1lt
Popular Reply
Mar 24, 2021, 08:42 AM
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
Likes: 14,182
From: Central Illinois
There are a lot of people that have a dream of owning a Corvette, I haven't heard of too many that dreamed of owning a heavily optioned Corvette. There is a buyer for all trim levels, I bought my 1LT and if I could order another one tomorrow and get the car the next day, I wouldn't change my order. Does a 1LT come with crank windows, manual seat, manual heating controls, no A/C, no power locks, no remote transmitters, steel wheels? I could afford any trim level, but I just wanted the car, the additional stuff just doesn't enhance the driving experience to me so it would be a waste. Enjoy the car, I enjoy mine more today than the day I bought it.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 356
Likes: 463
Resale for me isn't the driving factor - it's everything else that you're missing out on (heated / cooled seats, different cameras, etc).
To be honest, if I'm spending this much on a fun car that isn't my primary, I'd spring the extra cash for the "extras" that really aren't...the 2LT is really the base trim, in my opinion.
To be honest, if I'm spending this much on a fun car that isn't my primary, I'd spring the extra cash for the "extras" that really aren't...the 2LT is really the base trim, in my opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 484
From: Portland Oregon
I really wouldn't be looking to resale as to what package you select now. Just like now when it comes to resale some people will say they just want the car and don't care about all the fluff that comes with the higher packages while others will say they have to have (fill in the blank here) or it is not really a Corvette.
It should really come down to what you want for the car. For me, the HUD is a must so I went with a 2LT. I had a C6 with it and I found I would never really look at the gauge cluster because all the info was up in the windshield in my line of sight. I find now that when I am in cars without HUD, I really miss having the feature. I also really like the idea of having the PDR so the decision here was even easier. Then when you add features like the camera for the rear view mirror and blind spot detection system it made the decision really simple for me. But again everyone is different. If the items in the 2LT & 3LT don't interest you enough to spend the extra money, I wouldn't be buying those packages just because of resale in the future.
It should really come down to what you want for the car. For me, the HUD is a must so I went with a 2LT. I had a C6 with it and I found I would never really look at the gauge cluster because all the info was up in the windshield in my line of sight. I find now that when I am in cars without HUD, I really miss having the feature. I also really like the idea of having the PDR so the decision here was even easier. Then when you add features like the camera for the rear view mirror and blind spot detection system it made the decision really simple for me. But again everyone is different. If the items in the 2LT & 3LT don't interest you enough to spend the extra money, I wouldn't be buying those packages just because of resale in the future.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 649
Likes: 576
From: South Florida
Depreciation is typically based on a percentage, therefore the cheaper car will depreciate less on a dollar figure. Also, many people buy used cars to get the car cheaper, so they’ll be looking at those 1LT cars.
If you look at used C7s, the 1LTs are cheaper, but not 5K cheaper.
If you look at used C7s, the 1LTs are cheaper, but not 5K cheaper.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,890
Likes: 1,198
From: Ft. Myers FL
IMHO no. I had a 1LT C7 for 7 years and just sold it since I'm waiting for a new C8 to one day show up. 
My point is, I never missed the all the additional stuff on the 2 LT or 3LT. I never had a single person say to me, "Oh you have a cheapie version!" It was by far the best Corvette and car I ever owned! The C8 has big shoes to fill so don't worry about resale. A dealership will try to skin you, but if you take good care of your car, enjoy it, you'll be fine. Just my experience. If you'd like to see my 1LT just check out a You Tube Video: Car Showdown in Naples "Cars on 5th" by Maria Rama. It's the white C7 and it's shown up close several times. Good luck! 
My point is, I never missed the all the additional stuff on the 2 LT or 3LT. I never had a single person say to me, "Oh you have a cheapie version!" It was by far the best Corvette and car I ever owned! The C8 has big shoes to fill so don't worry about resale. A dealership will try to skin you, but if you take good care of your car, enjoy it, you'll be fine. Just my experience. If you'd like to see my 1LT just check out a You Tube Video: Car Showdown in Naples "Cars on 5th" by Maria Rama. It's the white C7 and it's shown up close several times. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 12,351
Likes: 14,182
From: Central Illinois
There are a lot of people that have a dream of owning a Corvette, I haven't heard of too many that dreamed of owning a heavily optioned Corvette. There is a buyer for all trim levels, I bought my 1LT and if I could order another one tomorrow and get the car the next day, I wouldn't change my order. Does a 1LT come with crank windows, manual seat, manual heating controls, no A/C, no power locks, no remote transmitters, steel wheels? I could afford any trim level, but I just wanted the car, the additional stuff just doesn't enhance the driving experience to me so it would be a waste. Enjoy the car, I enjoy mine more today than the day I bought it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,516
Likes: 4,840
From: One Hour From Boston!
While driving through the parking lot, a gentleman flagged me down and the following conversation ensued...
Him: Is this the new 2020 Corvette?
Me: Yes, just picked it up a couple weeks ago!
Him: It’s beautiful! Can you raise/lower the roof?
Me: Oh, no, that would be the HTC version, this is the Coupe. But the roof panel does come off!
Him: Oh. How about the front end, can you raise the front end?
Me: No, that would be the Front Lift option, I didn’t get that.
Him: (pauses) Is this the base model, with no options?
Me: I did get Z51, Mag Ride, 3LT, CF interior trim and a few other things so it does have some options.
Him: My brother says the only options you need are the power roof and the power lift. (Walks away).
Can’t please everybody!
22 Hypersonic Grey HTC
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 506
Likes: 144
From: Austin Texas
The 1LT C8 is a fantastic car and is loaded with everything I need/want for a daily driver. I came to the 2021 C8 1LT from a loaded 2014 C7 with 3LT and Sueded Brownstone Interior.
- I don't miss the sueded roof, door, pillar etc. lining that the C7 3LT had.
- I don't miss the HUD - I'm focused on the outside view and road more than the inside of the windshield.
- I don't miss the heated/vented/memory seats. As the only driver, the seat doesn't get moved so no need to memorize the setting.
- I don't miss the extra 4 speakers the audio for the 2&3LT has - 10 speakers in the 1LT is loud enough.
- I do miss the Homelink on the visor - I have a standalone garage door opener that I keep in the cup holder. I am considering purchasing a Homelink visor (around $250) and installing it to address this minor want. This $250 mod is a heck of a lot cheaper than the $7k to move up to the 2LT from 1LT.
- I don't need the front lift - since 1LT doesn't offer this option, it wasn't even a consideration to move up to another level.
- The HTC 1LT has the rearview mirror screen view like the 2&3LT comes with so I'm not missing out on this new feature.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 33
From: Grimes Iowa
I'm on my 3 1LT and it works for me. The only thing I miss is the home link and the wireless cell phone charging. I don't worry about resale its the pleasure I get from driving. I think your budget should dictate what you buy. If your only going to keep it a year or two maybe you should look for a good buy on a used car.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 126
Likes: 47
I agree with all the comments. I came from a loaded 19 GS to a 1lt Z51 with magnetic ride. Love everything about it. The best part of it for me has been the wireless apple CarPlay. With Waze its amazing. My phone can stay in my pocket its a game changer. The things I miss are the homelink visor and the front camera for curb parking but this car is a lot easier to judge for front parking room compared to the GS. I think this is because of the drivers view out the front.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 286
Likes: 272
From: Rochester, NY
I really thought hard when I had to make a choice between the 1 and 2LT....but the add ons for the 2 LT were IMO extremely valuable to me from the safety and comfort positives.
I also believe that from a resale point of view, those features will make the car if and when you decide to sell, more attractive to a wider group of buyers.
I also believe that from a resale point of view, those features will make the car if and when you decide to sell, more attractive to a wider group of buyers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5,363
Likes: 4,108
From: New England
Nothing wrong with the 1LT, it is a well appointed car. I went 2LT because of a few things. HUD (I have now in my Camaro), PDR (I track my car), and I really wanted the front and rear camera (rear view mirror) and blind spot monitoring. My Camaro does not have blind spot monitoring or the rear view camera and I wished I had it.
So it just comes down to what you want/need. If you are used to things like heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, blind spot, front cameras, upgraded audio system, etc then get the 2LT minimum. It's too hard to add any of these things after the fact. If you don't want/need these things you likely wont miss them and my experience is 1LT does not hurt resale at all. There are lots of people who just want a base car with less things that can break.
So it just comes down to what you want/need. If you are used to things like heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, blind spot, front cameras, upgraded audio system, etc then get the 2LT minimum. It's too hard to add any of these things after the fact. If you don't want/need these things you likely wont miss them and my experience is 1LT does not hurt resale at all. There are lots of people who just want a base car with less things that can break.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Likes: 486
No....the simple fact is that Corvettes are depreciating assets so the more you pay the more you will lose at resale....color is the most important factor now that only one transmission is available ........ this applies to options only....a rare or special model may command a higher price....imho of course...
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,882
Likes: 2,934
From: N.E. Suburb MN
Nothing wrong with the 1LT except the lack of camera mirror in the coupe. I can't imagine not having that. The 2LT is the sweet spot for sure. 3LT is a bit of splurge, but I did it because I already had so many boxes checked and wanted a certain interior.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 98
Likes: 98
From: Tipp City, OH
If you are planning on selling it, then you most likely will lose less money on depreciation purchasing a more basic version of the car. For me I had to have what the 2LT offered vs 1LT regardless. I ended up ordering a 3LT because I wanted 2 tone seats both otherwise probably would have stayed with the 2LT.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 1,334
From: Kingston, Ontario
Nope, you if you want to save the most money, you buy the base model with zero options. When it comes time to sell it will retain more value of its value then a fully loaded one simply because all cars depreciate and no option will retain a significant portion of its cost, which means the best way to save money is to never add options and buy a base model.
Will it be harder to sell then a fully loaded one? probably, but not that much more that it makes a difference.
Will it be harder to sell then a fully loaded one? probably, but not that much more that it makes a difference.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 668
From: Kilmarnock Va
Not sure why your purchasing a corvette if your thinking of the resale. A 2 LT will sell before a 1LT. Much should depend on the wallet. If you have the money splurge. Get the 3. If you don’t have it get the 1.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Mine is a 1LT with Z51. I always buy my new Corvettes like that. I like them light without all the fluff. Miles, condition. accident history are what drive used car sales. I really don't care about the next owner. Buy them the way you like them. If you like alot of options, that's what you should buy. If we were all the same our cars would be identical. When the Z06 comes along mine will be a 1LZ.
