[el ess A]

Hahaha. Around here you'll ALWAYS get opinions. Asked or not.

I got my ZL1 last year OTD in August saving nearly 6K in the process. Of course, I had many to choose from and it came down to an IOM or CRT.

You're overthinking this WAY too much IMO (yes, I have an opinion). You seem to be shopping for payments and terms rather than the car itself. The pittance difference of paying a few hundred more for the "right" car for you should take precedence. Don't settle when buying the ZL1 of your dreams. Next year, you're not going to miss that $$ difference, unless you're planning a trade that you'll be upside down for.

This is what I did and my advice is to do the same -- search for the 2013 of your wanting. Or hopefully several finalists. Dig the details and make the offers. If you're trading, then you're at a major disadvantage, so buy outright without trade if possible. You'll have more negotiating room. After getting all the facts in writing, THEN make your decision. I went out and secured my own financing at a very low rate, and then when I got there, I let the dealer have a chance to beat my confirmed rate. Amazingly, they did. By doing it that way, it boxes them into a corner in that at least you know what max payment would be for you and you know you have the money available to make the purchase regardless.

Recall there is usually a reason the car is still sitting. Seek the car YOU want and don't settle just because you could save an extra $100. EVER.