Hi everyone,

I've been perusing C6 Gen/Tech for quite some time now and have come across several threads regarding the interior quality of these cars from one extreme to another. My question to those folks that don't care for the interior quality...what is it exactly? Quality of materials used? Fit and finish? Squeaks and rattles?

From the pictures I've seen thus far, I think the car is awesome and when I'm tired of my C5, there will be one of these in my driveway.

Thanks for the input.

 

Fit and finish is excellent. Can't ask for more there imo. No rattles either.

But my biggest gripe is the overabundance of cheap plastic. Stuff like the vinyl shift and brake boots, lousy floormats, plastic pedals mixed with aluminum. But the same goes for a lot of cars these days, too.

Now that's not to say that every single one of these gripes can't be overcome via the aftermarket because that's exactly what I did. These are little gripes for me, I still would buy this same car all over again.

 

My last 2 cars were Audis (2000 and 2003 A6s). I mention this because as far as I'm concerned, Audi does the best interiors of any car company this side of the true exotics. With that as a baseline, IMO Chevy has done a mostly good job with the C6's interior. It's a generally pleasant environment to spend time in and it's arguably much better than that of the C5. Highlights include:

• Available heated seats (new for C6)
• Available GPS (new for C6)
• The best damn instrument cluster in the business
• Available auto-dimming mirror
• Available memory seat / outside mirrors / steering column
• Power lumbar controls
• Available HUD
• Overall (but not 100%) decent materials quality
• Overall (but not 100%) decent build quality

Now for the not-so-good:

• Many here are disappointed with the quality of the leather on the seats. Me, I can't tell good from bad when it comes to leather quality; it seems OK to me in my C6. What I don't like is that the seat backs are covered in cloth, not leather. Actually, it's not that big of a deal to me, more of just an observation.
• I have the Bose audio system in mine and as far as I'm concerned its sound quality sucks. It is, without question, the worst-sounding factory-installed audio system in any car that I've owned, period. Does that mean that I don't like my C6? No. It just means that the sound quality from the audio system sucks.
• I HATE the cheap-looking silver (darker gray on '06 and '07 models) plastic trim used on the center console and on the control button pods for the HUD and DIC. In fact, these 3 pieces of plastic make up my biggest single disappointment in the design of the C6. IMO these trim pieces lower the overall quality feel of an otherwise nicely-executed interior. Making them out of brushed metal or covering them in a material similar to that used on the upper dashboard would have made all the difference in the world.
• Speaking of the center console, many here (myself included) have had problems with it "creaking". Something underneath the plastic trim likes to rub against the underside and it's quite audible. I had mine adjusted nearly a year ago and it held up until recently. Now the creaking is back so it's off to the dealer tomorrow. I think I'll take some self-sticking felt and see if they'll just line the underside with it to eliminate the problem for good.

That's it as far as my "constructive criticism" goes regarding the interior. Overall I'd say they did a decent job with it. Had they worked just a little harder on it, I'd have zero complaints.

 

Yeah, I agree, it wouldn't have taken much (effort or money) to produce a much better interior package.

If they are going to do leather seats (and I'd rather have cloth), at least they could have used better (thicker) leather, like a good quality baseball glove. But the seats sit Ok. I don't really care as long as I'm comfortable in the seat what they use.

The Bose "premium" stereo is without a doubt the worst automobile sound system I've ever heard. It would have cost next to nothing extra to have done it right instead of doing it wrong.

The silvery trim pieces do look cheap, and the radio and climate control panel faces look really cheap, like something made in a backyard shop. Again, this would have cost nearly nothing extra to do with a little style.

After nearly 45,000 miles, I don't have any creaks or squeaks in the console or dash, but the damn top has never shut up, stress popping, creaking, squeaking, etc. I would have gladly paid extra for an actual solid top to this car. When I buy a hardtop, I want a hardtop, not a convertible, not a targa, not a sunroof, a solid top, one piece from windshield to rear glass. And held on with something more substantial than glue.

While we're at it, lets fix the top design so water doesn't **** on your thigh when you open the window or open the door when it is raining. It is frankly infuriating that the front seam serves as a channel to direct water onto your leg.

Wait, now I'm on a roll. How about changing the damn light controls so a person can set them the way he wants them (like completely off in daytime), and not the way GM arrogantly insists they must operate. Put the light switch on the dash, where it belongs, and make it an actual mechanical switch the driver controls. And while we're at it, put the cruise control on the steering wheel where it can be operated with a thumb, not on the overloaded turn signal stalk where you have to snag it with a fingernail. Most other cars and trucks have the buttons on the wheel now, and it is better.

[foaming at mouth] Now lets talk about the stupid keyless start system! [deep breaths] Ok, maybe not. Enough rant for one post.

 

I replaced the cheap plastic shifter and parking brake boots with leather as well as the center armrest and now I am happy.

 

This is still the nicest interior the vette has ever had. I'm very happy, a slightly wet rag cleans up the rubbery coatings very nicely. I personally hate leather, the seats where covered immediately with sheepskin, I went from dealer to pep boys and covered them. Its hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and your butt sticks to it. I bought a car to drive like I stole it, and this car makes me smile every time I start it up and drive down the road. Thanks GM!!!

Only minor complaint is the lack of padding in the arm rest, but I can fix that.

 

I can live with most things on the interior. Like some I wish they would offer cloth. To me leather looks like heck in a year or so. I hate the uneven wear look on the drivers side. Also wish they would put seat adjustments on the door including an electric seatback adjustment. I agree with the cuise on the wheel. My mother's town car has all of these features in a nice layout and it seems very handy.

 

I love my C6, but I agree with the above posts. Some of the interior materials remind me of my 1992 Saturn.

 

I am quite pleased with mine. The car meets and exceeds my expectations.

When I want a better ride or higher luxury including the interior, I drive the Cadillac.

 

I pretty much agree with the above posts.

I think the Corvette should be a mix of luxury, sport and some new innovations but I can tell that GM spent money in some areas and skimped in others.

I bet there is a lot of engineering vs. accounting battles that go on at GM over the Corvette.

 

My biggest complaint is the seats. They are too flat for sports car/high performance car seats. Personally, I liked the early C4 seats better as you sat "in" them not on them.

 

I really don't have a problem with the quality so much as the blandness. That was my one complaint about my C6. The interior is just not very exciting or inviting. However, that won't stop me from getting another one someday.

 

My center console creaked all the time, but I found the problem when installing an aftermarket radio. All the disassembled interior pictures I've seen are from 06-07 cars, and they all have felt tape covering all the attachment clips for the center console trim. For some reason, my 05 didn't come with any of that at all. Either they forgot it or they just didn't do that in 05. I used felt tape on all the joints before reinstalling the trim, and all the creaks are gone.

 

Read "All Corvettes are Red". It's about the building of the C5, but gives you an idea of what goes on in car design/planning/production.

 

Look at DSV's photo's of the Porsche 911 he's working on. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1698158

If you think that's a better looking interior you may need an eye exam. Look at the cheap plastic and the flimsy looking seats.

Then tell me the C6 isn't as good.

Tom

 

This is an OLD argument....those who say that "it wouldn't cost much" to do the interior differently are flat out wrong....it would cost a fortune for GM, and the price of the C6 would rise dramatically as well.

I hate the silver plastic as well. GM makes a replacement set of plastic that is dark black with a carbon fiber look. It is in the 2007 accessory catalog and runs about $350.

Back to my point - if you are looking for a super interior combined with the performance of a C6, then look to Europe...F430, Aston, Continental GT, etc. all have fantastic interiors. Wait....you'll pay 3x+ for a car of lesser performance. Hmmm.....not such a great deal after all.

If you want a better interior, you'll have to pay for it. Period. Whether you pay GM or an aftermarket provider, the result is the same.

Could GM do better? Sure. Will it? Who knows. Personally, I hate the 4LT look for 2008, but that's just my $.02.

 

I drive a 2007 Coupe.

The interior quality ( a term with many possible interpretations ) is OK with me.

The only real quality ‘issue’ I’ve had with my C6 was the texture & unyielding plastic surface of the center console cover. This was not designed to be used as an armrest by humans. So I spent a few $$s on a DSV cover that is also padded & covered with matching leather.

The other materials seem reasonable, given the focus & priorities of the Corvette. The C6 is a sports car. Or ( as I equipped mine, with 3LT, A6, etc. – one could argue ) a high performance GT car. And with those attributes ( powers and abilities far beyond those of most cars ) in mind - and the MSRP – I find the interior quite acceptable. And quite comfortable, even on long drives.

The clear & clean instrument cluster, for example, ( as mentioned above ) I find attractive as well as instantly readable under any conditions. And the HUD is an outstanding implementation.

I spend very little time just staring at the interior.

I am impressed by the fact that ( now at close to 8,500 miles, in 6 months ) the only extraneous noise I have ever heard was the occasional creak \ pop from the translucent roof panel that appeared with the arrival of Spring. Fixed with a 5 minute application of silicone spray.

The fit of the various interior pieces causes me no anxiety & build quality seems excellent - again indicated by no rattles, squeaks, groans or other noises, even when traversing potholes, badly worn, patched, broken pavement, railroad crossings, etc. So far, it appears very well designed and well assembled.

Kudos to the R&D people behind the C6 – and the folks in Bowling Green.

- Ray
Very happy C6 driver . . .

Aside: A co-worker brought in a new Camry the other day, and I had my obligatory ‘tour’ of the interior. One thing I noticed immediately was that there were 3 distinctly different textures & slightly different colors of ‘black’ \ dark gray in direct view. Now a Camry is not an Audi, clearly. Nor did it carry an MSRP of $50K. But given the ‘quality’ reputation of Toyota, and the many comments I’ve read regarding attention to detail – specifically regarding interiors, I was somewhat surprised.

 

Porsche interiors have always been known for being spartan and utilitarian but you're right.....IMO the C6 interior is not just "as good" its better.

I think the C6 interior is fine. Sure it could have been better in certain respects but I'm not at all displeased with it. Even if Corvette offered an upgraded interior option (which I would like to see), people would still complain about that. I read an article recently describing the efforts GM is making to improve interior quality....the times they are a changin'.

 

C-6 interior is far superior than the C-5 rubbermaid interior.
If one doesn't like the leather you can get sheepskin seatcovers for side air bag cars for $37.00 at Costco.

 

I've owned a Lexus, Infiniti G35 coupe, and an Acura TSX, and the C6 interior is OK, but it is really personal preference. My two biggest problems with interiors is cheap looking parts, and noises such as creaks and rattles. When I got into the C6, the first thing I noticed was the REALLY cheap looking shift boot and e-brake boot. I've seen my fare share of fake leather, but this is by far the cheapest fake leather I've ever seen, period. I quickly replaced them with real leather parts and got an armreset cover with padding. As far as the squeaks and rattles, aside from the roof rattle, the car really isn't much different than any of my other cars. I do intend to install felt on the inside clips of the console to perhaps quiet it a bit though....