not a GS or Z06. As Z06Sick6 said, keep the price under $50K. The closer to $45K the better. Buying Z51, mag ride and 2LT used might cost a little more and might depreciate a little more but the cost of these options with the cars you're looking at is minimal and you'll get most of it back when you trade/sell. Obviously cars that were damaged or high mileage are verboten for your requirements.
I bought a Certified Z51, 2LT, M7 with mag ride one year ago. The first year depreciation, even with a used Vette, is the worst because you are going from retail when buying to wholesale when trading in. I estimate the depreciation is somewhere around $6K to $8K if I trade in (using the wholesale numbers posted on this forum) and something like $5K if I sell privately. Compare that to some of the one year trade-in numbers for purchased new Corvettes you've seen on other threads on this forum.
Also, buy any color you want, it makes no difference.
EDIT: I'm sure you realize that to maximize return, you need to look at cars outside of your area, ( my search went over 300 mile radius). And you need to track a number of cars over time to identify the Corvette that's the best retail price for the equipment it comes with and the year. My search involved a spreadsheet with around 300 cars over a four month period. By the time I purchased, I could tell you the top five values every day. Maximizing at time of purchase is critical to achieve your goal, but I'm sure you already know that.

budgreen3564

Lease a GS