I’m looking to get a C8 having been away from Corvettes since the C6 line. MacMulkin is currently offering 10-11% discounts off Stingrays. I read production will stop on 2026s in May. Is it likely their discounts will rise above 10% to clear out the 2026s? If history repeats the LS6 cars may result in prices at or above MSRP with dealer markups possible. Has anyone in the market considered getting a 2026 late cycle to get a better value (lower price) while avoiding the first year risks of a new engine? The LS6 sounds real nice but I was hoping to avoid AFM, which looks like to still be in the design. Is it dumb to fear the new engine first year?

 

I was starting my search for a new C8 last Aug. If history repeats and I use last year as an example MM did not increase discounts over 10% on new 2025 orders as the year closed out. They did start to offer higher discounts on existing cars on their lot. If your goal is to get a new C8 configured the way you want it I think 10% will most likley be the best deal you will get on a new order . If you are ok getting something off a dealer lot then waiting a little longer may get you better deals.
One factor that may play into all this is “if” a GS is available the higher entry price and potential waiting list to get one may drive buyers to look at existing 2026 SR’s and could cuase dealers to offer less of a discount….

My position has been find what you really like and buy it, don't waist your time chasing possible future discounts …unless you are on a budget, then it is understandable… or if you don’t care that much about what you really want for options and are willing to settle ….

 

Depends on when you want to drive your new car. Producion ends at the end of May but you won't see 2027s until late in the summer. People will want new Corvettes in nice weather so demand for 2026s may drive the prices up. If you want a new Corvette and are concerned about bottom dollar, consider 2025s around with rebate that might suit your needs.

 

Take the great McMalkin offer and forget about the new and overpriced LS6.

You'll be driving a C8 much earlier if you take the legit offers that are available now. The LS6 will have many restrictions that have already been addressed with the LT2.

 

How does it sound real nice? What makes you think AFM is still in the mix?

My point is simply that all this is nothing more than conjecture at this point. Some sources like to sound reliable because it earns views and clicks. But until we hear something solid directly from GM it’s all just meaningless probablies and maybes.

Having said that I’d say that yes there will be teething problems with any new engine. Recalls, revisions based on field experience and so on. It’s just part of the territory. Look at the historical record of any new engine intro by any manufacturer, not just GM. I’m personally unlikely to want to be a guinea pig but that’s just me. Consider the DCT as an example. Aren’t most of the DCT problems prior to the 2023 revisions?

One more thing and I’ll eat crow if I’m wrong but I don’t see any advantage to the buyer coming with the new engine. I believe it’s simply to help GM with manufacturing standardization and emissions. They may give it a few more ponies to make it seem more appealing but it won’t make any real seat-of-the-pants performance difference. And intrusive technology normally gets worse with every new generation.

My advice: get a good deal on a 2026 with a seven model year proven and debugged engine and ride happy. It’s really a sweet little engine!

 

RMIKED, your logic seems correct. I say get a great deal on the 2026 and save $10k.
I would like a engine without AFM!!! You will pay a premium for the 2027, especially if it is only offered in the Grand Sport, and probably in the E-Ray.
My 2-cents of thoughts.

 

If I was younger and had many decades left of driving a sports car, I would wait. Since I am not, I bought a 26 HTC and am enjoying the car right now. Everybody’s situation is different. Mine wasn’t a financial constraint, more of available time left above ground constraint.

 

I have a 2024 HTC also that the wife and I enjoy, could be the last. I like this one MacMulkin but I am not going to accept the depression on mine.

2026 HTC , $9k off MSRP

 

I have this same dilemma... I'm looking to buy my first Corvette. I'm a GM employee and get the employee pricing but I don't think they had it on 2026 Stingrays until like December?

On one hand, if I wait, I will have a bit more power but a new unproven engine. If I don't wait, I get to drive it over summer, have 7 years of a proven debugged engine.. Ugh, I hate decisions lol.

 

I think the new engine having direct and port injection might be worth waiting for to some people...

 

Just listened to the latest Steve Garrett Podcast. After looking at that latest relatively low C8 sales volumes the summary was C8s sales are now back to the old 25,000/year. The old days of demand exceeding supply are over.

They restated what has been published, last MY 2026 ordered will end in a few more order cycles. Last production scheduled late May. 2027 production planned for June 1. Sure dealers with 2026's in inventory will discount their stock especially with new small block in 2027s (that looks highly likely.)

It was mentioned, the GM Loyalty $4000 for leftover MY 2025s (for folks currently owning Vettes) will continue. GM needs to help dealers with MY 2025 still in stock (they showed the numbers) so they will order 2027s,

 

INCESSANT OBSOLESCENCE POSTULATE ............. more worries for the over thinkers lol

 

Wait for the new engine, but then wait a little longer for a possible HP upgrade, with the latest emission requirements rollback cats may be eliminated, then wait a little longer for a exterior styling refresh, if you wait some more the manual transmission my make a come back. There will always be reason not to buy the current offering due to the certainty of changes coming down the road. It's been like that since 1953. Savings discounts will always be a function of supply and demand.

 

I agree and my LT2 Z51 is plenty of performance for me.

 

Mine too! Since I have no intention of tracking it, my gold standard is does it make me real happy on the street. And when safe, I really enjoy driving umm, enthusiastically!

Now at an intellectual level I understand that the car far outstrips my current abilities. Problem is that the car is so good that it sometimes makes me forget that.

 

And you know that how? Insider information?

 

Does MacMulkin offer the same discounts on custom orders? Or just the vehicles they have on the lot?

 

Back when MacMulkin was only offering 8% on their website , they were offering the same 8% on custom orders. I had that in writing from a salesman there.

 

^^^^
Only logical. When I bought my 2017 Grand Sport from Kerbeck I just looked at their website for the then "Winter Pricing" of new Grand Sports they had in stock. That is what I was offered (~15% Discount) for one built, as all my 7 Vettes, made "Just For Me in BG to My Specs."

How could they offer less as cars in their inventory were at their costs, floor planning Bank interest fees etc. Mine cost them nothing as I paid them before it was shipped from BG to the Courtesy Delivery dealer. I picked the CD Chevy Dealer who was close to me and would do my service. They had a flat fee, no extras of $350. Same CD fee I paid for my 2020 C8 bought from Kerbeck and same $350 fee I paid for my E-Ray bought from Ciocca. The E-Ray was at my CD Dealer the day after it left BG!

 

In general….When the model year starts MM offers the same discount on orders as they do with cars on the lot. As the production year approaches the end they will typically discount lot cars a little more to clear them out, less desirable optioned cars usually get better discounts..