by Changing Market Trends
One of the hottest new arrivals on the American car market, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, is beginning to show signs that its reign as an auction favorite may be nearing its limit. Prices, which recently soared far beyond the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, are starting to fall. For buyers considering a nearly new ZR1, a little patience may soon pay off in savings.
Chevy Says The Corvette ZR1 Has 1,064 HP. Dyno Tests Say Otherwise
In October, November, and early December, a number of low-mileage 2026 Corvette ZR1 models were sold at the Bring a Trailer auction for prices significantly above their MSRP. One sold for $301,000 despite a relatively low starting price of $209,795. Another reached $286,000 with a starting price of $211,000. Perhaps most impressive was a third lot, which peaked at $333,000 against an MSRP of $214,000, although it ultimately did not meet the seller’s reserve.
Market Cooling
However, looking at the end of December, the market seems to be cooling. Just before Christmas, bids on a black ZR1 with only 174 miles stopped at $265,000, despite this car’s high starting price of $227,210. On the same day, an orange ZR1 with just three miles failed to sell for $241,000 against a starting price of $214,330.
Bring a Trailer
Two days later, a white ZR1 with 32 miles reached a maximum of $230,000, barely above its starting price of $213,665. Then came the example in the Red Mist Metallic Tintcoat shade you see in the photo, which was finally sold on New Year’s Eve. It fetched $266,000, becoming one of the few recent ZR1s to actually change owners. While this may seem like a decent result for the seller, it does not match the sum this car could have fetched not so long ago.
The Corvette had only 49 miles on the odometer and was equipped with the ZTK Performance Track package and the ZR1 Carbon Fiber Aero package. It also had the top-tier 3LZ trim, which increased the total MSRP to $241,373, placing it among the most expensive ZR1s recently offered for sale. Just a few months ago, a similar model could have cost closer to $300,000.
Additional Influencing Factors
There is another factor here. Chevrolet’s warranty policy voids factory support for those ZR1s that are resold within the first 12 months from the initial purchase. Since production is not limited in any significant way, buyers may prefer to wait for a new model or at least one that retains its factory warranty.
Under such circumstances, a more cold-blooded buyer can get both the car and the warranty.
Bring a Trailer
The price drop for cars like the Corvette ZR1 is often a natural stage after the initial hype. The first batches go to enthusiasts willing to pay a significant premium, but over time supply increases and demand becomes more rational. The combination of losing the warranty upon quick resale and the absence of a strict production limit creates ideal conditions for such a market correction. This situation may be interesting for collectors looking for a specific model but not rushing to buy, hoping for a better price in the future.
