Corvette Reliability
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24,592
Likes: 44
From: The Rock Arkansas
Elite Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
My 97 has 65K miles and I've owned it for 4.5 years. Only problems I've had are column lock, erratic gas gauge, and vent actuators. I plan on running her until the wheels fall off. 
wood
wood
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 15
From: Grant-Valkaria Florida
Originally Posted by rosemaryburm
I think the people who have the most problems with the Corvette are the people who don't own one.
Run to the Dealer and BUY one NOW. You're wasting time without it. You always hear about the ones that have trouble because those people are upset (and rightfully so), but there are alot of us out there with virtually no problems enjoying their cars everyday.I really (honestly) feel bad for the people with problem Corvettes, but it happens to all manufacturers. That doesn't make it right, but it's worth the gamble!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by shopdog
The main issue with any 40 year old car is parts availability. Example, my 1966 98 Oldsmobile. Last spring the divorced choke failed, can't get one, not from GM, not from the aftermarket, can't even locate one in a specialty Oldsmobile junkyard (which seem to run more toward Cutlasses than toward the big 98s). It is wound backwards from the one used on big block Chevys, which I can find. So the solution is to retrofit a hand choke cable, or swap to a carb with an electric choke. Neither is correct restoration, but I needed the car to run and I had a Holly with an electric choke on hand. Now the heater core has failed, leaking antifreeze into the interior. Same song and dance, can't find a replacement, have to have one custom fabricated by a radiator shop. The body is still sound, but body parts are really unobtainium for the car. Etc.
By the time the C6 is 40 years old, the C3 will be 80 years old, and OEM parts will basically be unobtainium for either one. To keep either one running, you'll have to custom fabricate or adapt parts. Frankly, the computers are the least of your worries. It'll will be increasingly easier to program a new computer to replace an older failed one as computers continue to become more powerful and less expensive. 40 years from now, you'll probably just be able to explain, in English, to the new computer what you need it to do, and it'll just do it. Rapid prototyping/CNC machine shops will be able to reproduce any mechanical part you can accurately describe. Etc.
In the nearer term, next 10 years, OEM parts for the C6 will still be obtainable, while parts for a C3 will become increasingly rare. So over that term, the C6 will be the easier car to maintain. For a daily driver, the contest isn't even close, the newer car will be much easier to keep on the road. For a garage queen, it is less obvious which will be easier to maintain, but the nod still has to go with the car with the better parts availability (particularly soft parts, which tend to deteriorate rapidly in cars that aren't regularly driven).
By the time the C6 is 40 years old, the C3 will be 80 years old, and OEM parts will basically be unobtainium for either one. To keep either one running, you'll have to custom fabricate or adapt parts. Frankly, the computers are the least of your worries. It'll will be increasingly easier to program a new computer to replace an older failed one as computers continue to become more powerful and less expensive. 40 years from now, you'll probably just be able to explain, in English, to the new computer what you need it to do, and it'll just do it. Rapid prototyping/CNC machine shops will be able to reproduce any mechanical part you can accurately describe. Etc.
In the nearer term, next 10 years, OEM parts for the C6 will still be obtainable, while parts for a C3 will become increasingly rare. So over that term, the C6 will be the easier car to maintain. For a daily driver, the contest isn't even close, the newer car will be much easier to keep on the road. For a garage queen, it is less obvious which will be easier to maintain, but the nod still has to go with the car with the better parts availability (particularly soft parts, which tend to deteriorate rapidly in cars that aren't regularly driven).
Sounds right to me..then again look at the 64, and 65 Mustangs plenty of those around still on the road and as long as we have enthusiasts, and car clubs for a particular car there will be parts available through speciality stores just like the ones for 63-72 Corvettes. But I would expect more downtime on an older Corvette just because it is older from every nut and bolt to rubber pieces, gaskets and seals that deteriorate from heat or sun.
Perhaps like in the old days we can get a new car every year But realistically every 3 to 4 years get a NEW Corvette but this would apply to any car.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by benspruce
If you're worried about driving a C6 out of warranty get an extended warranty. That should keep you smiling quite a bit longer. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
Originally Posted by StanNH
I have to disagree with how you're presenting this. Making a statement like, "I think some owners are too ashame to admit they put all this money into something that is not as dependable as a 5,000 used car.", is misleading and inaccurate. Yes, unfortunately your car has not been reliable and appears to have some serious problems. So does GTC's car and several others. How does that translate into the 2005 C6 being an unreliable car for the many thousands of us who have had no serious issues at all? It's one thing to be upset about getting a bad car...any of us would be...but it's another thing entirely to proclaim that all C6's are unreliable based on your own disappointing experience. IMHO, your conclusion is just wrong.
the DBS is almost an exclusive issue of the MN6 so even if we generalized it would be only on half the cars out there and I wonder what percentage of the MN6 really have a DBS issue and if we are seeing a disproportionate number of them given this is the forum and people will voice their (rightfully so) discontent. I think we all loose perspective of the frequency of these types of incidents and it sure as hell doesnt help when we are the ones affected by it but I wonder out of the entire production run how many actual cars had: 1. Crank pulley issue 2. DBS 3. Fuel Send Unit 4. Squeaky Z51 brakes - I would guess that those that frequent the forum would give a number 10X larger then the real one and those that never hit a forum would be 10x smaller... one thing is for sure: It sucks when your car is "it"
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 8
From: Whitehall PA
Four years ago someone gave me a Canon AE-1p camera circa 1982 or '83. This camera had only been used once in about 29 years. The shutter was sticking so I took it to the local camera shop and had it rebuilt. They told me the best thing you can do for a camera is use it. Left unused, problems develop. I believe the same thing goes for cars. Even though I live in Pennsylvania I plan to drive this car as weather permits in the winter months. No mothballing if I can help it. I'm sure this car will give the same service or better than any car I own or previously owned. I have never sold or scrapped a car with under 180,000 miles on the odometer. As far as extended warranties go I made the mistake of buying two during my lifetime. I lost money on both. In fact I never owned a car where an extended warranty would have been a benefit. All cars have some problems and some cars are lemons. This goes for any brand of car and the Corvette is no different. If you get a lemon, get rid of it. If you get a car that treats you well during the first three years of ownership don't be afraid to keep it.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: TX
Originally Posted by shopdog
The main issue with any 40 year old car is parts availability. Example, my 1966 98 Oldsmobile. Last spring the divorced choke failed, can't get one, not from GM, not from the aftermarket, can't even locate one in a specialty Oldsmobile junkyard (which seem to run more toward Cutlasses than toward the big 98s). It is wound backwards from the one used on big block Chevys, which I can find. So the solution is to retrofit a hand choke cable, or swap to a carb with an electric choke. Neither is correct restoration, but I needed the car to run and I had a Holly with an electric choke on hand. Now the heater core has failed, leaking antifreeze into the interior. Same song and dance, can't find a replacement, have to have one custom fabricated by a radiator shop. The body is still sound, but body parts are really unobtainium for the car. Etc.
By the time the C6 is 40 years old, the C3 will be 80 years old, and OEM parts will basically be unobtainium for either one. To keep either one running, you'll have to custom fabricate or adapt parts. Frankly, the computers are the least of your worries. It'll will be increasingly easier to program a new computer to replace an older failed one as computers continue to become more powerful and less expensive. 40 years from now, you'll probably just be able to explain, in English, to the new computer what you need it to do, and it'll just do it. Rapid prototyping/CNC machine shops will be able to reproduce any mechanical part you can accurately describe. Etc.
In the nearer term, next 10 years, OEM parts for the C6 will still be obtainable, while parts for a C3 will become increasingly rare. So over that term, the C6 will be the easier car to maintain. For a daily driver, the contest isn't even close, the newer car will be much easier to keep on the road. For a garage queen, it is less obvious which will be easier to maintain, but the nod still has to go with the car with the better parts availability (particularly soft parts, which tend to deteriorate rapidly in cars that aren't regularly driven).
By the time the C6 is 40 years old, the C3 will be 80 years old, and OEM parts will basically be unobtainium for either one. To keep either one running, you'll have to custom fabricate or adapt parts. Frankly, the computers are the least of your worries. It'll will be increasingly easier to program a new computer to replace an older failed one as computers continue to become more powerful and less expensive. 40 years from now, you'll probably just be able to explain, in English, to the new computer what you need it to do, and it'll just do it. Rapid prototyping/CNC machine shops will be able to reproduce any mechanical part you can accurately describe. Etc.
In the nearer term, next 10 years, OEM parts for the C6 will still be obtainable, while parts for a C3 will become increasingly rare. So over that term, the C6 will be the easier car to maintain. For a daily driver, the contest isn't even close, the newer car will be much easier to keep on the road. For a garage queen, it is less obvious which will be easier to maintain, but the nod still has to go with the car with the better parts availability (particularly soft parts, which tend to deteriorate rapidly in cars that aren't regularly driven).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,259
Likes: 16
From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
This is my first Corvette, picked it up February 11th, no problems Unfortunately, within six months of purchase all of the other GM cars I had previously owned had already been back for warranty service.
Unfortunately, within six months of purchase all of the other GM cars I had previously owned had already been back for warranty service.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 757
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by GTC
Mine seems to be an exception, but it has been anything but reliable. It is averaging one day a week in the shop. It is going back in on Monday to get the main wiring harness replaced for the 3rd time. I definitely don't want to own it if I ever have any electrical problems after the warranty and extended warranty are over.
