Base C8 Priced As Moderately Equipped Grand Sport? Big Disappointment!
 

If the rumors are true that the base C8 is priced the same as a moderately equipped Grand Sport, then that is a big disappointment for about 40% of Corvette buyers.

A Grand Sport with 2LT, auto trans (to make it comparable to C8 DCT), and no other options has a price of $72,770 (with destination). We won't talk about discounted prices, because those vary, and GM never uses those numbers to describe pricing.

A entry level base Stingray, is $56,590, with manual ($58,315 with auto trans.).

The C8 would have a whopping 29% increase in price or a C7! In 2018, 39.3% of buyers bought the base Stingray.

I think there is a big risk to this pricing strategy. They have an aging C7 with sales dropping 5000 units a year, and they would have a new C8 that about 40% of their buyers would not be able to afford. Add to this that it appears no manual transmission will be available.

I see a lot of people jumping ship.

There's also a rumor that the car is $169,900....
I can make up any number on the planet, as can you. My suggestion would be to NOT whip yourself into a frenzy over stuff you read here or anywhere else on the internet.
Because NO ONE posting on the internet KNOWS the price.

You do realize that your post is based on ZERO facts, right?

I'm hearing $60K - $65K from those who probably know. Could be that GM doesn't even know the exact price since the trade war is substantially raising their material and parts costs.

See the pricing poll I created in this C8 forum. It looks like over 60% of voters think the base car will be 70k or less. So, I agree with you, they risk losing a significant number of buyers if they increase the price that much. That said, I think they would be smart to target that $59,999 mark for a base C8.

Michael,

I agree there is risk at that level, but think Elegant's statement was more on the high-end of possible starting price. And I'm pretty sure he was NOT talking about the MSRP of the current GS, but what you can actually buy one for today, which in the mid-60s and likely lower soon.

A 10-15% price increase will leave some traditional Corvette buyers behind, but many will stretch because of it's desirability, and it will no doubt attract new buyers who have never considered Corvette in the past. That's the likely strategy.

There is no reason why a base car couldn't be priced slightly above the C7 base car. ME cars aren't any more expensive to build than any other car. The current car is pretty much built the way you would build a ME car with the chassis and drive train being installed from under the car. No reason why they can't build the C8 the same way. There is very little difference in the cost to build an econobox 4 door Vs the most expensive vehicle in a manufactures most expensive vehicle. Mainly the cost of the body and frame materials (a large SUV probably uses twice as much steel as an econobox). Everything else is pretty much the same.

Bill

I heard the C8 base model is going to be $1.2 million per copy....

The only way to *"moderately price a GS," is to buy the stripped 1LT. You'll be paying at least $11,000.00 more for the GS, just as you're doing now on the C7. That's why there's so many GS 1LTs. Price point.

Exactly. But that base number ain't gonna be the GS.

Your numbers are off and you should probably use 2017MY since it was a full year with no plant shut down that impacted 2018MY and (IMO) led dealers to stock up on the "easiest" to sell.

Here are 2018MY numbers:
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/docs/2018CorvetteFINALYearEnd.pdf

Here are 2017MY numbers:
https://www.corvettemuseum.org/wp-co...HWC-UPDATE.pdf

I just removed all the off topic stuff.

It looks like a $60k car so I think thats about where it will start out at. The folks that want a bare bones car just to have a vette will be happy as this price is all they can afford. The folks that can actually afford a nicely equipped car should be the same range as the C7 upgraded cars.

Here we go again!

If history is any indication and if the C8 starts at $75K it would still be the steal of the century based on looks and performance and undercut the competition in price. I just want a no excuse Corvette that does not indicate cost cutting in some areas and GM can charge whatever reasonably they want. If that means it might price out a small % of buyers so be it! It's a Corvette and it's not meant to be afforded by everyone!

And FYI, there isn't a equivalent cheaper ship to jump into if price is the only factor.

A new 2019 base C7 can be had for perhaps a few bucks less than $50K out-the-door, after discount(s) and before tax title license.

.I see no reason why the same ^^^^ won't be possible @ $60K to $62.5K, out-the-door on a base 2020 C8. After getting the Big Chev. C7 Forum sponsors' discounts!

72k for the DCT model would work IMO. If the DCT is a 5k option and the manual is 67k I will order the manual ASAP.

The engineering and technology to make a mid-engine car work is not a $60k price point. Even low $70's will be cutting a lot of corners. It's a lose/lose. GM engineers a base level mid engine that is A+ quality and charges upwards of $100k and they upset previous base model customers. Yet if they don't Over-engineer the car to compete with foreign exotics in the mid engine platform, they will upset a lot of high performance customers begging them to take their money.

A+ quality? This is GM we're talking about right? I wouldn't hold my breath while I wait for them to turn out A+ quality though I'm sure the C8 will be nice.

That's apples to oranges. Those cars did not have the power/weight ratios, federal safety standards, modern day technology or interior refinement. To build a mid-engine they have to re-engineer almost every major system in the vehicle to fit that platform. There will be hardly any carryover in parts that has happened in previous generations with little refinement from generation to generation.