C6 Reliability and Dependibility
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by King6
I keep tossing back and forth between going with an M3 or a C6. Yes...I know they are two different cars, and I have different reasons for wanting each. My one question is this. I know it is too soon to see how reliable the C6 is, but for those who also have or had a C5, did you find the car needed constant repairs?
Column Lock
Fuel sending Unit
Oil Consumption
Rear Diff Leak
Tranny Leak
Battery Leak
Rocking Seat
A/c Failure (due to battery acid leaking on hoses from battery leak)
And its not like it just happens the first time. It happens with the replaced components.
GM had better improve on the C6 - thats all I can say.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
Corvette has won Car of the Year in multiple sources.
However, matters of dependability likely vary and as MARK's_C5TT has suggested, getting *honest* answers on this here may come tough. Many personality types need to emotionally justify their emotional purchasing decisions (for better or worse). Some are painfully honest while some are painfully in denial. Some have simply had nothing but good experiences and are not forging anything.
One can do a search and find even new C6 owners already posting grievances with certain mishaps. Overall, the car has good reviews, though.
Rather than personal hearsay (which by design, these forums adhere to), just look at some published sources. Beyond personal reflections, if the car has been serviced too frequently for one issue or another, it all gets logged:
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/safe...p&aff=national
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/chev.....0.Chevrolet*
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/chev.....1.Chevrolet*
However, matters of dependability likely vary and as MARK's_C5TT has suggested, getting *honest* answers on this here may come tough. Many personality types need to emotionally justify their emotional purchasing decisions (for better or worse). Some are painfully honest while some are painfully in denial. Some have simply had nothing but good experiences and are not forging anything.
One can do a search and find even new C6 owners already posting grievances with certain mishaps. Overall, the car has good reviews, though.
Rather than personal hearsay (which by design, these forums adhere to), just look at some published sources. Beyond personal reflections, if the car has been serviced too frequently for one issue or another, it all gets logged:
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/safe...p&aff=national
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/chev.....0.Chevrolet*
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/chev.....1.Chevrolet*
Last edited by c2jones; Sep 9, 2004 at 03:24 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
A good BMW M3 forum:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9
I can understand your dilema... M3, 997, C6, C6 Z06
M3 have had a few engine failures... not sure if that has been resolved. I have not seen engine failures in the C5, or current Z06 (there was an issue with oil consumption that I believe was addressed). 996 are prone to leak in the rear main seal and 997 using the same engine are sure to suffer from the same...
You are doing the right thing researching before buying... but at the end of the day you should select the car that YOU like... the one that moves/impact your senses.... the heck with whatever others think (including this entry)
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9
I can understand your dilema... M3, 997, C6, C6 Z06
M3 have had a few engine failures... not sure if that has been resolved. I have not seen engine failures in the C5, or current Z06 (there was an issue with oil consumption that I believe was addressed). 996 are prone to leak in the rear main seal and 997 using the same engine are sure to suffer from the same...
You are doing the right thing researching before buying... but at the end of the day you should select the car that YOU like... the one that moves/impact your senses.... the heck with whatever others think (including this entry)
Last edited by wachuko; Sep 9, 2004 at 09:49 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by RedC6Coupe
Sounds like someone either doesn't have much confidence in the C6 reliability issue or else is just hoping that's the case.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 67,942
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '12
2012 Election Contest Winner
I think you're trying to choose between two pretty unreliable cars (M3 & vette).
Both cars have crappy reliability records and both are VERY expensive to fix out of the warranty.
My 99 car had over 30 dealer visits, my 03 has 4 visit so far.
If you want a reliable sports car buy a 911 or NSX.
Both cars have crappy reliability records and both are VERY expensive to fix out of the warranty.
My 99 car had over 30 dealer visits, my 03 has 4 visit so far.
If you want a reliable sports car buy a 911 or NSX.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
I've been on the Forum 4 years and its incredible how many times I've seen these issues in threads
Instead, we have those that have an emotional connection it seems to their car, which is fine, but in some cases leads to them dismissing everyone's mishaps but their own, sadly.
You should see what I'm going through just trying to propose a mere suggest to GM regarding their acknowledged paint finishing issues...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=899739
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by c2jones
Very vaild point. You would think that we could appreciate the honesty in this forum toward making it the most productive it could be, perhaps toward gaining measurable insight beneficial to us all.
Instead, we have those that have an emotional connection it seems to their car, which is fine, but in some cases leads to them dismissing everyone's mishaps but their own, sadly.
Instead, we have those that have an emotional connection it seems to their car, which is fine, but in some cases leads to them dismissing everyone's mishaps but their own, sadly.
At the same, time, I know that I may have to endure some visits to the shop. Now I am a bit surprised as to the types of simple problems the C5 has had but nevertheless, I can't bitch about it because I knew this possiibility going in. Thats why she's not a DD for me.
With that said, the euphoria I get from driving the car, especially the TT mod, far outweighs the issues that the car has. But that doesn't mean I am going to dismiss them or deny they exist. And being that I work in an education arena, I think its very important to disseminate accuate and objctive information, regardless of the emotion tied into it. If we didnt, we wouldn't be doing justice to other C5 owners and thats what forums are for. Everyone wants to hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
This is not a "normal" mass produced Japanese car and will not have the same reliability as one. Our Honda Accord is tight as a drum and has never needed a single repair. If you read posts on the S2000 board however, you will see that even Honda sport cars have serious problems (transmission, differential, top) after about 50,000 miles. I expect the C6 to have much better reliability than other high performance cars but know that I'll be making a few trips to the repair shop every year.
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From: Plymouth Meeting PA
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 183
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From: Charlotte NC
I have been away from this board for a while, but never lost my interest in Vettes, and the C6 has me excited......I traded an '00 C5 Vert for an '01 M3. Dumbest thing I ever did. With the M3, I had cold start problems, interior pieces fell off, flat tire (the car has no spare or no run flats), and when they were in the middle of their engine problems had to take the car back to the dealer so they could put 60 weight (that's right, straight 60W) oil in it. Every day my buddy would park his '01 C5 next to it and I would want to kick myself. I've owned three C5's, and never had a significant problem; the '00 and '03 never were back in the shop. I only kept the M3 for five months. I would expecy even the first C6's to be better in terms of reliability- although the M3 is a lot more mature now then the one I had.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
I had an 01' Coupe before I moved to Japan. Had to service it several times for minor issues but still anoying... rocking drivers seat (twice: same parts to repair it as original...duh!), fuel level sender, door lock, tire pressure sensor, and of course the column lock. Minor issues but still a pain in the butt, drive train was bullet proof though. [Did I mention GM service is horrible?]
Intrestingly enough I bought a Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS300) in Japan soon after I arrived. It's a 1998 car and the only service so far after owning it 18 months was a burnt out tail light, and an engine accesory belt idler pulley. I can understand the pulley wearing out after six years. The engine rev's to 8 grand, and it goes there several times a commute!
Never loved Japanese cars, but they are starting to win me over. Here's to hoping the new 2007 Infiniti (Skyline) GTR is priced competitively with the ZO6!
-AL
Intrestingly enough I bought a Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS300) in Japan soon after I arrived. It's a 1998 car and the only service so far after owning it 18 months was a burnt out tail light, and an engine accesory belt idler pulley. I can understand the pulley wearing out after six years. The engine rev's to 8 grand, and it goes there several times a commute!
Never loved Japanese cars, but they are starting to win me over. Here's to hoping the new 2007 Infiniti (Skyline) GTR is priced competitively with the ZO6!
-AL
