Dealer Selling “Built” C8 Stirs up Controversy at ‘Corvette Forum’

Dealer sells C8 Corvette to highest bidder under questionable circumstances, and a frenzy ensues.

As you likely already know, the first C8 Corvette just rolled off GM’s assembly line following a bit of a delay. These events have been well documented here at Corvette Forum and, well, the rest of the automotive world as fans keep a close eye on the beginning of the mid-engine era. So it isn’t really a surprise that observant Corvette Forum member Matt Houston noticed something a bit strange recently while perusing eBay, and was quick to call it out in this fascinating thread.

“Mac Haik in Houston claims to have a built car for sale. The ad says: ‘The 2020 mid-engine Corvette has arrived! Our first built order has been produced and is unclaimed. It is currently in Bowling Green and ready to be shipped. Be one of the first to own this amazing high performance limited production vehicle.’”

Obviously, this little claim stirred up quite the hornet’s nest. The C8 technically isn’t a limited production vehicle, nor is it likely that the C8 was already built, since this is prior to the first one coming off the assembly line. Thus, Zymurgy has a more likely explanation for what’s really going on here.

“They have it (or will get it very soon). The VIN is a Captured Test Fleet vehicle. A number of these are being sent to dealers. The dealer didn’t order it. They get what Chevy is sending them.”

Regardless, there are clearly people on both sides of the fence as to whether this is a fair practice or simply a dealer trying to make an extra buck. Member 919cw313 falls in the former category.

“They explained the car is still in BG. The car exists and it’s theirs. I don’t see a problem. And good for them for being the first to throw one on eBay. I hope they make a killing.”

And blackmagic7 is clearly on the other side of the fence.

“Greed is greed anyway you look at it. I purchased my 6th Corvette from Abel Chevy here in California with no markup. I was one of the first to get a 2014. I’m now one of the first to get a C8 from Abel because they never markup their Corvettes. They’ve been in business for almost 80 years with the sons now running the dealership, and still, they never markup the cars. I guess they believe MSRP is quite enough profit.”

Fellow member thill444 makes a good point about the realities of the market, however.

“Supply and demand and free market. If people are willing to pay over MSRP to get a car early, so be it. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy it. If nobody bought them over MSRP, the dealers would drop the price. But people like to have shiny toys before everyone else, so expect more of this over the next 12 months or so until supply catches up with demand. I would never pay over MSRP just to get a car a few weeks or months before someone else. But it is what it is. Nobody seems to complain when someone negotiates 20-30% off MSRP on a Corvette, either. Can’t have it both ways.”

So far, this conversation has gotten pretty heated and undoubtedly interesting. Thus, it’s well worth checking out in its entirety. So be sure and head over here to read up on all the responses, then add your own and tell us how you feel about the current state of the C8 market!

Photos: Chevrolet

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