~Stingray

Hey Guys,

I had the car inspected and another corvette forum member stop by to take a look at it. There are several things i wanted opinions on. Here was the original thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...found-one.html

- Member said 3 of the 4 shocks were leaking. I can have these replaced, but the issue is the member thought they were not magride shocks when the build sheet says they are. Can anyone who knows what they look like post pictures showing the magride shocks the standard Z51 shocks?

- Targa top cracks bad according to the member. I have read several threads regarding how to fix it but since my car is out of warranty, how much are the new latches? and are they easy to replace yourself?

- Car has undercoating sprayed on the bottom. Does the present any issues for the future. I have never had to deal with this before.

- Member said when starting the car a message came on the screen saying "service Starting System". Does anyone know what this is. The tech said he hooked up the car and didn't pull any codes.

- The member said the front air damp is destroyed; like someone repeatedly hit a curb. Anyone know much those are?

Thanks for the thoughts.

Jmhornz71

I may be able to answer some of your questions. Magride shocks have an electrical connection at the top if thats not there then they arent I know on my 08 the electronic shocks would seep a little and from info I got that was normal . I fixed my the creaking on my 08 by putting heat shrink on the pins. it lasted about 6 months but solved the problem. I would be concerned about the DIC showing a message like that there has to be a problem somewhere in the system codes dont always pop up with a message.The undercoating may have been the owners way to at cheap way to sound deadening. It depends on what was covered up by the undercoating and if the dirt or moisture was trapped under it could cause problems Proceed cautiously I hope I helped a little

Jmhornz71

Here are pics of my left front shock I have 2015 Z51 non mag ride first pic is the top of the shock in the engine comportment

SilverGhost

The car has an aluminum frame, frame don't rust. So the only reason you "might" want to undercoat the frame is to hide cracks in welds on the frame. Maybe the cracked-weld frame flexed enough to crack the targa?

Well, that would be the start to a cracked frame. maybe previous owner DROVE OVER something which hit the front air dam and continued on. There is a thread on this forum of a beautiful C7, which was totaled when the owner hit something underneath on the aluminum frame and it cracked a weld. No body damage at all. The insurance totaled the vehicle.

Cracks, busted air dam, undercoating, check engine lights, leaky shocks, even if MRC, worse if not on a MRC-equipped car......Doesn't that even begin to give you a hint of how the previous owner drove the car and treated it?

~Stingray

To be clear, The member that inspected said he thought the undercoating was one of those dealer add-ons. "We can prevent rust for only a few extra hundred dollars." And i have not confirmed the car does not have magride shocks. But i am concerned that 3 or the 4 are leaking.

Is that common after 4 years or would that indicate that someone hit something really hard?

the member said the ride was smooth, where the engine sounded good and the transmission shifted smoothly, and there were no leaks or damanged hoses. So it doesn't sound abused based on that part.

Jmhornz71

I havent heard of dealers pushing for undercoating anymore especially for what they charged and the questionable value and the manufactures dont recommend it. If the previous owner wasnt careful parking or entering certain driveways the front spoiler would be damaged dont ask me how I know. you need to get a good look and see if there are any others scrapes along the bottom of the car. That would tell if they hit something. Good luck

Jaykoh-Z51

I think you meant the targa top creaks...not cracks.

There is a TSB for the creaking top. Not a warranty item. It fixed mine. The service department will need to order parts for it. No biggie tho.

~Stingray

rough cost?

SilverGhost

If you can fully inspect that frame through the undercoating, no need to read this:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/how-to...expensive-rock

Kent1999

I thought the last price I saw on the 'upgrade' kit (latches and pins) was like $300 plus install, but that was a while ago. Don't know if it has changed price. The dealer did mine under warranty, so I don't know what the exact price would be for a non-warranty job.

BigTree

You have many options on purchasing a pre-owned C7 in today's market. Be careful and selective, there are many garage queens out there that were a prized possession and pampered. Tracked and hard driven cars also exist.

I would pass on this car for two reasons (non-negotiable). First is the undercoating, regardless of the reason it was applied to the car. Second is the message displayed on engine start-up.

Be selective, there are better C7s out there.

B.

Jaykoh-Z51

I was under the impression that a TSB is not an out of pocket expense regardless of warranty status. Meaning if the warranty is expired, a TSB would still be covered.

RUU

If the "undercoating" is primarily on the floorboards, it may be for sound deadening as opposed to rust proofing.

RecklessOp

I'm by no means a car expert, but you don't have to be to know this doesn't smell right.

Avanti

I'm unclear, was this a pre-purchase inspection? If so, WALK AWAY! Way too many Vettes out there.

767guy

Run baby, run !

Ron'sGS

4thC4at60

My creaking top was repaired under warranty....

~Stingray

Yes, pre-purchase. We settled on 45,350. Which is a little high, but I really wanted the color combination and those are really hard to find.

But I agree, I don't want someone's problem. However, these seem like easy fixes which i will have to renegotiate the price to compensate for.

You still think I should pass? Why do you feel so strongly?

BELVIN20

I have been reading this post, too many un answered questions, from what I read, this car has not had good care, pass on it other nicer cars out there, no need to buy a problem child.