Corvette Price
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
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Corvette Price
I know this may be a really dumb question to ask, but I wanted to know what makes the corvette cost as much as it does.
In comparison with the Camaro SS, the Corvette is around $18k more expensive (base prices for both)
Both cars have the same engine, similar interior / luxury, similar track capabilities and similar track times.
The only true difference I see is the body (aerodynamics), and weight (material used).
Is this really worth 18 grand, or am I missing something?
In comparison with the Camaro SS, the Corvette is around $18k more expensive (base prices for both)
Both cars have the same engine, similar interior / luxury, similar track capabilities and similar track times.
The only true difference I see is the body (aerodynamics), and weight (material used).
Is this really worth 18 grand, or am I missing something?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 52
From: Austin TX
I know this may be a really dumb question to ask, but I wanted to know what makes the corvette cost as much as it does.
In comparison with the Camaro SS, the Corvette is around $18k more expensive (base prices for both)
Both cars have the same engine, similar interior / luxury, similar track capabilities and similar track times.
The only true difference I see is the body (aerodynamics), and weight (material used).
Is this really worth 18 grand, or am I missing something?
In comparison with the Camaro SS, the Corvette is around $18k more expensive (base prices for both)
Both cars have the same engine, similar interior / luxury, similar track capabilities and similar track times.
The only true difference I see is the body (aerodynamics), and weight (material used).
Is this really worth 18 grand, or am I missing something?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
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Miller Time Wisconsin 🍺
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I'm sure GM has an official media relations type answer like R&D and such. I've always surmised it's because that is the price that the market will bear. Much like the optional paint such as Long Beach red is $995 on a Vette, but on any other GM vehicle it's called Siren red optioned at $395 and it's the same exact paint code.
A no optioned Grand Sport and a loaded ZL1 Camaro (supercharged LT4 650 HP) are about the same price. Just prior to my last Vette order I thought about the ZL1 for a moment, then realized that I would have to drive it. Edge Grand Sport Corvette.
A no optioned Grand Sport and a loaded ZL1 Camaro (supercharged LT4 650 HP) are about the same price. Just prior to my last Vette order I thought about the ZL1 for a moment, then realized that I would have to drive it. Edge Grand Sport Corvette.
Race Director
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From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
R&D expenses for the Camaro are spread over approximately two times the cars compared to Corvette for any given years sales. Add to that the cost of the machinery to manufacture parts is spread over half as many Corvettes as Camaros, then the cost of composite panels that are not in the Camaro.
Consider that Camaro benefits from the R&D put into Corvette that Camaro then "borrows" to lower their per/unit cost. Americans love R&D but hate to pay for it. Those costs have to be recouped somewhere and Corvette is the halo car that gets hit with many of those development costs.
Consider that Camaro benefits from the R&D put into Corvette that Camaro then "borrows" to lower their per/unit cost. Americans love R&D but hate to pay for it. Those costs have to be recouped somewhere and Corvette is the halo car that gets hit with many of those development costs.
Instructor
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From: candler nc
The reason is a vette is better built than a Camaro and tuned better. Let's use this formula, if you drove a mustang,camaro or a Challenger you would be driving home a Challenger by far, dodge by far has them beat in the the pony car area. The Challenger stands out and it is a built better by far and the driving experience is outstanding just like the Vette in its category.
One reason sales feel to floor on Camaro and mustang is because it feels blah driving, the formula does not work
One reason sales feel to floor on Camaro and mustang is because it feels blah driving, the formula does not work
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From: Virginia
I agree with others, as to R&D costs and the distribution of such account for quite a bit of it. And even though there's similarities there's substantial differences in materials as well and cost of these materials.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
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the reason is a vette is better built than a camaro and tuned better. let's use this formula, if you drove a mustang,camaro or a challenger you would be driving home a challenger by far, dodge by far has them beat in the the pony car area. The challenger stands out and it is a built better by far and the driving experience is outstanding just like the vette in its category.
One reason sales feel to floor on camaro and mustang is because it feels blah driving, the formula does not work
One reason sales feel to floor on camaro and mustang is because it feels blah driving, the formula does not work
OP the Vette is far better engineered. Just compare the stamped steel of the Camaro chassis and suspension to the aluminum structure and suspension pieces of the Corvette, among others...
Last edited by 2cnd Chance; Dec 10, 2017 at 11:47 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
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R&D expenses for the Camaro are spread over approximately two times the cars compared to Corvette for any given years sales. Add to that the cost of the machinery to manufacture parts is spread over half as many Corvettes as Camaros, then the cost of composite panels that are not in the Camaro.
Consider that Camaro benefits from the R&D put into Corvette that Camaro then "borrows" to lower their per/unit cost. Americans love R&D but hate to pay for it. Those costs have to be recouped somewhere and Corvette is the halo car that gets hit with many of those development costs.
Consider that Camaro benefits from the R&D put into Corvette that Camaro then "borrows" to lower their per/unit cost. Americans love R&D but hate to pay for it. Those costs have to be recouped somewhere and Corvette is the halo car that gets hit with many of those development costs.
What I want to know is if the corvette really is better, or not.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2017
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The reason is a vette is better built than a Camaro and tuned better. Let's use this formula, if you drove a mustang,camaro or a Challenger you would be driving home a Challenger by far, dodge by far has them beat in the the pony car area. The Challenger stands out and it is a built better by far and the driving experience is outstanding just like the Vette in its category.
One reason sales feel to floor on Camaro and mustang is because it feels blah driving, the formula does not work
One reason sales feel to floor on Camaro and mustang is because it feels blah driving, the formula does not work
The only car's sales that are to the floor is the challenger's.
Second, a corvette isn't actually tuned better than a Camaro. You can search up stock dyno's for Camaro vs. Corvette and you will realize the camaro packs a little more horsepower than the corvette does.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Virginia
Just the point I was making in my above post. Comparing even a base C7 to the most sofisicated Camaro is like comparing apples to bananas.
Race Director
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From: Virginia
Whether it's better or not depends on individual preference, however it's definitely very different and cost more to build than a Camaro.
Le Mans Master
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From: Toronto
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Alaska
The only person who can state which is a better car for you, is YOU.
You are on a Corvette forum so answers will be biased. If you visit a Camaro forum the same holds true.
Last edited by Snowwolfe; Dec 10, 2017 at 12:26 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Northern VA, USA
Does the Corvette cost more to build then the Camaro? Almost certainly. Is the cost difference between the two complete a factor of build costs? Probably not.
Also, there is a lot of funny money that goes into the accounting for these things. If an engine was developed for the Corvette, and then a couple of years later modified and adapted to the Camaro, where did the cost of designing the engine get allocated to?
Finally, seems like a bunch of people weighing in on the thread who have never driven an Alpha platform Camaro
Also, there is a lot of funny money that goes into the accounting for these things. If an engine was developed for the Corvette, and then a couple of years later modified and adapted to the Camaro, where did the cost of designing the engine get allocated to?
Finally, seems like a bunch of people weighing in on the thread who have never driven an Alpha platform Camaro