Corvette model rivalry...too damn many models!
11-17-2012, 07:13 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Corvette model rivalry...too damn many models!
The C6 Corvette has had the most models of any generation. For 2013 there are 7. The Coupe, Convertible, Grand Sport Coupe, Grand Sport Convertible, 427 Convertible, Z06 and ZR1. A price range from 50 grand to 120 grand! Remember the good old days when a Corvette was just a Corvette? All were convertibles for the first 10 years until the Coupe was introduced in '63. Are all these different models necessary? When the C7 comes out, I think through it's run, they should only have the Coupe, Convertible and the ZR1. What do you think?
11-17-2012, 07:35 PM
#2
Safety Car
I think you are grossly simplifying the past. While models were limited to coupe or convertible there were periods of small block vs. big block vs. carb vs. fuel injection, etc. Point is the current models dictate the size of the engine. People like choices and options - I doubt there will be fewer choices over the C7 line up over time. Do you think in 2005 GM was planning a GS model line for the C6? I doubt it - I'm sure it was due to customer feedback of "why don't you make a model that looks like a Z06 without the engine and cost of a Z06". Point is - if they see a potential market to expand the interest in the line they'll make that vehicle to make $$. How many GS owners were former non-GS owners? I'll bet a bunch! Imagine how dismal overall sales of the C6 would have been without the interest the GS generated? My only complaint is that they made it too late - knowing the C7 is coming I won't bite on a GS.
Last edited by mksz51; 11-17-2012 at 07:49 PM.
11-17-2012, 07:40 PM
#3
Racer
I've read some persistent rumors at zo6 and GS are done after the c6. That it will be base, "stingray" (yay!) and zr1 ... With coupe/ convert options.
Time will tell
Time will tell
11-17-2012, 07:47 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I think you are grossly simplifying the past. While models were limited to coupe or convertible there were periods of small block vs. big block vs. carb vs. fuel injection, etc. Point is the current models dictate the size of the engine. People like choices and options - I doubt there will be fewer choices over the C7 line up over time.
11-17-2012, 07:49 PM
#5
11-17-2012, 08:21 PM
#8
Race Director
Although I'm at a loss to explain why, I liked it better when Corvettes were differentiated from each other by options rather than models. For some reason, my brain doesn't like the trend of taking what were once RPO codes for options (e.g. Z06, ZR1, ZL1) and now using them as the names of models.
11-17-2012, 08:24 PM
#9
Safety Car
If there are too many models, which ones should Chevrolet have avoided? I'd be hard pressed to justify an argument that Chevy would be better off if it had never produced the ZR1. Or the Z06. And the GS was certainly a marketplace winner. I suspect Chevrolet will offer whatever models and features they think will maximize revenue.
11-17-2012, 08:30 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Although I'm at a loss to explain why, I liked it better when Corvettes were differentiated from each other by options rather than models. For some reason, my brain doesn't like the trend of taking what were once RPO codes for options (e.g. Z06, ZR1, ZL1) and now using them as the names of models.
11-17-2012, 08:32 PM
#11
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I sat in a $126,000.00 ZR1 today at the auto show in Charlotte, the only model Vette they had on display. I had two thoughts: (1) It didn't look any better inside, outside, or under the hood than my '09 Coupe with about $8,850.00 dollars worth of upgrades, meaning it cost me one-half as much, and (2) it was a shame they didn't have a coupe with sports buckets, two-tone seats and a premium paint exterior to show the buying public just how reasonably priced a super-attractive and capable Vette can be. Frankly at $126,000.00 their were a lot more exotic, and well appointed (especially interior-wise) sports cars and touring coupes and sedans at the show. The marketing people at GM need to wise-up, the buying public is getting too sophisticated for them to pull-off their less real value for a lot more dollars models, especially if they retain a cheap-*** intrerior that every other auto manufacturer puts to shame.
11-17-2012, 08:38 PM
#13
Although I'm at a loss to explain why, I liked it better when Corvettes were differentiated from each other by options rather than models. For some reason, my brain doesn't like the trend of taking what were once RPO codes for options (e.g. Z06, ZR1, ZL1) and now using them as the names of models.
11-17-2012, 09:20 PM
#17
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
They did "whatever" they thought would sell; but their marketing decisions of late have been marginal at best. The ZR1 didn't increased overall sales, and the G/S "styling option" only took sales away from the Z06, without increasing overall sales. Better they would have introduced a higher value base model rather than lower value "new" models, by simply upgrading the "base" models by standardizing on the F55 Magnetic Adjustible Suspension and the NPP performance exhaust "options", two remarkable achievements, along with switching from Goodyear to Michelin as their tire supplier. This would have more than equaled the the well received LS3 upgrade.
11-17-2012, 10:03 PM
#19
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: Anger Island
Posts: 45,945
Received 3,289 Likes
on
1,399 Posts
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
11-17-2012, 10:15 PM
#20