GM Paid My Corvette Payments For 12 Months While Dealers Botched The Repair, Then I Used The Money To Upgrade To A Z06

Few scenarios strike more dread into a gearhead's heart than the moment you hand over the keys to your prized machine at a dealership, only for it to disappear into an abyss of unanswered calls, half-finished repairs, and shrugging service advisors.

It's a fear we all carry, the sense that once your car crosses that threshold, you’ve given up control. For one Corvette owner, Rudolph John, that fear became a drawn-out, 12-month reality after his 2023 70th Anniversary Edition was rear-ended and fell into the hands of a dealership with the competence of a disoriented pit crew on decaf.

Corvette Z06 LT6 V8 Specs: 5.5L Flat-Plane Engine Delivers 670 HP

• At the heart of the Z06 is the hand-built 5.5-liter LT6 V8 engine, featuring a flat-plane crankshaft. This naturally aspirated powerhouse delivers 670 horsepower at 8,400 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 6,300 rpm, with a redline of 8,600 rpm. It's the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever installed in a production car, drawing direct lineage from the Corvette C8.R race car's engine.
• The Z06's performance credentials are impressive, achieving 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 10.6 seconds at 131.6 mph. This is facilitated by an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and a rear-wheel-drive layout. The Z07 Performance Package enhances its capabilities further with features like carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon fiber aerodynamic components, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, enabling lateral acceleration up to 1.22g.
• Built on a mid-engine platform, the Z06 boasts a widened body to accommodate larger wheels, 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear. Optional carbon fiber wheels reduce unsprung weight by approximately 41 pounds. Aerodynamic enhancements include a front splitter, rear spoiler, and, with the Z07 package, additional dive planes and a rear wing, all contributing to increased downforce and stability at high speeds

John's story is an American auto ownership parable wrapped in fiberglass. The crash itself was clear-cut: he was hit, the other driver admitted fault, and the repairs were supposed to be routine. Instead, the car vanished into the bowels of a dealer's repair shop, where communication ended. 

"A month goes by, no update,"

He wrote.

"Another month, I decide to call. They say part delays, etc. Fast forward to 6 months in, still nothing, not even a call to update me." 

That kind of silence isn’t just frustrating; it’s the sound of your passion project becoming someone else’s afterthought.

At this point, most owners would’ve resorted to shouting matches or legal threats, but John chose a more surgical route. On the advice of a Twitch stream viewer, proof, perhaps, that divine intervention now arrives via livestream, he called GM Corporate. And here’s where the narrative takes an unexpected detour into decency. 

GM Covers Owner Payments During Year-Long Corvette Z06 Service Delay

In a move that should be studied by every automaker still using “supply chain delays” as a universal excuse, GM agreed to cover its entire monthly payment for every month the car was out of service. It’s the kind of gesture that doesn’t just compensate; it redeems.

But don’t confuse GM’s generosity with dealer competence. When John finally tried to retrieve his Corvette, the nightmare continued. The trunk was crooked. The soft-close mechanism wasn’t hooked up. And in an act of pure negligence, the dealer “forgot” to add brake fluid, something John discovered only after driving off. That’s not an oversight. That’s malpractice. And yet, even amid these cascading failures, John kept his composure and documented everything.

Why March 2025 Production Bottlenecks Sparked Scalper Wars

• General Motors (GM) has implemented a selective allocation system for the ZR1, favoring dealerships with a history of high-performance Corvette sales. This approach has resulted in many smaller or less active dealerships receiving few or no allocations. In March 2025, GM paused all ZR1 allocations due to production bottlenecks, particularly a shortage of high-wing components essential for the performance package. This pause disrupted existing orders, causing delays and uncertainty for both dealers and customers. 
• The scarcity of ZR1 allocations has led to significant market speculation. Some dealerships have been reported to demand substantial markups, with premiums reaching up to $90,000 over the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). These practices have sparked criticism from enthusiasts and potential buyers, raising concerns about accessibility and fairness in the allocation process. 
• The challenges associated with ZR1 allocations have prompted discussions about the need for reform in GM's allocation strategy. Suggestions include implementing a more transparent and equitable system, possibly drawing inspiration from other manufacturers' approaches to high-demand vehicles. The goal would be to ensure that genuine enthusiasts and loyal customers have a fair opportunity to purchase the ZR1 without facing excessive markups or opaque allocation practices.

The reward? A silver lining cut from carbon fiber. Between GM’s financial compensation, the insurance payout, and a depreciation check, John found himself with enough leverage to trade in the beleaguered 70th Anniversary model for a Z06. Yes, the flat-plane crank, 670-horsepower monster that’s less a sports car and more a thunderclap on four wheels. 

“With the GM compensation of 1 year of free car payments, the insurance covering repairs and a nice depreciation check, I learned a lot of things, but somehow I managed to come out of that car on top and put half down on the new one,” he wrote. 

Some call it failing upward. In this case, it’s surviving the auto retail jungle and emerging behind the wheel of the king of the C8s.

What sets John apart, however, isn’t just his ability to roll with the punches. It’s what he did next. In the comments of his now-viral Facebook post, he became an unexpected guide for others in similar straits. When one new Corvette owner asked for advice after a hit-and-run, John responded immediately, 

“Find a GOOD shop for the repairs. I went the dealer route, but the dealer did not have a Corvette specialist like they claimed.” 

It’s not just advice, it’s hard-won experience distilled into practical wisdom. That’s the sort of camaraderie that defines the best corners of car culture.

How the Corvette Z06 Preserved Corvette’s Halo

GM's decision to step in likely wasn’t just about doing the right thing, it was also about preserving the Corvette brand’s halo. The C8 Z06 is a rolling billboard for GM’s engineering ambitions. In a world where dealers are known to slap markups north of $30,000 on these cars, GM’s direct involvement sent a message. We won’t let a service department undo what the performance team built.

Sometimes disaster, with enough patience and documentation, can turn into opportunity. The road from accident to apex predator wasn’t smooth, but the end result was worth every detour. So if your car ends up held hostage by inept technicians, don’t just run, escalate, document, and advocate. 

Have you had any issues with your Corvette? How did the dealership handle it, and are you happy with it overall?

Let us know in the comments below. 

Image Sources: Rudolph John (Shared under Fair Use copyright)

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.