New Corvette Sales Drop a Daunting 12 Percent
05-19-2017, 02:34 AM
#81
Wow . . . you really need a reality check. A 1 out of 100 defect rate in a single component is a good way to lose a lot of customers and is very rare by today's standards.
Given all the components on modern vehicles 1 out of 100 on every component would put you out of business.
Given all the components on modern vehicles 1 out of 100 on every component would put you out of business.
An auto slushbox is one of, if not THE, most complex component in a car.
Like the LT family of engines, the A8 has to be broken in correctly in order to have any decent chance at longevity.
GM gives very specific instructions on how to do so in the manual that owners are SUPPOSED to read.
We have already seen what happens when new owners disregard break-in instructions with LTs (of course, they come on this site after the fact and complain when the thing detonates
)...No doubt some A8 failures can be laid at the doorsteps of guys who jump in their new car and drive it directly to the track.
OK, I have gone on long enough...
I am now officially and positively done posting in this thread (after boring the **** out of everyone here).
See ya on the other side.
05-19-2017, 10:02 AM
#82
Here's my theory:
Assuming Sunsalem is an A8 owner, he is motivated to dispel the fact the A8 is problematic, because he feels all the negativity around the A8 may impact the resale value or at least hamper the sales process of his C7 (A8) when the time comes in the future for him to sell it.
Assuming Sunsalem is an A8 owner, he is motivated to dispel the fact the A8 is problematic, because he feels all the negativity around the A8 may impact the resale value or at least hamper the sales process of his C7 (A8) when the time comes in the future for him to sell it.
05-19-2017, 10:21 AM
#83
Le Mans Master
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Here's my theory:
Assuming Sunsalem is an A8 owner, he is motivated to dispel the fact the A8 is problematic, because he feels all the negativity around the A8 may impact the resale value or at least hamper the sales process of his C7 (A8) when the time comes in the future for him to sell it.
Assuming Sunsalem is an A8 owner, he is motivated to dispel the fact the A8 is problematic, because he feels all the negativity around the A8 may impact the resale value or at least hamper the sales process of his C7 (A8) when the time comes in the future for him to sell it.
Something about the power band being different and the Zo6 does not go into V4 mode as much as the Stingray and GS.......
Last edited by Always Red Dave; 05-19-2017 at 10:22 AM.
05-19-2017, 10:25 AM
#84
Le Mans Master
No doubt, but only one of them helps GM sales, and that is the one with the "fluffy" MSRP.
Even if the sales were cash, some will prefer to buy a "$50k car for $40k" rather than a "$40k car for $40k", even if they are the same car.
So, yes, unsophisticated buyers, thinking they can get something for nothing. Who do you think is out there buying up all the lottery tix every day?
Even if the sales were cash, some will prefer to buy a "$50k car for $40k" rather than a "$40k car for $40k", even if they are the same car.
So, yes, unsophisticated buyers, thinking they can get something for nothing. Who do you think is out there buying up all the lottery tix every day?
05-19-2017, 10:57 AM
#85
Gilbert, I am jumping into the A8 frenzy after a great performing 2014 Z51 A6 vert ! The only difference it is a new just built Z06 A8 VERT. I have not read much problems with the A8 in the Z06 section so maybe I will get lucky I hope! Something about the power band being different and the Zo6 does not go into V4 mode as much as the Stingray and GS.......
Something about the power band being different and the Zo6 does not go into V4 mode as much as the Stingray and GS.......
heard.
05-19-2017, 01:12 PM
#86
Huge incentives on new Corvettes do little to attract buyers to the American sports car.
Read the rest on the Corvette Forum homepage. >>
05-19-2017, 01:38 PM
#91
The reasons for this are really related to economics and demographics.
1. Middle-aged baby boomers, who have been the Vette's traditional market, are aging out of their sports car buying years. They're retiring and have to be concerned with being on a fixed income or they just want something more comfortable.
2. Gen X, who are basically approaching or in their prime sports-car buying years, are a much smaller demographic than the baby boomers, so there are fewer prospective buyers out there.
3. Millennials just don't have the money to buy the car. They make something like 20% less than their parents' did while being saddled with higher housing, education, and health care costs.
4. Younger enthusiasts who DO want a sports car may not have grown up wanting a Corvette. They grew up in an era of German and Japanese dominance, so they may prefer an M3, 911, or an STI.
5. Used Corvettes are just too good of a value. A lot of younger enthusiasts have recognized that buying a brand new car is a terrible idea, so they'd rather wait 4-5 years and buy the car they want after it has already taken it's depreciation hit. I mean, I paid $30k for my CPO 2012 w/27k miles. That's a hell of a lot of car for the price of a well-optioned Accord.
1. Middle-aged baby boomers, who have been the Vette's traditional market, are aging out of their sports car buying years. They're retiring and have to be concerned with being on a fixed income or they just want something more comfortable.
2. Gen X, who are basically approaching or in their prime sports-car buying years, are a much smaller demographic than the baby boomers, so there are fewer prospective buyers out there.
3. Millennials just don't have the money to buy the car. They make something like 20% less than their parents' did while being saddled with higher housing, education, and health care costs.
4. Younger enthusiasts who DO want a sports car may not have grown up wanting a Corvette. They grew up in an era of German and Japanese dominance, so they may prefer an M3, 911, or an STI.
5. Used Corvettes are just too good of a value. A lot of younger enthusiasts have recognized that buying a brand new car is a terrible idea, so they'd rather wait 4-5 years and buy the car they want after it has already taken it's depreciation hit. I mean, I paid $30k for my CPO 2012 w/27k miles. That's a hell of a lot of car for the price of a well-optioned Accord.
05-19-2017, 01:42 PM
#92
Le Mans Master
Look, I cannot afford a new Corvette plus I love the one I have so I'm not buying another one in a while. Even with discounts all cars have been creeping up & up price wise so unless GM comes out with a new gimmick, we'll have to wait until the next generation. 
05-19-2017, 02:26 PM
#93
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05-19-2017, 03:17 PM
#94
Melting Slicks
Guys, guys.... guys. I thought I cleared this up days ago :
"A large supply of used cars drive used prices down to the point where buying new doesn't make sense."
carry on.
"A large supply of used cars drive used prices down to the point where buying new doesn't make sense."
carry on.
Last edited by tcinla; 05-19-2017 at 03:17 PM.
05-19-2017, 03:58 PM
#95
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More so than supply is price. GM estimates used-car prices nationally sank 7% in the first Q, the steepest drop in recent years. Not necessarily Corvette prices but used-car prices generally. Weaker used-car prices siphon away sales of new cars. Also makes leases more expensive for companies.
05-19-2017, 04:12 PM
#96
Le Mans Master
I found a used GS I wanted- exactly color, trim, options, etc.
However it was more than the car new with current incentives (not much). The dealer said yeah he knew, and I suggested I buy new because the used car dealer didn't want to take a loss on the used one.
I guess you never lose money as long as it's sitting on the lot
However it was more than the car new with current incentives (not much). The dealer said yeah he knew, and I suggested I buy new because the used car dealer didn't want to take a loss on the used one.
I guess you never lose money as long as it's sitting on the lot
05-19-2017, 04:23 PM
#97
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I found a used GS I wanted- exactly color, trim, options, etc.
However it was more than the car new with current incentives (not much). The dealer said yeah he knew, and I suggested I buy new because the used car dealer didn't want to take a loss on the used one.
I guess you never lose money as long as it's sitting on the lot
However it was more than the car new with current incentives (not much). The dealer said yeah he knew, and I suggested I buy new because the used car dealer didn't want to take a loss on the used one.
I guess you never lose money as long as it's sitting on the lot
05-19-2017, 04:39 PM
#98
While the used car market might be a part of the downward sales I don't think it is as large as previous posts have made it out to be. I also don't think Im alone that many corvette buyers don't buy used especially for a sportscar. Its not all about the unknowns of a used car history either. I think at the price levels were talking about for most new vettes (guessing 70 to 80K out the door average for the mid level model) you want a car that is close to exactly how you want it with very few compromises. Sure there are buyers who are right on the edge affordability wise where it makes much more sense to choose second hand cars but IMO it would be a small minority. The C7 is a good deal at MRSP and an even better deal with discounts. Am I wrong to believe new corvette owners are not as price sensitive when buying their dream cars? 
05-19-2017, 06:25 PM
#99
Melting Slicks
I found a used GS I wanted- exactly color, trim, options, etc.
However it was more than the car new with current incentives (not much). The dealer said yeah he knew, and I suggested I buy new because the used car dealer didn't want to take a loss on the used one.
I guess you never lose money as long as it's sitting on the lot
However it was more than the car new with current incentives (not much). The dealer said yeah he knew, and I suggested I buy new because the used car dealer didn't want to take a loss on the used one.
I guess you never lose money as long as it's sitting on the lot
05-19-2017, 06:39 PM
#100
Burning Brakes
This A8 is problematic idea is an internet myth invented by those who think any Corvette without a 3rd pedal has been cursed by Satan.
Every car model in existence has some transmission (or engine)failures...anything built by humans can break.
The A8 isn't an exception to this rule, but there is no indication it has a higher failure rate than other auto transmissions.
And no, let's NOT go back and re-hash this thing again...it has been discussed to death on this website.
Unless you plan on tracking it > 50% of the time, forget the ZR1.
The Z06 has all the power and speed any sane person could want in a street environment.
Every car model in existence has some transmission (or engine)failures...anything built by humans can break.
The A8 isn't an exception to this rule, but there is no indication it has a higher failure rate than other auto transmissions.
And no, let's NOT go back and re-hash this thing again...it has been discussed to death on this website.
Unless you plan on tracking it > 50% of the time, forget the ZR1.
The Z06 has all the power and speed any sane person could want in a street environment.
The A8 mania is as someone once said "very fake news" yes has there been TCs replaced and some issues. Its not even an internet myth its clearly a "Corvette Fourm" myth.....