Terrible news. First the initial 2023 Z06 pricing comes out, more than expected, based upon comments made by the GM C8 engineers
, then Canada gets 50% or less of its usual C8 allocations
, preventing people like me from getting a (now) "lower priced" 2023 Z06
, then after waiting all this time (almost 3 years so far)
, I get the "privilege" of paying what will likely be $20,000+ more (once freight and PDI are factored in) to more likely $25,000+ more (once accessories are included, which accessories will no doubt see increases as well)
and THEN, add on the federal luxury tax for a vehicle over $100,000.00, which will now tack onto whatever the increase is. For Canadians, a 2024 Z06 nicely optioned out, will likely be around $250,000.00 all in and that's for someone like me in Alberta who pays the
lowest provincial sales tax in the country, at 5%. It'll be worse for buyers in other provinces, who must pay 10% or more for provincial sales tax, and (heaven forbid) an additional
provincial luxury car tax for buyers in BC. Imagine what a BC buyer will now have to pay.
Let's look at the actual numbers.
I'd priced out the Z06 I wanted at $197,084 + taxes (including freight and PDI), using 2023 Canadian pricing. That works out to $217,132 including all taxes for an Albertan, using 2023 Z06 pricing. That's by not purchasing all accessories I can easily tack on later, to avoid the luxury tax. So I'd have about $220,000 into the car once the other accessories have been tacked on later...and that's
before paying for PPF and ceramic coating (likely about $230,000? in total, into the car, with PPF and ceramic).
Now add another $25,000 plus associated taxes (making it another $28,875 more) and you get $246,007 or about $260,000 all in (with all accessories and PPF/ceramic). How to you spell "D-I-V-O-R-C-E"? Bad enough to convince a spouse w/o the additional $30,000+. Not funny. Not welcomed. Not expected. It may result in a change of plans. The Lotus Emira with its standard transmission, is suddenly looking all the more interesting. Yes I know it's a completely different vehicle compared to the Z06, however aside from its more desirable sports car stick, lower gas cost and better looks, and a much more "rare" unique look compared to the ever-increasing numbers of C8's on the road, its price (even after an increase) makes it all the more affordable and more easily justified to an angry spouse who fails to see the attraction of any sports car...
Well done GM. Oh and make sure us Canadians will be blacklisted if we deign to sell a C8 Z06 into the States within our first year of ownership (compared to the double-standard of 6 months for US owners looking to sell with a warranty), even with these Canadian higher prices, which make it less likely anyone will want to do that except Canadian dealers and their friends who'll get a discount on their 2024 Z06's...but they won't have to worry since any repercussions against dealerships by GM appear to be totally non-existent despite the highly publicized (at the time) January 2022 letter from GM's North American president Steve Carlisle...
All this should be appropriately described as:
"GM throws open the door and greedily welcomes buyers of exotic high-end cars, thumbing its nose at their traditional Canadian Corvette base, with the new and increased 2024 C8 Z06 pricing in particular."
Good move GM and thanks (NOT)! (of a possible 5 thumb rating)
