Be Honest..................
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 939
From: Bonney Lake Washington
Be Honest..................
I'm looking at a potential C8 purchase:
My car - '14 Z51, 1LT, 7MT, Conv with 18.9K miles (new tires, wheels, CAI, Z06 grill, stage 1 side and front splitter, Corsa Sport exhaust), torch red in classic Vette owner condition (have original wheels/tires and grill) - I understand aftermarket items add little at best
Dealer's car - 2020 2LT Coupe with about 9.2 K (and here's the kicker); pre production car used by GM to introduce sellers to the car. No doubt driven hard and put away wet
Car looks great, drives equally so (yellow), many options all work, 1 yr 12K warranty included
43K for my car and 70K for their's.
Your honest views? Let me know as I value them..........
PS, here in WA state, sales tax is only on difference between two cars.....
My car - '14 Z51, 1LT, 7MT, Conv with 18.9K miles (new tires, wheels, CAI, Z06 grill, stage 1 side and front splitter, Corsa Sport exhaust), torch red in classic Vette owner condition (have original wheels/tires and grill) - I understand aftermarket items add little at best
Dealer's car - 2020 2LT Coupe with about 9.2 K (and here's the kicker); pre production car used by GM to introduce sellers to the car. No doubt driven hard and put away wet
Car looks great, drives equally so (yellow), many options all work, 1 yr 12K warranty included
43K for my car and 70K for their's.
Your honest views? Let me know as I value them..........
PS, here in WA state, sales tax is only on difference between two cars.....
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,797
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From: So. Cal.
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Those numbers sound decent to me. Maybe look at the car fax and VIS documents. Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 463
Likes: 430
From: Massillon, OH USA
I thought the market was getting softer on the C8? Base models were mid $60 priced new, many paid higher because of supply and demand. I wouldn’t want to pay more again. Just my opinion, since you asked.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 191
Likes: 124
From: Pacific Northwest
My only yellow flag is "pre-prod". So yeah, prolly treated poorly by the slovenly non-owners who wrung it out because they didn't own it. How did the dealer happen to come by this car? How many previous owners? Your car sounds pretty fine. Why settle?
Last edited by gordoni; Dec 22, 2023 at 08:05 PM. Reason: mispelling
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,770
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I don't know about prices... not my thing, but if you are asking about it being a "pre-production" car used for special purposes, that may be a good thing. It could have been more carefully monitored during assembly than one that later standard production cars. Plus, it may well have had attention to maintenance that otherwise would be a coin-toss guess if no history came with the car. But, of course ultimately it's your call. All the best. 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 582
Likes: 221
From: Manasquan,New Jersey
43 trade in sounds fantastic. Dealer cares less about aftermarket options and typically doesn’t want your extra wheels. You can sell them. Nice low mileage. Going for close to 43 retail. I paid 41 with 31K miles last month. I can’t offer an opinion on the C8 except that’s a cool color.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 707
Likes: 143
From: Missouri
I thought I read somewhere that a person should stay away from the 2020, too many problems. Personally the C8's don't do a whole bunch for me, I'd keep the C7. A close friend was going to buy a yellow C8 and the more he looked at it he noticed how much of a green tint the yellow had , so that turned him off.
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From: Pittsburgh
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Only you can make that call to go with a C8 or not
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Not a bad price for your car since it is a 1LT, but a bit high on the C8. Had to be close to MSRP for a 2020 2LT.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 733
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Wonder if the pre-production VIN would bring any value to the C8 in the future? Maybe it's not a low enough VIN number to make a difference, I don't know. Would be interesting to know the car's back story and if it was part of anything special.
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 171
Likes: 39
C8 is new to me. Acquired 2 new ones recently. One I ordered and one on the showroom floor while waiting for ordered car. Now I am comparing mag ride to standard non mag ride. An awesome experience in the drivers seat., hard for me to describe. My previous experience is a C6. It too is a great car, but I was interested in another Corvette and wasn't having a good time looking at used cars. I am in Hauser, Idaho if you live in Spokane area. Your described used 2020 opportunity isn"t one I would entertain at that price. Daryl
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Plymouth Massachusetts
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: SE WI
Sounds like you already made your decision but if it were me, I'd hold off for a low mile pampered C8. There are tons of them out there. No need to get a pre-production model that you don't know how it was treated. The 2019 Grand Sport 2LT I have now was purchased with 3200 miles and the thing was like brand new. The owner did a 7 year ceramic coating with paint correction and the paint is just gorgeous (especially after I just wash it). He had brand new Lloyds premium mats (rear hatch area too). I can't imagine buying a nicer used car. Wasn't cheap but worth every penny to me. Hold off for the perfect car. This one doesn't sound like it. The market is full of them to choose from.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 470
Likes: 276
From: So. Maine
The car you are looking at is considered by GM as a ‘pilot car’. The vehicle is built to test out manufacturing processes as it goes down the assembly line. The new wheels and tires add little to nothing on your trade. If I was looking for a C8 I would strongly consider this vehicle.
