Corvettes Are Getting More Expensive Just in Time for the Holidays
As the media obsessively focuses on the upcoming, mid-engined C8 Corvette, the C7 languishes. Vette sales exploded in 2014 following the release of the seventh-generation model, declining ever since. Chevrolet only sold 25,079 Corvettes domestically in 2017 and, even though year-end sales aren’t yet in, General Motors looks ready to fall short of last year’s volume for 2018.
While it is not abnormal to see the popularity of a high-profile sports car wane in the years following a debut, it’s slightly less common to see an automaker increase its price without adding some new hardware — and that’s what General Motors is doing with the Corvette in 2019.
How much more you’ll be paying depends entirely upon which C7 you’re in the market for. According to Corvette Blogger, Grand Sport models and below will tack on an additional $405 ($905 for convertibles), while the Z06 adds an additional $1,000 on top of that. For the ZR1, consumers are looking at a $2,000 price increase for the hardtop and $2,500 for the convertible — resulting in an MSRP of $125,400.
Opting for the eight-speed automatic also results in a small price increase for 2019. Formerly $1,725, the transmission will now cost $1,995. You’ll also want to account for GM’s $1,095 destination fee and the gas guzzler tax applicable to the Z06 and ZR1.
Fortunately, the new prices only affect cars invoiced from this point on. Corvettes currently relaxing in showrooms will not be subject to the price increase. But the same can not be said for the next vehicle that rolls off a car carrier and onto a dealer lot.
Our best guess is that General Motors assumes dealers can sell discounted C7s for more after the mid-engine Corvette hits showrooms. We also suppose a grand or two isn’t going to change the minds of most prospective buyers, who probably view the model as a relative performance bargain, anyway.
Chalk it up to inflation if it makes you feel any better. Of course, it likely won’t — unless you’ve one of the precious few Americans who actually received a raise or meaningful holiday bonus this year.
[Image: General Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
Last November when GM had its 20% off SS sedan sale I compared the price between the discounted Holden and the then current discounts on the Corvette. The SS were going for around $38-41k and the Vette was within a couple grand. Many in the $42k range. The C8 is a beyond boneheaded move that further convinces me of GMs incompetence. Say goodbye to the affordable Vette, not to mention destroying the nameplate in a similar manner to the Blazer. Sure give us a midengine sportscar but don't destroy the Vette which has acrued a legacy over 7 generations and countless decades as an affordable front engine rear drive sportscar.
The current Corvette is awesome, and particularly compelling in base Stingray trim. Biggest problem with buying them? They're sold by Chevy dealers, all of whom seem to be much more interested in selling some SUV blob to subprime buyers, or pickup trucks. Ford dealer experience isn't much better, but I come out pissed off every time I try dropping in on a Chevy dealer.