View Poll Results: What is your interest in the 2011 'base' Corvette?
I have ordered a 2011 'base' model Corvette
2
1.67%
I plan to order a 2011 'base' model Corvette
10
8.33%
I want to buy a 'base' model Corvette off the lot
6
5.00%
I have no interest in the 'base' model Corvette
102
85.00%
Voters: 120. You may not vote on this poll
2011 'base' Corvette
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
2011 'base' Corvette
Over the last year since the GS has arrived, the chatter about the base Corvette has dropped to almost total silence. I'm trying to gauge interest in this model continuing.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,989
Likes: 2,691
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I have no interest in the base Corvette because the Z51 suspension and A6 performance axle are no longer available in the base. And I'm p!ssed about that. The only current alternative is to get a GS for something like $4k more.
If the GS F55 suspension gives the P/S cooler like the Z51 did in the 2009 and earlier base car, then I might consider a GS with F55. If not, that means they're not really serious about it and I'll be keeping my 2009 base A6 Z51 for a very long time. If someone steals it, I'll find a good used one.
If the GS F55 suspension gives the P/S cooler like the Z51 did in the 2009 and earlier base car, then I might consider a GS with F55. If not, that means they're not really serious about it and I'll be keeping my 2009 base A6 Z51 for a very long time. If someone steals it, I'll find a good used one.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Jul 19, 2010 at 01:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
I'm afraid were I in the market for a new Corvette I would find a 2009 quickly before the Z51s are gone. Even if I had to buy used. I wouldn't have a car with those ugly fish fins on the side. Certainly not pay over $4K more!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Where I live, I see Corvettes all the time. And the reality is that more than half the ones I see you can pretty much tell are being driven by people who just aren't the fanatics we are.
Heck, I have a brother in law who has a 2008 Corvette that I helped him buy. I would not be surprised at all if he didn't even know what a Grand Sport is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,197
From: Ft. Myers FL
Actually, you can buy Z51 sways for less than 200 bucks and add them to the base. In the old model, unless you were getting the M6, there really wasn't a lot of advantage to getting the Z51. The gearing of the A6 was the same. The drilled brakes were nice, but the tires, even though stickier wear out a lot quicker. I think they'll continue the base because it still is a great car. Plus, not everyone can afford the difference. Although, if I was buying a new Vette, I'd probably go for the GS but that's because it looks good.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
Since I'm not in the market I guess your poll excludes me, but here's my $0.02:
The base is $49K
The GS is $55K
That's $6K which in my book is pretty significant.
I don't think the base is going away for the simple reason that IT'S THE REAL PERFORMANCE VALUE of the bunch. When people say it's a 'base' there is an unfair stigma tied to it when in reality that thing is loaded compared to many other cars on the market. And if you really want to add some option, like HUD, you can do it later a la carte and get way more bang for the buck because you aren't forced to buy other stuff that's bundled. Sure, I wish you could just order the options that way, but that's not the case.
If I were in the market for a new one today, it would be a GS simply because I like the wide body look. Doing that after the fact would quickly eat up the price difference so in that respect the GS is the bargain. But if I were not a WB fan, I could live quite comfortably with a base model and keep the $6K for a rainy day.
The base is $49K
The GS is $55K
That's $6K which in my book is pretty significant.
I don't think the base is going away for the simple reason that IT'S THE REAL PERFORMANCE VALUE of the bunch. When people say it's a 'base' there is an unfair stigma tied to it when in reality that thing is loaded compared to many other cars on the market. And if you really want to add some option, like HUD, you can do it later a la carte and get way more bang for the buck because you aren't forced to buy other stuff that's bundled. Sure, I wish you could just order the options that way, but that's not the case.
If I were in the market for a new one today, it would be a GS simply because I like the wide body look. Doing that after the fact would quickly eat up the price difference so in that respect the GS is the bargain. But if I were not a WB fan, I could live quite comfortably with a base model and keep the $6K for a rainy day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 258
From: Lockport NY
I would really have no interest in a "new" base Vette. The '06 has the
Z51 package, and after buying the '10 Grand Sport, that would be the only way to go for me in the future (meaning when my wife gets tired of her '06 Vel. Yellow Vert, which is not going to happen any time soon).
Z51 package, and after buying the '10 Grand Sport, that would be the only way to go for me in the future (meaning when my wife gets tired of her '06 Vel. Yellow Vert, which is not going to happen any time soon).
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix Arizona
I would love to order a new loaded coupe but the reality is the base model has most of what I need (as opposed to what I want). Like the poster above I would rather add HUD, sway bars, etc after the fact for the cost savings.
I'm hoping to buy a new or used GS in the next six months and would be thrilled to own even the base model.
I'm hoping to buy a new or used GS in the next six months and would be thrilled to own even the base model.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 4
I think there is a viable market for the base car, but you have to remember that people who are on the forum on a regular basis are more of the die hards.
Where I live, I see Corvettes all the time. And the reality is that more than half the ones I see you can pretty much tell are being driven by people who just aren't the fanatics we are.
Heck, I have a brother in law who has a 2008 Corvette that I helped him buy. I would not be surprised at all if he didn't even know what a Grand Sport is.
Where I live, I see Corvettes all the time. And the reality is that more than half the ones I see you can pretty much tell are being driven by people who just aren't the fanatics we are.
Heck, I have a brother in law who has a 2008 Corvette that I helped him buy. I would not be surprised at all if he didn't even know what a Grand Sport is.
Most of the time, if I go to a "meet", I run into other Forum members with the aftermarket add-on's. Otherwise, all I see is stock Vette's.Jeff
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
I started this because I am often surprised at just how quickly the desire for the 'base' car has gone away..at least on CF. I don't like to call it 'base' but don't know what else to call it to distinguish it from other models.
I'm with those who still think there is a lower price point market for this car when the economy improves and would hate to see GM kill it off.
I'm with those who still think there is a lower price point market for this car when the economy improves and would hate to see GM kill it off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: North Shore MA
I think there is still a market for the base car. You can still get a 1LT corvette in the 40's. It takes alot more money to touch a GS. I'm not sure what a 3LT base coupe costs these days. The GS is still the new thing considering the base vette has been around since 05 and Z06 since 06.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I started this because I am often surprised at just how quickly the desire for the 'base' car has gone away..at least on CF. I don't like to call it 'base' but don't know what else to call it to distinguish it from other models.
I'm with those who still think there is a lower price point market for this car when the economy improves and would hate to see GM kill it off.
I'm with those who still think there is a lower price point market for this car when the economy improves and would hate to see GM kill it off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville, NC
I started this because I am often surprised at just how quickly the desire for the 'base' car has gone away..at least on CF. I don't like to call it 'base' but don't know what else to call it to distinguish it from other models.
I'm with those who still think there is a lower price point market for this car when the economy improves and would hate to see GM kill it off.
I'm with those who still think there is a lower price point market for this car when the economy improves and would hate to see GM kill it off.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 14
From: Iowa
Sure wish I was able to drive the autobahn!