Is This Z06 a Flex or a Stretch?
Without knowing the broader market conditions, a listing like this 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 may sound like a sweet deal to some, especially since the seller, Motor Cars of Chicago, described it as an “Instagram Special.” The full details were not disclosed, but based on what is visible and the $164,995 asking price, the offer certainly raises eyebrows.
The seller noted that this C8 Corvette Z06 features a Blade Silver Metallic exterior and a Jet Black interior, neither of which costs extra off the showroom. The odometer, meanwhile, shows 800 miles, meaning the car is no longer entirely brand-new, yet its asking price is over $40,000 above the model’s starting MSRP of $120,300, excluding destination fees.
The Math Starts Getting Tricky
To be fair, the example for sale appears to be a convertible, and as this body style starts at $127,195 from the factory. It also appears to be equipped with the 10-spoke gloss-black forged aluminum wheels, a $995 option. But again, the full details are scarce, making a direct comparison difficult.
What is certain is that the 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank naturally aspirated V8 comes standard, so there is no extra charge for the powertrain. It produces 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a standard 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Z06 is the track-oriented version of the C8 Corvette, positioned above the entry-level Stingray, which starts at $70,000, and the hybrid E-Ray.
However, the Z06 still sits below the more extreme ZR1 and ZR1X. The ZR1 alone starts at $185,000, or just $20,000 more than the asking price of this particular listing, and already brings significant performance upgrades, including a twin-turbo V8 rated at 1,064 horsepower.
The $165K Question
Regardless of whether this 2026 Corvette Z06 is a bargain, dealer markups are common in doing business. The real question is how reasonable that markup is relative to prevailing market values. The seller also stated that the car has a clean title and that financing and trade-in options are available.
For buyers with about $165,000 to spend, several brand-new options are available, including a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. Stretch the budget by roughly $15,000, and the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Coupe also comes into play.
