My exact feelings also; I want the MR shocks and wheels.

:iagree:

if that thing really said up to one year or into the '15 model year, that's really severe! in which case, what Gary wrote above could become reality. I read where one fellow walked in and was told Z51 wouldn't be available until May/June next year; at first, he thought the guy just didn't know and tossed out a timeframe. hmmm, maybe not so. I find it hard to believe it would take this long to remedy lack of supplier/parts issues tho.

I received the same basic message on 09.26 and assumed that my Z51 vert had moved from status 1100 to 2000 ["accepted by Chevrolet and is now in line for production"], then a week later was told it was still at status 1100!
Seems like GM marketing did their job getting us interested enough to buy the Z51 package, but production is having start up issues for this very popular package. I will not change my order to the non-Z51 base Vette vert, and truthfully, getting the car delivered in December-March Minnesota winter is not what I need.

It is possible that this rumor was started to increase the order rate of non-Z51 cars. It appears to be working.

I don't believe "one year" either! This is a big deal and if it's a vendor issue the problem will be fixed....sooner than later! IMO.

Just got off the phone with the dealership that I ordered my Z51 vert with. According to the sales manager from the update he received from GM yesterday, Z51 constraint was only for 3-4 weeks and the vert is on track to be in production late November/early December.

I'll bet you don't "need" a Corvette at all. Nobody buys Corvettes for practical reasons. We buy them for emotional reasons. What would folks be saying if they put the LT1 engine on constraint but not to worry, they have a bunch of LS2 and LS3's sitting around that they'll put in them until production of the LT1 picks up again?

:iagree:

The constraint should moderate to around 30-35% in November or December. That said, it may stay at that level for the rest of the 2014 model year (MY).

Think about the other side of the equation. If Chevrolet forecasted 35% take rate on the Z51, that means they also forecasted 65% take rate on the base car. They must have a lot of parts for the base car backed up at BG and/or the supplier's warehouses. GM may have "must take" contracts with the base car parts suppliers as well. Even if they were able to ramp-up the Z51 parts supply they would need to deal with the over-stock of base parts. Depending on the terms of the procurement contracts this problem could exist through the end of the 2014 MY.

This all leads to the current situation: The plant needs to build more base cars and fewer Z51 cars. GM's short term solution is to constrain the Z51 and force dealers to order base cars. Longer term they may have to offer incentives on the base model or increase the price on the Z51.

Enthusiasts will wait for the Z51 to be available. Forcing more base cars into the market will put cars in showrooms and sell more to the general public.

This is a mess and the GM marketing and Supply Chain departments were clearly out of sync. Only time will tell if they can adjust and meet the demand for Z51; or if they continue to try to control the market by limiting Z51 supply and flooding the market with base models.

Oh to be a fly on the wall at the Corvette Management Team meetings…

I definitely want the car, but losing Z51 would be enough to push me towards a ZR1 instead. Hopefully we get more info soon. I'm impatient as they come when it comes to my cars!:D

It wouldn't be the first time . . .
 

Remember 1977, when the purchasers of Oldsmobiles thought they were buying an Olds Rocket V-8, only to discover it was a Chevy 350 V-8 when they went to change the oil filter and air filter? That put a stake through the heart of the Oldsmobile reputation, from which it never recovered. Thanks, GM. :flaghalfmast:

Yes, I remember it well. Funny thing is that the Chevy engine was probably the better engine anyway, but it would be like telling folks their Bentley has a VW (or maybe Audi) engine in it.

Your assumption is wrong in my case. I made my decision based on the information provided to me by my dealership. The z51 package offers a lot for the money but honestly I only ordered it for the wheels and spoiler. Crazy right! :crazy2: Instead of the z51 package I used that money to order a spoiler and wheels… problem solved. :thumbs:

Could be that the constraint is orchestrated by GM to get the percentage of base cars higher, to help with overall fuel mileage goals.

exactly my situation (except I got spoiler and returned it) - and I wanted the softest ride possible - new 19/20 wheels waiting for car to arrive

Fuel mileage won't be affected.:D

Orded my 3LT with Z51 from Rick on 9/23. Just went from 1100 with Z51 "hold" to 2000 yesterday. I think I saw where one other buyer with Rick did as well. Not sure when they will come off constraint but at least it looks like there is a weekly allocation that the big dealers are getting, although small,,,,,,,,,

At the end of the day it looks like the Z51 option delayed my order for 3 weeks, more then a fair trade off to get what I want! :cheers:

Eric

I assumed it would be since the Z51 has performance gear ratios. I just learned not to make assumptions:thumbs:

Good luck getting an official response from anyone at GM right now. If there is an truth to the Z51 constraints, expect plausible denial from GM until the issue either goes away or it blows up in their face through negative news coverage. Then give them time to develop talking points and put together a communications plan that produces the spin to ease the minds of customers and investors.

They have done that before. In the summer of 1997, they put the sport seats(weight) and the 3.15 performance axle on constraint for MPG reasons.