Used to be in the old days, you could count on a car's model year to begin sometime in the fall. Now, auto manufacturers are releasing new models what seems like all year round. My questions are:

When exactly does a new model year for the Corvette begin? Does it begin when the new Vette is unveiled every year? When the dealerships receive the actual cars? Or when the dealership begins to take orders on the new car?

I have a 2005. When the 2008 is debuted this Saturday, does that mean that the car industry considers my car to be three model years old then? Or when?

Is the old 12,000 miles per year still the standard acceptable mileage for cars? If so, do the dealerships judge my mileage according to what month it is? Since I have only 17,000 miles on my Vette, that would mean that this Saturday when the new 2008 is debuted, that my car would be acceptable or average to have 36,000 miles on it, which would make my car low-mileage.

Anyone have any answers to these questions? Thanks!

 

That's mostly just information about the 2008s (and possibly some early-built models) that's going to debut this Saturday. Actual production build for sale starts in June, don't know the exact date. GM starts taking dealers' orders for 2008s about the first of May. First 2008s will probably delivered to customers about late July or first of August.

 

I think that 12k is kinda outdated for most cars, but not for a vette. it seems fair.

Even though production for 2005 began in 2004, its still a 2005 and should be counted from that time. technically, i guess it depends when your particular car was made.

whats ur real question?

 

Ahh- just get the 2008 and be done with it, don't sweat the details! ha ha jk Seriously though, there are real answers to your questions, but they are subjective answers that the dealer will attempt to manipulate in his favor no matter what the situation is. If you are in the market for a 2008, the best time to buy is when the 2009's start hitting the lots. As for your car, go to KBB and see what the expected mileage comes up as when you are ready to deal.

 

I can't believe nobody knows the answers to these questions, how about the dealers? Surely they know.............

 

Yup...In another 3 months when the 2008's hit the ground your car will be 3 model years old. Typically appraisal books come out every quarter so new values may not be reflected until the fall issue of NADA, HOWEVER, appraisals are now done in real time...Dealers scan the weekly auction results to determine current value so those $$$ will probably reflect the impact of the model changeover (which is now). Your car is like a piece of meat to them...Just a commodity. Low miles are desirable and will reflect in a higher value, but if you think a dealer is going to go through an intricate calculation to figure it out down to the penny, you're mistaken. Enthusiast cars typically rack up fewer miles than daily drivers. Your car may be closer to the average corvette going across the auction block than you think. It is what it is...a used car.

 

Most dealers use Galves and current regional auction results for their pricing guide on used cars, not the internet. I don't remember the actual mileage figures but the pricing is determined by base figures according to the type of vehicle, I believe that the Corvette falls into around 6,000 miles a year as do some other type of luxury sport type vehicles do.

 

I'd say yes on mileage (12K) and yes on model years (3 model years old).* Lot of other factors come into play tho, such as how high a demand is there for your car. If you're selling a Vette in Sioux Falls, maybe not so much offered as in say, Lubbock.

*in fact, some dealers/auctioneers might even consider it to be 4 model years old since as soon as the new one hits the ground, it, too, is a used car should it go up for re-sale. strange logic, but works for them on down-pricing a used car and getting closer to more profit. gee, aren't you surprised?