Purchased C7 in November 2014 and to date no issues at all.
Reliability: Wisdom inverted
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 158
From: Irvine CA
Reliability: Wisdom inverted
Wisdom: Never buy the first year of a new model. You're asking for trouble.
For my C6, I went with that wisdom. I passed on the 2005. Got a 2006. Result: Major trouble: Differential trouble, tranny trouble. Tranny replaced twice. A slew of minor troubles as well.
Two things in my favor: I had a good dealer; I bought an extended warranty. Yes, it was in the shop a lot the first 2-3 years. But, eventually, the troubles ended, and I got many enjoyable trouble-free years out of my beloved C6. I kept it 8 years and sold it with one year left on the extended warranty. The buyer has kept in touch and reports no trouble 2 years later.
For my C7, I ignored the wisdom and bought the first year. Result: Trouble-free 2 years 18,000 miles later. Go figure.
Conclusion: C7s are high tech wonders. Overall, they're highly reliable, but reliability is subject to the luck of the draw.
Advice: Buy an extended warranty. Drive your C7. Enjoy it and don't worry about it. If you do have trouble, just deal with it. You'll be fine in the end.
For my C6, I went with that wisdom. I passed on the 2005. Got a 2006. Result: Major trouble: Differential trouble, tranny trouble. Tranny replaced twice. A slew of minor troubles as well.
Two things in my favor: I had a good dealer; I bought an extended warranty. Yes, it was in the shop a lot the first 2-3 years. But, eventually, the troubles ended, and I got many enjoyable trouble-free years out of my beloved C6. I kept it 8 years and sold it with one year left on the extended warranty. The buyer has kept in touch and reports no trouble 2 years later.
For my C7, I ignored the wisdom and bought the first year. Result: Trouble-free 2 years 18,000 miles later. Go figure.
Conclusion: C7s are high tech wonders. Overall, they're highly reliable, but reliability is subject to the luck of the draw.
Advice: Buy an extended warranty. Drive your C7. Enjoy it and don't worry about it. If you do have trouble, just deal with it. You'll be fine in the end.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 771
Likes: 136
From: Vacaville Ca
Purchased new 2008 C6 Z06 nothing but trouble everything from new heads , valves, rocker arms, water pump, oil leaks. All in less than 9K miles But I loved the car anyway.
Purchased new 2015 C7 Z06 A8 early February build. Car has been flawless. First year of the C7 Z06 and yes I would do it again !!
Purchased new 2015 C7 Z06 A8 early February build. Car has been flawless. First year of the C7 Z06 and yes I would do it again !!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,281
Likes: 8,558
From: Rochester, NY
I never pay attention to those old tales of never buy the first year etc. When I am ready and there is a model I want I am a buyer.
Also never purchased an extended warranty, and never had an issue.
Also never purchased an extended warranty, and never had an issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
Ordered my 2016 in Jan and received it in March. Only got 1900 miles on it and it is in the shop now getting the exhaust system replaced. My car had/has a warble sound around 1500 RPM and dealer said GM told them to replace the AFM valves, mulllers, and NPP exhaust. They did that yesterday and I am to pick up today. Haven't driven the car and they haven't either but I hope it fixes the issue, if not they said they would get with GM an dig a little deaper into the issue. It doesn't hurt the car, its just an annoying sound.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
What you refer to as "wisdom" regarding the avoidance of first-year models has been out-of-date for years. While reliability data do sometimes show variability between model years, a first-year model is now no more likely to suffer reliability problems than a vehicle several years into a model run.
Often components, such as entirely new engines and transmissions, are often introduced in subsequent model years, and sometimes they go through teething pains. A good recent example was the introduction of the A8 during the 2nd C7 model year (2015).
Rather than model year, a better predictor of reliability is the introduction of a new major components such as engines and transmissions, which often occurs in the middle of a model run. In the case of the C7, the introductory model (2014) was an evolutionary car, not revolutionary, and built w/ tried and true technology.
I've owned more than 50 cars over the years, and all of my first-year vehicles were essentially trouble-free. My biggest headaches have been cars from subsequent model years. One could reasonably argue that more care in terms of quality control goes into first-year models, and that complacency can set in later in a model run.
My 2014 C7 Z51 is bullet-proof.
Often components, such as entirely new engines and transmissions, are often introduced in subsequent model years, and sometimes they go through teething pains. A good recent example was the introduction of the A8 during the 2nd C7 model year (2015).
Rather than model year, a better predictor of reliability is the introduction of a new major components such as engines and transmissions, which often occurs in the middle of a model run. In the case of the C7, the introductory model (2014) was an evolutionary car, not revolutionary, and built w/ tried and true technology.
I've owned more than 50 cars over the years, and all of my first-year vehicles were essentially trouble-free. My biggest headaches have been cars from subsequent model years. One could reasonably argue that more care in terms of quality control goes into first-year models, and that complacency can set in later in a model run.
My 2014 C7 Z51 is bullet-proof.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I had two first model year cars from GM. The first was a 98 Trans Am and the other a 2005 C6. In terms of reliability, I think a case can now be made for as good as or better reliability as subsequent model years as the first year cars are under more scrutiny on the assembly line to make sure parts meet specs and the cars are put together properly.
My issue with first year cars is the number of one year parts. It seems that in getting the new cars finalized and to start production, a number of issues are put on a "shopping list" to be fixed after production release.
One example on the 98 Tran Am was a one year PCM. On the C6 I ran across a number of them...one year reluctor gear for the engine (on the crankshaft), which meant a one year PCM. Then there was the transmission and differential. I also found some one year interior pieces.
This is why I'm cured on first year models. This time I waited and bought a 2016...3rd model year!
My issue with first year cars is the number of one year parts. It seems that in getting the new cars finalized and to start production, a number of issues are put on a "shopping list" to be fixed after production release.
One example on the 98 Tran Am was a one year PCM. On the C6 I ran across a number of them...one year reluctor gear for the engine (on the crankshaft), which meant a one year PCM. Then there was the transmission and differential. I also found some one year interior pieces.
This is why I'm cured on first year models. This time I waited and bought a 2016...3rd model year!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Two major and common afflictions with early C6's. Flying roofs and DBS if you had a manual tranny. If you were here on the forum in late 2004 and 2005 you'd understand that 2014 was nothing like those days.
I always loved my early C6, but in the end I had over 50 shop days and over $8K in warranty and extended warranty coverage. One of the reasons I didn't belly up to the bar again until this past fall with a 2016.
I always loved my early C6, but in the end I had over 50 shop days and over $8K in warranty and extended warranty coverage. One of the reasons I didn't belly up to the bar again until this past fall with a 2016.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
I had a first year C6 (2005) and a first year Z06 (2006) both 6MT. I had no transmission issues.
My recollection was that the debonded roofs were Z06 only because they went to a new lighter-weight material, which didn't bond well. It was only the outer shell which flew off a number of cars but the roof framework stayed in place since the Z06 was a fixed-roof car. Mine did separate on one corner after sitting outside on a hot day, but stayed on the car. They had mine replaced in a couple of weeks.
To GM's credit, they had the issue identified and resolved in a few months when they went back to the old roof panel material, which bonded fine. The only reason panels kept flying was that a lot of customers waited too late to have them fixed.
My recollection was that the debonded roofs were Z06 only because they went to a new lighter-weight material, which didn't bond well. It was only the outer shell which flew off a number of cars but the roof framework stayed in place since the Z06 was a fixed-roof car. Mine did separate on one corner after sitting outside on a hot day, but stayed on the car. They had mine replaced in a couple of weeks.
To GM's credit, they had the issue identified and resolved in a few months when they went back to the old roof panel material, which bonded fine. The only reason panels kept flying was that a lot of customers waited too late to have them fixed.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I had a first year C6 (2005) and a first year Z06 (2006) both 6MT. I had no transmission issues.
My recollection was that the debonded roofs were Z06 only because they went to a new lighter-weight material, which didn't bond well. It was only the outer shell which flew off a number of cars but the roof framework stayed in place since the Z06 was a fixed-roof car. Mine did separate on one corner after sitting outside on a hot day, but stayed on the car. They had mine replaced in a couple of weeks.
To GM's credit, they had the issue identified and resolved in a few months when they went back to the old roof panel material, which bonded fine. The only reason panels kept flying was that a lot of customers waited too late to have them fixed.
My recollection was that the debonded roofs were Z06 only because they went to a new lighter-weight material, which didn't bond well. It was only the outer shell which flew off a number of cars but the roof framework stayed in place since the Z06 was a fixed-roof car. Mine did separate on one corner after sitting outside on a hot day, but stayed on the car. They had mine replaced in a couple of weeks.
To GM's credit, they had the issue identified and resolved in a few months when they went back to the old roof panel material, which bonded fine. The only reason panels kept flying was that a lot of customers waited too late to have them fixed.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
I only had my '05 C6 for about a year before taking delivery of one of the first 500 Z06s. I was very active on this forum from '04 on, and I don't recall ever hearing about the problem until shortly after I took delivery of the Z06. It must have taken a year or more to show up on the base C6 because I can't imagine I could have missed it during that first year when I was in the C6 section of the forum.
After taking delivery of the Z06, I was exclusively in that section, so I guess I didn't realize the problem started showing up on std C6s as well.
I was also lucky. My original Z06 roof lasted well over a year before debonding and by that time (2007), GM had plenty of them in stock, so my repair was almost immediate.
After taking delivery of the Z06, I was exclusively in that section, so I guess I didn't realize the problem started showing up on std C6s as well.
I was also lucky. My original Z06 roof lasted well over a year before debonding and by that time (2007), GM had plenty of them in stock, so my repair was almost immediate.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,535
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I only had my '05 C6 for about a year before taking delivery of one of the first 500 Z06s. I was very active on this forum from '04 on, and I don't recall ever hearing about the problem until shortly after I took delivery of the Z06. It must have taken a year or more to show up on the base C6 because I can't imagine I could have missed it during that first year when I was in the C6 section of the forum.
After taking delivery of the Z06, I was exclusively in that section, so I guess I didn't realize the problem started showing up on std C6s as well.
I was also lucky. My original Z06 roof lasted well over a year before debonding and by that time (2007), GM had plenty of them in stock, so my repair was almost immediate.
After taking delivery of the Z06, I was exclusively in that section, so I guess I didn't realize the problem started showing up on std C6s as well.
I was also lucky. My original Z06 roof lasted well over a year before debonding and by that time (2007), GM had plenty of them in stock, so my repair was almost immediate.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,774
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
I bought many (cars & trucks) a first year out and had a few problems nothing major.
Then in 05 I bought one of the infamous 05 6spd manuals with the DBS problem. Had hundreds of posts on here about it, worked with a couple GM engineers I knew from my many Carlisle trips and finely in disgust traded it for a 07 Z06. Just about the time I got rid of the 05 they finely figure out a computer re flash that fixed it. (TWO FREEKING YEARS
)
That is the reason I waited and now driving a 15 and not a 14.
Then in 05 I bought one of the infamous 05 6spd manuals with the DBS problem. Had hundreds of posts on here about it, worked with a couple GM engineers I knew from my many Carlisle trips and finely in disgust traded it for a 07 Z06. Just about the time I got rid of the 05 they finely figure out a computer re flash that fixed it. (TWO FREEKING YEARS
)That is the reason I waited and now driving a 15 and not a 14.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,419
Likes: 3,933
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
I bought a very early '14 C7. It's had oil changes and one trip to the dealer for the recall on the fuel filler issue. Other than that it's had absolutely zero problems and it's far from a garage queen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
I've had early VIN '84, '97, '05, and my current '14 that was built on the first day of production. In between I owned '89 and '03's, both of which had more problems than their first year counterparts. The DBS on the '05 was perhaps the most frustrating, but once reflashed and a new BCM installed it was fine and other than the roof recall was the only problem ever encountered. My '14 was one that made the infamous Nashville trip for about three weeks prior to delivery, but it has been a zero problems car at this point. I've always wanted to be the first with the new toy, so potential problems be damned, I'll still go with the newest one.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 183
From: Maple Ontario
Bought a 2005 C6 coupe... hardly any issues..
traded it for a 2005 C6 vert... hardly any issues...
traded it for a 2008 C6 pace car vert, hardly any issues
traded it for a 2016 C7 coupe, to early to tell but hardly any issues so far.
I always used to advocate getting a 3rd year production car as the issues from years one and two are resolved and then by the 4 year on, manufactures start cheapening the parts.
Seems that it has more to do with who is assembling the car on a particular day, so never buy a car made on a Monday or Friday... ( like how ya gonna know ! LOL )
traded it for a 2005 C6 vert... hardly any issues...
traded it for a 2008 C6 pace car vert, hardly any issues
traded it for a 2016 C7 coupe, to early to tell but hardly any issues so far.
I always used to advocate getting a 3rd year production car as the issues from years one and two are resolved and then by the 4 year on, manufactures start cheapening the parts.
Seems that it has more to do with who is assembling the car on a particular day, so never buy a car made on a Monday or Friday... ( like how ya gonna know ! LOL )
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,473
Likes: 127
From: HOPE is the first step on the road to disappointment.
'99 coupe - 50,000ish miles, zero issues
'01 coupe - 85,000ish miles, zero issues
'09 vert - 55,000 miles, zero issues
'09 coupe - 21,000 miles, zero issues
I can only hope to have a similar experience with the '17 Z06.
'01 coupe - 85,000ish miles, zero issues
'09 vert - 55,000 miles, zero issues
'09 coupe - 21,000 miles, zero issues
I can only hope to have a similar experience with the '17 Z06.
