After selling my ‘71 Ontario Orange BB a few years ago I have given much consideration to ordering a new C8. I live in Harrisonburg VA and have contacted a couple of dealers in Northern VA and Maryland. Considering 1lt with Z51 or 2lt (non Z51). Budget is set at $80k all in so about $77k for the car. I can build what I want for that amount of $$.
For those that have ordered and received your car any advise on have options? Any advise on the ordering process? Below is what I have been told by the dealers. Does this sound correct?

Dealer 1 - $1k down and a 12-15 month wait. Car will be sold at MSRP + doc fee tax/title/tag
Dealer 2 - 5% down (based on build price), 9-12 month wait. Car sold at MSRP + doc fee tax/title/tag

Both dealers, deposit is fully refundable if I change my mind. If they have someone back out they will give me the option to take that car, but at $10k over MSRP. Would cut down on the wait, but not willing to spend the $10k.

Any insight and advice would be appreciated. This is not a car to flip, it will be a car to enjoy.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

If I have the money, I would pay the 10k over. I think of it as express shipping. A lot can happen in 12/15 months, including price increases

 

I live in VA and would recommend you purchase from Criswell as they are not far from you and take around 14 months and you can count on actually getting a C8 at the pre-agreed upon time frame and price.
Too many dealers out there promise one thing then want to deliver another.

 

I bought a 1LT Z51 coupe the only thing I wish it had is the camera mirror as this car has some nasty blindspots, the rest of the 2LT trim does nothing for me. My buddy bought a 2LT Z51 Vert here’s some pics, we work at a Cadillac Dealership.



High wing makes the car JMHO

 

Go with a dealer with a proven track record of delivering what they promise. I would never pay $10k ADM just to get the car faster.

As for your options question... that's a very personal decision and only you can decide. Most people who want the Z51, they WANT the Z51, either for track use, or they just want the better performance. Personally I don't feel that it is worth the cost of the upgrade if you are not going to be really driving it hard, track or street. Unless you are on a track at 8/10ths or higher, you are not going to outdrive the base C8. If I was budget constrained, and not planning to track the car regularly, I would never consider the Z51.

The 2LT vs 1LT is about some relatively minor features that some people could not live without, but others couldn't care less about. Front camera, rear HD mirror cam, HUD, PDR, Blind Spot Monitoring, heated/vented seats, and folding mirrors. Oh, and yes, better stereo with NAV, but the base stereo is already pretty good and comes with CarPlay. I don't NEED any of these options, I have never had them on a car before and I am sure I can live without them. If I was budget constrained, I would not even consider the 2LT at all. The 1LT is a bargain, comes with everything anyone needs, and that money would be better spent elsewhere.

So for a budget build C8, you really can't beat a 1LT with no options. If you simply must spend $7k on an option, I would recommend the HTC over either the 2LT or the Z51.

 

Criswell is one of the dealers I am talking to. So far they seem to willing to answer questions and have been very open about the wait. Talked to them again this afternoon and it will be 2024 model.

 

Z51 vs. 2LT is a good question. It really comes down to what you want/need the most. I own a non-Z51, 2LT with MSRC. Here are my 2 cents worth.

For me, I just drive my car around the street most of the time - just because I love driving it. Not much spirited driving (although I love taking curving on and off ramps fast), just cruising around. So the Z51 really doesn't interest me. As far as the 2LT package goes, I wouldn't own a Vette without it. In fact, my C6 and C7 were both equipped with 2LT. I use the front camera when ever parking in a parking lot so as not to hit the curb. Our Vettes are so low that it's easy to scrape the front end. The front camera will let you know exactly when to stop. The rear view mirror camera is a must in my opinion. Without it the regular mirror is pretty much useless. I use it exclusively. The PDR I have set for whenever I start the car. A toy, but you never know when it might come in handy - in case you get in an accident etc.. The heated and cooled seats I use all the time, as well as the folding mirrors as they stick out a long way and are magnets for people to run into and damage. And the HUD, I love it!!!

Just my perspective since you asked, but only you can decide what is most important to you.

 

Follow up question… I spoke to a dealer yesterday and they only have one person waiting for a Corvette. They claim that person placed an order June 24, 2022 and the car is going into production tomorrow August 8. The car in reference is a very basic 1lt. Customer should take delivery of the car about 60 days after order was placed.

Here are a few details, does this sound correct?

First they are an over MSRP dealer, but not a lot
$2,000 down at time of order, refundable up until Chevrolet assigns the build date
At time of order they will show what options are constrained and adding those options could slow down the order process
They receive an allocation every couple of months
No guarantee, but they said I could have the car on 90-120 days from order. This is dependent on options ordered and Chevrolet assigning an allocation

Thanks again

 

My dealer had a $5,000 markup when I ordered my 2022. I figured that was not too bad because I would have had to wait a year or more to order one with a MSRP dealer. Considering model year price increases I decided to pay the extra. Also there were no restrictions on any of the options I wanted so it seemed like the right time. I'm glad I did it and I had the car in about 8 weeks after the allocation became availible.

-Bob

 

Thanks for the information Bob. About how long ago did you receive your car?

 

Back in 2021 I waited about six months for my car to arrive. I recently placed my order for my 2023 on June 17th of 2022. It was built on August 4th of 2022. Should be at the dealer by the end of next week so pretty close to 60 days from order to arrival. And both were at MSRP. Smaller, reputable dealers are not bad to deal with.

 

So after many calls and internet searches I ordered my C8 Monday August 15th. I found a ZL1 Camaro new and in stock and almost decided to go that route but really want the Vette so I put the deposit down. This will be my 8th Corvette, first C8.
I found a smaller dealer that has no other C8 orders that are not Z06 cars. If there next allocation will allow a Z06 that will be ordered, if not it will be my car. If the allocation is allows a Z06 order, mine I’ll be the next allocation.
Let the wait begin…..

1lt
Ceramic Matrix Gray Metallic
Black interior, torch red seat belts
Black wheels, torch red calipers
Front and rear low spoiler with the side rocker extensions in carbon flash
Carbon flash mirrors
Stingray R appearance package
Performance exhaust with black tips

 

1LT or 2LT? My last Vette was a 2LT C6, it was my first one with Heads Up Display. After that experience, I would not want to be without HUD.
Every car should have HUD. Is HUD + stereo upgrade + other small upgrades worth $7300? NO, it is way overpriced, but I am still going to order it because I would not want a car without HUD.

Z51 $6345, is it worth it, NO, but I am getting it because I want to have the best car I can have when I dive into a fast corner at a highway exit.

I don't try to justify the cost of options, because they are way overpriced. This is the car I want, this is the cost. I don't want to think I didn't really get the best features, because it costs too much.
"People try to save money on everything they need, so they can have money to buy the things they want." The car manufacturers know that story really well, and options are priced accordingly.
Options are way way overpriced, but if you want the best, you pay the price. Or drive a no option, low cost car. Choose your poison.

2LT and Z51 are worth thinking about. I cannot believe how many people pay $7500 for a folding roof.

 

I would get on multiple lists, with refundable deposits, then worry about the build details. There will be plenty of time to figure the rest out while waiting.

 

Try Obaugh they got me one fairly quickly earlier this year . They were fair and honest no markup . Im not sure how long their list is now

 

Just received an email from Chris at Obaugh. He said all of their inbound cars are sold and they are on a 1-2 year waiting list.
I appreciate the heads up, it was worth a could of emails.

 

was worth a try I hit it just right they only had one ahead of me I got one in 4 months from them the list has grown since then . I’ve bought several vehicles from them they are straight up no games .

 

I did Dealer #1. Totally satisfied with the process. I got my car after 14 months of waiting, delivered a year ago now, seems like a LONG time ago. I slid in right under your budgeted amount on my car as well ($79k MSRP). I would not hesitate to do it again in the same manner.