It’s been a little over two weeks since I got my Corvette back with a brand new fuel tank and other assorted replacement parts. The total came to just over $1,200, which I figured was a pretty good deal since it was lower than some of the independent shops quoted. Granted, I would’ve liked General Motors to cover the entire cost since I felt like it was a known defective part that presented a safety risk, but saving $2,200 off the original dealership quote isn’t a bad compromise. Hopefully (knock on wood), this is the final installment regarding my three week fuel tank negotiation with GM and the Chevrolet dealership.

Two lessons I learned:

1. It definitely pays to do whatever you can to negotiate a better price. I read and heard quite a few stories of other Corvette owners being told that their busted fuel tank wouldn’t be covered at all by GM or their dealership. Some had the work performed by an independent shop, others paid full, or almost full, price. Sure, I was without my car for three weeks, but being firm, and what I considered fair, while negotiating for those three weeks got me the best deal possible.

2. Game plan all of your possible options up front. I got stuck early on because I let my emotions dictate my decisions and allowed the dealership to take apart the car. Once that happened, it became very difficult for me to realistically consider taking it somewhere else for a second or third opinion. I got quotes over the phone, but the prices could’ve been much different once the shops saw it in person. I also had a few that wouldn’t give out a quote without the car being there. I did think about having it put back together enough to have it towed, but thankfully it didn’t come to that. Figure out your three or four best options and be ready to go with any of those when necessary.