Lovers of Front-engined Corvettes Stand to Save Big, but Only If They Spend Big

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Who’s talking about the C7 Corvette these days? Precious few, that’s who, as the recent appearance of the mid-engined C8 has sucked all the attention away from the current-generation Chevrolet two-seater.

This situation, paired with the need to clear existing inventory, could be advantageous for buyers of the departing model, assuming you’re ready to shell out nearly six figures for the hottest C7s around.

As reported by Cars Direct, General Motors is upping incentives on the outgoing C7 between now and Labor Day, offering up to $9,404 in savings to buyers who like sitting behind their engine. Naturally, buyers of entry-level models stand no chance of seeing this upper amount.

The offer carries the enthusiasm-sparking billing of “Supplier Pricing for Everyone.” Available on any Corvette model, the deal ties itself to the vehicle’s configuration, meaning less savings for Stingray buyers and more for Z06 customers. Maximum savings come to those who already own a Vette, as there’s a $3,000 loyalty offer in play.

Should this be your first Corvette purchase, the maximum savings to be had (no lease offers, sorry) totals $6,404, and that’s if you’re prepared to fork over just north of $95k on a ZO6. But wait, you ask — doesn’t the Z06 start at around $85k? Indeed it does, meaning you’ll likely have to add some options in order to pare down the final selling price. Yes, this is one of those instances where being a return customer really sweetens the pot.

Any money on the hood of a car is appreciated, however, and customers eager to get into a new Vette — but who didn’t get their name on a reservation list early — could find themselves waiting for a 2021 C8, not a 2020 model. The next-generation model’s first-year popularity boost might lead them to the C7 instead.

[Image: General Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • TheDutchGun TheDutchGun on Aug 06, 2019

    I checked whatever new 2019s are advertised on auto trader for the province of Ontario and they're definitely marked down to varying degrees. The best deal I found was an all-black base stingray with a manual for $61k, which is $12-$13k off MSRP here. That one was the outlier though. Most were not marked down to that degree.

  • 87 Morgan 87 Morgan on Aug 06, 2019

    No need to rush in to purchasing a C7. No doubt their will be stores with C8's and new C7's on the ground simultaneously, though I suspect the c8's will be spoken for. I am very interested, from an arm chair qb position so to speak, to see what trades come in on the C8. Thos car is a game changer for GM in a positive direction. 2021 Suburban/Tahoe hopefully attracts new buyers as well.

    • See 8 previous
    • 87 Morgan 87 Morgan on Aug 06, 2019

      Hummer, I believe that most people who do serious towing either now or in the future will do so with a pick up vs using a Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Yukon XL/Escalade an IRS. I used my Suburban to tow my pop up Coleman when we had it a solid 3x times a year. I do not believe that a IRS will decrease the number of sales, it will increase them as the increase in interior space along with the improved ride will make these far more an attractive purchase. Again, time will tell.

  • 28-Cars-Later One of the biggest reasons not to purchase an EV that I hear is...that they just all around suck for almost every use case imaginable.
  • Theflyersfan A cheaper EV is likely to have a smaller battery (think Mazda MX-30 and Mitsubishi iMEV), so that makes it less useful for some buyers. Personally, my charging can only take place at work or at a four-charger station at the end of my street in a public lot, so that's a crapshoot. If a cheaper EV was able to capture what it seems like a lot of buyers want - sub-40K, 300+ mile range, up to 80% charging in 20-30 minutes (tops) - then they can possibly be added to some lists. But then the issues of depreciation and resale value come into play if someone wants to keep the car for a while. But since this question is asking person by person, if I had room for a second car to be garaged (off of the street), I would consider an EV for a second car and keep my current one as a weekend toy. But I can't do a 50K+ EV as a primary car with my uncertain charging infrastructure by me, road trips, and as a second car, the higher insurance rates and county taxes. Not yet at least. A plug in hybrid however is perfect.
  • 28-Cars-Later Neither, but Honda lost the plot a while back in my view so Rav it would be.
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X Nope. Still not interested.
  • 28-Cars-Later I know someone who would snap this up for the right money, but Ontario and likely the ask would prohibit it.
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