c40carbon

This would be a wild one but if GM needs some cash, they might consider selling an entire Corvette division to some European or Japanese etc.. Who knows...

vcrz

When I started this thread, I had my 2008 Z51 Convertible at the dealer for 3 problems at only 4800 miles: 1) 3 oil leaks, 2) second gear grind when cold, 3) exhaust leak (soot by the clamp, just before the muffler) This is why I was asking about my quality concerns.

Today I called the dealer to got the following responses:

The guy sounded like he was on my side, but said:

1) oil seepage is normal, but put a dye in it to confirm where it is coming from (this is a leak, not a seepage, but anyway)
2) trans grind is a result of the new synchros that were put in for 2008 and they grind below 32 degrees. (well, actually below 45) This is considered normal by GM
3) exhaust leak - normal

But the guy was nice enough and was researching TSB's and understood that this is not acceptable. . . he found the TSB for the trans that consider the grind normal.

Then he said that he will give me a phone number to call to get an extended warranty on the engine and trans. . . don't they already have 100,000 mile warranty on the drive train?

This is actually the response I expected from the dealer, but hoped for a better response.

Now let's see if the car is damaged when I pick it up.

I saw a show on TV called Saving GM or something like that in which there was a video of Bob Lutz saying that GM quality is now equal to or better than Honda and Toyota.

Okay, so clearly GM has no idea what high quality is.

Furthermore, when faced with quality issues on one of their top cars, they call them normal. So let me ask you, what is the incentive for me to go buy another Corvette? I already know that these issues are absolutely not normal and should not be there, but GM claims that they are just fine and will more than likely continue to build them this way or worse due to cut backs.

I don’t want a poor quality car. I really like Corvettes and how they perform and the community, but I don't want a POS. I don't have the time or tolerance for it. I want to buy more Corvettes and continue as a customer, but not this way. My 99 and 2004 were way better than this. I believe the downward spiral has begun. . .

This is why I started this thread, my quality concerns for the ZR1 which essentially has an all new driveline.

I was seriously considering buying a ZR1 or Z06 next year, but after this, I am not so sure I will. While I dislike Porsches, I am temped to look closer into them rather than a ZR1 or Z06.

My concern with first year stuff from GM is that usually the first year is the test mule and things get fixed in the second or third year.

What is new on my 2008 Corvette?

1) engine (LS3)
2) trans (synchros and shifter)
3) exhaust (H pipe)
4) steering rack

Where were the problem I encountered? (see above)

By the way, the steering rack had an intermittent terrible grinding sound for the first 1000 miles during 3 point turns or parking maneuvers.

Back to the point of this thread, I am even more concerned now with the quality of the ZR1 driveline and the future quality of new Corvettes. Perhaps concerned enough to walk way.

GM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? You want to get out of this situation, sell quality cars that the public wants. Not cheap, crappy cars that no one wants regardless of stats.

Hot Z06

Hate to say it..C5 values are dropping quick.

2002 Z06's 22-25K

NOLA-ZR1

And the end of the Democrats, after the worse President (Obama)ever...

Hot Z06

Fast?? 15 sec quarter's???

C6Tim

Everyone knows that GM is not going out of business. The fed is not going to let it happen and bankruptcy is not an option. Many may lose their jobs and GM will be forced to make some tough decisions, but it's not going anywhere.

Should GM decide to continue with the Corvette and start selling a V6 base model I regretfully will be looking abroad for my next sports car.

quick04Z06

Guys, I am not so gloomy.

First, the Corvette is a profitable car. Hasn't always been, but it has been for a number of years. It has a good mark-up and a loyal following. It is not selling now, but many other premium brands aren't selling, either.

It is by far the best car GM makes, year-in and year-out (the new CTS-V may trump it at that price point, but I said year-in, year-out). It has a great reputation compared to most other GM makes. Why would GM kill its flag-bearer?

We whine sometimes about Vette quality (and generally its little things), but there is no other car in its performance class that is more reliable. I've owned Porsches and BMWs and I speak from experience.

There is no reason why a Vette has to have a pushrod V8. An E-flex powertrain with 4wd, two 300 HP electric motors, and a turbo four to power the generator wouldn't suck, now would it? Viva la difference!

GM is probably not going under. It is too big a chunk of the economy for the Feds just to wave as it sinks. Heck, the govt's pension guaranty fund would shudder trying to clean up the mess if GM goes under. Indeed, if GM gets the Volt right out of the box, it will sell, and doubly so if Americans can put their self-flagellating, anti-US prejudice aside long enough to give the Volt an honest try.

In fact, this downturn may be a boon to manufacturing in the USA, generally. Maybe for once we'll realize real wealth is created by making something from raw materials rather than leveraging some basic financial instrument 50 times and taking a cut each time the instrument is re-packaged. Of course, reeling in the envrionuts and the NIMBY folks wouldn't hurt, either, but there is nothing like desperation and poverty to help people realize what is important....

And I still, in my heart of hearts, believe in these trying times people will not turn to an untried rookie with a basso voice, a law degree, Communist leanings, and a pushy, over-the-top wife, to run this great nation.

Keep your finger on the starter button and buy American!

There is still hope....

Spinner_89

IHMO, I think we're forgetting about a few things here:

Unless GM dies all together (not going to happen - GM all together is too big world wide) they won't kill the Corvette.

The Corvette has the largest following of all vehicles in North America, and a very strong representation throughout the rest of the developed world.

The major components that have made Corvette what they are, and will continue to keep the purity of the Corvette are:
-Raised Fenders
-Front Engine
-V8
-2 Door
-2 Seat
-Rear Wheel Drive
-2 Tail lights
(If you've read the book "All Corvette's Are Red" then you can back me up here!)

In addition, the number of combustion chambers has NOTHING to do with output power. I know what you're thinking, Stroke & Boar & Volume and such, but hear me out.

The transport truck industry (which requires large amounts of Torque & Horsepower output from their engines) have been turbo charged for years, and with the right components, the longevity of some of this equipment is well in excess of 500,000 or 1,000,000 miles.

Yes, we're talking about diesel there, but the pricipals that are working have to do with spinning the engine MUCH slower and producing HUGE power low in the RPM range. (80% of maximum power at clutch engagement.) (1850lb or torque @ 1200rpm currently & going lower) It is getting to the point that new rear end gear ratios are going to be in the 3.0* range. THIS IS INSANE!!! Right now a 3.73 gr is way to low for anything over 100,000 lbs GVWR -

Also, the transpor truck industry is moving to Automatic & Automated transmission = Computer Controlled situations, Reliabilty, Performance, Fuel Economy!!!!!!

Long story short - we can't leave out the rest of the car, it's not just the engine that determines fuel economy.

The C6 Zr-1 is the very first Corvette produced that will qualify for the Gas Guzzler Tax. The will come up with something again to "beat the system"

We all know that fuel economy can change by driver and driving style, who's to say that they won't come out with a high power V8, that has multiple personalities for multiple driving styles and situation. (Oops, didn't Honda do this with VVT in the early ‘90’s ?)

Chevrolet has already introduced their next model pickup truck (the one that is not based on a hybrid platform) and it has both the cylinder shut down and Variable Valve Timing to adjust the amount of power output to what is being required by the driver and conditions. (P.S. a pushrod engine is still considered to be "old technology"

Weight and rolling resistance and aero dynamics also have a great deal to do with the fuel economy of the vehicle. That's why GM introduced a formula to its’ engineers back in 1991/1992 where by they could spend $ on R&D or on a more expensive part, if it saved $XXX in production or resulted in XXX weight savings or XXX power. (If you haven't read "All Corvette's are Red" it's worth the read!!!)

This is the reason that the C6's have electronic door handles, fixed headlights, etc.

Supercharging is a GREAT way to make big power, that adds very little weight. (C6 Zr-1, I think we'll see more of this.)

=-= Bottom Line =-= Don't sell the engineers short, there is infinitely more technology out there now than there was in the '70's. We may be heading for a slightly lower power unit, or slightly higher production costs, but if the '70's didn't kill Corvette, it's not going to happen now.

"Save The Wave"

RBK

Got to love your spirit but (very sadly) your premise and logic are flawed. Obama is a done deal because demoralized people want to be "saved". McCain is inarticulate despite the fact he is right. However, in our society of symbol or substance, the charismatic, not the substantive are in favor.

Obama's socialist agenda is right for the time, when so many are unemployed, scared, and otherwise discouraged. They need someone to blame and distract them from their misery.


GM may survive but only a shadow of itself. In this zeitgeist, GM and all the big corporations along with other "wealthy" people are fair game for destructions. No pitty from the masses.

Be careful driving your sports car, the next thing that will happen are waves will be replaced by stones as the "lower classes" begin to view those driving such expensive machinery as the "elite" and fair game.

The Corvette and other sports cars have been goals for many, but as times change, ranging from the "green people" to the "socialists", it may join Ferrari and others as a symbol of greed and avarice. We are not that far away.

We see more desperation and those who are desperate need to find scapegoats.

I hope I am very very wrong, I didn't sign up for this either. Best

Zippy

I've had new Corvettes in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007 and now a 2008. No problems whatsoever in any of them.

yanniz

the Fed needs to take care of the select few banks....the rest of the banks, and everyone else, GM included are on their own...keep any eye out the next few weeks...

C6Tim

Not true, US car manufacturers are receiving 50 billion from the fed. Of course there are some strings attached to the use of it by the manufacturers, but they are getting help.

GN1270

Sorry guys, You do not cut a car like the Corvette even if it is losing money. It is the most recogniable vehicle GM makes and has a very good reputation to boot. It also gets tons of free "good" press for GM in all of its road tests. I am sure GM ordered the parts for the Zr1 so if they could build them they would. It has to be a quality thing that they need to work out first. If they built 300 and projected 1800 for the year, they will not sit on the parts, and they would have to eat that money unless they declare bankruptcy.

vettesmith02

Not if they put a v-6 in as a base engine...

It'll turn up.

RBK

Although Congress did allocate some auto industry loan money, the "mood" of the country, if not the world, is to discourage (to put it mildly) "rescuing" private corporations. If they can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen. GM will be laying off hundreds if not thousands of people and close plants. They will either make it as a reduced operation, be a sideshow to the rest of the car industry, or go bankrupt. It is wishful thinking that we would bail GM, Ford, etc., then United, Continental, and pretty soon Starbucks. Best

yanniz

just watch..

HBJG

Here's something that just came up: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27125864/

slwhite

$25K is pretty good for a 7-year old car. That is 1/2 of its original value which is much better than the majority of cars.

slwhite

It would take a Herculean effort by the next president to be worse than Bush. I think W will hold that title for a long time.

Minkster

So, where is the little GM sticker/plate going to go on the Viper .