C6 Most Likely failure(s)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Agoura Hills CA
C6 Most Likely failure(s)
Thanks to all who replied to my post about C6 engine rebuild costs, I had absolutely no idea what the $$$ might be.
What are the most likely/frequent failures on a high mileage C6? In other words, what do I need to look out for? I don't want to buy a beater and would like to avoid buying someone else's disaster.
Thanks,
Larry
What are the most likely/frequent failures on a high mileage C6? In other words, what do I need to look out for? I don't want to buy a beater and would like to avoid buying someone else's disaster.
Thanks,
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,278
Likes: 550
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I'll let others who are more qualified respond to your question, but I will make two comments. First, high mileage in and of itself is not necessarily a problem with these cars. If it's been well-maintained and not abused a c6 can go a lot of miles. Second, many owners put very few miles on their Vettes, and low-mileage doesn't command that much of a price premium. So there may not be much reason to buy a high-mileage one.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 165
From: Raleigh, NC
I think the first thing to say is that C6s are in general very reliable. You need to look out for electrical issues on the early c6s (especially the 2005). There have been a lot of running changes throughout the life of the C6 so the year does have somewhat of an impact.
The only comment I have is that my neighbor has a C6 track car that he also drives frequently on the road. I want to say that he has approximately 60K miles on his car with too many track days to count. The powertrain is still original except for the rear diff I believe. These are great cars. I am no C6 expert so I will step aside and let the experts speak.
The only comment I have is that my neighbor has a C6 track car that he also drives frequently on the road. I want to say that he has approximately 60K miles on his car with too many track days to count. The powertrain is still original except for the rear diff I believe. These are great cars. I am no C6 expert so I will step aside and let the experts speak.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 584
Likes: 13
From: Eugene Oregon
Just a couple general things to be concerned about on a older high mileage car. Sensors, timing chain, lifters, alternator, water pump, AC compressor, dried up and leaking seals and gaskets, clutch and pressure plate, brakes, carbon build up.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I think the first thing to say is that C6s are in general very reliable. You need to look out for electrical issues on the early c6s (especially the 2005). There have been a lot of running changes throughout the life of the C6 so the year does have somewhat of an impact.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Agoura Hills CA
I'll let others who are more qualified respond to your question, but I will make two comments. First, high mileage in and of itself is not necessarily a problem with these cars. If it's been well-maintained and not abused a c6 can go a lot of miles. Second, many owners put very few miles on their Vettes, and low-mileage doesn't command that much of a price premium. So there may not be much reason to buy a high-mileage one.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,278
Likes: 550
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Interesting you're seeing those differences. Trying to figure out pricing can be tough, since you can see what they're asking but not what they're actually getting. And some sellers are totally out of it. My brother-in-law was just at a dealer looking at a 2004 TBird. They were asking $6k (!) over Kelly Blue Book, which is around $12k.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Your absolute best bet is to buy a low-mileage, STOCK (mechanically) car from the ORIGINAL (mature) owner 
. And by 'low' I mean no less than 3K a year. Ultra low mileage is not good either IMO. Yes, you'll always pay more for a low mileage example, but it's well worth it IMO, especially from original owner. No dealer or wholesaler would have abused the car, plus it'd most likely be sitting inside a garage, pampered by its owner. A low mileage car is going to be in MUCH better overall condition for obvious reasons. I always buy new because I'm picky as hell, so whoever buys my car in the future, will basically buy a brand new car at a fraction of the cost, and with over $3K in purely cosmetic upgrades that should have come from the factory. And I'd have never abused my car, nor modifying it mechanically in any way. You just need to find an owner like me 
. There're a lot more than you think, but you have to be patient. Good luck man.
. And by 'low' I mean no less than 3K a year. Ultra low mileage is not good either IMO. Yes, you'll always pay more for a low mileage example, but it's well worth it IMO, especially from original owner. No dealer or wholesaler would have abused the car, plus it'd most likely be sitting inside a garage, pampered by its owner. A low mileage car is going to be in MUCH better overall condition for obvious reasons. I always buy new because I'm picky as hell, so whoever buys my car in the future, will basically buy a brand new car at a fraction of the cost, and with over $3K in purely cosmetic upgrades that should have come from the factory. And I'd have never abused my car, nor modifying it mechanically in any way. You just need to find an owner like me . There're a lot more than you think, but you have to be patient. Good luck man.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Stanley Virginia
I have not had any electrical problems either. I have noticed people seem to knock the 2005, but from what I have seen on this forum there are just as many problems and maybe even more with newer year models.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, Nassau County New York
IMO, I think its best to buy with an "average" amount of miles. The reason is that all of the common issues(balancer, leaky pan gasket to name a couple) may have already been taken care of. Low mileage cars probably have not run into the common issues yet, therefore will need repair at some point, and more than likely will be out of warranty
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
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From: Agoura Hills CA
Common Failures
I'll let others who are more qualified respond to your question, but I will make two comments. First, high mileage in and of itself is not necessarily a problem with these cars. If it's been well-maintained and not abused a c6 can go a lot of miles. Second, many owners put very few miles on their Vettes, and low-mileage doesn't command that much of a price premium. So there may not be much reason to buy a high-mileage one.
AAARRGGG! Makes me want to run out and buy one today!
Larry
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,519
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
No way. But you'd probably have to have been on the forum since the get-go to appreciate it. The '05's had a lot of significant engineering defects and teething problems that the newer ones evolved out of. My own list is a mile long, and virtually none carried over in the later years.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Lets face it, like it or not, C6 is just an reskinned C5! Process improvement is an ongoing development for GM, so, already had 7 years before C6 came on the market. Although new, even '12 model year has their share of problems seen posted here.
My Vette is mid '05 model, other then my proactive changed out with an ATI damper along with basic hot-rod 101 mods, just crossed 24k trouble free and entertaining miles!
Just like any cars, if proper care was provided along with sensible driving and you still have a lot of problems, you probably have an lemon!
----
Its common sense to buy used:
1. Things worn with age, even under normal conditions, high mileage cars already accumulated their high mileage wears.
2. Low mileage cars could have suffered advance wear under various racing/ abuse/extreme mods and restored back to stock to catch the unsuspected buyer.
Good luck shopping!
My Vette is mid '05 model, other then my proactive changed out with an ATI damper along with basic hot-rod 101 mods, just crossed 24k trouble free and entertaining miles!
Just like any cars, if proper care was provided along with sensible driving and you still have a lot of problems, you probably have an lemon!
----
Its common sense to buy used:
1. Things worn with age, even under normal conditions, high mileage cars already accumulated their high mileage wears.
2. Low mileage cars could have suffered advance wear under various racing/ abuse/extreme mods and restored back to stock to catch the unsuspected buyer.
Good luck shopping!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
No way. But you'd probably have to have been on the forum since the get-go to appreciate it. The '05's had a lot of significant engineering defects and teething problems that the newer ones evolved out of. My own list is a mile long, and virtually none carried over in the later years.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
No way. But you'd probably have to have been on the forum since the get-go to appreciate it. The '05's had a lot of significant engineering defects and teething problems that the newer ones evolved out of. My own list is a mile long, and virtually none carried over in the later years.
I had an 05 MN6. There were several reasons why I dumped it at 34k mi just before the warranty ran out. 
The acronym DBS (dead battery syndrome) was due to the larger than normal number of electrical issues from the 05's. However there are those that have zero issues as well.