Corvette reliability
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Had 3, hate to but have to agree. Usually electronics been that way for generations.
I usually juge reliability by how a car behaves over say 50- 100k mi not 3500
Most trade them off every couple yrs to keep the warranty
Last edited by cv67; Jul 8, 2017 at 06:32 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 414
Likes: 95
Bottom line.....Toyotas are reliable as anvils...and boring as bricks. Vettes are almost as reliable, but not quite, but....they are sheer driving enjoyment in every imaginable way. Go with your heart. Remember the line from that old Broadway musical, CABARET....."Start by admitting from cradle to tomb...it isn't a long, long stay...life is a Cabaret, ole chum, come to the Cabaret" Come to the Cabaret....
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 249
Likes: 194
Thought I'd chime in on my brother's experiences. He has had several Vettes of over the years, from C4s to C7s, and he runs them HARD. But he takes care with how he breaks in his cars, and he's never had any major reliability problems, and almost no minor ones. As for my C7, there's not a creak or rattle, and the poor roads here in Oregon will reveal that as a flaw right away! That new aluminum frame has changed the ballgame for ride and rigidity. Consumer reports rates the 2017 C7 as a recommended buy in Sports Cars. Car and Driver put it in the top 10 best cars of 2017. Like C7HOORAY says, "Come to the Cabaret!"
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 17
Im about to purchase my first vette and only issue so far is can i get it at the right price! Every car seems like at some point something major or miner happens to it. Just my luck I have a 2013 accord and the starter I messed up. I have a lot of miles on it but some people have been having the same problem at 30-40k miles.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 888
Consider the source, Consumer Reports, and take it with several large grains of salt. Average reader age: 65+
Still can't program that darn blinking clock on the vcr.
Really upset when they went to put their favorite Tony Bennett tape in their brand new retirement present C7; and found that crazy car didn't even have an 8-Track tape player!
Just got a note from the dealership that their first oil change is due at 500 miles....500 miles! "Why in my day young fella a car could go 2000, maybe 3000 miles before it needed an oil change and a chassis lube, what's this world coming to, 500 mile oil changes?!!!"
And with those thoughts in mind the average reader fills out the annual CR automobile questionnaire. 'nuff said.
Still can't program that darn blinking clock on the vcr.
Really upset when they went to put their favorite Tony Bennett tape in their brand new retirement present C7; and found that crazy car didn't even have an 8-Track tape player!
Just got a note from the dealership that their first oil change is due at 500 miles....500 miles! "Why in my day young fella a car could go 2000, maybe 3000 miles before it needed an oil change and a chassis lube, what's this world coming to, 500 mile oil changes?!!!"
And with those thoughts in mind the average reader fills out the annual CR automobile questionnaire. 'nuff said.
Last edited by SilverGhost; Jul 29, 2017 at 03:37 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 184
Likes: 29
From: Mississauga Ontario
The current issue of Consumer Reports New Car buying guide, Fall 2017, just came out.Page 120... they give the Corvette their recommendation, and state that reliability has improved to average. Their description is mostly favorable.
Then, on page 11, under "Would you buy that car again?", the text identifies the Vette as one of the top 10 "would buy again's" in their survey.
Then, on page 11, under "Would you buy that car again?", the text identifies the Vette as one of the top 10 "would buy again's" in their survey.
Last edited by Can Vette; Jul 29, 2017 at 09:03 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
You get what you pay for. The Corvette is a top performing car but on a budget. I had nothing but problems with my C6; mostly electrical. I ended up going another route when the C7 came out since it has a lot more tech. I've got a few buddies that race them though and haven't had any real issues yet. It will take a couple more years before we start hearing anything more though. Still in the warranty period.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Another problem with so called electronic issues is complaints aren't filtered for dumb operators. Somebody comes into the shop because something isn't working and it turns out it was an operator problem. That still gets counted as an electronic problem. Most of the problems fall into the operator category. Even on poorly designed interfaces people should get used to the various foibles of the system but drivers seem to be a dumber section of the population and can't remember what they did two days ago.
Bill
Bill
Most service writers don't know how everything operates either, so a repair order is written even though things are functioning perfectly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 793
Likes: 142
From: Texas
If you want to buy used, buy GM certified. And get the extended warranty that would bring peace of mind to you. It's a great car but compared to all my prior cars, I would consider the Corvette below average reliability. I'm a fan of the car but that's the case, just read the forums and you would find what you are asking for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
You'll get all kinds of answers in regard to that question here. Mostly biased. Because no one person really knows how reliable these cars are. Mine has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Closing in on 72,000 miles. Only issue was warranty replaced belt tensioner. I'm guessing the C7 is probably in the middle someplace as far as being reliable.
If the consumer report stated the C7 is the most reliable car available most of the people on the forum would be touting it rather than discrediting it. Human nature is a strong force to overcome. A strong tendency to justify a purchase.
In summary, this is the best car I have ever owned.
If the consumer report stated the C7 is the most reliable car available most of the people on the forum would be touting it rather than discrediting it. Human nature is a strong force to overcome. A strong tendency to justify a purchase.
In summary, this is the best car I have ever owned.
Last edited by joemessman; Jul 11, 2018 at 09:16 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 414
From: Germantown Maryland
My 2016 M7 Z51 hasn't been to the dealer since the 500 mile oil change in December 2015. In fact I am seriously delinquent in getting the air bag reflash and I want to get Android Auto and MSRC updates... but no real problems.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,216
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
The LEXUS (highly rated) was the biggest piece of junk we had in the family,(daughters car) constant brake and trans issues, kept it 14 months then got rid of it.
The corvettes have been extremely reliable but we don't beat the crap out of them...
The only down side is the Stereo - the Bose was really not / never up to the task, they should have gone with a Pioneer like the HHR which is 10000 times better. ( and lasts longer)
Most magazine writers have no clue what they are doing or reporting on. They are extremely biased. The best source of info is to actually talk with people who own the product. One example is BMW - always a great car - how many go 40k without a $3000 water pump repair?
Visit a Corvette club show or meeting and get real info... the same holds for most products....
If you ask how I know - I was a voting member of ASTM and other agencies and we were often amazed at the printed magazine results - the approval agencies did the real tests...which often did not match the " others" results....
The corvettes have been extremely reliable but we don't beat the crap out of them...
The only down side is the Stereo - the Bose was really not / never up to the task, they should have gone with a Pioneer like the HHR which is 10000 times better. ( and lasts longer)
Most magazine writers have no clue what they are doing or reporting on. They are extremely biased. The best source of info is to actually talk with people who own the product. One example is BMW - always a great car - how many go 40k without a $3000 water pump repair?
Visit a Corvette club show or meeting and get real info... the same holds for most products....
If you ask how I know - I was a voting member of ASTM and other agencies and we were often amazed at the printed magazine results - the approval agencies did the real tests...which often did not match the " others" results....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
I don't agree with the CR naysayers and have relied on their ratings on various products for decades. I suspect that some of the reports of electronics concerns may come from owners of earlier MYs that have issues that can be rectified by software updates. My 2015 had a couple and was fine thereafter, but none of it was what I would cause me to label it as unreliable. The A8 tranny was unreliable, however, and I bailed on the car just to get away from it. It may be okay on newer models, but I won't be finding out.
My current 2017 GS M7 has had no mechanical or electronic issues at all, and only a few very minor cosmetic quirks that most people would not even see and are not worth fooling with, IMO. The SM at a local dealership told me it takes about two years to get the software right on a new model like the C7 was in 2014, so maybe this holds true on later MYs like the 2018-19 the OP is contemplating. Based on my experience with my 2017 I would agree that it is.
My current 2017 GS M7 has had no mechanical or electronic issues at all, and only a few very minor cosmetic quirks that most people would not even see and are not worth fooling with, IMO. The SM at a local dealership told me it takes about two years to get the software right on a new model like the C7 was in 2014, so maybe this holds true on later MYs like the 2018-19 the OP is contemplating. Based on my experience with my 2017 I would agree that it is.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 750
Likes: 40
From: Deltona Florida
How many times have you ever seen a Corvette broken down on the roadside.....or an Interstate Highway? I never have......
Electronics, and the Corvette has so many of them on board......would probably be the most problematic issue for a failure.....
But...what a ride!
NW
Electronics, and the Corvette has so many of them on board......would probably be the most problematic issue for a failure.....
But...what a ride!
NW
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,964
Likes: 6,768
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
The odds are still VERY much in your favor... especially if you get the manual transmission. Is it perfect, no; no run of any mass produced product is. But, for the WAAAAAY extra bucks it would cost to buy anything else comparable, you can do a lifetime of repairs on a Vette and still come out huge amounts of cash ahead! GO FOR IT AND DON'T LOOK BACK is my advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
I just noticed that someone above mentioned the C5 getting the same CR rating in '01. It was my experience with my '01 C5 (that I still own and love) that directly led to me buying my '18 last year. I could not be happier with both. The dealer I bought the C5 from... whole 'nuther issue; total crappola! Therein all too often lies the rub, so to speak.
I just noticed that someone above mentioned the C5 getting the same CR rating in '01. It was my experience with my '01 C5 (that I still own and love) that directly led to me buying my '18 last year. I could not be happier with both. The dealer I bought the C5 from... whole 'nuther issue; total crappola! Therein all too often lies the rub, so to speak.
Last edited by Avanti; Jul 11, 2018 at 02:59 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 361
From: Smyrna/Vinings, Georgia
Tough to argue with Consumer Reports. They are dedicated, do not accept advertising. Thing is, *** cars are still far superior to American, so, the bar is higher to most folks out there. For me and lots of other Corvette people, we are tolerant and really don't care about nit ****.