TTAC Moves Fast On A 0% ZR1

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta

We don’t know for sure, but Dr. Sanjay Mehta (TTAC commentator doctorv8, awesome brother) did the deal on a 2010 Corvette ZR1 for 0% while the autoblogosphere still had it in editing. Not that the Internet is slow, he’s just that damn fast.The dude’s been keeping tabs on the inventory nightmare, calling out for GMAC’s corrective action on the Corvette Forum…almost a month ago. It’s so nice to see the two brothers speak The Truth About Cars, via different media.



How did this all go down so quickly? Thanks to Jeff Hardy’s disturbingly comprehensive website, Sanjay cherry picked from the litter: 3ZR black interior upgrade, Competition Gray rims and Cyber Gray paint. Then he waited. When internet savvy salespeople spread the news, he signed the paperwork. Though Ed nailed the analysis there’s more: with nearly 500 units collecting dust/exposed to the elements, only a fool buys a ZR1 at sticker. Try buying at invoice, minus dealer holdback. Then add incentives aimed at conquest customers or loyal GM drivers in certain zip codes. Then add 0% financing on a six figure principal. Take that OnStar balloon off the wiper arm, because your dealer’s floorplan costs just plummeted. That puppy’s coming home, Bubba.

Granted, the addition of Sanjay’s ZR1 to the Mehta fleet means one must go: the Z06 that I literally cut my teeth on my second TTAC review is headed for a new owner. While I never loved the styling and interior bits, it brought a smile to my face in 50+ autocross laps, countless blasts on curvy roads and a coupla corners taken at opposite lock with terrified passengers. I will truly miss that Z06, it might be the pinnacle of GM’s engineering prowess. So now we find out if the ZR1 is a worthy successor to the throne: more on that when the break-in miles are over.



Stay tuned…

Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

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  • Honda1 Unions were needed back in the early days, not needed know. There are plenty of rules and regulations and government agencies that keep companies in line. It's just a money grad and nothing more. Fain is a punk!
  • 1995 SC If the necessary number of employees vote to unionize then yes, they should be unionized. That's how it works.
  • Sobhuza Trooper That Dave Thomas fella sounds like the kind of twit who is oh-so-quick to tell us how easy and fun the bus is for any and all of your personal transportation needs. The time to get to and from the bus stop is never a concern. The time waiting for the bus is never a concern. The time waiting for a connection (if there is one) is never a concern. The weather is never a concern. Whatever you might be carrying or intend to purchase is never a concern. Nope, Boo Cars! Yeah Buses! Buses rule!Needless to say, these twits don't actual take the damn bus.
  • MaintenanceCosts Nobody here seems to acknowledge that there are multiple use cases for cars.Some people spend all their time driving all over the country and need every mile and minute of time savings. ICE cars are better for them right now.Some people only drive locally and fly when they travel. For them, there's probably a range number that works, and they don't really need more. For the uses for which we use our EV, that would be around 150 miles. The other thing about a low range requirement is it can make 120V charging viable. If you don't drive more than an average of about 40 miles/day, you can probably get enough electrons through a wall outlet. We spent over two years charging our Bolt only through 120V, while our house was getting rebuilt, and never had an issue.Those are extremes. There are all sorts of use cases in between, which probably represent the majority of drivers. For some users, what's needed is more range. But I think for most users, what's needed is better charging. Retrofit apartment garages like Tim's with 240V outlets at every spot. Install more L3 chargers in supermarket parking lots and alongside gas stations. Make chargers that work like Tesla Superchargers as ubiquitous as gas stations, and EV charging will not be an issue for most users.
  • MaintenanceCosts I don't have an opinion on whether any one plant unionizing is the right answer, but the employees sure need to have the right to organize. Unions or the credible threat of unionization are the only thing, history has proven, that can keep employers honest. Without it, we've seen over and over, the employers have complete power over the workers and feel free to exploit the workers however they see fit. (And don't tell me "oh, the workers can just leave" - in an oligopolistic industry, working conditions quickly converge, and there's not another employer right around the corner.)
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