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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:01 PM
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Default Roof Differences?

Sorry for all the questions, but I searched and couldn't find thread that covered this.

What is the difference between a transparent roof panel for $2100 and a transparent roof panel for $995?
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:06 PM
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If you're referring to the $995 charge on a new car order, that price covers the "upgrade" from the standard painted panel to the transparent one. In such case, you don't get the painted one.

If you buy a transparent one for $2100 (such as from a dealer's parts department), you're buying the panel outright while still keeping your original one.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by mpuzach
If you're referring to the $995 charge on a new car order, that price covers the "upgrade" from the standard painted panel to the transparent one. In such case, you don't get the painted one.

If you buy a transparent one for $2100 (such as from a dealer's parts department), you're buying the panel outright while still keeping your original one.
Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. The $995 one is listed under options and the $2100 roof is listed under accessories. I got it now.

Thanks
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:16 PM
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What's interesting to me is that GM charges an additional $995 to switch from the standard painted carbon fiber panel to the optional transparent one; I'd have thought that the painted carbon fiber panel would cost considerably more to produce. It seems like a ripoff to me.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:17 PM
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Just like they charge $500 for the black wheels, but they're actually cheaper than the standard silver wheels
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Kracka
Just like they charge $500 for the black wheels, but they're actually cheaper than the standard silver wheels
As far as cars, the bottom line is the C7 is one of the best values for your money ever. Sure you have options where the $ don't make sense but, bottom line the C7 offers great value for your money.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Kracka
Just like they charge $500 for the black wheels, but they're actually cheaper than the standard silver wheels
Good point. I never understood how they justified charging more to paint them black instead of silver, other than the odd fact that people are willing to pay it. Just like they justify charging extra to paint brake calipers red or yellow vs. black.

On later years of the C6 you could pay extra ($500, I believe) to have the headlight assemblies painted a different color from the rest of the car. The offering of the different colors was a great idea but let's face it, the $500 was 100% profit. Still, plenty of people paid it.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by JDM111er
As far as cars, the bottom line is the C7 is one of the best values for your money ever. Sure you have options where the $ don't make sense but, bottom line the C7 offers great value for your money.
No argument with that. Maybe charging extra for some of these options that don't really cost them more is part of how GM is able to provide such an excellent overall value. If that's the case, I'll be the last to complain.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:40 PM
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You really have "Options" with the C7 and I understand most of them. The only real heartburn I have is having to order the performance recorder with the navigation system. You can get Nav for $495 on the Camaro and it cost almost $2000 on the Corvette.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Ernest_T
You really have "Options" with the C7 and I understand most of them. The only real heartburn I have is having to order the performance recorder with the navigation system. You can get Nav for $495 on the Camaro and it cost almost $2000 on the Corvette.
It's interesting how people are different. I assume I'm in the minority, but I want the PDR and not the Nav. I can sorta' see why they make me get Nav though.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mpuzach
Good point. I never understood how they justified charging more to paint them black instead of silver, other than the odd fact that people are willing to pay it. Just like they justify charging extra to paint brake calipers red or yellow vs. black.

On later years of the C6 you could pay extra ($500, I believe) to have the headlight assemblies painted a different color from the rest of the car. The offering of the different colors was a great idea but let's face it, the $500 was 100% profit. Still, plenty of people paid it.
Probably not 100% profit due in part to extra handling,inventory cost,etc.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mracer14
Probably not 100% profit due in part to extra handling,inventory cost,etc.
No, I think it is all profit. They are paying those guys whether they are painting red or black...or not painting the same hourly rate.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by mpuzach
What's interesting to me is that GM charges an additional $995 to switch from the standard painted carbon fiber panel to the optional transparent one; I'd have thought that the painted carbon fiber panel would cost considerably more to produce. It seems like a ripoff to me.
I believe you may have a point. In order to get my 2015 in a timely manner, due to the unending 35% constraint on painted tops, I had to go with the transparent top, which I don't really care for. Therefore, I'm intending to order an unpainted top w/o hardware (the only way it's available) from my dealer . The unpainted carbon fiber top is $1750.00, list price, without any hardware, weatherstripping, or headliner.
Now for the interesting part: Just for the heck of it, I checked the price for the transparent top, again minus hardware and weatherstripping, and it is only $995.00, list. It's hard to see how the transparent top is a $1,000.00 option when it actually sells for $750.00 less than the carbon fiber top.
I'm not much on conspiracy theories, but the painted roof constraint situation causes one to think GM might have a warehouse full of unsold transparent tops they need to unload because they're not selling as many as expected. Was there a constraint on the painted tops in 2014? If not, what changed with the 2015's? I'm not going to lose sleep over it, but I agree with you that the pricing does seem rather suspect.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 04:06 PM
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What makes people think that option costs are based solely on the cost to GM? You can bet that they won't price an option below their cost, but the price is going to reflect what they think the market will bear.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Zymurgy
What makes people think that option costs are based solely on the cost to GM? You can bet that they won't price an option below their cost, but the price is going to reflect what they think the market will bear.
A long time ago I was in the business and the manufacturers made more money on options than the vehicle itself. Margin on the options was twice that of the vehicle.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 05:35 PM
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there absolutely was a constraint on painted tops in 2014. I would not get too deep on trying to do the math here , there are other options (non OEM) that can get you CF top for less but you take a huge chance...I feel ya though
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 05:52 PM
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I ordered my 2014 in February and at that time the painted tops were not on constraint.....and if they were I would have waited!
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Stakinjctd540
I believe you may have a point. In order to get my 2015 in a timely manner, due to the unending 35% constraint on painted tops, I had to go with the transparent top, which I don't really care for. Therefore, I'm intending to order an unpainted top w/o hardware (the only way it's available) from my dealer . The unpainted carbon fiber top is $1750.00, list price, without any hardware, weatherstripping, or headliner.
Now for the interesting part: Just for the heck of it, I checked the price for the transparent top, again minus hardware and weatherstripping, and it is only $995.00, list. It's hard to see how the transparent top is a $1,000.00 option when it actually sells for $750.00 less than the carbon fiber top.
I'm not much on conspiracy theories, but the painted roof constraint situation causes one to think GM might have a warehouse full of unsold transparent tops they need to unload because they're not selling as many as expected. Was there a constraint on the painted tops in 2014? If not, what changed with the 2015's? I'm not going to lose sleep over it, but I agree with you that the pricing does seem rather suspect.
My friend can get GM parts at discount so I bought the clear top 995.00
from the dealer for 700.00.

Then found out it's 620 dollars more for the gaskets and hardware
to use it. You just get a blank clear top for 995.00.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by rdrnr
I ordered my 2014 in February and at that time the painted tops were not on constraint.....and if they were I would have waited!
Painted top is a must. Clear is ok for once is a while for a day or two.
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by hawkgfr
No, I think it is all profit. They are paying those guys whether they are painting red or black...or not painting the same hourly rate.
There is a lot more to the cost structure than just paint labor.

Last edited by mracer14; Nov 20, 2014 at 07:47 PM.
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