Tom Meere

Tom Meere

I wanted the manual GS with the dry sump and hand built engine, settled for a auto. Had a deal I could not pass up...
Anyway, I could not be happier with my choice. Don't really need the dry sump since I have no plans on hard track driving. Paddle shifting is fun when you want to play.
Good luck in the hunt...

dr_gallup

Get the transmission you want to drive, don't worry about the (minor) difference in the LS3 engines. The manual is a better track car due to the dry sump and better cooling but those differences actually make it a worse daily driver because it takes forever to get the oil warmed up. I bought a manual because I've had nothing but manuals in my cars my entire life and I like shifting gears. The auto is a decent auto but it's no DCT.

Bronk

Also, don't overlook Roger's Corvettes in Maitland ,just a hop, skip and a jump from The Villages. Numerous Forum members over the years have purchased Corvettes from Roger's. He is extremely proud of his business and sells only low mileage, pristine Corvettes.

sadiesvette

Last night I went on to youtube and watched the full vid of the Harmonic Balancer replacement. All I can say is WHAT A FREEKIN JOB. I got to say it's discouraging. I need some help wrapping my head around it. Maybe I should go to the Tech section with this but I'll leave that up to the Moderators. Maybe there is already a thread started on this but hear goes.
If you buy any mileage C6 are you almost assured your going to have a Harmonics problem if it wasn't already replaced?
Is there a mileage that they seem to go at? Or could it happen at any mileage?
I am looking at buying a low mileage 15,000 or less 2012/ 2013, at some point can I expect to have to replace it?
I'm sure prices are all over the map but about how much have guys paid for this job? Plus I'm sure there are some horror stories. Looking for input.
Thanks
Jerry
Semper Fi
Era Of The M1 Garrand

dr_gallup

People with the problem do all the posting. You don't see posts from the 99% who don't have the problem. It's more common that it should be but it's still a small percentage that fail. Just be sure it's not already bad when you buy. Seems like tit can happen at almost any mileage. Their are superior aftermarket replacements.

Bronk

My advice when contemplating purchase of a Corvette (any car) which may have a history of issues that are prevalent in some model years, is to NOT overthink the perceived problems that may lead to not purchasing the Vette you want. It seems that GM had a poorly designed harmonic balancer which was installed in LS engines. The design lead to failure for some installations, thus the proliferation of postings on social media. The replacement, although challenging for the average DIYer, is not that difficult for someone with good mechanical skills and preferably a lift. If you interpret the replacement job as discouraging, there will be other challenges with ownership that can, be at times, challenging as well. Overall, Corvettes, generally, and the C6, specifically, are robust and mechanically sound examples with an enviable record of durability and longevity. Don't focus on specific issues, rather, be knowledgeable and aware of potential problems which may or may not be present for your purchase of interest. Good luck with your quest ! Semper-Fi.

sadiesvette

Your right Bronk; I was making myself paranoid between the forum and youtube. What I did over the weekend was Get in touch with Lyle from C&S Vettes. Below is my question & His Reply.


Hea Lyle; My name is Jerry Del & I have been watching your very informative youtube broadcasts. I am in the market for a Low milage C6 GS Vette, Auto 2012 or 13. I live in The Villages not far from your shop & have become paranoid about this whole Harmonic Balancer
thing. The C6 I buy is prolly going to be a Florida car going to a Vette shop for a close inspection before I close the deal but I would like to know how common is this balancer problem & is it more prevalent in earlier C6's?
I am willing to pay a premium for a low mileage later model. The thought process being low mileage, later model less problems. Or should I save 10K, buy a higher mileage say 50,000 mile car have it inspected 4 ways from sideways do the recommended repairs and hope for the best?

Thanks for Your Time & advice. You may be seeing me soon.
Jerry D

Hi Jerry! I would take a 50K car that has been well-maintained over a 10K cream puff--things that fail with age would have been addressed on the car that was driven more frequently if the car was owned by someone who loved it. The balancer issue is found across the C5/C6 production, and is not terribly difficult to remedy. If the car you find has the issue, simply factor in the price of repair to your offer. Lyle

sadiesvette

At this point I am going to continue to search the Corvette sights just to keep my blood flowing but I am not going to buy for couple of months as hard as that is going to be. (ie I want it now). Right now I am out of Fla. and will not buy a car sight unseen and will not ship it 1000 or more miles. I am going to buy a Fla. car so I can check it out myself. If I am satisfied with it then bring it to a highly recommended Vette mechanic and have him go over it top to bottom. At that point if it's the right car for me then I will determine what I will pay for it and start the negotiation's. Plus according to all the experts used cars are overpriced right now and they are expected to come down in a couple of months.
I also think Lyle From C&S Corvettes advice is spot on and I intend to heed it.
Jerry
Semper Fi
Era Of the M1 Garrand

VETTBABY

It hasn’t been a good week for me?
MY SAGA
last week a forum member reached out to me.
He was following this thread and saw I was up in the Catskills MTS & looking for a late model C6. He lives about an hour from where I am staying and sent me a PM saying he had a 2011 C6 that he wanted to sell. We made arraignments & I went to see it along with my wife. You know. “happy wife happy life”
He is the original owner with all the paper work from the day he bought it, up to and including the oil & filter change last week at the dealership.
2011 Torch Red, 6,800 miles & this C6 looks like it just came off the showroom floor. 6 speed manual convertible W/ cashmere top & interior without a doubt the most beautiful
C6 I have seen. I was on this like white on rice. We came to a price shook hands took the paperwork I needed to register it & told him I would be back this week to pick it up.
My wife loved it also, except for one small thing. She is a driver & at 5 ft.2in she couldn’t reach the pedals & didn’t want a manual anyway. Needless to say we are still not talking but I had to inform the seller I couldn’t buy this beautiful Vette. I’m still sick.

Jason71

Man......that sucks. I think I would have bought it anyways and then traded her vehicle on anything she wanted. That’s one of the elements that has allowed me to have 3 corvettes.

74plb

Sadiesvette, I found a 2007 base 3lt car in Ca in 2017 with 10500 miles on it. I had been searching for quite sometime too. I was aware of the harmonic balancer issue and the fuel tank flange issue as well. I bought an extended warranty to cover these repairs if they cropped up.
By the time I got the car home to Washington state I came to my senses and cancelled the warranty. 3 and a half years later my car has had zero issues.
if there is an issue to deal with at some point I wii just bite the bullet and get it done.
The car you looked at recently sounds like a great car! Too bad your wife can't reach the pedals
On a positive note, now you know you will need to find a car equipped with a A6.
74Plb

Bronk

Sorry to hear about your less than positive buying experience, but with a little patience and research, you will find another Corvette that will "check all the boxes" for you and your wife. One of the joys of owning a Corvette is being able to share the experience with the wife and/or family. Having your wife involved in the purchasing will place you in her good graces which can open a multitude of doors from performance to appearance modifications. Getting involved in an active Corvette club is another way to enjoy ownership through sharing good times with shows, cruises and other activities. Keep us informed on your quest. Forum members are always willing to answer questions and offer advice, as you have no doubt experienced. Good hunting !

Semper-Fi

JABCAT

My wife is only 5’1” and can reach the pedals just fine & adjust the seat to the proper driving position. She gets mad at me for not letting her drive it (she has 2 lead feet ).

sadiesvette

Hello Boys " I'm Back" Haven't been on for a while, I didn't want to jinx myself but the deal is done. I bought that 2011 GS Convertable ,6 manual. What a beauty. 6850 miles, original owner & all records back to the day the seller signed on the dotted line. Literally show room condition. It had the original tires W/ plenty of rubber but I put new Continentals on it, didn't want to take a chance they were dried out. I am sooo happy that I got it and my wife after all the fuss really likes it too. 2 LT pkg & only mod is the mild to wild W/remote switch. No HUD which I would have liked but I can live without it. This is how it played out.
I waited a few days after she said "absolutely not I don't want a 6 speed Manual". and asked one last time. I think she realized what a great car it was and she said "YES ". It was late at night about 11 so I waited until the next morning. I was on the phone to the seller at 8:05 got him out of bed & luckily he didn't sell it. I went to his house that afternoon and after what had previously happened gave him a deposit to show good faith The rest is history. Brought it home Friday. Funny how after looking for 6 months all over the place for what I wanted even though I was looking Auto Transmission I get a call from a really stand up guy who is a forum member who saw my original post and reaches out to me. And to top it off he is only 80 miles from where I am in NY. and honors the previously agreed on price. The Corvette Gods were looking out for me that day.

Tom Meere

Congrats. Pics?

VETTBABY

VETTBABY

Tom Meere

Very nice. Love it! Congrats.

Bronk

Congratulations on your new ride ! Enjoy ! Semper-Fi !