What do we think? Now that Chevy is adding hybrid tech to GS and ZR1.
While The Z06 stays NA.Will the C8 Z06 appreciate in value over time if it ends up being last NA Z06 + the only mid engine NA Z06?

 

I hope it appreciates.
...a lot.......my entire retirement portfolio depends on it.

 

I am not sure it will appreciate (I hope it does) but I think long term, ones in great condition, low miles and well optioned will hold their value better than others….

I can’t over state how happy I am that I got a 2026 Z06 Aero, optioned exactly the way I wanted it, at a decent discount, and I own it……whatever happens over the next 3 - 5 years I know I will be comfortably watching it from the sidelines knowing I have my gem (NA, FPC, Z06) sitting in the garage….paid for...

 

These are special cars. Will they appreciate? Not any time soon. Modern Corvettes are an investment in pleasure, not something that will add to your portfolio. Just enjoy the ride.

 

Do you mean that last ICE?

If so, quite possibly.

 

Probably not going up anytime soon, they produced 21k C8 Z06s

 

All modern Z06es have something unique to them compared to other Z06 generations from C6 through present. And within each generation, the Z06 packs performance technology that differentiates itself from others within the model range without commanding ZR1 level money. Z06 is sort of the "attainable elite" model.

For the past few years, C6 Z06 prices have held steady between $35k-$60k, down big from an original mid-$70k base MSRP. C7 Z06 prices are holding between $60k-$80k which tops out around their original base MSRP. Factoring in inflation, flat prices means they're actually losing value in real terms. Not sure if they dipped lower prior to coming back up to settle at these prices. I believe C8 Z06 values will continue to drop then straddle $100k (bottoming at $90k-$110k) as the C9 comes out. Just like each Z06 generation engine, the FPC's differentiating factor gets amplified by the switch to a mid-engine layout. That layout switch drew in a new cohort of buyers: Millennials at the prime of their careers and/or are inheriting boomer money and Gen Z lining up to enter the prime of their careers in the C9 generation. Me being the former, I classify the C8 Z06 as the 458's (my dream car upon starting my career post-college) spiritual successor aka "2nd gen" 458 aka 458.2. If C9Z follows up with a "3rd gen" or 458.3 (MR N/A FPC V8), then C8Z should settle sub-$100k, call it $80k-$100k. Otherwise if it niches out into becoming the "458 Final Edition," then it should creep back up and hold above $100k, call it $100k-$120k. Doubt it will rise above its original MSRP because that would mean C9 was a failure--highly unlikely given C9 should be an evolution of the C8 chassis. Standing on the shoulders of a giant makes for a bigger giant. Even if it's not N/A FPC V8.

 

The Zr1's are the appreciators

 

If anything, maybe just slow depreciation. I'm happy enough with that. They produce a lot of Z06 and as many as they can. It IS a very special car with a special engine though, but obviously they have to build volume to make the car costs lower.

 

Good info! Just wondering what data you are using to support your estimates? I think your logic about each generation makes sense. Are you looking at current resale price histories for each generation? If so, from what source?

 

I think your already kind of seeing them settle in around that 100K to 120K depending on year, mileage, and options. Hasn't changed a whole lot in the last 8 to 12 months.

I'm not sure they'll drop much less than about 90K. By the time the C9's come out it won't shock me if a new Stingray will be 90K for a base model, meaning 3LZ or convert with a few options will all run over a 100K all day long. Z06 C9 will be pushing a 150K for fairly basic spec model and anything optioned well, probably mid 160's if not 170's for an average sale price. So a 2026 Z06 with like 15k in miles with decent options for 105Kish used probably sounds about right by that time.

Overall, in the next 5 years or so I doubt you'll see much change if what C8 Z06's bring. A lot of Corvette's it take 25+ years or so before you can even think about the used market appreciating if not longer. No doubt the ZR1 and Z06 will be the Corvettes 20+ years from now people will clamor for. So a nice used Z06 for 115K today you can probably enjoy ownership for many years and not have to worry too much about losing money on depreciation. Buying new it should be expected to take a heavy hit.

 

I agree…I well optioned 2026 Z06/Z07 Coup sticker was ~$164,000.. I am willing to bet that when the C9 comes out that will be ~$175K+ easily….I think well equipped Z06 3LZ low miles will settle in the mid $120’s and hold there…time will tell...

 

All pulled from BaT charts:


Source: https://bringatrailer.com/chevrolet/corvette-c6-z06/



Source: https://bringatrailer.com/chevrolet/corvette-c7-z06/

 

Might as well throw the C8 BaT chart on here. Basic technical analysis (I stare at charts all the time for trading): The downtrend has slowed but there's no confirmed bottoming out and still a slight downward slope even from 10/2025 to 4/2026 (now).


Source: https://bringatrailer.com/chevrolet/corvette-c6-z06/

(The dots on the bottom right are parts/accessories.)

I used AI to extrapolate the BaT C8 Z06 price data out to 2040. It projects price to plateau at $85k:

 

Here's also the reality potentially coming to the US especially if we shift to a Democrat controlled government. The following restrictions and nannies are already implemented in Europe, especially painful when implemented on performance cars, vis a vis the hatred by European politicians of ICE cars like ours.

- 2020: Particulate filters. Reduces hp. On European delivered Z06's
- 2024: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Whenever speed limit is exceeded car interior beeps are initiated
- 2026: Car exhaust noise limitation of 72 db initiated. Ferraris/Lamborghinis now sound dull and lousy as they drive by
- 2026+: Interior camers mandated to monitor and record driver actions and personal condition

Bottom line, to be safe - maybe get your great cars while you can. May not be possible down the road as currently implemented in Europe. Dulling trhe Z06 sound greatly would be a disaster. Not the main reasons that I have C8 Z06 and ZR1, but...........

Just saying - you decide the future

 

It’sa great car, but a limited production one, so doubtful.

 

I may be missing it but how does this data differentiate itself between model year, models, trims and options….it is lumping everything together….in essence what it says is that a 2020 SR LT1 coup and a 2026 Z06 HTC 3LZ will both “plateau” out at $85K at the same time…. ???? I am not sure of any relevance this has…..

Edit: I see now that you are only looking at Z06…but it is still lumping everything else together….unless I am still missing something.

Edit again: Looking at this (still) what would make any of this “relevant” is if you knew the actual original purchase (not sticker) of each of those…at least then you would have the average purchase price and the average selling price of each of those “dots”. without that the $85K number you have is a “so what” number….

 

The relevance is to the thread topic: C8 Z06 appreciating. The OP didn't ask for appreciation based on the options breakdown. What you're asking for is still very relevant. But saying the data I posted isn't relevant is absurd. It's directly relevant.

If you click the link or even look at my screenshots you can filter charts by year and words, models, tags to exclude. So you can make it relevant to what you're looking for. I'm no mind reader so I posted the most general but still completely relevant chart.

Original prices is common enough knowledge to be looked up based on VIN which that site posts. You have enough info to look it up yourself and run the comparisons. I'm sorry BaT doesn't live up to your expectations but I don't run the site. I just use it to find *relevant* data which hopefully offers more substance than subjective opinions based on personal anecdote instead of collective data.

As for the $85k figure, take it FWIW given it's AI generated and I said that. Earlier I predicted prices would settle between $80k-$100k which is in the same ball park. The "so what" is it's based on math. Maybe what math can do is worthless to you but I have no reason to fade it. Math made it possible to engineer the C8 Z06. And I don't claim any of this to be definitive truth. Just sharing interesting data for discussion. I find some value in it but If it's completely worthless to you then idk what to say. Sorry? Lol

 

I disagree, you have sold prices but no selling price or age of the each….Depreciation = (Initial Value - Salvage Value) / Useful Life —— you only have one number….what is the relevance? If it is to say that the C8 will depreciate? you don't need a chart for that….if you are trying to chart what the actual deprecation has been and what it may look like in the future, then I still maintain that you don’t have enough information in your charts to accurately estimate that.

 

The chart shows a downtrend in prices. Isn't that the definition of depreciation in a nutshell? As for the granularity you ask for, I don't run BaT but that data is available for you to collect as I said earlier.