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This is a major paradigm change for the Corvette and GM. I would wait two years before buying the C8. I want to see how much people like them after a year or two and the inevitable improvements that will come as a result of the feedback that GM will get. For me, I went C7 Z06 M7 vert last summer because I had to have a stick.
When I was at Kerbeck on Friday picking up my new Grand Sport Vert, I was asking my salesman about this exact topic and he said there are plenty of people still buying and ordering C7's and their list of C8 deposits is growing daily as well. My feeling is that there are many people that want a vette for this summer (myself included) that see the discounts being offered and are taking a wait and see approach regarding the C8. I like to keep my vettes for 3 years or so and then move up to the next newest model. This will give me time to see the C8 and let the early adopters deal with any issues that may arise and by the 3rd year of the C8, the discounts should start appearing as well. Assuming the C8 does come out at just $5k more than the current C7. The first year C8 will be sold at list price. Considering you can buy a 2019 Vette for $10k+ off list price today, the C8 will be a minimum of $15k more than today's prices. That's enough of a price difference that many people will say...I'll buy now and wait on the C8.
When I was at Kerbeck on Friday picking up my new Grand Sport Vert, I was asking my salesman about this exact topic and he said there are plenty of people still buying and ordering C7's and their list of C8 deposits is growing daily as well. My feeling is that there are many people that want a vette for this summer (myself included) that see the discounts being offered and are taking a wait and see approach regarding the C8. I like to keep my vettes for 3 years or so and then move up to the next newest model. This will give me time to see the C8 and let the early adopters deal with any issues that may arise and by the 3rd year of the C8, the discounts should start appearing as well. Assuming the C8 does come out at just $5k more than the current C7. The first year C8 will be sold at list price. Considering you can buy a 2019 Vette for $10k+ off list price today, the C8 will be a minimum of $15k more than today's prices. That's enough of a price difference that many people will say...I'll buy now and wait on the C8.
the last corvette buying feast post-dated the BG summer shutdown in 2017 for the paint shop. Corvette overproduced the 2017 in anticipation of meeting summer demand when the factory was closed.....and the demand never materialized. this lead to a perfect storm for buyers in the fall of 2017/winter 2018 when the overhang of 2017 ran into a few months production of 2018 then the january 2018 startup of MY 2019 production. the prices got good and then better. in november 2017 GM made an announcement "all built Z06's 20% off! and the deal beat went on until march 2018. in april still plenty of unsold 2017's, but the new price reductions every month kinda tapered off.
c8's were common knowledge then, so can't say it was any surprise the c7 was on it's way out, with the wait and see crowd already on the sidelines.
Speculation is free, and i think GM is "hoping" that with the end of an era shutdown for BG in june, and the possible startup of C8 production in December, that the overhang of C7's on the lots will be grabbed by:
1. Collectors adding one more to their garage
2. first time buyers seeing perceived lower costs for the c7, vice the demand of the pioneers and first on the block kids to buy all initial c8 production.
3. seasoned vets looking at the picture of Mary Barra's face almost below by the C8 door and realizing their wife won't want to be stuck in a vehicle with tank-like visibility. (How's that visibility thing working out for you with the Camaro, GM?)
so, GM may try to hold the line with the current 15% discount/special financing rates and hope the biggest amount of c7 overhang is absorbed "because their will be no more"
but then again, GM is no longer run by car guys, and as a Jack Nicholson character once said about creatures from Venus, "I think of a man, and then i take away reason and accountability."
all bets are off.
Last edited by SilverGhost; Apr 15, 2019 at 09:55 AM.
From my experience, if you want to special order, you better get on the stick. I special ordered my 2017 from Mike Furman at Crisswell on April 12, just a few days before ordering was closed for that model year. Picked it up at the Museum on June 7. So if June is the last C7, ordering from the factory may be over any day now
On another forum, a Canadian car dealer said "We are getting orders we cannot fill on C7's because panic is setting in on traditional Corvette buyers."
Does this seem real, or is this a Canadian thing, or is he just blowing smoke??
On another forum, a Canadian car dealer said "We are getting orders we cannot fill on C7's because panic is setting in on traditional Corvette buyers."
Does this seem real, or is this a Canadian thing, or is he just blowing smoke??
I would not be surprised if it’s a real situation in Canada or in the US. Makes complete sense actually. This is good for used C7’s long term.
On another forum, a Canadian car dealer said "We are getting orders we cannot fill on C7's because panic is setting in on traditional Corvette buyers."
Does this seem real, or is this a Canadian thing, or is he just blowing smoke??
I suspect the basic idea is true. Canada is a microcosm of the US. Canadians can't just cross the border and drive one home, so they are stuck with inventory in Canada, which has to be much smaller than the US. If there is no Canadian equivalent to Macmulkin, then dealers themselves have very little inventory. Of course actual sales numbers will tell the true story. I suspect the same thing will happen here. Whether it is storage or styling or lack of a manual, a certain percentage of buyers are going to reject the C8. The hope is that new buyers will more than make up the difference. Meanwhile there will be a sufficient number of C7s left for people who prefer them.
I have been shopping since the they announced the loyalty discount program. The issue is finding a car I want in dealer stock. There are so many posts about all the 2019 inventory at dealers until you actually do a search for one. Sure, no problem if you want a base coupe 1LT. Just choose your color and sign the papers. I am looking for a GS Vert in the right color combo and trim level and they are scarce. In fact, I was able to locate one and it was sold within a day of finding it.
As others have already stated, the deals right now are likely the best they are going to get specifically if you can qualify for the extra $3K off an in stock car. I am speaking with different dealers every day and their inventory is shrinking fast. Sure, there will always be those cars that are less desirable or will still be sitting there for one reason or another after the July reveal but I think the models that tend to be fewer and far between will be gone by July.
I have been shopping since the they announced the loyalty discount program. The issue is finding a car I want in dealer stock. There are so many posts about all the 2019 inventory at dealers until you actually do a search for one. Sure, no problem if you want a base coupe 1LT. Just choose your color and sign the papers. I am looking for a GS Vert in the right color combo and trim level and they are scarce. In fact, I was able to locate one and it was sold within a day of finding it.
As others have already stated, the deals right now are likely the best they are going to get specifically if you can qualify for the extra $3K off an in stock car. I am speaking with different dealers every day and their inventory is shrinking fast. Sure, there will always be those cars that are less desirable or will still be sitting there for one reason or another after the July reveal but I think the models that tend to be fewer and far between will be gone by July.
This situation is probably pretty common so it will make many people have to buy a C8.
Exactly. Perfect example. MacMulkin is currently showing 294 new cars in stock. Sounds pretty good right? Not really if you want a vert as that number quickly shrinks to 25 cars base and GS models. Looking for a Z06 vert? A grand total of 1 out of nearly 300 cars. Criswell shows 121 cars in stock. 14 are convertibles with not a single vert Z06 but they do have 1 ZR1 vert. Wish I had a spare $150K laying around so I could scoop that one up.
I would not be surprised if it’s a real situation in Canada or in the US. Makes complete sense actually. This is good for used C7’s long term.
Originally Posted by fnbrowning
On another forum, a Canadian car dealer said "We are getting orders we cannot fill on C7's because panic is setting in on traditional Corvette buyers."
Does this seem real, or is this a Canadian thing, or is he just blowing smoke??
It is probably an allocation issue, especially given how late we are into the model year. That is why I ordered back in January, I needed my C7 exactly the way I like it, if I tried to find one from inventory right now, I would not find the exact same car.
It is always hard to say what prices will be soon. Big discounts on C7 right now, I was offered $19k off a 17 GS a couple years ago. I wouldn't buy a C8 for a couple years just because GM will be ironing out the issues and eventually prices will drop since all GM cars are overpriced by 10-20%. I'm never part of the "must have" crowd. I still enjoy my 13GS and didn't buy a C7 because of the issues with the A8 and Grand Sport wheels cracking/bending to easily. Supposedly the C8 increases balance although I believe the Corvette has been around 50/50 split for generations. I also think some of the excitement will wear off on the C8 when "cruisers" figure out they don't have much room for luggage. Hopefully they moved the wheel manufacturing north of the Mexican/US border.
I am beyond thrilled with my 19 Z06 which was ordered from Kerbeck at the right price. In a few years hopefully the C8 will offer a stick which is when I will become interested.
