Gentlemen and ladies, I bring before you a trade-in that I find particularly disheartening. It’s a situation so perplexing and bewildering that I cannot fathom any reason other than monetary gain that would lead to such a decision.
UPDATE 12/10: Intrigued to uncover the truth behind Tommy’s infamous trade-in? Explore our follow-up story here where we delve into the details. Spoiler: Tommy’s wiser than you think.
This Monday, a Texan named Tommy relinquished his 2020 Chevrolet Corvette 3LT to a dealership in Dallas–Fort Worth known as Hurst Autoplex. Although the rationale behind Tommy’s decision to swap his mid-engine ‘Vette remains a mystery, I speculate that even as he drove away in his brand new Mitsubishi Outlander, his gaze lingered on the vibrant Rapid Blue hue of the C8, now fading in the rearview mirror.
Indeed, you interpreted that correctly. Tommy swapped his striking American muscle for the slowest-selling vehicle across the nation.
via Facebook | Hurst Autoplex
Our intention isn’t to ridicule Tommy for his choice as he likely made a substantial profit from trading in the Corvette. Initial C8 production faced multiple delays, and subsequent production was halted when General Motors temporarily closed the doors at its Bowling Green assembly plant due to the global pandemic.
Limited production, scarcity, and high demand for the all-new mid-engine platform created a scenario where used C8 values soared.
Let’s do a simple calculation to understand this trade better. The top-tier 3LT had an estimated sticker price of about $71,945 without additional dealer markup. Even after Texas state sales tax, the final price likely hovered around $76,442.
We contacted Hurst Autoplex for more insights into this transaction, but before we could get a response, the car had already been sold.
Shortly after noon on Tuesday, Hurst listed the C8 for an astonishing $96,991—roughly $20,549 above our estimated sticker price. Within two hours, Ryan became the proud owner of the C8.
Ryan deemed the transaction “a steal”, and although a 27% markup over the sticker price may not seem like a “bargain” to most, he may be onto something. While we lack specific financial details, the market for used C8 Corvettes is currently favorable. A quick online search reveals that many used C8 3LTs are fetching six-figure prices.
However, the internet, much like us, is puzzled by Tommy’s decision. Comments on the original post on Facebook are a saga in themselves, filled with queries from various individuals. When the dealership announced the sale, commenters adamantly insisted on referring to it as “Tommy’s C8” in perpetuity.
via Facebook
To allay your curiosity about Tommy’s situation, Hurst assured in a Facebook comment that “he is not regretting” the deal, accompanied by a thumbs-up gesture. Furthermore, Ryan is content with his purchase, suggesting that all parties involved—especially the dealer—emerged victorious.
One lingering question persists in my mind: Why did Tommy opt for a Mitsubishi Outlander out of all the available options?
Have a tip to share? Reach out to us at: tips@thedrive.com
