capeli

What are the thoughts on resale value of a C7 GS if I do the oil changes myself from the start and keep all the receipts or do the dealer oil change and have it all ‘officially’ documented?
Some may be suspicious whether the DIY oil changes ever happened and others may think the car has been looked after as I went to the trouble to do the oil changes myself. As a trade-in I don’t think it makes any difference but as a private sale it might.
I would prefer to do it myself so I know that it’s done right.
What are the thoughts if you were buying a used one?

KemahGT

Most folks shopping for a preowned Vette will know if you’ve been treating it properly. Receipts will just be that much better to some. Trading it in to a dealer won’t mean squat. I promise they don’t care what receipts you have as long as the Carfax or other services show no accidents or other excessive repairs.

Me? I won’t let anyone change my oil. I do it myself because I know 100% for sure that it was done right.

Also, if you’re worried about resale you bought the wrong car. I would suggest a Tacoma for new or maybe a clean Porsche or Ferrari if preowned.

village idiot

I'll do it myself just because it takes less time. If it wasn't 10 quarts, I'd probably do the first 3 (free ones) myself too. Not worth the time of sitting around 3 hours.

Kracka

I would say it won't make a difference either way as long as records are all kept and quality products are used. Chevy has a nice owner's website where you can track it all (self-entered, and anything uploaded by the dealer after any service). There is a print option that allows you to print off the full service history with details which is perfect to show a potential buyer. I track all of our cars on this site.

b4i4getit

An educated buyer will know that a Corvette owner that does his own oil changes is meticulous about his car. To the dealer its just another car and most don't do a good job. I think you will be better off when you sell it.

Vetteman Jack

I doubt it will make a difference one way or the other as long as you have documentation.

davepl

I don't actually care whether a dealer or the owner did it, but seeing a logbook or sheet with dates and mileage would make me comfortable. Throw in the oil receipts for the win!

Bavaria

I had the free ones done by the dealer I had previously checked out - great service dept. Uses a pit instead of a lift, with a window for viewing. Will probably let them do the changes in the future (using service coupons).

JK 23112

I will have the dealership do the first two oil changes (had one done at 6 months/3,000 miles - and will get the next one done this winter at 12 months/6,000 miles) because they are "free" from GM. Beyond that, I will do my own.

In every car I ever owned (bought new or used), I always have done my own oil & filter changes and ALWAYS keep every receipt for that & every other thing I do/have done - from state inspections to air filters or wiper blades, etc. I have a detailed log with the date, the mileage, what was done and how much money it cost me.

This helps immensely with prospective "private sale" buyers, but probably won't mean much to a dealership if you are trading in your vehicle for a new one from them.

In the event of a warranty issue, a little CYA is a good thing!!

JimNeedsC7

For me owner done oil changes are almost always better compared to those done by dealers. Owners who bother to change their own oil know what they are doing and they care - things that you can't always expect with a low level operation like an oil change at a large dealership. Oil changes are the type of service that new techs do while the dealership decides to keep them or not.

I am no doubt biased though because I have never let anyone else change the oil in any of my cars. I even change the oil and lube the driveshafts in my 4x4 pickup myself, just because I want to know that it was done right.

DWS44

Unless you have a good relationship with a dealer you trust, I'd suggest DIY. I almost always change my own oil, but decided to give the local dealer a try on my GS for the first free one, combined with an alignment on same visit. Ended up being treated poorly, had to make two visits, charged a unexpectedly high price for the alignment, and a screwed up oil change with tank considerably overfilled.

Needless to say, the experience reconfirmed my position on DIY oil changes and avoiding dealer service unless absolutely necessary.

phileaglesfan

Make sure you know the correct procedures if you have a dry sump otherwise you can really screw things up. I just have the dealer change the oil. It really doesn't save much for DIY and I trust them. It was around $70 for my C6 non dry sump.

capeli

I like the idea of entering the DIY oil changes on the Chevy website. Didn’t know about that. Thanks

Kevin A Jones

I will change my own oil, at least in the beginning and will document it.
I don't believe changing own oil will negatively impact future resale values.
Does anyone have the web link to the Chevy owner site?

6spdC6

First off I worked at a garage/speed shop for years Part Time and have done hundreds of oil changes and other work so I sure as hell know how to do them.

Now in 70s and no lift at the house I have let a dealer do most all work on my last 4 Vettes. Bad knees so low work is out of the question and anything electronic is out of my comfort zone. I'm luckie I have a good small rural dealer to do my work. I make a appointment and can usually get out with a reasonable wait. I save all my receipts and never had any sort of problem doing it that way.

This rural dealer only gets about 4 Vettes a year and I never bought one from them, but they do have a good Vette tech and other decent mechanics. The service department is no problem getting work done as I have heard horror stories about nor being able to get work done because they bought their Vette somewhere else.

JK 23112

I bought my 2017 Stingray in Maryland and have only taken it to a local (VA) dealership for my first "free" oil change (of two). They never even asked where I purchased the car.

I suspect that the sales & service departments are two separate "profit centers" for the dealership and likely don't overlap much with each other. Some of them are good with sales practices, but their service departments are lousy --- and the reverse may be true for others.

Just keep all receipts and log your dates, miles, remarks, etc., etc., and you should be fine.

edved

I think the fact that you're changing the oil on your own shows devotion to the car! Plus in my book. Maybe big plus.

Kracka

https://my.chevrolet.com/home

23/C8Z

how about youtube videos of each oil change? lol that's how i've been handling it. and the added benefit of having access to a 7000 sqft performance shop.. if i didn't i would probably take it to the dealer because i have no lift at the house

capeli

Thanks for all the feedback, it sounds like there is no negatives in terms of resale with DIY oil change and keeping receipts. Better than wondering afterwards did they change the filter, use Mobil 1, drain from both drain plugs for long enough, clean inside of filter casing, fill too much/not enough.......It all depends how OCD you are