Would you do more?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Elysburg PA
Would you do more?
I have now owned my C5 coupe for two years and have spent well over $3,000 on new tires, shocks, swaybars, interior/exterior accessories, and used items such as a solid top, console cover, and Ti exhaust. This does not included any labor charges for the items I could not install myself. We are now talking another $1,000+ for repair and maintenance. I conside myself a smart and patient shopper and never pay full retail for anything, but I would do more mods if pricing by vender's were more reasonable. There is one sponsoring vendor that does a standup job of truly discounting his products, but for the most part, I feel we are paying the price, or should I say the "Corvette Tax" on most mods we are doing. So would you do modifications to your ride if you could do more for less money? I know from time to time we have group buys, but do we want to wait for ever for them? Does anybody agree with this viewpoint?
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 11
From: Aliso Viejo So. Cal.
I think we all look for the best deals out there. And yes, the Corvette tax always bumps the price up. But there are some mods that I personally wanted and paid dearly for. Like Peter Pan said, it's a sickness 
Now go mod that sucker. $3K ?.... LOL you're just a beginner 
Now go mod that sucker. $3K ?.... LOL you're just a beginner
Last edited by GRUNIE; Jun 18, 2009 at 12:34 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
As a buyer (for the most part) designer and occasionally seller, I see the price of a product from several perepsectives.
The inital research anddevelopment for a new product (especially one that is to be mass produced) is VERY costly. Injection molding for instance costs more than some houses to start a project. Prototypes are also very expensive and there's usually a few failures before a final version is completed.
From there you go to marketing where you need to pay for the cost of parts, equipment, shipping in and out and misc materials.
The "corvette tax" is usually based on the number of potential buyers for the product. You'll notice that LS1 components don't seem to carry the corvette tax as much because LS1s are used in all sorts of cars from F-bodies to crate motor projects. Something C5 specific has a much smaller customer base and thus to make a project venture financially worthwhile, a designer and vendor has to raise the cost to offset the low sale volume.
Granted there are some products that have an obvious corvette tax. The DEPO fixed headlights for instance can be found from a base price of ~$400 to a catalauge I saw yesterday for $850. This is why as a consumer, I look for pre-owned parts on anything (even mechanical or electrical)
The inital research anddevelopment for a new product (especially one that is to be mass produced) is VERY costly. Injection molding for instance costs more than some houses to start a project. Prototypes are also very expensive and there's usually a few failures before a final version is completed.
From there you go to marketing where you need to pay for the cost of parts, equipment, shipping in and out and misc materials.
The "corvette tax" is usually based on the number of potential buyers for the product. You'll notice that LS1 components don't seem to carry the corvette tax as much because LS1s are used in all sorts of cars from F-bodies to crate motor projects. Something C5 specific has a much smaller customer base and thus to make a project venture financially worthwhile, a designer and vendor has to raise the cost to offset the low sale volume.
Granted there are some products that have an obvious corvette tax. The DEPO fixed headlights for instance can be found from a base price of ~$400 to a catalauge I saw yesterday for $850. This is why as a consumer, I look for pre-owned parts on anything (even mechanical or electrical)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 0
From: naugatuck ct
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Elysburg PA
The point I was trying to convey, we would spent more if the vender was not trying to maximize their profit on every item and then on shipping and handling. We see shipping cost based on dollars spent and not the actual cost to ship. I agree that that the vender is entitled to a reasonable profit, but based on some items, those margins would be considered "Corvette Tax". We must remember that we are dealing with a multitude of small manufacturers that produce for a bunch of different makes and models and not just for the Corvette. We are in the Age of the Cad/Cam, where they have the design on new products so much quicker and the product is in the market place. I would think that if the price was less, they would sell more product. If your next comment is discounts, I don't consider a 10% a deal! We all know there is no such thing as free shipping. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,214
Likes: 1,140
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
As a buyer (for the most part) designer and occasionally seller, I see the price of a product from several perepsectives.
The inital research anddevelopment for a new product (especially one that is to be mass produced) is VERY costly. Injection molding for instance costs more than some houses to start a project. Prototypes are also very expensive and there's usually a few failures before a final version is completed.
From there you go to marketing where you need to pay for the cost of parts, equipment, shipping in and out and misc materials.
The "corvette tax" is usually based on the number of potential buyers for the product. You'll notice that LS1 components don't seem to carry the corvette tax as much because LS1s are used in all sorts of cars from F-bodies to crate motor projects. Something C5 specific has a much smaller customer base and thus to make a project venture financially worthwhile, a designer and vendor has to raise the cost to offset the low sale volume.
Granted there are some products that have an obvious corvette tax. The DEPO fixed headlights for instance can be found from a base price of ~$400 to a catalauge I saw yesterday for $850. This is why as a consumer, I look for pre-owned parts on anything (even mechanical or electrical)
The inital research anddevelopment for a new product (especially one that is to be mass produced) is VERY costly. Injection molding for instance costs more than some houses to start a project. Prototypes are also very expensive and there's usually a few failures before a final version is completed.
From there you go to marketing where you need to pay for the cost of parts, equipment, shipping in and out and misc materials.
The "corvette tax" is usually based on the number of potential buyers for the product. You'll notice that LS1 components don't seem to carry the corvette tax as much because LS1s are used in all sorts of cars from F-bodies to crate motor projects. Something C5 specific has a much smaller customer base and thus to make a project venture financially worthwhile, a designer and vendor has to raise the cost to offset the low sale volume.
Granted there are some products that have an obvious corvette tax. The DEPO fixed headlights for instance can be found from a base price of ~$400 to a catalauge I saw yesterday for $850. This is why as a consumer, I look for pre-owned parts on anything (even mechanical or electrical)
I agree with this. Excellent points made. Just like anything else - higher volume sales = lower prices i.e. electronics gadgets. The more it sells, the lower the cost to bring it to you. But I still question items like the painted plastic tag frame for C6 that allegedly cost ard $80. If China made, I'd guess production cost at $1.00 unpainted. Too often now, when I see anything China made, someone smart and/or greedy is reaping a super bonus & I don't buy into that. This speaks of the Depot place in particular. Competition is a huge factor in keeping them honest. If you're the only game in town you got the field.
When it comes to the Corvette Tax, I shop with my budget, not my CC limit. I'm passed the mod stage anyway unless it's factory mod. There are a few exceptions that I'd have to make.
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