Chevrolet dealers are now receiving allocations for the new 2025 Corvette ZR1, the latest top-dog performance flagship of the C8 Corvette lineup. First hitting the limelight in July of 2024, the C8 ZR1 arrives as the most powerful and fastest production Corvette ever made, churning out more than 1,000 horsepower and boasting a top speed over 230 mph. But while eager buyers are undoubtedly welcoming the news of C8 ZR1 dealer allocation, a series of hefty dealership markups are aren’t far behind.
For the moment, dealer markups for the 2025 Corvette ZR1 are averaging around $30,000, with some stretching up to $50,000 over MSRP. GM lists the official MSRP figures as follows (prices include destination freight charge):
- 1LZ Coupe – $174,995
- 1LZ Convertible – $184,995
- 3LZ Coupe – $185,995
- 3LZ Convertible – $195,995
Of course, dealer markups are to be expected, especially in light of what we’ve seen with high-demand GM models in the past, including the C8 Z06, Cadillac Escalade-V, and GMC Hummer EV, among others. In fact, the issue got so out of hand that General Motors issued a notice to its dealer network in 2022 warning against excessive pricing practices, threatening that dealers who charged excessive markups may not receive allocations for high-demand vehicles in the future.
Nevertheless, the practice continues. One particularly excessive example would a 2023 Corvette Z06 listed with a $100,000 markup in 2022 by a dealer in Florida.
Meanwhile, GM has outlined ownership retention requirements for new 2025 Corvette ZR1 buyers. At delivery, owners will be given a retention letter outlining the terms, which include a retention period of one full year for new ZR1 owners, as well as a six-month hold required for new Corvette Z06 and E-Ray owners. The policy is intended to prevent car “flipping,” and customers caught violating the retention agreement may be barred from purchasing high-demand GM vehicles in the future, while the new owner won’t receive any warranty coverage.
Comments
Can’t wait to get one in stock. That’ll help make up for the losses on the EV’s, I was forced to take.
exactly! The public just don’t get it. The winners help make up for the losers in the car business.
everyone complaining of markups get over it. All cars with performance like this receive some type of mark up. And before you complain ” the average Joe cant afford this”, this car in particular isnt for the average joe. Get the stingray for this. Even with markups 200k for over 1000hp is a steal.
If you can afford it and still pay the exorbitant markup, then you’re not very wise. That’s nothing but pure profit for a dealer just to say you got one first.
Imagine how dumb the guys that paid 300K for a Hummer EV feel right now. Or ADM for a Z06 or base C8. Fools.
I was told many times that a sucker is born every minute.
This is a different demographic than a traditional Corvette buyer. Who are you to judge and call them unwise. $300k is a drop in the bucket for so many people. They may not think twice about the price and couldn’t care less what you think. They could push it off a cliff and buy another one for more. It’s just the way it is nowadays.
Add on the Yenko Clutch Pedal with manual shifter option and you are at $220,000.
The rich are different than you and me…an interesting quote that pretty much defines how our society sees things. Were I a rich man, and wanted a new ZR1 “loaded” (of course) whatever the price, I’d attempt to purchase one and cost would be no object. That’s a pretty lofty summation of a “rich man” (or woman, god knows there’s rich women in this world too)
and they are entitled to whatever they want and when they want it because, they can do that!
So what’s my point? It’s whatever “the traffic will bear”, and although I find raising the MSRP to a crazy level (and all in the name of “fair market value”, yeah, right) arrogant by any dealer that would do that, it’s how Capitalism works, they got something you want, and you got the cash or ability to purchase it because of your status with your bank or lending institution, and thats fine with me. Would I love to purchase a new “loaded” ZR1, of course, if I had the ability to do that, but I don’t and will keep my current generation Corvette which I enjoy driving but will be looking forward to actually seeing a new ZR1 in person, like up close and or reading about or watching it perform for various road test magazines and video magazines with real excitment and also with anticipation that this car will maybe set the new “Gold Standard” to which others will have to raise their standards to compete physically, but monetary wise, they’ll have no choice but to keep their their “lofty high prices” which will most certainly carry a very high “dealer mark-up” as they all do, and have done since day one). No surprises here, “it is what it is”…so bring on the Mighty ZR1’s, cost be damned! I’m still looking forward to seeing this new Corvette ZR1 out on the Roads of America & maybe a few race tracks too.
No, it isn’t how capitalism works.
Capitalism works on the buyer and seller having equal information regarding supply and demand (hence why insider stock trading is banned). ZR1 buyers have zero information on allocation or supply. Both GM and the dealers are responsible for this. This causes ARTIFICIAL supply shocks/inaccurate information that the seller uses to attempt to increase the price over MSRP. This is also why Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves (supply side) are a state secret. So no, this isn’t capitalism, it is one-sided market control, ie, a command economy. A command economy that forces pricing causing a false “whatever the market will bear” as you put it.
Money doesn’t come with a set of instructions….
Well said!
Last summer I saw a lowly Chevy Trax, their cheapest car with a $4000 “market adjustment”. There is a special place in hell for a dealer like that.
Look this is how it is. Now no one is holding a gun on you to buy.
As long as someone will pay the price dealers will do this. Those of us who can wait will wait and take advantage of the fall of demand and get the discounts that come with it.
There is no way being the first for a short time is worth $50k no matter how much you are worth.
I just saw a Stingray the other day new with $10K off sticker. Hmm time to shop them now. Or wait till they remove the wall.
Absolutely, I’ll just wait a little longer.
I was fortunate enough to get a used 2020 real low miles 3LT ..
I had a local competing dealership ask $200,000 OVER MSRP on a 2023 C8 Z06 – I believe it was the first one that arrived here in Colorado. $367,000 for a $167,000 car…. I have the recorded phone conversation backed up on my computer somewhere, confirming that’s what they were truly asking, because I just couldn’t believe their greed was that real….
Kyle, I believe your comment. These clowns did it to themselves. They thought the good times would never end. They thought customers would keep lining up like it was 2020 forever. Well, guess what? The market flipped, wallets tightened, and now the dealers are stuck holding the bag—with a whole fleet of unsold Corvettes they treated like gold bars. Poetic justice, I tell ya.
I drive past those lots now, and I just smile. Rows of dream cars that nobody’s dreaming about anymore. Maybe next time, they’ll think twice before they gouge loyal customers and play gatekeeper to the American sports car. My son is on the list for the C8 ZR1, and I have told him to wait a few years so he can get the car at MSRP. The sad truth is, some jabroni is going to pay all the ADM nonsense for the ZR1. Same old story as when the Z06 dropped. -Ron
Dealers can ask whatever they want. You don’t have to pay. They also need to remember that they are likely turning people off to their businesses. I bought a Z06 out of state and waited for three years from deposit to delivery at MSRP. Stingrays, ERays, and Z06’s are widely available below well MSRP now. These ZR1 markups will fall with some time. Dealers are not willing to stock Stingrays, ERays, and Z06’s like they would have a year or more ago due to slow sales. I would bet GM will build as many sold orders for ZR1’s as they can get due to lower demand in the other models and a desire to keep Bowling Green moving. This along with some time will bring the ZR1 market back to equilibrium. It is a great car but I can wait to get one @ MSRP.
Before the C8 Sting Rays were out I put a deposit on a C8 Z06. Had no idea what it was going to be but knew it would be something special. Did it at a dealer that only sells at MSRP. I received my car on Jan 18 2023. A ZO6/ZO7 just the way I wanted it. Everyone knew there was going to be a ZR1 and it would be really bad ass. If you don’t want to pay the mark up to get one you should already have a deposit on one at a dealer that sells at MSRP. There are a lot of them.
The market sets the price for high demand cars not Chevrolet and not Chevy dealers. Most imports, especially all low production are sold well over sticker. You don’t have to buy one. You live in a free country you can do whatever you want. If you’re so wrapped up about this, you need to go buy a Subaru adopt a cat work at the food bank and light your pipe. That should make you feel better about yourself.
I have had a corvette of different types for almost 50 years. Never dreamed a corvette such as this would exist. However, even if I could, this would not be my last hurrah. Cost is why AND realistically I can’t tell the difference of 7/10ths of a second. GM is in business to make money, true. But, they are charging 100 grand for an engine, some different body panels and various bolt on parts. That’s a lot. For the money, I’d rather have a base corvette and a Dodge Demon. Heck, I’d even have a little left over to by a scooter to make quick trips to the grocery store.
sadly Gm can’t even build my SR 3L in a timely fashion (9) weeks and nothing moving so all you ZR buyers better figure a year
there would be no mark ups if you all didnt pay them the market drives the price
This vehicle will meet the fate as the C4 1990-1995 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, sales started at 3,049 for 1990 models down to 2,044 for 91 models, down to 502 for 92 models and 448 for 93, 94 and 95 models. Ferrari and Lamborghini have nothing to worry about.
I remember a Chevy dealer in Temple, Texas (it was Dan Steakley Chevrolet back then) asking $30,000 for a $17,500 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car, the reason, his allotment of this car was one.
I remember my local Buick/Cadillac/GMC dealer having a Regal GNX sitting in their showroom for a year and a half because they marked it up to $100k in 1987. No idea what ever happened to it.
I knew the Steakley s great dealer, I worked for the Dallas zone office and the dealers had to call the order in, no dealer got an order form. Some dealers did not call so the zone office gave those car allocation to the dealers that played ball, or the favorite large dealer. Most cars sold for 25k the minute they hit the ground.
This is all our fault, Gov. Motors should have been belly up during previous administration. This is how your treated for reaching out a helping hand. Production of vehicles no one can afford.
my grandmother used to call this ‘see a fool, knock his head’;
no car ever was or will be worth that much money, particularly a European imitation, but that takes us back to what my grandmother said..