Impossible to time the lights when everyone runs them for an indeterminate period of time.

Disagree - best deal is always very low miles (<5k) and 1-2 years old buying from a private seller where you can interview them and get a sense how the car was maintained. You can usually tell a meticulous owner, and you can tell when a car has been tracked or abused.

You literally save 10-15k buying like new used, it's well worth the small risk, and the GM certified used warranty is every bit as good - if not better - than new. Granted you have to buy from a dealer to get it but I had the opportunity to talk to the previous owner in my case (he bought a Hellcat, car was too cramped for him)

Your points are very reasonable and sensible. However, don't forget that these cars are emotional investments into an experience, not utility. The near-zero mileage, the new car smell, the self-performed break-in, the satisfaction from initial mods like PPF before the first rock chip, the knowledge that absolutely nobody else beat on the car etc. do make a difference to people, and rightfully so.

Right and I've purchased my share of new cars but it's an immediate $10+k hit in this case. I can use that money for ceramic coating and a few mods. New car smell is overrated but I do like to know the maintenance that was performed, and of course all these cars need a catch can and coolant reservoir installed immediately

I know about the catch can but can you fill me in on the coolant reservoir? Why would you need it? If so, which one should I get and where does it go?

Pretty sure he’s talking only for ZL1’s, could be wrong though.

Yes ZL1 - coolant circuit for the intercooler can get air bubbles in it

There's really no way to know. It could have 4,000 mi. at 1,500 rpm avg. or 5500-6500 rpm. If he's local, you could have a shop leak test it, borescope each cylinder, etc.

There are some excellent points being made in this thread. I posted the questions because I knew it would make me and others think and thanks for that. I am curious on how you can tell a car has been tracked. I do not think in todays market like new used is going to save you 10-15k. At least not on a ZL1. Maybe a ZL1E.

It will for sure.

My window sticker was $70,200, no one around the time was dealing on price, I paid $62K. That’s $8k off a new one in this market. I also only lost $500 on my trade from what I paid 2yrs ago.

Pre-pandemic prices for used ZL1s was insane. So low, it almost made no sense buying new. Things have normalized a bit, but wow were used prices getting low this time last year.

Low to mid 50s for '19+ was the norm all the way through mid summer, and high 40s for 17s and 18s (not that I would buy a 17 or 18)

I saw plenty of 1LEs for mid to high 50s too

Is the new car smell worth that?

When you bring a trade into the equation it does muddy the numbers a little but it sounds like you did really good. I have not talked to a lot of dealers but the ones I have in the last month were all at sticker. I even saw over MSRP at one on line dealer and hoped that was a typo and not a look at where this might be going. Last year I called on several 19's on that Black Friday sale but was to late. Fantastic deals.

Jeff Belzers in New Prague has 2. A black 2020 ($63K) & a blue 2021 ($65k) both under MSRP, both A10’s.

If GM didn’t donkey dick the ‘20+ TCM’s I would have seriously considered either of those, if they were red.