Some Corvette owners say they feel like they just ordered dessert and discovered the restaurant rewrote the menu mid-bite.

This week, General Motors refreshed its “no-flip” policy on high-demand Corvette models. And while the memo to its dealerships may have intended to simplify things, it instead stirred confusion among buyers who thought they understood the rules.

GM first implemented the retention policy ahead of the 2023 Z06 launch to discourage quick resales at hefty profits

Back then, flipping within a year risked losing warranty coverage and future access to “hot” models.

Many Corvette owners believed the real impact wasn’t on flippers, but on buyers who either got caught in the middle or paid higher dealer markups because the policy gave stores more leverage.

Now GM has updated that stance.

Effective immediately, GM removes the six-month retention requirement for 2025 and 2026 Corvette models…but what’s next reads like eye-crossing fine print

According to the announcement, which a co-founder at Med Engine Corvette Forum shared, GM says this includes only two models…and it only applies to these cars if they’re delivered after November 5, 2026.

GM names only the 2025 and 2026 Corvette E-Ray and Z06 models with sunsetting holds. But, confusingly, anything delivered on or before that 2026 date still falls under the six-month “no-flip” zone.

In the meantime, the upcoming ZR1 and ZR1X retain a one-year restriction from delivery.

So, if someone sells any of these Corvettes within their assigned retention window before 11/5/26, GM can void core warranty coverage and block the customer from ordering future sought-after models.

And after 11/5/26, it seems, ZR1 and ZR1X buyers must continue to oblige a 12-month “no flip” zone.

Some owners on the forum looked at the rules and calendar math and shook their heads

One asked why buyers of cars delivered one day apart would face different consequences.

Another said they never saw or signed any form when buying and suggested that’s why GM sent the directive again, mostly to make sure dealers follow procedure for ZR1 buyers.

One poster called the staggered dates “incoherent” and “arbitrary,” especially now that discounts are appearing on 2025 models. They said they’re considering involving a company lawyer to push GM to drop the policy entirely. 

Several users argued the warranty restriction feels excessive, though others responded that GM holds all the cards. After all, the company doesn’t have to offer a warranty to second owners at all.

GM’s side likely sees the policy as a tool to control and protect brand equity, especially with the ZR1 approaching as one of the most anticipated models in years

We’ve seen it before with the Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series. Tesla forbid owners from immediately reselling them, or they risked a hefty dent to their flip revenue and blacklisting themselves from future reservations.

Tesla sunset the policy in August 2024 as production ramped up. Used Cybertruck values plummeted.

In any case, Corvette buyers say they just want predictable rules and the freedom to make decisions without risking penalties after spending six figures. Of course, those loving their new American sports car and have zero intention of selling aren’t sweating.

In that forum I visited though, neither side seems satisfied. And the policy meant to bring order is mostly generating questions.