Pricing of the New 2006 Z06

[Rob]

So taking into consideration all of the rumors you've heard about the upcoming Z06, what do you think a fair/reasonable sticker price would be for the car and why?

Before answering - keep the sticker price of the 1990-1995 ZR-1s in mind when they first came out. In 1990, the ZR-1 debuted at just over $59,000. The sticker price for a 1990 base model L98 Corvette was $31,979. That's a difference of $27,021. By 1995 - the last year of ZR-1 production, the price inched up to $70,000. Due to several factors, which included the sticker price and the economy back then, the ZR-1 met an unfortunate death.

If we take the sticker price of a base model C6 at: $44,245 and we tack on $27,000, we come up with a Z06 sticker price of $71,245. Just a little assumption here.

The 2005 C6 Coupe starts at: $44,245

The 2005 C6 Conv. starts at: $55,245

Competition Pricing:

2005 Viper: $85,245
2005 Ford GT: ~$150,000
2005 Ferrari 430: $280,000
2004 Lambo Gallardo: $165,000
2004 Honda NSX: $85,000?

Given the technology and performance potential of the upcoming Z06 and the sticker price of it's competition, do you think a sticker price of $65,000 - $75,000 is justifiable?

Would you be willing to pay more?

 

[Gorgon]

The economics of the ZR-1 made its price what it was due to the fact that it had a limited production engine that was externally developed and supplied. Wide body was developed exclusively for ZR-1 as well which would add cost due to the fact the molds were tooled but also only produced in low quantities. In reality this only affected certain panels but would have affected price none the less.

The Z06 used the modified FRC body style which had already been developed and used in previous Corvettes in 1999 and 2000. The LS6 was not too far removed from the LS1 as compared to the LT5/LT1 engines. This kept cost down as well.

Looking at the new Z06 we see a couple repeats to the ZR-1.

New "wider" body, which essentially looks to be the addition of fender flares on the quarter panels. The front fascia also appears to be new as the opening is larger. The rear is yet to be seen.

There is information pointing to either a 6.4L or 7.0L engine which is to be hand built for these cars. While the design would remain cheaper than the ZR-1 implementation there is some additional cost as blocks would not be shared and the fact that they are hand built in low volume.

Now, all that being said let's compare '04 Z06/Vert pricing. A '04 convertible totally optioned out would retail for about $55K, around the same price as a Z06 as the Z really didn't have any options to raise the price significantly. The C6 vert fully optioned comes in close to $62k which is a significant increase (though I realizer there are many new options available).

I would like to see GM keep with the tradition of offering the best possible performance at the best price. Raising the Z06 price upwards to $75k would put it out of reach of many people and I personally wouldn't pay that much. Given the facts above about all the items that will not be similar to the base C6 we could see a little more than the $62k currently being asked of the optioned vert.

Also keep in mind that some the additional cost of Z06 developmetn is offset by the base C6 program profits so I will guess the price will stay lower.

All that said my estimate will be around $60K assuming very little options as we saw with the C5 model. I wouldn't expect to see the price go above $65k.

Leon

 

[Bioscache2]

Do you really think its gonna be that much. The z06 was approx 8-10k over the base coupe for the C5 if I remember correctly although the intial z06 wasn't as much a jump over the base coupe as the zr1 was over the base c4. I wonder which methodology they'll follow.

 

[Erik S. Klein]

I'm with Gorgon and Bioscache2. I don't think Chevy will treat this like a ZR-1. It's going to be more like the previous Z06 option. They may tack on a bit more of a premium, but not $17K worth.

I'm guessing that the new model year will see a 3-5% price increase and that the Z06 will be a $10,000 option. That makes the Z06 price out at about $56K or so.

Will it be worth that? Hell yeah!

Could they sell it for more? Possibly, but they don't want to get too close to the Viper in price or they'll lose customers to it.

 

[c5vetter]

where does the Blue Demon (or whatever they are calling it) fall into the pricing scheme that we are talking about here? Believe it will influence what the final pricing strategy is for the Z06

 

[Bioscache2]

If the blue devil materializes as a super vette capable of taking on any car, to include Euro super cars then I would expect 75-100k

 

[Gorgon]

where does the Blue Demon (or whatever they are calling it) fall into the pricing scheme that we are talking about here? Believe it will influence what the final pricing strategy is for the Z06

Since this is rumor stage at this point I don't think it's relevent to current Z06 pricing. If ther were to offset the cost of a "super vette" by increasing Z06 pricing they will sell less of both types and loose all around.

Leon

 

[JBsC5]

C6 Z06 should run mid sixties..

JMO

 

[Edmond]

I think that the closer they get to the Viper priced territory, the further away that GM goes from having the Vette' as an affordable car that can hang with the best in the world.

To me, a percentage premium like the C5 Z06 had over the C5 coupe would be idealistic. Not just a raw dollar amount, but a percentage.

 

[Vinn]

I feel that the jump from $69,000 to $70,000 carries a lot more than $1000 in the perception of a price. With this in mind, I don't think the Z06 will enter the seventy-thousand dollar territory. I bet that the Z06 will be priced relatively closely to the new convertible, with the added convenience features of the later offsetting the extra performance features this Z06 will have over the previous one.

Vince

 

[msiska]

Thought the new vert had an msrp of $52,500 or thereabouts?

 

[Gorgon]

Thought the new vert had an msrp of $52,500 or thereabouts?

Correct for base price with no options. Optioned out it can easily push past $60k.

 

[JBsC5]

Thats why I took a shot at 65 grand. Just a guess though.

 

[Gorgon]

I agree JB, but I kept my guess towards $60k hoping the General keeps them a little more affordable.

 

[JBsC5]

I look foward to see and read about some of the dealers with their "market Adjustment" on the first year model ...


I believe the first year might also be a low production run which should also drive up the "market adjustment"

 

[Larry's Yellow Rdstr]

I'm planning to buy the 2006 Z06 as my last car (I'm 61), but I won't go more than $60,000. My dealer said he would sell me the car at MSRP, but we don't know what that means. Even at 60K the car is a bargain! Check out the prices on a 2005 Porsche Carrera, then add 5% for the 06.

Have to wait and see

Keep the wave!!

Lar

 

[OLDGOAT]

The OLDGOAT thinks that the dealers will be gouging big time on the new Z06. My estimate is $10,000 over list OR MORE!!!!!!!! This car will be THE hot ticket in American performance cars-the hottest ticket in perhaps over 30 years. People will be buying them purely as speculative short term investments and turning them (after they burn off a set of tires in 500 miles or so of course ). I'd say that the "adjustment" could be over 20K before the dust settles. Remember....what drives the ability of dealers to add additional markup is buyers who are willing to pay the price. Corvette dealers are not any friends of Corvette owners and lovers. It's just business. One local dealer is offering a brand new C5 vert for a full $10k less than msrp. Just a few months ago it was probably msrp and not a penny less........I think that the price of the 06 Z06 might reach the market value of the Viper. It's going to be a lighter, probably faster, and probably better handling car minus the crass styling. Plus it's a Chevy and not a stinking Dodge. Dealers may get their Z06's and just sit on them for a time while the prices rise.......It's gonna be a real interesting thing to watch.....PS.....has anybody considered where they are going to get insurance for this car????????? Good luck!

 

[Edmond]

has anybody considered where they are going to get insurance for this car????????? Good luck!

If it comes in Viper like territory, maybe faster, performance, I would think that their insurance premiums would be in the same ballpark.

 

[WhalePirot]

I'm planning to buy the 2006 Z06, but I won't go more than $60,000.

Yep. Me 2, as long as the paddle shifter is there.

 

[WhalePirot]

The OLDGOAT thinks that the dealers will be gouging big time on the new Z06.

They can try. I don't have to play, do you?

People will be buying them purely as speculative short term investments and turning them!

I still have the WSJ article (more pure BS, BTW) about this same issue with the '78 Pace Car. They claimed that the cars would reach $75k, which they never got close to. Right after the Indy race, the cars dropped in value like a stone.

Dealers may get their Z06's and just sit on them for a time while the prices rise

and fall. I got close to a lawsuit against a gouging dealer who lost triply, on his attempt. He lost the suit, sold the car in question for under MSRP (he had once offered to me at MSRP) and damaged his reputation.

has anybody considered where they are going to get insurance for this car

probably USAA, despite their degradation in service and cost advantage.