ctusser

Is this some super light weight paint that saves 1/100th of an ounce? What would be so special about painting such a small part a different color that would add such a significant cost increase?

newskatercat

595

Nitrous Oxide

It's the cost of the snob effect. You have to pay to play.

ArcticC7

No Its GM robbing you out of $600. That simple.

ctusser

OK, is that the cost? I was pulling the info from the corvette home page link which breaks down the option pricing as follows:

As shown at the North American International Auto Show, the Stingray coupe fitted with the major available options would be $73,360, including:
-3LT interior package, with leather-wrapped interior ($8,005)
-Z51 Performance Package ($2,800)
-Competition sports seats ($2,495)
-Exposed-carbon-fiber roof panel ($1,995)
-Magnetic Ride Control with Performance Traction Management ($1,795)
-Dual-mode exhaust system ($1,195)
-Carbon fiber interior trim ($995)
-Sueded, microfiber wrapped upper interior trim ($995)
-Red-painted calipers ($995)
-Black-painted wheels ($495)

Still, even $600 seems pretty steep for such a minor change. But I get it, if I don't like it I don't have to order it.

gthal

See what other manufacturers charge (Porsche as an example)... no one is being robbed by GM. It is the cost you pay to customize. If you don't want to pay it, then don't... don't you love choice

WantaC7

lol yip, I want to look good in my torch red C7 Im going to get them. just think divided by 4 its only $148.75

C5Z

My guess, is to attract interest GM priced the base car near the break even point and built the profit margin into the options.

-CM-

Compared to the $5000 custom VIN option, $600 for other-colored calipers seems like a bargain.

But I'm glad I like the default black calipers (Z51).

gthal

Agreed and a sound decision IMO. Let folks get into the car inexpensively and make them pay to option it out. If someone really just wanted the performance, get a C7 Z51 1LT for mid $50s and call it a day!

Matt26

Paint them yourself with a caliper paint kit that costs $50, one of the easiest mods if you still have 2 hands (legs optional).

Snorman

I think it's more than just painting the calipers yellow or red.
The Brembos on a few of my cars are nicely powdercoated, and it's very durable, unlike spray paint, lol.
S.

ArcticC7

vs what the nice black powder coat you get for free?

Kingspoke

Very astute points indeed! While some will simply go for getting the performance and body style, many more will want more ammenities and the low entry price will get them going a little deeper in the pocket.

Also I think the very affordable entry level price & updated styling will bring in more young people, and therefore a greater production than the C6.

Snorman

Good point.

I guess when you put it that way, $595 for a different color seems pretty silly.
S.

ctusser

Oh you mean one employee doesn't have to spend all day stripping a black coated one and then recoating in a different color that would cost GM $350 in material and labor only to make a $250 profit? But the actual profit is $600?

sam90lx

Im sure they are in a raw finish to begin with. All day stripping process....you make it sound like those are done in a sweat shop in China...ok, possible?

C5Z

No, you were $5 over the cost increase and you have to estimate some loss in an extra storage bin and the associated labor with that, not to mention occasionally switching over to do a run in a different color. Actual profit is probably only in the $580-$585 range.

JW Motorsports

People pay for it so they offer it. Easy money

jimmyb

The problem with doing it yourself on the C7 is that it looks like the "Corvette" logo is flush with the caliper, unlike the C6 caliper that had the logo raised so you paint the whole thing and then sand the logo clean. Maybe someone at the bash can confirm the Corvette logo is flush on the caliper.

Jimmy