First year C7
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 850
Likes: 415
I can't speak for any history other than my own experience with a 2014 3LT I bought new. It has been pretty much trouble free other than two minor recalls and two warranty issues.
Fixed under warranty were a repaint of a front fender for a factory flaw and the replacement of the interior rearview mirror. I replaced the battery at three years.
The car now has ~26,000 miles and maybe 30% life left on the original tires.
Fixed under warranty were a repaint of a front fender for a factory flaw and the replacement of the interior rearview mirror. I replaced the battery at three years.
The car now has ~26,000 miles and maybe 30% life left on the original tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 204
From: Sunnyvale CA
OP, the following might not be the answer to your question.
I bought my current 2014 new. No issues. I replaced the infotainment display under warranty but to be fair, other years had that issue too. Besides that the car has been flawless.
Now, a little out of context. 2014 engines work a little warmer. These is no Apple / Android car integration for 2014. DIC is somehow more simple than newer years.
I bought my current 2014 new. No issues. I replaced the infotainment display under warranty but to be fair, other years had that issue too. Besides that the car has been flawless.
Now, a little out of context. 2014 engines work a little warmer. These is no Apple / Android car integration for 2014. DIC is somehow more simple than newer years.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
Body rattles. Just like your C2. 
Shades of the rattling body mountings of the C2. It was looking like another C4 1st MY debacle. It was another warning for me to stay away from them, although they looked very good and were light years ahead of the C4.
.The C4 1st MY published page of faults was incredibly loooong. Numbering over 1,000 on it's punchlist#. My C3 MY was perfect. So, yeah, I'm just lucky!
Shades of the rattling body mountings of the C2. It was looking like another C4 1st MY debacle. It was another warning for me to stay away from them, although they looked very good and were light years ahead of the C4..The C4 1st MY published page of faults was incredibly loooong. Numbering over 1,000 on it's punchlist#. My C3 MY was perfect. So, yeah, I'm just lucky!
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; Dec 12, 2018 at 04:39 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
You are completely wrong about the C5. If you had owned a C5 at all you would know that what your saying is a flat out lie. The C5 was a very successful 1st year launch for the Corvette, it's one of the most reliable first year Corvettes of all, very few problems.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
Body rattles. Just like your C2. Shades of the rattling body mountings of the C2. It was looking like another C4 1st MY debacle. It was another warning for me to stay away from them, although they looked very good and were light years ahead of the C4.
.The C4 1st MY published page of faults was incredibly loooong. Numbering over 1,000 on it's punchlist#. My C3 MY was perfect. So, yeah, I'm just lucky!
Shades of the rattling body mountings of the C2. It was looking like another C4 1st MY debacle. It was another warning for me to stay away from them, although they looked very good and were light years ahead of the C4..The C4 1st MY published page of faults was incredibly loooong. Numbering over 1,000 on it's punchlist#. My C3 MY was perfect. So, yeah, I'm just lucky!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
You're right about my C3 being perfect. But you're wrong about it taking GM, 9 years. By the 1970 MY, all was good with the C3. The C2s - none of em didn't rattle. The C5, first year was a disaster. Phonnie must a bought one. Might need a hearing check? Doesn't change the facts.
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; Dec 12, 2018 at 02:48 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
You're right about my C3 being perfect. But you're wrong about it taking GM, 9 years. By the 1970 MY, all was good with the C3. The C2s - none of em didn't rattle. The C5, first year was a disaster. Phonnie must a bought one. Might need a hearing check? Doesn't change the facts.
the brakes were crap, the engine leaked oil, from day 1, and it was slower than any Vette I've ever owned.
Don't start calling me childish names. I know more about Corvettes than you'll you'll ever know, I owned them since 1969.
Built them from the ground up, and drive them almost daily.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 147
From: dalton ma
Thanks to all the "intelligent" responders you have helped me make up my mind. Judging from the majority of the comments the early C7's are mostly bullet proof. Still a little spooked about the massive amount of electronics in them, would a low mileage '14 be eligible for an extended warrantee from one of the usual vendors of such coverage ? Only trick now is to find the right car with the right dealer who will give me a reasonable trade in value for my '04 conv. Thanks, Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
Never owned a 97 personally, but I have rebuilt a couple of them following wrecks.
I've owned a 2000 Vert and two 2001s, one of which I still own, and drive.
I also have a 2014 which is problem free.
I've owned a 2000 Vert and two 2001s, one of which I still own, and drive.
I also have a 2014 which is problem free.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Wrong again. There were really no changes between 97 and 98 and my 98 Corvette wasn't a "body rattler" at all, even at 133,000 miles when I traded up to a C6. Again, where's your proof Joe? You've never owned a C5, and I bet you've never even driven one. Stop posting "facts" when it's just stuff you're making up.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,976
Likes: 1,822
From: Western WI
Thanks to all the "intelligent" responders you have helped me make up my mind. Judging from the majority of the comments the early C7's are mostly bullet proof. Still a little spooked about the massive amount of electronics in them, would a low mileage '14 be eligible for an extended warrantee from one of the usual vendors of such coverage ? Only trick now is to find the right car with the right dealer who will give me a reasonable trade in value for my '04 conv. Thanks, Bob