Consumer Reports - C6 Reliability
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 417
Likes: 1
From: Just another gray haired old fart in a Corvette.
I’ve had mine for 4 weeks and 1000 miles and was feeling cocky about it being flawless. After washing it this morning I now have a “Service Ride Control” message ever time I start the car. I was on the fence about an extended warrantee but no longer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Originally Posted by C6-er
I’ve had mine for 4 weeks and 1000 miles and was feeling cocky about it being flawless. After washing it this morning I now have a “Service Ride Control” message ever time I start the car. I was on the fence about an extended warrantee but no longer.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Moorestown South Jersey
Originally Posted by Weedo
I also own a Chrysler 300C SRT-8. Again, when has Chrysler ever made a reliable product? Never that I can remember.
You must have had a good run of bad luck then. I've owned Dodges for over 25 years. The most recent ones from 1995, 1998, and 2003 had zero warranty issues or service trips. Now the ones from the 80's gave me lots of trouble. My current 2005 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton 4X4 pickup is also good so far.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 0
From: Roselle Park NJ
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Without the data the report is meaningless. How many subscribers have Vettes? how many responded? What % of the responses were unfavorable? What was wrong with their cars?
CS once rated an electric shaver that gave the best shave possible poor because it did not retain the clippings well. Go figger!
CS once rated an electric shaver that gave the best shave possible poor because it did not retain the clippings well. Go figger!
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Murrells Inlet, SC and Wells, ME
If it is not foreign CR won't like it!!!! Supposedly CR is not biased. IMHO I feel CR is one of the most biased rating agency in the business!! I take their dislike of the Corvette as an endorsement!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 10
From: Salinas Ca.
A good deal of what we read on this forum is about people who are having problems with their C6s. It is reasonable to expect that owners who have not had problems will not bother to post. I think the same is true of CR subscribers. The ones with problems will report, and the ones without problems will not report. So we wind up with a somewhat distorted image of the C6. As was noted previously, it is our responsibility as owners to take the time to respond to CR if we want to read a favorable rating. The other thing is that the corvette is really unique in the sense that it is a world class performance/sports car. Not too many cars fit that niche. For example, in my mind it would be wrong to rate a corvette against a Honda S2000. The Honda is not a performance car but it is a sports car. But comparing the corvette with a porsche, and taking into consideration the price difference is a reasonable comparison. Just my .02 
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Is it me or is the 1st year of any generation of a new vette a bit rough on the reliability? There is only so much the engineers can replicate. That’s one of the big reasons I waited and got a 2006. 2007 will likely be even better, but I’m not that patient.
Give it another year or two, and I think you will see the vette numbers get much better from Consumer Reports. If we have bad numbers in 2007, then GM might have a big problem with quality.
This just confirms my trust in Consumer Reports as being fair.
Give it another year or two, and I think you will see the vette numbers get much better from Consumer Reports. If we have bad numbers in 2007, then GM might have a big problem with quality.
This just confirms my trust in Consumer Reports as being fair.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Westchester CA
My 2005 C6 has over 10,000 miles on it and has never been back the dealer. My previous 2002 C5 had three years of driving....about 34,000 miles....and was to the dealer one time for the passenger's side door lock not working properly. Which, of course, was fixed under warranty.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles California
Originally Posted by Silver Fox
The results of those Consumer Reports come from subscriber like me that fill out the survey they sent. I have had my C6 since January and since that time have had the following problems.....
1. Erratic Fuel reading ( Replaced fuel sender card left tank )
2. Service traction control ( Replaced switch in steering column )
3. Check gas cap ( Replaced ECM module )
4. Noise in differential when turning left or right ( Replaced differential fluid and added 4oz of friction modifier )
That is a lot of things going wrong in such a short time in an Automobile costing $58,000
1. Erratic Fuel reading ( Replaced fuel sender card left tank )
2. Service traction control ( Replaced switch in steering column )
3. Check gas cap ( Replaced ECM module )
4. Noise in differential when turning left or right ( Replaced differential fluid and added 4oz of friction modifier )
That is a lot of things going wrong in such a short time in an Automobile costing $58,000
At least you were truthful with your response to CR. Most people that own Toyota, Lexus, BMW tend to respond favorably towards there vehicles even when problems are evident. I did it with my Tundra, Camry, and LS400 just to keep the rating high for resale value.
Visit a Lexus, Toyota, BMW, or any foreign car dealer service center any day of the week, and note the number of folks returning new/ near new vehicles for warranty issues. Chances are, there will be a LOT of folks there compare to a GM service center. Especially in So Cal.
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Valley Springs California
I know who does make reliable cars, and I've owned them, but until a car can be "sick and wrong fast and fun" AND be reliable AND be reasonably priced, I'll continue buying fun cars that may or may not be all that reliable. 
[/QUOTE]
Well Said!!
[/QUOTE]Well Said!!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by C6Monty
I have a Lexus with 30,000 plus miles and have had a grand total of zero problems with it...it's only been to the dealer for routine services. Unfortunately, I don't expect this to be the case with my Corvette, but I'm buying it anyway...for completely different reasons. The Lexus is my 'practical' vehicle. The Corvette will be my 'fun' vehicle. I have a feeling I am not alone in this conscious decision.
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by vetdude
I'll never forget when they trashed the car for being "too hard to get in and out of." It's a sports car for crying out loud!JK
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
all in all I wouldn't give too much weight to the report. It also states that the data is based upon a single model year. here is the list for '05
unreliable
SPORTY CARS/
CONVERTIBLES/COUPES: Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, Mercedes-Benz SL, Mercedes-Benz CLK, Ford Mustang (V6)*, Chevrolet Corvette*, Audi S4
Reliable:
SPORTY CARS/
CONVERTIBLES/COUPES: Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005), Lexus SC430, Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2005)
"BEST & WORST
These 2006 models earned the highest and lowest Predicted Reliability Ratings, based on CR's 2005 reliability survey. Models marked with "(2005)" have been redesigned for 2006. Vehicles marked with an asterisk "*" indicate data is based on one model year only."
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.as...tentid=4023544
unreliable
SPORTY CARS/
CONVERTIBLES/COUPES: Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, Mercedes-Benz SL, Mercedes-Benz CLK, Ford Mustang (V6)*, Chevrolet Corvette*, Audi S4
Reliable:
SPORTY CARS/
CONVERTIBLES/COUPES: Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005), Lexus SC430, Chevrolet Monte Carlo (2005)
"BEST & WORST
These 2006 models earned the highest and lowest Predicted Reliability Ratings, based on CR's 2005 reliability survey. Models marked with "(2005)" have been redesigned for 2006. Vehicles marked with an asterisk "*" indicate data is based on one model year only."
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.as...tentid=4023544
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
Originally Posted by Rauder
At least you were truthful with your response to CR. Most people that own Toyota, Lexus, BMW tend to respond favorably towards there vehicles even when problems are evident. I did it with my Tundra, Camry, and LS400 just to keep the rating high for resale value.
It just goes to show you the mentality in this country. If your transmission falls out of your Japanese luxury car, you say "Oh well. I'm sure it's just a fluke. I have a car with Japanese quality." Then when someone has to take in their Chevy for a burned out turn signal bulb, they shout from the rooftops "Look at this American trash. I should have bought Japanese!" Me personally, I'm getting pretty sick of this Anti-American biased sentiment. I see it all the time.
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 22
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by RedC6Jezybel
If it is not foreign CR won't like it!!!! Supposedly CR is not biased. IMHO I feel CR is one of the most biased rating agency in the business!! I take their dislike of the Corvette as an endorsement!