When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am planning to place an order for a 2017 Corvette. I am considering picking the Corvette up at the Corvette Museum. I want to know if this option is worth the price? I can either pick it up from the dealer for half the price or have it shipped to a local dealer for approx. $350.
To me? No. I've been to the Bowling Green, KY Nat'l. Corvette Museum before. Also, exposing the new Corvette for a possible road-beatin g as it's first jaunt, doesn't appeal to me either. It's potentially very costly doing the whole travel deal on top of the extra$ for the NCM pick up. That said, you could have the car shipped home, to avoid the road beating, and, you'd definitely get value from the whole travel experience!~ For $350.00? That's where I'd be. Do what feels right to you!
Having the factory PDI may be a good argument. All the ego stroking and "appreciation" I could do without.
The delivery charge put on all vehicles is an average cost. They all pay the same if you live in KY or CA or wherever. That's why it's still on the car. Not a trucker's union conspiracy.
You don't have to get Museum Delivery to go and enjoy the museum or take a factory tour. You can go anytime you like as a 1 year membership is included with all new Corvettes. Travel there and hotel for a weekend is a lot less than $1,000.
To me? No. I've been to the Bowling Green, KY Nat'l. Corvette Museum before. Also, exposing the new Corvette for a possible road-beatin g as it's first jaunt, doesn't appeal to me either. It's potentially very costly doing the whole travel deal on top of the extra$ for the NCM pick up. That said, you could have the car shipped home, to avoid the road beating, and, you'd definitely get value from the whole travel experience!~ For $350.00? That's where I'd be. Do what feels right to you!
I don't understand how driving it home from Bowling Green exposes a car designed and built to be driven equates to a Road Beating. Could you please explain what you mean? I actually know somebody that wrecked their new Subaru on the dealer parking lot before even making it to the road! Accident not his fault, tried to give back to dealer but no dice!
I don't understand how driving it home from Bowling Green exposes a car designed and built to be driven equates to a Road Beating. Could you please explain what you mean? I actually know somebody that wrecked their new Subaru on the dealer parking lot before even making it to the road! Accident not his fault, tried to give back to dealer but no dice!
A fellow Corvette owner did the museum pick up, and had not only a road rash beating of his new Corvette, but also laid up with a flat tire. The miles approaching 1,000 ALL Interstate. He swore he'd never do it again. He's also a Chevy dealer Corvette Specialist! If you want to do a museum pick up go for it. YMMV!
That's my point. I'd rather have the NCM guys pick up the car at the factory and keep all the money for the museum. Why add a shipping fee to a vehicle not being shipped? It's basically just way for GM to pad an additional $1k on to the bill.
I'n any case, not looking to start an argument over it. I just think it's a ****** way for GM to treat their customers. I hope to do a museum delivery on my next vette, and I guess it's just the cost of doing business.
Doc,
The NCM charges are another almost $1,000.00 above and beyond the $995.00 Corvette delivery fee every Corvette is charged. Also, the 18 wheeler transport literally drives across the street from the GM Assembly Plant to deliver your Corvette to the NCMuseum. You can't get around the extra grand $ charge. If you've never been to the NCMUSEUM you will love it!
I am confused. I called the museum and was told I had three options.
1 Museum delivery. 2. Build tour. 3. Picture book of your car being built. If you read the website, it states you get a photo book with the regular tour. Can someone who has taken the tour please let what you get with the tour?
There's no photo book with the tour unless you buy it separately. You'll probably get 2-3 photos of you with your car e-mailed to you.
There is a lot good information here. I am not concerned about the miles when driving it back. Heck, I put over 8000 miles on my other C7 in a year. I picked that C7 up from New Hampshire and on the way home spent the night in New York. If I can drive/park in New York, I can certainly drive from Bowling Green. I don't like the idea about paying for destination delivery, but if you wan the opting you have to pay. Thanks for the honest feedback from everyone.
Originally Posted by UsernameProtected
There's no photo book with the tour unless you buy it separately. You'll probably get 2-3 photos of you with your car e-mailed to you.
Thanks for the information. I see by the amount of post that you are not new to this site! I am also a Texan and long time fan of the Corvette with my first being a 1973. From there to a 81 1/2, 1998, and a 2000. Will be placing order in mid to late July for a 2017 3lt z51 loaded out. My wife and I will then hit the road to see our country with the time we have left here on the planet!
Enjoy!!! As you have learned from your multiple vette generation ownerships, each generation keeps getting better and better. I am hoping my job situation improves enough to give me confidence to order a C7 Z06 vert later this year. Likely my last vette purchase as I start closing in on my future retirement.
I am confused. I called the museum and was told I had three options.
1 Museum delivery. 2. Build tour. 3. Picture book of your car being built. If you read the website, it states you get a photo book with the regular tour. Can someone who has taken the tour please let what you get with the tour?
1.) Museum Delivery is $990
2.) Buyer's Tour is $800
3.) Photo Book is $700
You can order any or all but if you order 2 AND 3 that cost is $1300 instead of $1500. See my Post #25 in this thread for more detail on the Buyer's Tour. If you get the BT, you almost have to get the Photo Book as then you not only get tons of photos of your exact car, but also a handful with you in them as well.
Actually, one question that I can't answer is if you get any pictures at all if you take the Buyer's Tour but do not opt for the photo album. I don't believe you would. And since you can't take a camera into the plant, it would really be a shame not to have any.
Feel free to PM me and we can email/talk if you have additional questions.
A fellow Corvette owner did the museum pick up, and had not only a road rash beating of his new Corvette, but also laid up with a flat tire. The miles approaching 1,000 ALL Interstate. He swore he'd never do it again. He's also a Chevy dealer Corvette Specialist! If you want to do a museum pick up go for it. YMMV!
Just an extremely unlucky owner. All of the damage my vettes have suffered have come from driving around home - not from road trips. Three ~900 mile return trips from BG to Houston with my three NCM delivered vettes and not one single scratch. If you are concerned about road rash, you just as well not drive them at all.
My daughter and I picked up our new Z06 at the museum in March. It was a great experience and being able to order the Z06 at a large discount from any dealer rather than a geographically convenient one more than paid for the museum delivery charge, MacMulkin took care of my order in fine fashion. I ordered my Z06 with level 1 aero but had side skirts from ACS sent to the museum where they were installed during PDI to protect the sides during the drive home. We took mostly secondary roads on the 370 mile trip home to allow for proper break-in.
Be careful if you do the Enterprise one way rental and it is best to take it to their lot and check it in. They waited a couple of days to pick mine up from the museum and then tried to charge me for a door ding that happened sometime after I had dropped it off. Fortunately I had a good relationship with the regional manager for my area and he made that problem go away but there is an issue with the car being outside of your control but not yet in Enterprise's possession depending upon when they decide to pick it up and it isn't truly "checked in" until Enterprise recovers it. If you do the one way take it to Enterprise and then have them drop you off at the NCM or your hotel when you get to BG.
That's my point. I'd rather have the NCM guys pick up the car at the factory and keep all the money for the museum. Why add a shipping fee to a vehicle not being shipped? It's basically just way for GM to pad an additional $1k on to the bill.
I'n any case, not looking to start an argument over it. I just think it's a ****** way for GM to treat their customers. I hope to do a museum delivery on my next vette, and I guess it's just the cost of doing business.
It was my understanding, that the cars were loaded on a hauler, then shipped across the street, and unloaded, just as any dealership would be, hence, the reason for she shipping charge?
One thing I have noticed on my trips to the museum is visitors tend to not respect the cars sitting behind the ropes waiting for owners to pick them up. I have seen many people who get too close to the cars and that makes me wonder how many cars are scratched or damaged by museum visitors prior to delivery. I understand the same thing can and probably does happen on a dealer lot but with the museum delivery I would expect a little more protection from potential damage.
A fellow Corvette owner did the museum pick up, and had not only a road rash beating of his new Corvette, but also laid up with a flat tire. The miles approaching 1,000 ALL Interstate. He swore he'd never do it again. He's also a Chevy dealer Corvette Specialist! If you want to do a museum pick up go for it. YMMV!
A friend ordered a new 2010 GS(his first new Corvette) and went with the museum delivery, buyer's tour and the photo album(a surprise to him as it was a surprise birthday gift from his wife). He went to see his car being built, and two week later, he drove his SUV with his enclosed car hauler to Bowling Green to get his new GS home safely.
Three weeks after getting his GS home, we drove to Talladega to run our Corvettes around the track. On the way down there(500 miles) he took a rock to the windshield and received a huge bulls eye. Of course he also got a few nicks in the front bumper and around the rear brake scoop.
People keep saying that the assembly plant is across the street. It's actually over a mile, not 500 feet. Google estimates a 25 min walk. The cars are loaded in the back lot as noted, and delivered to the back of the NCM.
Every car sold in the U.S. has a destination charge - it's part of the cost.
The NCM does not belong to GM - it's a non-profit. The Delivery fee is for all the amenities you get on YOUR DAY.
Cost is crazy and I have a hard time telling non-Corvette folks what it costs...so I don't!
Having said that, TOTALLY WORTH IT! I did the Buyers Tour and the Museum Delivery. We drove home to Seattle area via Route 66 and had a ball. Money comes and goes, but memories last forever.
I don't have season football tickets which many now have seat rights of $2,500 per seat or more on top the cost of the tickets. It's all relative to what makes .....YOU happy.
