Cadillac Reverts, Corvette Exerts, And The Green Sports Car Has a Price Growth Spurt

There’s a right way to sell cars as well as the wrong way. In my years-long excursion in the field, I found this comes down to the dealership. Market conditions often dictate selling terms that reflect on the consumer. It’s not so often that it affects the industry.

Ongoing volatile efforts by the U.S. to control the Strait of Hormuz has had an unprecedented effect on manufacturers and their approach to get cars in people’s hands. With oil prices in flux, EV demand has risen for some while popularity has fallen for others, prompting action depending on who’s who. We’ll get into that here.

Naturally, the most substantial news of the week make the cut. Welcome to the July 25 edition of Vibe Check.

1st Shift: Cadillac Extends A Lifeline

After a focal shift to EVs, Cadillac is reversing an earlier decision to phase out two gas-fed SUVs, instead preparing a launch date for 2027 with new generation designs. This is telling as the brand has no fewer than four battery electric offerings that are SUVs.

Despite rising oil prices, the expiration of the federal tax rebate last year is the culprit. For a time, EV sales cratered while cars powered by conventional means got a boost in popularity, with hybrids splitting the difference. In light of the Iran conflict, the tide is turning back toward the favor of EVs but ever so slightly.

Cadillac phased out U.S. production of the family-oriented XT6 in 2025 while the XT5 has chugged along largely unchanged since 2016. Bringing them back won’t set the world on fire because actually, the two are doing quite well in China.

Over there is a new XT5 over there that is quite snazzy to look at. Meanwhile, the XT6 received tech updates. It wouldn’t take a teutonic effort to bring both back to American roads.

2nd Shift: Nissan Gives The Green Sports Car A Price

The most beautiful car painted in green has been given a price and it’s a nice one. The Nissan Z is cheaper than the Toyota Supra, Ford Mustang GT, BMW M240i; with the Sport version commanding $45,775. Shinkai Green Pearl metallic paint is an $895 premium and worth every penny to look at.

Even the cheapest Z has a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V-6 that you can get with a six-speed manual transmission in today’s increasingly auto-only market. There’s also the NISMO edition but the sweet spot sits in the middle with the Z Performance pack, which adds a slew of mechanical upgrades in addition to aching beauty.

Even better, the price remains reasonable. Including the green paint, Nissan asks $56,670 which is comparable to a Mustang GT with the High Premium package. So go over to the Nissan live configurator and dream high, dammit.

3rd Shift: Corvette Value Goes Up A Notch

Chevrolet doesn’t have an EV problem, not with the Corvette anyway. Even as a hybrid, it’s an American performance icon that is propelled by prestige and power. So for 2027, Chevrolet decided to up to ante.

The Corvette Stingray now uses a 6.7-liter V-8 codenamed LS6. It makes 535 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque, enough to cement the Vette as a 200-mph supercar. And the price? $73,495, or the middling cost for a new Tahoe.

I have no notes. The mid-engine Corvette has been a darling of engineering feats since it debuted at the beginning of this decade. It will take a book and a half to break down why, or you can build one yourself and see why.

Weekend Getaway: Love What You Have

I’d been under the weather this week, it’s a lot of fun. But what’s actually been fun is knocking out some TLC on a 1998 Ford Explorer Sport with two doors and a five-speed.

Amazingly, it’s in great mechanical shape thanks to the prior owner. The remaining work needed to keep it in more than decent condition is cosmetic. Things like tightening the screw on a loose fender, replacing the taillight bulb, applying WD-40 on the rear window latch so it can open like new, and so on.

All of which is to say that I question the need for a new car. My Miata is about to be paid in full and the Explorer continues to be a comfortable asset after 171,000 miles. I look forward to exercising its usefulness to the Sped audience.

-TA

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