I am interested in the 2016 Corvette Stingray C7 Coupe. I have also looked at CPO 991.1 generation 911s. That being said, my passion is with Corvette. I have driven 7-speed manuals and 8-speed automatics. I am leaning towards the manual.

With the above being said, I have read about quality issues with the C7 from reading the Web. Granted, one cannot take the Web as Gospel. One issue that I read about was the paint (e.g. bubbling, popping, pitting, peeling). I also read about Continental Structural Plastics' TCA Ultralite that is used on 2016 Corvettes. Is this true for all Corvettes? Is it true that Ultralite prevents problems related to paint above? I also read where the Corvette plant is building a new paint facility that will be up and running 4/17? I would like to buy a Corvette within the next 3 mo.

Should I go ahead and purchase a 2016 or wait for the 2017? I would rather get one now but don't want to get into a lot of problems. Other issues that I have read about (LT1 engines, 8L90 automatics, Tremec 6070 issues, head up display tilting, back up camera angle, heat/ventilated seats, and memory function etc). I also saw on Consumer Reports that predicted reliability for the new model is "much worse than average". I am assuming that all of this is based upon selected responses that are not evidenced based or powered based upon number of responses. On the flip side, the Corvette has gained multiple awards and Editors Choice from Car and Driver.

The Corvette is a terrific car. I hope to purchase one soon.

Tom Faust

 

I've only been a forum member \ Corvette owner for a couple of months, but I did a bunch of research before my purchase. One of the big reason I chose a Corvette was build quality. Sure, there are problems, but it's a machine, all machines have problems. Recently folks have been reporting issues with torque converters on automatics. It sounds like you're leaning toward a manual, so that wont' be an issue. Not too sure how to answer your questions on paint, they only thing I notice on mine is some 'orange peel', I can live with it. Not sure if the new paint 'plant' will have improved processes or just higher capacity etc.

 

As Rich noted, most of the paint issues are simply due to the "orange peel". I haven't heard of many issues with bubbling, popping, pitting, peeling so I'm not sure where the source was for that info.

Personally, I absolutely love the car. If the paint washed off of it from the rain, I'd still love the car. If the A8 breaks, I'll get it fixed and will still love the car. If the LT1 fails, I'll fix it and still love the car.

Rich hit the nail on the head in that all machines break and can break. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Some break sooner, some take forever to break, but it's just a matter of time.

Good luck on your Corvette hunting...

 

'16 1LT M7 > can't go wrong

 

Rich,

Thanks for the input. Sounds like good advice to me. Have a great week.

Tom

 

Thanks so much for the information. Have you had any issues with the paint and how long have you owned the car? Do you have a coupe or convertible? Any rattles or squeaks? Any brake squealing?

 

Thanks so much. All good advice

 

I own a 2016 Stingray Z51, A8, 3LT, convertible, prior to that a 2013 Grand Sport. No issues with the 2016. BTW, there is not a car out there that does not have some level of OP.

 

No rattles or squeaks, but car is still VERY new.. 2 months and 2400 miles.

 

Thanks again. Enjoy the car!

Tom

 

Nice looking car! Thanks for the input.

 

I do have some orange peel but not bad . You will need some sort of protection for the rear quarters from rock , gravel, what ever . I used sideskirts. As far as the drive train mine has been good and no rattles . Its probably the most comfortable sports car I have owned. If thay didn't make the corvette I would have went with a 911

 

very nice looking car ...paint is sub-par ..depending on color you choose...but you can see it prior to taking ownership ...the big issue in my opinion are issues you cannot see Ex A8 tranny ...GM does not even have a fix ... get the M7 if you buy ... I hate shifting but wish I got the M7 instead of the A8 .... values of A8's may be dropping like a rock .... how can anybody buy a 2017 A8 when GM has admitted they do not know what the problem is with it ...actually they should halt production of A8 ..something that should have been done months ago ..

 

What he said. and I've been reading the forum for a couple years now. The only complaint I have ever heard of (that sticks in my mind) is Orange Peel, which all cars suffer from to some extent.

I've seen the orange peel on 100k+ Mercedes and Porsches as well. Perhaps not as noticeable, but it is there on the side panels, and IMO it's pretty easily remedied if you are spending 80k on a car, you can have the orange peel corrected by a good retailer if the issue bothers you that much.

Pitting, popping, bubbling, peeling. Haven't heard of any of these issues except with Ford's aluminum hoods on earlier Mustangs because they weren't using clean rooms for the painting process and contaminating the aluminum with metal causing oxidation under the paint (which causes bubbling over a period of a few years), it starts in the seems where the aluminum is folded/stamped.

I wonder if they have fixed that issue now since the F-150 is all aluminum. I know they offered incentives to dealerships that expanded their body shops to including clean rooms and clean tools for repairs and replacements of aluminum panels to stop it from happening anymore.

 

I have had my Z51 coupe for about 10 months now. I've not had any issues with my paint other than the orange peel. My car is Blade Silver so it (and white) seems to hide the orange peel a little better than the other colors, but if you look closely you'll see it. Other than that, the paint is nice. The orange peel can be fixed, if I felt like wet sanding it and giving it a good polishing, but I'm okay with the stock orange peel. In summary, I think the paint is good, it just isn't as slick of a finish as some other cars.

No rattles, but I do get a slight squeak from the dash area every once in a while.

One of my break pads squealed a little every once in a while, but it went away as I drove the car more. With that said, the Z51 brakes are notorious for excessive dusting so I recently swapped out my brake pads for the PowerStop Z26 pads and dust is practically nonexistent.

 

Thanks so much for the information. Appreciate the help.

 

Thanks everyone. All great advice to me. Appreciate the help

 

In the last 8 years,I have had 4 new Corvettes. None of the 4 cars had any paint problems. Period.

 

so far they have produced 4 Vettes with NO paint problems ...and you got all 4 ...luck of the draw ... congrats ..

 

Great combo Black tops I have had have been easy to take care of also
Oh and for what ever reason the paint on my 13 Grand Sport was PERFECT Don't understand why our newer cars are not as good.