bub

Yellow's got this figured out below, but read on if you wish.

I was struggling with why there's such a large price difference between the 1SA and 1SB packages for the '05 C6's (expecting similar for '06).

Here's the best I could rationalize using content vs. breakout pricing available from past model years (most going all the way back to '00 C5's when you could order individually vs. packages - my point: this was a much better arrangement for the customer).

1SA Content

Side Air Bags $350 (basis '05 Tahoe MSRP)
Sport Seats $700 (basis '00 C5 MSRP)
Power Pass. Seat $305 (basis '00 C5 MSRP)
Cargo Cover/Net $50 (basis '00 C5 MSRP)
----------
$1,405 vs. current MSRP 1SA = $1,405
Theoretically, one could add 3% escalation per year ot the '00 numbers and arrive at the following "equivalent" 1SA package price in todays $ of $1,565.

1SB Content

1SA plus the following
6 Disc In-dash $600 (basis '04 C5 12 disc MSRP)
Memory Package $150 (basis '00 C5 MSRP)
HUD $375 (basis '00 C5 MSRP - add $0 for g-meter - evolving technology). HUD should be a free-flow option.
Homelink $150 (estimated)
Auto Dimming $200 (estimated)
Power Tele. $350 (basis '00 C5 MSRP)
Heated Seats $300 (estimated)
----------
Subtotal $2,125
Add 1SA $1,405
---------
$3,530 vs. current MSRP 1SB = $4,360 (delta = +$830)

Consider 15% escalation on '00 items again, and 1SB adder to 1SA becomes $2,260 vs. $2,125 at the subtotal line. This $2,260 + $1,405 for 1SA would still be only $3,665. Again, significantly less ($695) than what GM is presently charging for 1SB of $4,360 MSRP.

The only way I can get even close to the $4,360 MSRP for 1SB is to escalate both the 1SA and 1SB items for $1,565 1SA + $2,260 = $3,825. Still off $535 which is essentially GM's true "premium $" for this package vs. the customer being able to order "ala-cart'e".

It used to be, in the old days, packages actually carried a DISCOUNT, not a premium, because they greatly simplify the manufacturer's build.

Granted we're probably only talking around $500 on a $50k+ car here, but sometimes these little things are what can irritates a customer most.

If anyone else has a different rationalization for the price difference in these two packages, other than supply and demand, I'd like to hear your take on it...

-CKB

f152tall

I have a friend that ordered a 1SA even though he wanted a HUD. He didn't want any of the other 1SB options and couldn't justify a $2,500 HUD.

Another Yellow

These are the individual prices used to get a total package price.

AQ9 Sport seats 700

AJ7 Air bags, side 350

D42 Luggage shade 50

AG2 Power passenger seat 305
______
1SA 1,405


AAB Memory Package 170

DDO Mirrors auto-dimming 240

UV6 Head-Up Display 425

N37 Telescopic steering column 350

KA1 Heated Seats 250

UG1 Homelink transmitter 100

US9 6 disk CD changer 600

U65 Bose 7 speaker system 820
______
1SB 2,955 plus1SA for coupe, 4,360 total

stanleyp

I simply ordered the 1SX and didn't rationalize anything.

SHOOTER 49

Since you asked--I do have a different rationalization. It is quite simple in that I honestly did not want one thing in either package and ordered the 1sx. I play 1cd at a time, I never would have taken the time to learn to Nav, I found the HUD annoying and kept it turned off, I never move the passenger set so throwing a motor into it would be useless, the seats without perforations are quite fine etc.etc,

Not only did I not care to ''Gadget up'' the car but the additional 10k in options would only add 2k three years later at trade time--so you are losing 8 k on them. For any doubters go to Kelly and do the math. My 44k will be worth only 2k less the 54k in 3 years.

CV62

Great points in the thread and each person makes good points. For me it was never about price, but about spoiling myself with the latest and greatest.

Lots of toys I may never need, but no regrets. The NAV has already saved me a few times, and the HUD is actually a great feature once you start using it. Heated seats are useless in Florida, but I expect to use them one day on a winter cruisin event.

I see each series and evolution of the car and want to be a part for every turn. If the C7 has an optional helmet with 3D DIC, I will own it. I'm ok with the techno advances and computers, as long as Microsoft doesn't start supplying OS's. That's the day I go back to a good old Stingray!

bub

Thanks Yellow.

I didn't realize Bose was the option making up the ~$830 delta.

I thought it was standard across the board, basically like it was on the C5.



Also, 1SX looks like a pretty smart move to me...if the goal is capital retention.

-CKB

bub

RE: "For any doubters go to Kelly and do the math. My 44k will be worth only 2k less the 54k in 3 years."

Agreed, but it may be a little harder to sell a 1SX used in 3 years when a guy can get all the upgrades for only ~$2k more...

SHOOTER 49

I usually trade rather then sell the car myself. More often then not ''auction prices'' have much to do with their first offer and then i negotiate upward from there. Often times year and mileage is the prime issue. I agree that many would want the bells and whistles but their are others --like me --who will look at the fact that they are no longer under warranty and may be costly to repair.

One thing I have learned over the years that if you option up a car--which I have done many times---you should not expect to get much more alloted at trade in---in fact the C5'S in Kelly were getting about .20 on the dollar for the options. I would suspect a lot of lesser cars would even do worse.

But having said all that I certainly realize that I stand in the minority and that most buyers do indeed want the electronics. And despite all my bitching about two crank pulley failures, I do applaud GM making a 1SX for either purists or in my case borderline cheapskates They could sell out the run with the 1SB a mandatory option.

OHSIXX

The side air bags will probably cause me to buy 1SA.

need-for-speed

After selling my C5 here on the Corvetteforum, I can tell you that the highly optioned cars do go faster (as do the MN6's and the Z51's). But if you are trading it in vs selling, it's true, it hardly matters. You won't get your option money back if you trade.

My theory on the price delta is very simple. GM knows most of those who want HUD will pay the extra. It's nothing more than a Ben Dover concept. It's just like adding pork barrel spending to good legislation.

LS1LT1

Exactly
This is a high performance sports car, if I wanted all the comfy electronic doodads I'd get a Cadillac. 1SX is lighter (ie: faster/better handling/better stopping even if only slightly), simpler and cheaper.
Sometimes less is more.

SickRick

I too was a little tweaked that I couldn't "cherry pick" the option package, even on a factory order. Or at least a RADIO DELETE option. I "custom ordered" my 01 Suburban, and got it EXACTLY the way I wanted it...

If you're willing to wait on a factory order the 1SB is still a fairly decent option package. But the dealers have OnStar, XM, NAV, Polished Wheels and other fully optioned models that really skyrocket the price, as thier stock orders. I had to search long-n-hard for a plain old MN6/Z51/1SB. Personally I would have ORDERED a 1SX/Z51/MN6 if the Z51 wasn't on a 15-20 week constraint. So I had to search dealer inventory to find a car without all the double-extra-crap that would have driven the price $5K beyond what I could have truly afforded...

Rick

stinky

Exactly...and that's why I ordered the 1SA.

Cisco Vette

If you can afford it, buy it "loaded." If you can't justify it, select the "stripped" model.

Tropical'67

Analysis causes paralysis. Just do it!

C6Harley

I talked to a couple of parts departments and service techs about adding the HUD. In the parts catalog under the heads up display it says "see service dept". there arent even any part numbers or prices.

Does anyone know if it is possible to add? I get a nice discount on Chevy parts and I also only wanted the HUD from the 1sb. I dont care if my passenger has a power seat or if I have a bose system that I would probably pull out and upgrade anyway.

Need 4 Speed

Bottom line is that the 1sb package is nowhere near worth the $4,360 they want and if GM would like to have the vette be looked at like a sports car above the rest and all the same then they need to lower that price and justify it so everybody may want it.

C6Harley

This car can't be marketed like that. This is not a Ford Focus or a Toyota Corolla, this car is a symbol of American muscle, and an icon. If the options were designed for everyone to want them, they would be made into standard features. While I agree the 1sb pricing is a little high, people are paying it. This is not a bargain car and the people who buy them can afford it. GM knows this.

I think it has nothing to do with being looked at as a sports car above the rest. If you price it to cheap everyone will buy it and I wouldnt want it anymore. I dont want a car that everyone has. This car is already a value. I can't believe they didnt bump MSRP higher when the C6 came out.

Just my opinion

TommyV

I'm ordering a 1LT (1SX) I've always loved "strippers."