Rant: Consumer Reports
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 14
Rant: Consumer Reports
I am getting tired of consumer reports bashing the Corvette. In this month’s issue they are claiming that it’s one of the most unreliable cars. BOOOGUS, they never liked the Vette and this proves it. In fact they very rarely like any American Cars
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 14
They get there infomation about the cars from a survey they send out each year. Ok you own a vette is it reliable? I know my car is, maybe a few rattles & pops. But, everytime I push my starter button it cranks up just find.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 13,007
Likes: 0
From: Happiness is Busch in Victory Lane!
St. Jude Donor '09 & '12, '14
I've owned 3 Honda's and they never saw a dealer. ever.
I've owned 2 Vettes and both have been in.
C5 was in for $1400 worth of fixes out of warranty.
Hey I'd rather have a vette then a Honda anyday but the nerds at CR consider things like Practicality and service trips.
I think your argument could be they are more like Prius owners then Vette owners
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
If the information really is the results of surveys actually submitted by Corvette owners, here's my take on it.
Anyone who reads this forum must recongnize that a lot of Corvette owners are very particular - indeed, fussy - about issues with their cars. Could it be that those owners might be reporting problems that are not generally an issue for the "average" car owner? I'll have to take a look at how they do this in their next auto issue.
I think it's also well known that Corvettes have among the highest owner loyalty of any car sold in this country. I believe this has been established in several publications, including Road & Track.
I don't know. Seems incongrous to me that a car with reported poor reliability would have such loyalty among owners.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 14
As I recall, CR gets most of their info from owners who actually subscribe to the publication. I know; I've participated in these surveys myself. Now, how they actually develop the ratings is not known to me. I do have reason to beleive they sometimes "extrapolate" their findings from one year to the next if they don't have sufficient information on the current model in question.
If the information really is the results of surveys actually submitted by Corvette owners, here's my take on it.
Anyone who reads this forum must recongnize that a lot of Corvette owners are very particular - indeed, fussy - about issues with their cars. Could it be that those owners might be reporting problems that are not generally an issue for the "average" car owner? I'll have to take a look at how they do this in their next auto issue.
I think it's also well known that Corvettes have among the highest owner loyalty of any car sold in this country. I believe this has been established in several publications, including Road & Track.
I don't know. Seems incongrous to me that a car with reported poor reliability would have such loyalty among owners.
If the information really is the results of surveys actually submitted by Corvette owners, here's my take on it.
Anyone who reads this forum must recongnize that a lot of Corvette owners are very particular - indeed, fussy - about issues with their cars. Could it be that those owners might be reporting problems that are not generally an issue for the "average" car owner? I'll have to take a look at how they do this in their next auto issue.
I think it's also well known that Corvettes have among the highest owner loyalty of any car sold in this country. I believe this has been established in several publications, including Road & Track.
I don't know. Seems incongrous to me that a car with reported poor reliability would have such loyalty among owners.
Well said
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
OP - Most of their information about Corvettes seems to be correct. Don't like it? Ignore it and do what you wish. Don't let it get to you.
BTW, they do show the 05s with more problems than 06s and 07s, with improvements to the 06s, and more improvements to the 07s. This info. from the April 2008 issue of Consumer Reports.
Last edited by Vette_DD; Oct 25, 2008 at 10:52 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 13,007
Likes: 0
From: Happiness is Busch in Victory Lane!
St. Jude Donor '09 & '12, '14
I'll stress the point again.... My lame Honda has about 100 parts costing 1.00 each that could break...and none of them do...ever. In Fact my lawn guy today almost fell over today when he saw the Honda on ramps... I was changing the oil. He said he has never seen a Honda on ramps.
The Vette has 1000 parts costing 5.00 each (in comparison and not a real value) and has seen the dealer service dept numerous times.
Quite simply it will never compete in the 'reliability' dept overall.
I'm sure it got great marks for Engine Reliability as the LSx series are very good.
It's all the little crap like electrochromatic rear view mirrors that come with a Corvette that gets us knocked down.
Owner satisfaction is not equal to reliability when Corvette is concerned. The Main thing satisfying owners (The engine) works reliably.
The Vette has 1000 parts costing 5.00 each (in comparison and not a real value) and has seen the dealer service dept numerous times.
Quite simply it will never compete in the 'reliability' dept overall.
I'm sure it got great marks for Engine Reliability as the LSx series are very good.
It's all the little crap like electrochromatic rear view mirrors that come with a Corvette that gets us knocked down.
Owner satisfaction is not equal to reliability when Corvette is concerned. The Main thing satisfying owners (The engine) works reliably.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Barstow California
are the vettes reliable???? I LOVE VETTES, but everyone wants you to pay out the butt to fix them. that and the high prices kept me from pulling the trigger on a vette. they get good gas mileage, and if i buy a car IM GOING TO DRIVE IT. no garage queen here, but i dont want to pay out the butt on a payment and then have to fix it all the time.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 0
From: H.V. PA
I LOVE my Corvette but as far as reliability goes........ lets just say I learned to live with it.
Delivered with a leaking rear, took two tries at two different dealers to fix
Brake squealed like a transit bus until the pads were eventually replaced
Top had to be foam filled so it would not separate
Axle nuts were loose
Crank pulley had to be replaced
Top squeaks and rattles all the time
Wiring harness for front lights had to be replaced
Not one of the many Acura or Honda products I've owned has ever been to the dealer for anything other than routine maintenance. Maybe Honda should buy GM or at least loan them some engineering talent.
I still love my Vette and have learned to accept GM's level of quality.
Delivered with a leaking rear, took two tries at two different dealers to fix
Brake squealed like a transit bus until the pads were eventually replaced
Top had to be foam filled so it would not separate
Axle nuts were loose
Crank pulley had to be replaced
Top squeaks and rattles all the time
Wiring harness for front lights had to be replaced
Not one of the many Acura or Honda products I've owned has ever been to the dealer for anything other than routine maintenance. Maybe Honda should buy GM or at least loan them some engineering talent.
I still love my Vette and have learned to accept GM's level of quality.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
They actually sent me a survey and I don't subscribe to them. I have had no problems with my C6. My bro had more problems with his 2004 Toyota Solara than I have had with an GM car I have owned, and I have owned nothing but GM cars.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
Consumer Reports just reports on the results of the surveys of their car owners. Nothing unfair going on here and if you don't like the results then rather than blaming the messenger you should blame GM. They have also reported every time they report on the Corvette that overwhelmingly most owners say they would buy another one. Myself included. In fact I had an 05 that was recently totaled and immediately purchased an 09. The whole experience is about more than reliability.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,986
Likes: 14
Consumer Reports just reports on the results of the surveys of their car owners. Nothing unfair going on here and if you don't like the results then rather than blaming the messenger you should blame GM. They have also reported every time they report on the Corvette that overwhelmingly most owners say they would buy another one. Myself included. In fact I had an 05 that was recently totaled and immediately purchased an 09. The whole experience is about more than reliability.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
My C6 has been every bit as, or more reliable as any other car ive owned in the past, and ive had many.
They forget to consider something called "Pride of ownership" or "Owner satisfaction" . You dont see many guys bragging about their Accords, civics, hyundais or Nissan Altimas. In the other hand the name "Corvette" Is instantly recognizable worldwide.
Just say "Corvette" and anybody will know what your talking about.
Pride of ownership gentlemen.
They forget to consider something called "Pride of ownership" or "Owner satisfaction" . You dont see many guys bragging about their Accords, civics, hyundais or Nissan Altimas. In the other hand the name "Corvette" Is instantly recognizable worldwide.
Just say "Corvette" and anybody will know what your talking about.
Pride of ownership gentlemen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
I'll stress the point again.... My lame Honda has about 100 parts costing 1.00 each that could break...and none of them do...ever. In Fact my lawn guy today almost fell over today when he saw the Honda on ramps... I was changing the oil. He said he has never seen a Honda on ramps.
The Vette has 1000 parts costing 5.00 each (in comparison and not a real value) and has seen the dealer service dept numerous times.
Quite simply it will never compete in the 'reliability' dept overall.
I'm sure it got great marks for Engine Reliability as the LSx series are very good.
It's all the little crap like electrochromatic rear view mirrors that come with a Corvette that gets us knocked down.
Owner satisfaction is not equal to reliability when Corvette is concerned. The Main thing satisfying owners (The engine) works reliably.
The Vette has 1000 parts costing 5.00 each (in comparison and not a real value) and has seen the dealer service dept numerous times.
Quite simply it will never compete in the 'reliability' dept overall.
I'm sure it got great marks for Engine Reliability as the LSx series are very good.
It's all the little crap like electrochromatic rear view mirrors that come with a Corvette that gets us knocked down.
Owner satisfaction is not equal to reliability when Corvette is concerned. The Main thing satisfying owners (The engine) works reliably.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,081
Likes: 1,592
From: Edmond Oklahoma
My C-5 and C-6 have been extreamly reliable. People who buy Corvettes are not buying a mini van to put 25K per year on it. It's a high preformance sports car, not a soccer mom kid hauler. What is the CR report on a Lambo? Real car guys don't read consumer reports to decide what high preformance sports car to buy. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
It's not the place to get advice on sport cars.
If you need a toaster or dishwasher, CR can be of some use.. They always dis American cars.. They have no clue about what matters to sport car enthusiasts.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
All I know is, my 05 has not been to the dealer any more than my son's Lexus, but less than my daughter's Audi, and definitely less than my boss's Mercedez and his wife's BMW.
But, I think the real comparisons should be between performance sports cars and not a Vette to a 4-door sedan....
Regardles, loyalty is there......
But, I think the real comparisons should be between performance sports cars and not a Vette to a 4-door sedan....
Regardles, loyalty is there......