I started looking for a new c8 corvette about 1 week ago and was told by the first few dealers I contacted there was around a 2 year waiting list. It didn't discourage and I kept call dealers near to my location in Minnesota. The 4th dealer I called said they had one on order that wasn't spoken for and it could be mine at msrp. I was surprised and was tempted to take it. Blue convertible with silver stripes, loaded.
I called a 5th dealer and was told they had an open allocation (at msrp) no one had spoken for but it had to be a z51 car. It needed to be order within next 2 weeks.

The 6th dealer i called had an order they had just placed for a convertible anniversary car. They told me if I wanted the car and decided asap they could still change any build specs on it to my liking. I went in and changed the car to my specs this last Monday and put down a 1k deposit. They sold it to me at msrp. The only fee they added was $198 documentation. On Wednesday I received an email from GM letting me know my C8 was accepted and had begun production process.
My question is this... was i just super lucky or is it easier to get a new c8 compared to what many dealers are telling people?
I apologize in advance if this question has been asked and answered already. Also not trying to start an argument with anyone and i am no corvette c8 expert or saying that c8s arent in very high demand.

 

Congratulations! Would be curious to see if others are finding similar luck in recent months. I'm hopefully only 2-3 months out on a large dealers list, but if it stretches much further I may call around then as well in the dead of winter.

 

Congrats on the new car. A combination of winter, the overall economy, interest rates, job worries etc. Nice that it worked out. There are a lot of people on this forum that have been waiting on lists for quite some time and are still waiting. Hopefully the lines at the forum dealers shorten up some as well.

 

Hell of a first post - congrats!

 

I would say....you are dam lucky!

 

I was also able to get a MSRP car in minimal time by using a smaller dealer. The key is to call around.

 

Location is also a big difference. No way anything like this would happen on the West Coast.

Congratulations to the OP on finding a great deal. You will love the car.

 

I'm seeing similar stories at smaller dealers around the country...1 or 2 here and there available at or just over MSRP. Mostly cars that were ordered and the customer either bailed upon the car's arrival or couldn't get financing. The big 3 just move their lengthy wait list up a notch or two when this happens but small dealers don't have a wait list a mile long because they don't get huge allocations.

 

I’ve seen no less than 5 new C8’S on Facebook this week that got bailed on by the person that ordered them and all were offered and sold at MSRP. Various spots in the country. Just gotta keep your eyes peeled.

 

Good news, the prices are finally returning to normal... Bad news, the prices are finally returning to normal...

 

It is not like it was a year ago that is for sure. I waited 14 months for my first one, went into my small dealer last week for an oil change and they asked me if I wanted to trade mine for a new one at msrp as they had an allocation available that was backed out of. Shocked me to say the least as it has not been the norm since the C8 came out.

Now if that was a Z06 allocation...

 

If you are willing to do the research at a number of dealers, you may find a car or an open allocation that will significantly shorten the wait period for a C8. Sounds like the OP did what was needed to get a car quickly.

 

OP, why not name the 4th and 5th dealers with incoming C8s at MSRP for others here who may be interested?

 

Already been contacted by PM and given that information out. 😀
if anyone is interested in the blue convertible with silver stripes let me know and I can send you the dealership info. The car is already in production so it can't be changed.

 

Wonder since being in Minnesota if the OP is getting into what I had called Kerbecks 'Winter Pricing?' That is when I bought my C7 Grand Sport and got a ~15% discount from MSRP. I'll explain.

One reason Kerbeck was the largest Corvette dealer for many years (in addition to being great folks where I bought 3 Vettes, including my C8) was their usual high inventory of new Corvettes and their great pricing shown on their website. What you saw for the car's in stock is what you also got for cars ordered to your specification from BG. As I have for all 6 Vettes I want the exact features, colors, interior level, HD options I researched NOT what some sale manger orders thinking it's what I might like!

SIDEBAR:
WINTER PRICING
Many dealers "Up North" stop ordering Vettes in winter. It's a problem for the Bowling Green plant as GM builds NO cars for inventory. All must be ordered by dealers. Especially approaching Christmas, GM does not want to lay folks off! In addition to being costly it's a morale issue. So they offer dealer incentives to encourage the purchase of Corvettes. I recall buying my 2008 C6 and shopping several dealers by phone. Was not as common in late 1987 when I ordered. As I recall a young lady at Kerbeck managed "phone sales." I had wanted a 2LT and got prices from several dealers including one very large Vette dealer in NC. Recall my wife said why don't you get the 3LT that includes NAV? I called the two lowest quoted dealers and asked for that cost. Kerbeck was offering it at a 50% discount. Had the MSRP and Dealer Invoice and that was far more then the spread. Called the other large Corvette dealer in NC and was given, as expected, a discount from MSRP but nowhere near 50%. Without mentioning the other dealer I stated the price I was quoted. The person handling phone sales said, that must be Kerbeck we can't match that price.

Called Kerbeck and ordered my C6 and mentioned that high discount. for the 3LT. Recall the young lady said we have various specials periodically; they often change weekly. Was that BG having excess parts for 3LTs offering extra discounts?? When my car came in flew to Atlantic City and drove the ~500 miles home.

2017 Grand Sport Purchase
I was watching the Kerbeck pricing for cars in inventory listed on their website. In January early February their usual 150 to 200 new Vettes in inventory had increased to ~250. Their discount percentage had also increased. When I ordered, their Grand Sports were listed with ~15% discount from MSRP and that is what was quoted when I placed mine "Built just for me in BG." For the Grand Sport (as well as my C8) found a small dealer 30 miles from home who did Courtesy Delivery for a flat $350. Much easier than driving 500 miles home from NJ! BTW, as logical as Spring approached their discounts decreased!

So Kerbeck (and a few other dealers) took advantage of GM's special discounts when dealer's 'UP North' are not purchasing Vettes in winter.

Expect some of those Northern dealers with Corvette allocations may offer better pricing rather than risk getting a Vette for Inventory as prices are escalating and interest on car loans increasing dramatically!

 

When I’ve done that in the past I got busted. Forum policy is to only promote dealers who are sponsors who pay the forum money. I’ve had allocations available in the for sale section and was warned and they were removed.

A slippery slope, I can see where the forum gets their revenues but imho it’s a disservice to members looking for a car.

Either you promote the hobby or you’re all about the dollars.

 

Another data point - sold my 2021 Red Mist 'Z51 coupe 1st of August in favor of a 2023 Carbon Flash Black 70th Anniversary Edition. Got my allocation after only 3 months, at MSRP, and $130 document fee from a small dealer in Arkansas. If you shup, you WILL find the quick deliveries. Had a a second deposit at a local dealer selling at MSRP, but they are 1 month later in delivery.

 

@JT#7 that's terrific. And you are right, it is a data point. But...I had the same exact deal one year ago. In August 2021 put my deposit down with a local rural dealer and got my allocation, three months later in November 2021. That was the same three months you just experienced.

I'm only raising the point that your (great!) experience, as one data point, doesn't by itself suggest a sea change in the market. A year ago threads here were urging the same thing - put down a deposit at MacMulkin to lock in a one-year wait, and then put several more (refundable) deposits down at smaller dealers who get a few allocations. It worked for me and a bunch others on this forum, and and your experience proves it's still the right move today.

 

People overlook smaller dealerships. They get allocations and then order as "stock" because they have no one on a wait list. And they sell at MSRP.

 

Similar situation here was on a wait list for a large dealer, got curious, called my local dealer and a month later got a allocation this was last thursday , so looking at 2-3 months instead of a year.