Corvette ZR1 Markup Madness: Just the Markup Could Buy an Entire Z06 as Dealers Demand $100K+

Corvette ZR1 Markup Madness: Just the Markup Could Buy You an Entire Z06

The highly anticipated, 1,000+ horsepower Corvette ZR1 is hitting Chevrolet showrooms with a starting sticker price of $184,000, making it the most expensive Corvette ever. However, the excitement over America’s most powerful production V8 is being tempered by shocking dealership markups that often exceed $100,000. These exorbitant fees mean that the markup alone could purchase an entire Corvette Z06 (which starts around $120,300) or a base C8 Stingray with cash left over for upgrades.

The Corvette ZR1: Unprecedented Power and Price

The new Corvette ZR1 is a true supercar slayer, representing the pinnacle of American performance engineering.

• Powerhouse Engine: Its twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 (LT7) is the most powerful engine in a production Corvette, producing 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque.
• Performance: The ZR1 can achieve 0-60 mph in as quick as 2.3 seconds and has a top speed of 233 MPH.
• Base MSRP: The sticker price starts at $183,400 for the ZR1.

Markup Mayhem: The Six-Figure Problem

The combination of limited initial production and high demand is driving dealer markups to astronomical levels.

• Six-Figure Markups: Multiple dealerships are listing ZR1s with markups of $100,000 or more.
• Wild Examples: A convertible ZR1 was listed with a $120,000 markup, bringing the total price to $340,000. Other extreme examples have appeared on social media and private listings for up to $500,000.
• Cost Comparison: The typical $100,000+ markup is equivalent to the entire cost of a Corvette Z06 (which starts at $120,300) or multiple base C8 Stingrays.
• Previous Trends: This situation is a repeat of past high-performance Corvette launches; the C8 Z06 previously saw markups as high as $170,000.

How Buyers Can Avoid Markup Madness

For those determined to buy a ZR1 without paying a massive premium, patience is the best tool.

• Patience and Research: The best strategy is “patience and research.” Z06 prices eventually “leveled off around or below MSRP once availability caught up with demand”.
• MSRP Dealers: Several Chevy dealerships have historically sold Corvettes at MSRP. It is worth traveling to these dealers or waiting for the 2026 model year when hype cools and supply stabilizes.
• Alternative Value: A fully loaded ZR1 (MSRP around $220,000) with a $100,000 markup costs $320,000. For that money, one could buy two fully loaded Z06s (around $140,000 each), offering comparable track performance without the inflated cost.

The question for buyers is whether being among the very first to own the record-setting ZR1 is truly worth paying a six-figure premium that could otherwise purchase another entire supercar.

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