ShadyVette

I think the point from the OP is that the tech is now cheap and for a $100k car should be included in the base price. I’d agree and argue the camera for the rear view is also cheap enough that it should just be there.

The “evidence” that it’s cheap is that in 2012 in a $23k Mazda 3 it had the monitors included and in 2015 the Sante Fe also included the feature.

And we all know that the wiring harnesses include the ability to support any build so not having the feature isn’t saving any weight.

But if someone is on the fence about a 2LZ the blind spot warning might push it over the edge. The the rear view camera availability would be why I’d get a 2LZ. Car companies bundle all kinds of weird crap to get money out of folks and it’s not new.

Having had it in a few cars it’s nice to get the warning to save the initial head turn

Racer X

You are right it if GM were like other manufacturers they would up the price to the Porsche GT3 level and include the sensors that Porsche doesn't. Would you be satisfied then? Of would just find something else to complain about for what is supposed to be a sports car first. Something that the driver should be very engaged to drive, instead of depending on electronics to keep you out of wrecks.

Next you will say it should Automatic emergency Braking, and stupid auto distance keeping cruise control, or even self driving Super Cruise.

No sympathy here. Oh and no blind spot in normal driving and the blind spot you have on merging at an angle will not be helped by the sensor. That require more astute driving and planning ahead.

The safety features included on lower end cars are because the target audience is people who don't care about driving, and would prefer to be passengers riding in the driver's seat, as much as they can afford. That is not the target demographic for Corvettes.

westsdad

This wasn't true (wire harnesses including the ability to support any build) for the C7 and haven't seen anything conclusive for the C8 that it has changed yet.

Here's a post showing what it took to install OEM front cameras to a C7 that did not have the option from the factory. Cliff notes are that it took harnesses, parts, and a lot of work.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ding-this.html

Jetolso

Blind spot monitoring, memory seats, and a garage opener are not heavy (especially because the infrastructure for the system already exists given its availability in other trim levels), and will not affect track times.

Locking those features behind a higher trim level is a strategy to get you to pay >10 times more than something is worth and boost their bottom line.

The objective truth is that GM is overcharging for basic features that are standard in most cars. This is not 1999.

Almost like saying - "if you want a cupholder (or a dome light, or whatever other basic feature you can think of), it will be available only in our higher levels" - when it would cost near nothing to make it available for the base model.

You want to happily pay it and get ripped off. I want to complain about it, pay only for the 1LZ, and prefer this not be an issue for future model years.

Rapid Z

Absolutely 110% agree. I don’t know of any manufacturer that doesn’t include it now even on economy cars. It’s ridiculous.

JABCAT

The 2LT/Z & 3LT/Z are complete rip offs for what you get, it's been that way since 3LZ was $7,100 on my car. Now it's $14k and you still get crap. It's not a surprise, and all the info is clearly displayed on Chevy's build & price site. So you either pay for it or don't. Complaining on a forum isn't going to change anything.

A similarly-equipped Stingray to my new M2 would be $25k more. I chose the M2 for my dd for a variety of reasons, but performance value was definitely one of them. Yeah it came with all the nannies that I turn off. If you don't like GM's way of doing business, buy something else.

ShadyVette

This is a key post. I’m actually cross shopping the M2, and a stick at that. Less HP? Yes. But there’s lots of YouTubers giving the nod to the M2 over the Cayman and for half the cost of what I want in a Z and it’s possibly better value minus the sound. Scary but the M2 is nearly the same weight as a Z so it’s heavy but for fun factor on the road at half the price I’m thinking of getting off the Z list at MM

Jetolso

I bought a manual M3 a year ago while I waited. Fantastic decision. I’m sure the M2 is superb, but I preferred having rear doors (and two child seats).

And btw, BMW has no obscene rip-off conditions like this one. Most truly basic stuff is included, and if it is not, you can get some a la carte (without forcing a higher trim level).

Phil1098

Get ripped off??? Just because it's more focused on performance than being some giant safety net with wheels, doesn't make it a rip off. I would pay to keep all the BS crap out of the car, I don't need it or want it.

ShadyVette

At the risk of hijacking this this thread anyone with an M2 who knows if it pushes or not like the 135 DM me.

Phil1098

You mean like charging a subscription so your heated seats work? Yeah, they're run by saints wearing a cross.

Jetolso

Good point - conceded.

Fortunately I didn’t run into that issue (and I think no one will - walked back).

Nonetheless, I have no brand loyalty (and, in my opinion, no one should). Only semi-objective feedback.

ShadyVette

my understanding is they rescinded that stupid decision rather quickly. At least I didn’t see that on the 2 series for 2024

Phil1098

I think they did, but only due to the massive push back by the buyers. They still came out with the program in the first place. All these manufacturers are constantly looking for a new way to improve the bottom line, it's what being in a capitalist society gets you. I for one wouldn't want it any other way though, but suggesting any maker is philanthropic towards customers is naive at best.

ShadyVette

oh agreed, one of the few wins of social media

Jetolso

Ahhhh PUSHBACK BY THE BUYERS EEHHHH???

Looks like this thread does have a point then :-)

Phil1098

Nah, what BMW did was flat out wrong, the cars had heated seats, they just wouldn't work until extortion money was paid. GM just made equipment level decisions and that's the way they come.
I'm afraid you can wish in one hand and well, ........................you know the rest.

RBK11

It apparently depends on the technology you were brought up with. My mirror tells me if a car is near, what more do I need. I drive the car, not the other way around. For me, and again, generational differences should be respeected, I never had and never needed any assist. So why I don't complain is there is really nothing to complain about for me.

FL-355

Paragon Mirrors - problem solved.

ShadyVette

Everyone agrees that the ability of the driver trumps the tech. But there was a time before rear view cameras became law that they were a pay for option on a BMW which was ridiculous when a Mazda or Hyundai had it for free on the base model. This is similar, the tech is cheap and should be ubiquitous