$75,000 Price Tag? What Do You Think?

[Rob]

As stated in Corvette Magazine's upcoming article regarding the 2006 Z06:

Chevy insiders have sworn on their dead grandmothers' graves that the base Porsche 911 price was the program's target, yet it's hard to believe all that carbon, aluminum, and other specialized hardware can really be delivered in the high-60s; even a $75,000 sticker would be a spectacular value, especially compared to the six-figure tab of the Ford GT. On the other hand, anything more than that sum is likely to raise unfortunate accusations of ZR1-itis—it's hard to see how Chevy can win either way.

With that said, what are your thoughts on the possibility of the 2006 Z06 coming out with an MSRP of $70,000-$75,000?

Several people argue that they think that price exceeds what the Corvette has always stood for: reasonably priced peformance vs. the competition. Personally, the possibility of a $75,000 price doesn't bother me one bit. Would GM make a mistake pricing the Z06 at this price? I don't think so. I don't think we're going to see another situation like we did with the ZR-1. And contrary to what has been posted on another forum web site, the ZR-1 did NOT remain in high demand until it's demise. If it did, ZR-1s would not have sat on dealer lots for months on end, like I saw them sit.

The fact is, the ZR-1 died because of it's high price during opposing world economic situations, low demand due to the exotic nature of its engine, and internal grumblings from GM Powertrain because Corvette Development outsourced the development and manufacturing of the engine rather than remaining inhouse.

Can I afford a 2006 Z06 at that price? No. Can I afford a new base model 2005 C6? No. But that doesn't mean, I want to see C6s all over the place like Camaros and Mustangs. The higher the price, the higher the exclusivity, the less chance of seeing them all over the place, the greater excitement when you do see one. Regardless of price, and whether or not I can personally afford one, does not make me want to see Chevrolet give the car away to every mom and pop driver. Just my opinion.

[motorman_mp3]

I think that is a good price for a car that can compete with the $140,000 Ford GT.

[LT4man]

When the C5 came out in 1997, there were a lot of people that had never bought a Vette before buying one. That car delivered a lot of bang for the buck. With the Z06, I do not mind one bit if that car retains some exclusivity. Even at $75,000, the technology and raw horsepower gives you something that no one in the world can match. Dodge and the foreign manufacturers will have to go back to the drawing board. When the automobile first came out, there was no problem making an expensive car. It took Ford to figure out how to make a car that was affordable. I think that Chevy (GM) keeps hitting the nail right on the head. When I am able to afford a Z06, it will be more fun trying to find one!

[abowtieguy]

Originally Posted by Rob

As stated in Corvette Magazine's upcoming article regarding the 2006 Z06:

With that said, what are your thoughts on the possibility of the 2006 Z06 coming out with an MSRP of $70,000-$75,000?

Several people argue that they think that price exceeds what the Corvette has always stood for: reasonably priced peformance vs. the competition. Personally, the possibility of a $75,000 price doesn't bother me one bit.

Can I afford one? No. Can I afford a new base model 2005 C6? No. But that doesn't mean, I want to see C6s all over the place like Camaros and Mustangs. The higher the price, the higher the exclusivity, the less chance of seeing them all over the place, the greater excitement when you do see one. Regardless of price, and whether or not I can personally afford one, does not make me want to see Chevrolet give the car away to every mom and pop driver. Just my opinion.

At that price, NO! @$75,000 US = approx. $93,500 Can. + destination charges and taxes = over $101,000 Can. and that's if the $75,000US is sticker! Not to mention what the dealers will to add for the wealthy eager ones that just to have the best newest Vette. No I am not one of the lucky or ones that can afford that. I'll just be happy and drive the wheels off my Z16.
It is a nice car and glad GM is building it, maybe in a few year it will grow on me and can afford a used one. I know for sure I will Not go back to the dealer I got my Z from and give them that kind of money!

Doug

[1stiff84]

Originally Posted by Rob

As stated in Corvette Magazine's upcoming article regarding the 2006 Z06:

With that said, what are your thoughts on the possibility of the 2006 Z06 coming out with an MSRP of $70,000-$75,000?

Several people argue that they think that price exceeds what the Corvette has always stood for: reasonably priced peformance vs. the competition. Personally, the possibility of a $75,000 price doesn't bother me one bit. Would GM make a mistake pricing the Z06 at this price? I don't think so. I don't think we're going to see another situation like we did with the ZR-1. And contrary to what has been posted on another forum web site, the ZR-1 did NOT remain in high demand until it's demise. If it did, ZR-1s would not have sat on dealer lots for months on end, like I saw them sit.

The fact is, the ZR-1 died because of it's high price during opposing world economic situations, low demand due to the exotic nature of its engine, and internal grumblings from GM Powertrain because Corvette Development outsourced the development and manufacturing of the engine rather than remaining inhouse.

Can I afford a 2006 Z06 at that price? No. Can I afford a new base model 2005 C6? No. But that doesn't mean, I want to see C6s all over the place like Camaros and Mustangs. The higher the price, the higher the exclusivity, the less chance of seeing them all over the place, the greater excitement when you do see one. Regardless of price, and whether or not I can personally afford one, does not make me want to see Chevrolet give the car away to every mom and pop driver. Just my opinion.

For $75k (a reasonable price, but out of reach for me), I will admire a car I am still learning to use at it's full (but "lesser") capabilities even more.

[c4c5specialist]

Worth every penny.
Allthebest, c4c5

[LT4man]

c4c5 specialist:
and why would you be banging your head against the wall? it is christmas. give yourself a break!
gregory

[mbnakron]

75k is a very good price, but unfortanately puts it out of my price range for a couple years.

[hotmtrsports]

I already started talking to my bank about the 65K I thought it was going to be. This car excites me to the point of considering trading my 02 C5 Conv. much more than the standard C6 (as if it's standard).

I would be using the trade equity in mine plus cash trying to finance about 50K. It's in reach for me at 65K or 75K, but if the dealers add anything to MSRP, they can stick the car where the sun don't shine!!

Chuck

[tomtom72]

Just my 0.02 cents worth. At $75,000.00 the car is an unqualified bargain. Okay I'm a vette owner & I'm biased. But come on where do you get all of that and it looks better than a 911 for that kind of $? If I could afford one I'd be at the dealer yesterday. I think it is a lot of $, more than I'll ever be able to afford. Heck my budget can't even take a good used C5 let alone a C6 Z06. I am envious of anyone who gets one, and I say good luck to them! Corvettes have always been at the top of GM's pricing structure, and I don't think that has ever changed from day one in '53. You gotta pay something to get all that R & D on to a production car. I remember my 72 LT-1 A/C coupe being almost as much as my dad's 72 loaded coupe de ville, so what has changed? A XLR is in that neighborhood. I think GM did a fair pricing job, if ya gotta ask how much ya can't afford it as the man said. Tom

[bluecoupe]

Considering the competition the new Z06 is a bargain. Only $20,000 extra for all those goodies is well worth it especially when it can dust most of the $100K+ Euro cars out there. Time for me to start buying Lottery tickets.


Frank (buecoupe)

[c4c5specialist]

Originally Posted by lt4man

c4c5 specialist:
and why would you be banging your head against the wall? it is christmas. give yourself a break!
gregory

Because I cant afford one, of course.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by c4c5specialist

Because I cant afford one, of course.

and you would not have to pay the 20-30K dealer markup either

[kingman]

Hi

No doubt about it, if you have the means then do it for the 2006 model year. Let the newbies take the plunge first and pay the surcharges that GM allows the dealers to do.

Thinking about it, the surcharges doomed the Chevy SSR and why in heaven GM allows this l will never know.

It is quite worth it and it will be a keeper but my wife would never understand it in a thousand years.

Alan

The question in my mind is whether GM will make the Z06 available in quantities similar to the C5 Z06. Of course, a $75K price ....or even much less....may result in lower sales that the C5 Z06's. That is, lots of demand but not as many would be buyers who can afford the beast.

The profiteering by the dealers will be shameful for sure. However, while they could get away with a few thousand over for the first C5's and even a bit over for the first C6's this will be an entirely new ballgame. The limiting factor will be the high base price and resulting much lower available market. I understand that Dodge has a half year of inventory or more on the Viper. Why is this? Certainly thousands or tens of thousands of people would die for a Viper........it's the money!

So I have to believe that GM may be expecting to sell far fewer of the C6 Z06's. It's unfortunate that C6 buyers will face such a chasm between the base car and the Z06 with nothing in between from the factory. Personally there's no way I could afford $75k ( or more after dealer gouging ). I think a lower price...in the $65 k range would much be much better IF GM wants to sell large volumes.

In the case of the Viper Dodge never intended to sell many units. It's a loss leading image car designed to boost sales of everything from economy boxes to big pickups. Most Dodge ads seem to have at least a brief appearance by a Viper. At $75K this is what the Z06 will be. Very low sales volume, very high image, and a featured guest in all Cobalt ads from now on. Of course, the base C6 is pretty much a C5 Z06 in terms of power and add Z51 and it's really close. It's all marketing strategy...like the so called embargo.