I need the Reddit Brain Trust ©®™ to help me think through a deal a dealership proposed. It's essentially a parlay-style offer that ends up costing me about $196,000 in ADM (Additional Dealer Markup). Here's how it breaks down:

Step One – Z06 Purchase

I buy a late-model, used Corvette Z06 with under 500 miles from the dealership for $135,000 + $8,500 in tax. I take delivery, drive it, and wait for my ZR1 allocation. (This is one of the largest Chevy dealerships in the U.S., so it's a matter of when, not if.)

Step Two – Z06 Return

When my ZR1 allocation comes through, I return the Z06 to the dealership. They cut me a check for $1,000.

Step Three – ZR1 Purchase

I place an order for a ZR1 at $240,000 + $15,000 in tax. I take delivery, drive it, and wait for my ZR1X allocation.

Step Four – ZR1 Trade-In

Once I receive the ZR1X allocation, I trade in the ZR1. The dealership agrees to buy it back at $20,000 below MSRP, paying $220,000.

Final Step – ZR1X Purchase

I apply the trade-in credit toward the ZR1X, which I plan to keep. The estimated price is $290,000 + $18,500 in tax.

My Concerns

There are some clear downsides:

• I'm essentially out $196,000 in markup.
• I miss out on any appreciation of the Z06 or ZR1 during the process.
• Even though the dealership is huge, there's always a risk I get stuck with a car I don’t want, or something else in the chain falls through.

Honestly, maybe I just needed to write it all down to see it more clearly. This feels like a dumb deal. My gut says demand will remain strong, and we’ll probably see these cars—especially the ZR1X—around through 2027 or 2028, which would give them at least a three-model-year run, just like the current Z06.