I have a 1979 Mercedes, 2018 lifted Tacoma, and just picked up a FUN 2019 911 Targa 4S (I've had 4 - 911's). I'm active on the Tacoma & Rennlist (Porsche) websites and I'm trying to get the temperature of the Corvette Forum. I will have a 1966 Nassau Blue Corvette Roadster handed down to me in a few years, I'll probably sell.

Once everything settles down I also have an interest in a 2021 C8. I've received some great info online. They look super sharp. I've attempted to go to 3 local Dealerships in the Phoenix to feel them out and to establish a relationship with a sales rep and I don't know... they all seem underwhelming, that's being nice. I feel dirty when I walk out of the dealerships. I went in my Tacoma first & they barely gave me the time of day. I went in my Targa the next two times and same thing. Maybe it was just hit or miss on my end.

I would like very much to pick one up here in town and to establish a relationship with a sales rep & service advisor (like I do with my Porsche) so I have a go-to person for future sales, info & issues... which seem frequent. I know there is not much mark-up on these things & the "cliental" are always beating them up to save $20.. A co-worker who has a nice 68 Vette & has a 2020 on order, mentioned he believes the Corvette Brand is not as significant as it once was, and the cars are more tricked out with low-cost gadgets that mimic performance. I think they are still very nice & sporty, however definitely not on the same level as Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, or Audi. Then again they have a significant lower price point.

It is common for a Buyer of a Porsche or Audi to look out of state while finding their preferred build or an allocation.

Any direction or recommendations you could give me in acquiring my C8 would be appreciated!!

 

“ I think they are still very nice & sporty, however definitely not on the same level as Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, or Audi.”

No disrespect intended, but if this is how you feel, I wouldn’t get a Corvette. For about the same money as a 2021 Corvette ($60K - $90K), you could get yourself an entry level model from any of the Marques you mentioned, and I believe you’d be happier.

 

I’ve been fortunate enough to already had a few higher end sports cars and believe me, just because they cost more doesn’t make them better. BMW is the worst. I think the new Corvettes are nice looking and the C8 had a cool rollout. Too bad this Virus is pushing things back which is something they did not need.

I’ll get one and keep it in the family for a couple of years just to enjoy. If it surprises me I’ll keep it in storage if I think it will last 15-20 years with 100k miles.

I am not a Corvette aficionado but from a dollar to HP value standpoint the Corvette has always been on top. Its the long term quality has not been there.

 

Targa, you have a PM.

 

Come back in 2 years when you are really ready to buy and they are available

 

Re: the Corvette Brand is not as significant as it once was, and the cars are more tricked out with low-cost gadgets that mimic performance.

Great opening comments for joining a Corvette forum..... particularly when most of the members are ardent supporters of the C8.

'Just saying......

 

OP they are every bit on the same level as the cars you mentioned and in some cases, higher level!! Not sure if this is a real post or not by a new user trying to cleverly diss the Corvette but if it is real then perhaps make an appointment with a local sales rep or call some local dealerships GSM's and ask them to connect you to their Corvette specialist (if they have one).

Btw, your co-worker (real or imaginary) is clueless!!

 

Based on many posts in C8 General, AZ dealers seem to be almost universally disliked. Many are adding a dealer markup. You can definitely go out of state. I highly recommend using one of the major volume Corvette dealers (who are also forum supporting dealers): Kerbeck, MacMulkin, Creswell, Les Stanford, etc.

 

While I like Pcars, last time I was driving one, I got pulled by a Corvette. Pcars have lots of warts, crap interior bits, and some pretty chit mechanical failures over the years. you may think they are all that, but I have had a few of them and admittedly while I like them a lot, they really aren't worth 150% the cost of a Vette... maybe 10 years ago, not anymore.

 

I bougtht a Vette from Brown and Brown in Mesa way back in the day, they were ok, nothing special. The service dept sucked and I wound up at Thorobred on AZ ave, Earnhardt owns it now. AZ is kind of a dump, if you HAVE to buy one locally, maybe VAN or the one on Bell just east of 17 cant remember the name. Good luck though, you really don't have a good choice.

 

I totally agree with the OP on most Chevrolet dealers. I bought my C8 long distance and if it were financially feasible I’d ship my car to one of the forum dealers for service. A real shame that Corvette couldn’t support its own stand alone dealer network.

 

Hey Guys. I came across like a total ***. That wasn’t my intention. My bad. I look forward to contributing down the road in the Forums. 😎

 

Do not feel bad , I would say everyone on these boards are car guys/gals, so welcome . Right now the reality is there are no cars being produced/delivered so it is impossible to shop for one. As others have said this will change in the future. I will say that after owning a few German cars and sitting in the pre-prod C8 , the gap has been closed almost completely on the design, fit , finish,etc. Only time will tell but one cannot deny the value/performance proposition in the new C8.

 

"I think they are still very nice & sporty, however definitely not on the same level as Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, or Audi. Then again they have a significant lower price point."
To the OP:
Uh, lets see here, 2012 Z07 tops every other car/manufacturer in its Laguna Seca performance, I personally have destroyed an Audi R8, not once but four times until he gave up, at Slip Stream Pocono Roll racing last season in my HC/CAI 2011, Z07, he switched from a Z06 because he thought his Audi would be better...guess not. The Mercedes GTR Coupe is no faster than my Z07; not as fast. And you have to spend over $200K to get a Porsche that can exceed Corvette performance. I won't get into a pissing contest with someone who gets on a Corvette Forum that denigrates our cars and then tries to back peddle. I generally try not to be confrontational, however I could not let this go. You may want to reconsider your statements. I personally cannot wait until the C8 Z06 comes out because I look forward to kicking the a$$ of McClarens, Lambos, Porsche's, etc. in a mid engine, DCT, twin turbo monster in high speed, top speed, racing.

 

I ordered my C8 from Van Chevrolet which was markup and dealer fee free. Now if you want one right now they will rape you with a 35k markup, I cannot tell you how many times I have email my sales guy offering sticker on the car they want 35k markup without success as the car just sits unsold. At the time Vans was the only dealer not asking for a markup on an order car but the rest fell in line as nobody was willing to give them 10k plus for an order car. But they might as well make what they can as plenty of cars they sold without a markup are being resold right now for 25k over sticker. The worst I have seen is about a 85k markup on one on Craigslist.

 

That all may be. I’m not looking to race someone between stoplights. I’m more of the mountainous curve type guy doing 1.1 lateral G’a at 50 mph. I also mentioned Dollar per HP Corvette is probably the best. I guess I’m at that age now where I just like to enjoy sports cars and have the opportunity now to make it a hobby. Each one has a different flavor.

Most Porsche’s are ridiculously price. You can get a 18 C2 Base though with a minimal build for $75 K now with 5K miles. The C2’s fly. Truly amazing cars. However most depreciate like crazy. BMW are mostly boring and there are too many models. The Audi R8’s are sweet, limo they suffer in reliability like the older Porsche. That’s why they make different brands.

There have been many a lurker come on Rennlist and tear apart Porsche’s, to each his own. Different strokes...

Again I am at the infancy stage. I appreciate the feedback and will continue to gain knowledge and follow the market. 🏁🇺🇸😎

 

Best of luck finding a dealer locally for a C8 that will make a fair deal....During 12/17 - 01/18 timeframe, when I was looking for a C7 GS, I found all local dealers to be well above the current market price. I ended up widening my search and found the exact car I wanted outside of Seattle, WA. I was able to purchase for MUCH less than available in Arizona, included flight to inspect & sign deal as well as for enclosed transport to my door. If ordering new now, I'd likely contact one of the big three.

I understand your desire for finding a dealer to have a relationship to service your car. I have been using AutoNation Chevrolet in Mesa (power road) thus far with good success.

Best of luck and let me know when you want to sell that '66....I would be interested in learning more about that car.

 

OP, Not the smartest idea to come on to a Corvette forum & say things like "low cost gadgets that mimic performance" & "not on the same level as the European cars". Have you ever driven a Corvette? For the price, there is no better performing car on the market. I don't think that you understand the iconic status that a Corvette holds in automotive history

 

The OP apologized and you still come down on him? Wow!

 

"That all may be. I’m not looking to race someone between stoplights. I’m more of the mountainous curve type guy doing 1.1 lateral G’a at 50 mph."

Laguna Seca is not racing stop light to stop light, and as far as pulling G's in corners, the C6Z07, C6ZR1, C7Z07 and C7ZR1 will hold its own against any of your Mercedes, Audi's, BMW's and Porsche in lateral G acceleration in corners. Good thing you apologized, you may want to stop digging yourself a deeper grave, IMO.