Will C7 Kill Corvette?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Likes: 2
From: Orange CA
Will C7 Kill Corvette?
I think it’s safe to say, though, that unless the Stingray and all-new Z06 don’t scare up some serious sales figures in the next few years, we could see the Corvette breed grind to a halt around 2020.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Likes: 2
From: Orange CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
The mid to upper level middle-class is dieing in this country, therefore the pool of potential buyers is shrinking. I hope to see a turn around in our economy but I'm not holding my breath.
I can see GM keeping the Corvette alive as a flagship model that they use to introduce new innovations in automotive technology, but there could be a limit as to how much money they are willing to commit to a loss leader. JMHO
I can see GM keeping the Corvette alive as a flagship model that they use to introduce new innovations in automotive technology, but there could be a limit as to how much money they are willing to commit to a loss leader. JMHO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I would love to see a basic Vette for the rest of us. A true sports car. I don't need all the bells and whistles or the high tech gadgetry that add thousands to the price. Build a basic solid sports car with 400 hp. I think its a good possibility that the Vette may die off. At 80Gs a pop they may be pricing themselves out of the marketplace. The country does need a good two seater sports car for the masses.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
I agree with the above posters. If Chevy does not stop the relentless upward price spiral of the Corvette, It will die. A low price ( LOW / to mid $40K ) starter car without all the bells and whistles and electronics will sell. The upper middle class demographic that they are currently priced for is getting smaller and smaller. If Chevy wants to move the plastic, they need to make it so a much broader demographic can afford it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 22,703
Likes: 798
From: Hillsborough NC
NC Events Coordinator
There is lots of bad news out there:
- The Baby Boomers are retiring in droves. The average age of Corvette owners is 59, born at the peak of the Baby Boom. They're going from the peak of their disposable income in their last years of work to budgeting for two or three more decades of retired life. The generation behind them is smaller and won't get as large until the '90s kids get ready to retire.
- People born in the '70s and '80s aren't as fascinated by cars as much as we were, especially muscle cars. They don't know or care what torque is, but they sure as hell want Bluetooth and other bells and whistles.
They are also getting married and putting off having families to a later age than the Boomers. They will still be putting kids through college as they near retirement. They also bought bigger and more expensive houses than did the Boomers and will still be paying them off as they approach retirement.
- EPA CAFE standards aren't going to get any less restrictive. The trend is in the other direction.
I think 2020 is too soon, but I'd be surprised if the Corvette has an 80th anniversary. The Corvette was born with the Baby Boomers and may well die with them too.
- The Baby Boomers are retiring in droves. The average age of Corvette owners is 59, born at the peak of the Baby Boom. They're going from the peak of their disposable income in their last years of work to budgeting for two or three more decades of retired life. The generation behind them is smaller and won't get as large until the '90s kids get ready to retire.
- People born in the '70s and '80s aren't as fascinated by cars as much as we were, especially muscle cars. They don't know or care what torque is, but they sure as hell want Bluetooth and other bells and whistles.
They are also getting married and putting off having families to a later age than the Boomers. They will still be putting kids through college as they near retirement. They also bought bigger and more expensive houses than did the Boomers and will still be paying them off as they approach retirement.
- EPA CAFE standards aren't going to get any less restrictive. The trend is in the other direction.
I think 2020 is too soon, but I'd be surprised if the Corvette has an 80th anniversary. The Corvette was born with the Baby Boomers and may well die with them too.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
No. It will save the corvette, not kill it. Sales figures of late year C6s were not trending in the right direction and the new car is much better and getting interest from people not previously interested in corvettes.
As far as a $40k base car, that's not going to happen. You can't even buy a crew cab Z71 for that anymore.
Can everyone please get over the new taillight shape?
As far as a $40k base car, that's not going to happen. You can't even buy a crew cab Z71 for that anymore.
Can everyone please get over the new taillight shape?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I agree with the above posters. If Chevy does not stop the relentless upward price spiral of the Corvette, It will die. A low price ( LOW $40K ) starter car without all the bells and whistles and electronics will sell. The upper middle class demographic that they are currently priced for is getting smaller and smaller. If Chevy wants to move the plastic, they need to make it so a much broader demographic can afford it.
Seems to me the new Vettes are overkill. I can afford one but would never but one. I would rather wait for the 70% depreciation.
Last edited by JR-01; Dec 26, 2013 at 12:20 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
- People born in the '70s and '80s aren't as fascinated by cars as much as we were, especially muscle cars. They don't know or care what torque is, but they sure as hell want Bluetooth and other bells and whistles.
They are also getting married and putting off having families to a later age than the Boomers. They will still be putting kids through college as they near retirement. They also bought bigger and more expensive houses than did the Boomers and will still be paying them off as they approach retirement.
Your cut and paste couldn't be more incorrect. I was born in the 80s and I live and breath cars, just like many of my friends. Car people are car people, no matter what generation they come from.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Where did you cut and paste this from? It originally said 60s and 70s and then you edited it to 70s and 80s. I had to laugh because you said these people are getting married and don't care. Your original post would have people waiting until their 50s to get married. If that happened, there certainly wouldn't need to be any more corvettes as there wouldn't be a next generation at all.
Your cut and paste couldn't be more incorrect. I was born in the 80s and I live and breath cars, just like many of my friends. Car people are car people, no matter what generation they come from.
Your cut and paste couldn't be more incorrect. I was born in the 80s and I live and breath cars, just like many of my friends. Car people are car people, no matter what generation they come from.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
There is lots of bad news out there:
- The Baby Boomers are retiring in droves. The average age of Corvette owners is 59, born at the peak of the Baby Boom. They're going from the peak of their disposable income in their last years of work to budgeting for two or three more decades of retired life. The generation behind them is smaller and won't get as large until the '90s kids get ready to retire.
- People born in the '70s and '80s aren't as fascinated by cars as much as we were, especially muscle cars. They don't know or care what torque is, but they sure as hell want Bluetooth and other bells and whistles.
They are also getting married and putting off having families to a later age than the Boomers. They will still be putting kids through college as they near retirement. They also bought bigger and more expensive houses than did the Boomers and will still be paying them off as they approach retirement.
- EPA CAFE standards aren't going to get any less restrictive. The trend is in the other direction.
I think 2020 is too soon, but I'd be surprised if the Corvette has an 80th anniversary. The Corvette was born with the Baby Boomers and may well die with them too.
- The Baby Boomers are retiring in droves. The average age of Corvette owners is 59, born at the peak of the Baby Boom. They're going from the peak of their disposable income in their last years of work to budgeting for two or three more decades of retired life. The generation behind them is smaller and won't get as large until the '90s kids get ready to retire.
- People born in the '70s and '80s aren't as fascinated by cars as much as we were, especially muscle cars. They don't know or care what torque is, but they sure as hell want Bluetooth and other bells and whistles.
They are also getting married and putting off having families to a later age than the Boomers. They will still be putting kids through college as they near retirement. They also bought bigger and more expensive houses than did the Boomers and will still be paying them off as they approach retirement.
- EPA CAFE standards aren't going to get any less restrictive. The trend is in the other direction.
I think 2020 is too soon, but I'd be surprised if the Corvette has an 80th anniversary. The Corvette was born with the Baby Boomers and may well die with them too.
Hollywood glorified US muscle cars 1950 thru 1980. Then it all slowly went away, with an occasional glorification of imported cars. Hollywood has huge impact on this sport. Plus all cars in general have gotten too expensive, including insurance and especially maintenance and repairs. Capitalism brought the US muscle car-sports car to fruition and now it is sucking the life out of it. A real shame. Auto racing is still held in high regard in Third world countries! Guess where the money is going now?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
