2016 Constraints....AGAIN!!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 172
Likes: 4
From: MD
Steve_R. Allow me to explain. Nothing against the large Forum dealers. As a matter of fact, I purchased my 2013 GS from Mike Furman, Criswell Chevy. The issue is my trade. The cost to ship my trade negates any savings I will inquire. My local dealer honors Supplier Pricing on the 2016. I suspect the issue is not Z51 parts constraints, but having a Z51 allocation. He has a confirmed Stingray allocation. The question is, is it for a Z51 or non Z51.
Seems like a simple solution to me, but I'm not sure why else you would be avoiding one of the large dealers when you've bought a car from one of them before.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,127
Likes: 1,656
From: Atlantic City NJ
Dave, you are in the business and know it better than I. However, the perception and reality is, Corvette ordering system is terrible as it relates to constraints, allocation, etc. IMO...!!! The entire experience of trying to place an order for a Z06, then switch to, what I thought would be a less painful experience ordering a Stingray Z51!!!!!!
Don't go into your Cadillac dealer blind. They will have many of the same issues on a V as you see ordering a Corvette. As long as you are aware of it ahead of time you won't get blindside.
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,281
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
OP having had a couple of Cadi's and a couple of Corvettes.......... one thing I know.......all cars depreciate but you will take a beating on the Cadi. Will more then erase any savings you will get going local in the long run.
Bottom line GM is making business decisions everyday. We're not privy to how or why or know the details. Assuming most of us plop down more money for one of these buggies then I paid for my first house......... I guess I trust their business decisions since I enjoy the car so much.
Bottom line GM is making business decisions everyday. We're not privy to how or why or know the details. Assuming most of us plop down more money for one of these buggies then I paid for my first house......... I guess I trust their business decisions since I enjoy the car so much.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 1,593
In US, car dealers are independent businesses who own a franchise. GM has no direct control over dealers... dealers have an exclusive right to buy cars directly from GM, and sell them at retail.
GM must plan their production based on commitments from dealers to "buy" a certain number of cars... Dealers may call this an "allocation".
When a "hot" car like the Corvette exceeds sales expectations, the dealers may whine that they cannot get more cars, but when a car bombs... (can you say "Aztec") the same dealers will whine that GM is shoving unsalable cars down their throat...
It's a two-edged sword.
If the C7 had been a dud, all those big national dealers would be choking on unsold $50K cars... they're taking the risk.
GM must plan their production based on commitments from dealers to "buy" a certain number of cars... Dealers may call this an "allocation".
When a "hot" car like the Corvette exceeds sales expectations, the dealers may whine that they cannot get more cars, but when a car bombs... (can you say "Aztec") the same dealers will whine that GM is shoving unsalable cars down their throat...
It's a two-edged sword.
If the C7 had been a dud, all those big national dealers would be choking on unsold $50K cars... they're taking the risk.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
Steve_R. Allow me to explain. Nothing against the large Forum dealers. As a matter of fact, I purchased my 2013 GS from Mike Furman, Criswell Chevy. The issue is my trade. The cost to ship my trade negates any savings I will inquire. My local dealer honors Supplier Pricing on the 2016. I suspect the issue is not Z51 parts constraints, but having a Z51 allocation. He has a confirmed Stingray allocation. The question is, is it for a Z51 or non Z51.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,081
Likes: 17,937
From: DFW Area TX
Long before the C7 was even introduced to the public, Chevy dealers were told that their allocations would be based on the final year C6 sales. Remember, at that time, C6 sales were very low and were selling at huge discounts. Some dealers worked their butts off selling these C6's so they could get large numbers of C7's. These dealers took extra allocations that other dealers didn't want. Many dealers didn't bother trying to sell any C6's.
So. those that don't get many C7 allocations are just paying the price for not making an effort to sell those C6's. Those that did are being rewarded. Everyone knew the consequences long before the C7 burst onto the scene.
So. those that don't get many C7 allocations are just paying the price for not making an effort to sell those C6's. Those that did are being rewarded. Everyone knew the consequences long before the C7 burst onto the scene.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 894
Likes: 5
Exactly right but I think Chevy used the two previous model years to set the guide number which is why there was the initial number for the top 900 dealers and then midway through the year the second round that added to the top 900 but also added in the next 1100 dealers. By my reckoning that means 2000 Chevy dealers got an actual allocation and the rest got none. Not a single one. For over a thousand dealers. Of course there were training and tool requirements to justify so many dealers not getting a single useable allocation, but that's another story.
Laborsmith
Laborsmith
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 90
From: Hillsdale NJ
You numbers are way off. Its $55 per MPG per passenger vehicle sold in the US.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
How much of a gas mileage difference is the Z51 vs base? Doesn't the manual have the same final drive figures for at least the high gears and maybe all. I know the A8 in the Z51 has a higher rear end ratio but based on my experience with the C6 it really didn't matter. Both tires are the same width and the car is pretty much the same body otherwise. I'm guessing CAFE bases a lot of MPG ratings on estimates, which were done in a factory before. Then they guesstimate on options such as the Z51.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 894
Likes: 5
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
From: http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/regulations.htm#test
Tests are conducted in a laboratory by operating vehicles on a dynamometer. EPA administers the testing program that generates the fuel economy data.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Funny, folks dismiss the difference in fuel mileage between a Z51 and non-Z51. Let's look at from another perspective, what are the GM documented performance differences?
Seems to me a non-Z51 Stingray is a dam fine car for the vast majority of owners that will NEVER track their car. For the few that do, I say buy a Z06.
Seems to me a non-Z51 Stingray is a dam fine car for the vast majority of owners that will NEVER track their car. For the few that do, I say buy a Z06.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 281
Likes: 43
From: Gainesville GA
If you do decide to go the Cadillac route I think you'll love it. My XLR-V was fantastic. Another real plus is that you'll have a whole different (read better) experience with a quality Cadillac dealer than with the typical Chevy dealer. The latter just doesn't know how to treat customers who spend $75 or $80K on a world-class car.
As the price of our Corvettes escalate I have often thought that we (the customer) would be better served if the Corvette brand was a Cadillac!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 1,593
Funny, folks dismiss the difference in fuel mileage between a Z51 and non-Z51. Let's look at from another perspective, what are the GM documented performance differences?
Seems to me a non-Z51 Stingray is a dam fine car for the vast majority of owners that will NEVER track their car. For the few that do, I say buy a Z06.
Seems to me a non-Z51 Stingray is a dam fine car for the vast majority of owners that will NEVER track their car. For the few that do, I say buy a Z06.
The Z51 package is for the track... it give no real benefit to a street car.
The OPs car... a 3LT Convertible Z51 is not a configuration that anybody would order for the track... IMHO, the Z51 option on this car is t*ts on a bull, but it's his money, and he should be able to buy what he wants...
But to whine about constraints on Z51... well...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,353
Likes: 100
From: And then it was said... "let there be blue Corvettes and yellow Camaros" Ft Worth Texas
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Well there are for sure some like me who do not wish to track their Z51 but who surely enjoy the Z51 features on back road cruises. Probably over half my miles will be on "spirited" Texas back roads just like my previous 2006 C6 Z51 was. I have driven non Z51 Corvettes on some of these cruises and for my satisfaction and pure driving experience the Z51 is my preference.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
From: http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/regulations.htm#test
Tests are conducted in a laboratory by operating vehicles on a dynamometer. EPA administers the testing program that generates the fuel economy data.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
