EDIT: I edited the thread title, because a great many don't believe in reading past it before replying

Ok, get ready people, I'm going to bitch.

There's not one car that I'd want from GM made between 75-95 respectively. I hope they learned their lesson, that fattening proffit margins at the expense of QC is going to get you screwed in the long run. American motor companies have had the worst business models for quite some time. This is how the imports got such a good foothold, and Toyota bumped ford down to #2. GM is next. And I say hooray, meybe they'll do something about it.

Like take my C4. Or any early C4 (Ive never been in one newer then '92). It's a rattle trap, with everything coming loose, failing, breaking every step of the way, cracking appart..

MC's are failing, electric problems galore, fuel pumps die left and right, wiring shrinks, dash boards go out, I mean jeesus - is there one part of the car that doesn't need to be replaced regularly?

I guess the 350 is alright (even though they cut all the corners with 2 bolt mains and regular cranks, etc) and at least the ZFs don't die non stop (amazingly, but GM didn't make it, thank god) but they still develop synchro problems because of, surprise - GM's sh1tty clutch/master cylinders.

All I ever see on this board, is someone else asking how to fix a yet another code/burned out thing/etc.

Vette's are cool. this is why i bought one. I love the way they look, and I figured I can have fun in it. Well, I'm a tinker-rer so I guess I am, (don't get me wrong, Ive stuck with this thing through everything, and did all the work myslef, swap included) but sometimes it's just upsetting.

I was coming home from a job the other week, and poof, battery light comes on. Check the volts, im getting 11.8. Score, I get to replace the alt. Went got one, now Im waiting to see that light again. How long guys? 6 months would you say?

Damn. I guess I'll start looking for aftermarket parts every time something goes out, meybe then I'll finally have a C4 I can drive instead of crawling around on.

I hope they did a better job on the C6. I've driven c5's, and can't wait for the prices of C6s/c5z06s to drop. From what I hear GM is back and making some decent vehicles again. Thank god, it's about time after 30 years. It's starting to be barely worth it...

 

If we all posted "My vette ran great today!!" first, the police would be out in full effect, second: most of the threads would be "my car ran great today!"

This is almost like retail. You never hear compliments (except for a few times, say 1%) but you ALWAYS hear the complaints.

FWIW, my 144K mile 93 right now is PERFECT (99% perfect, I may have a starter going, but after 144K miles, it's probably due to be changed.)

 

From inception to finished product, rattles, comfort, ergonomics, waterpoofing and the like were not C4 engineering priorities. The car was built to pick on the germans and italians at a more reasonable price.

 

I have had my '88 for two years, it has 79k miles. Other than upgrading things that weren't broken for performance, I've replaced a brake booster, water pump and an alternator, forgot the dreaded heater core(guess I wanted to put that fiasco out of mind completely). The alternator started going south in september, but I waited until last week to do it, lol. Bearings were shot. Same with the water pump, bearings were shot. All three of these items were original to the car, so I can't complain about the longevity of these items.

All my car needs right now to be perfect is suspension bushings. But I think I'll wait until a suspension piece threatens to fall off before I tackle those.

 

Are we having a bad day?

Seriously, I don't think it's all that bad....... my '87 has been very reliable over the years

(till I started screwin' around with it)

 

I don't know what kind of replacement parts you're buying, but I have learned never to replace the failed parts with parts that have been reconditioned. It means nothing more than taking one person's failed piece of crap, replacing a bolt or two, cleaning up the outside and selling it as reconditioned. I have never bought a reconditioned part that lasted more than one year. I learned my lesson. I will now only purchase new OEM or high performance parts.

And I agree with you. GM is putting out one piece of crap after the next. The American car worker and manufacturer has lost their drive to produce a reliable automobile. The workers make $30 an hour and constantly demand more while the manufacturer look for ways for save money. Instead of using a metal bolt, they opt for plastic to save a buck. Of course, this $1 item is multiplied by the thousands, but they're trading reliability for profit. The Japanese still take pride in their cars. That is why they will continue to build more reliable cars and until the American manufacturers get their heads out of their asses, it will never change. America is outsourcing all our work and the Americans are left without jobs. All for the name of money. I think it's sick.

 

Never heard of anyone complaining about their '83!

You know what, you're right there was a real quality problem that seems to be fading (thank God )

But the very few 21 year old hondas and toyotas I see out there have not aged as well as any vette.

Sure the problems can suck, but think of the horror stories you can turn into quality lies to impress your friends with. Not to mention the car you can impress them with too.

Hope the venting helped. I know this place is great to let it fly sometimes. We all understand.

 

One: you get what you pay for, and most of us have Corvettes because they are the quintessential "cheap thrill". Bang for buck they are untouchable, but since there's no free lunch, you pay for it with less-than-stellar quality. Compare a Porsche or even a Honda to our quality. However, we'll also put them on the trailer, performance-wise.

Two: there are LOTS of guys on this forum with years/miles on their Corvettes and have had zero (or few) problems. You just aren't one of the lucky ones, I suppose.

I sympathize with your frustration. Just hang in there (or get a '96)

Larry
code5coupe

 

You can't compare a 21 year old Honda to a 21 year old Vette. Most Vette owners take pride in their cars and take care of them unlike an owner of a 21 year old Caprice or Laser. They will be just as run down or in worse shape than a 280 ZX.

 

Well, you bring up an interesting point. But remember, not all vette owners drive their cars everyday. That's where most of the problems start. My '95 with 128,000 has less problems than my '93 with 41,000.

If previous owners(and current owners) would learn to drive their cars everyday, there would be less problems. Fuel pumps burning up? I wonder how many times the fuel level was too low in the car.

Any car, no matter who the manufacturer is only as good as the person who maintains it. Any car.

Every problem with my '95 has been a direct result of my abuse to it.

Another example.

My '91 GMC was probablythe best vehicle built in the world(not what I owned, but the best vehicle in the world).

I sold it last summer with 191,000 miles, the current owner drives it everyday(a coworker). I beat the crap out of that truck and it's still going.
Sure I had to replace the trans after 176,000 but after 176,000 miles of powershifting and burnouts would you expect anything else?
The clutch was replaced at the same time only because the tranny was out, otherwise it was still in good shape.

Batteries will die over time, I replaced the alternator, the A/C compressor(both froze up) and the starter. But this was all after 150,000 miles or more.

The driveshaft exploded on me, but for the same reason as the trans.

As much as I've disliked most GM products. The stuff in the '90's beats what's out today.

 

 

well i happen to like the early 80's gm products.some of the best running vehicles i ever owned.my 85 s-10 has 186,000 miles on it and it runs very well.as for my vette it is an 84 with 67,000 on it.you will never hear me complain about a chevy product now fordss on the other hand

 

I have to disagree with you on this. I have owned 7 Vettes since 1967 and the 88 I have is the best of the bunch. I have 131000 miles on mine and it runs just like it did the day I bought it. Yes I have had to replace a water pump, break booster, and a few other minor parts, but no where near what the c2/c3's I have owned needed with less miles.

Maybe owning the older cars lessend my expections when I bought the 88. But I can't complain.

And as far as your comments about cutting cost with cast cranks and 2 bolt mains, just remember that GM was the only mfg. of the 'Big 3' that ever did this. None of the high HP Fords of the 60's ever had 4 bolt mains or forged cranks.

And as for transmissions, the Muncie 4 speed was almost bullet proof. And the best auto's made were the good old 400 and the auto in the Dodge/Plymouth. Try a ricer auto behind a 454 or a 426 Hemi....ain't going to last long.

My .02.

 

Ain`t none of them made in heaven dude!, I`ve seen brand new Mercedes 500s, Porsche Carrerras (sp?), Hondas Cadillacs etc. broke down on the side of the road, so all that money does not necessarily buy you quality, no matter whos nameplate is on the side. Besides, its a hobby. The whole point of having the car is the car itself. Like any other hobby, its going to cost money, sooner or later. Sure we spend a lot of bucks on these machines, & they cough,spit,fart,leak oil, suck valves,blow rears, lunch transmissions, & sustain cracks to their fiberglass bodies, but boy are these cars fun to own, drive, or just sit all day & gaze at them in our garages/driveways. If you have one, you are the proud owner of a true american icon, known the world over as "America`s sportscar". As someone on the forum said recently, these cars are not the be-all, end-all of sports cars, but they are the one thing that sets them apart from any other car in the world, regardless of price, they are Corvettes.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head with your BIO, Young, Bitcher, etc.
IMHO, you probably "Do Not Take Care Of The Vette" as you should,
Let me give you your profile " Speed, show the friends how great a car U have, Push it to the limit, Burn rubber etc, on & on !"Then complain when things go wrong.

Bottom line Corvettes are Great cars, But they require respect & Care.

Get the picture.

 

I have had my 92 Z71 short box since new, it has 120,000 miles on it and still runs great! It has been the best vehicle I have owned by far. As for vettes both mine are low mile cars driven weekends only, no problems at all...not bad for 11 and 14 year old vehicles of any brand!

Now I have to find some wood to knock on.

 

The house in the background is owned by a Toyota technician. The car may not break as often but I assure you, it is not cheaper to own.



Go to any enthusiast board and you will get the impression that the car in question is a heap. I frequent BMW boards to keep my old 1990 3 series running and they bitch galore about various issues with new 3,5,7 series.

 

For one thing it's pretty hard to compare a Corvette to a Toyota or Honda. Our Vettes are sports cars, designed to be driven and a lot of us do just that....and mighty hard.

My '88, with 150k miles on the clock (and quite a few of those done 1/4 mile at a time) has a few wrattles and has had some components replaced due to normal wear but overall has given very good service and is a true joy to drive. Can you truely say that any of those ricer burners or econo slugs are a "joy to drive".

Indeed my Corvette is my hoby, a joy to work on & mod and a real pleasure to drive. Long live the American Icon.

 

My 85 c4 is a piece of ****. There, you happy now?

actually it was working fine before i took it apart.

 

If it's mechanical, and it moves it's going to wear out sooner or later. Doesn't matter what it is. Some are just worse than others, and I would imagine you could find problem cars of any make.


I have had my share of problem children. The BMW I had was the worst, constantly something going wrong, and costing money. I was more than happy to get rid of it after 5 years of outlay.


Even had an S-10 that the trans went bad with only 29,000 miles, and then the engine went at 34,000 miles and it was maintained as it was supposed to be, ended up putting a 350 in it with a 350 turbo trans, then it was reliable.


I've only had my Corvette since last Oct., but I wanted it, so I bought it, and I take the responsibility of maintaining it. Like I said if it moves, it will wear out. I'll just fix it and go on.