Deepdiver

^ What extra cooling components did they add in 2017? And was it for both the auto and manual transmissions?

Steve Garrett

I've got a 2014 that was built during the first couple weeks of production....love it-no issues.

Rebel Yell

They are mechanical like the Mustangs, so anything can happen. But, so far the C7's have a proven reliability record overall. Some of the early (15-17) A8's had their share of problems, but that seems to be cured now. We just traded our '16 Stingray A8 for a '19 Grand Sport A8, and the '19's transmission is on the mark. None of the stupid stuff my '16 A8 suffered from.

Comparing the Corvette to the Mustang is like comparing apples, and oranges. I know as my wife drives an '18 GT Mustang. So you really need to test drive a C7 so you won't be expecting it to act like those past Mustangs. I do like the wife's car, but I'm a Vette guy. Have been for 30 years. Good luck on your search.

Maxpowers

Curious how you got down to this short list. These are two very different cars.

JMII

My '14 Z51 has some rattles. The wife's Infiniti Q60 which is not the new platform however is perfect. While I love my 'Vette if you told me I could only drive one car every day to work I honestly think I'd take the Infiniti. Power and handling wise there is no comparison as the C7 is an easy win - I am just talking every day driving here. Can't speak to reliability as we haven't owned either long enough but based on my previous Nissan I assume the Infiniti will be just fine. Now based on previous GM vehicles the C7 is worrisome. My other option was a Porsche which was way too scary to even consider. At least with the Chevy I can see the engine and other bits that make it go.

EASonBASS

'15 Z51. 31K miles. No issues. Love it. Now, where's a piece of wood . . .

chas70

5 years on 14 n3LT convert and gas gage wouldn't work

sykr0n

2017 Model year cars produced from June 2016 have better cooling :
- Secondary cooler in the front
- Better front rotors and no need for the cooling rings

From https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-general-discussion/3856186-2017-transmission-and-engine-cooling-upgrade-information-release.html :
- 2017 manual transmission equipped vehicles are equipped with the front auxiliary engine coolant radiator.

- 2017 8-speed automatic equipped vehicles are equipped with the additional front auxiliary transmission cooler.

Notreadyforprimetime

BB767

My 2015 Z51, M7 has been perfect so far. Just routine, normal service is all. I think I've got a good one!

Thomas

KCV

patentcad

2017 Z51 Coupe with M7/Nav. One warranty issue in 25 months of ownership: the windshield washer fluid pump failed. The dealership swapped it out under warranty @ the last oil change, no inconvenience. Other than that this rather complex car has been flawless, which is impressive.

Dave80C3

Search the forum for A8 issues, or Torque converter issues, or shudder.

My 2014 Z51 manual 7 was trouble free for 4 years. My 18 Grand sport manual 7 has been trouble free.

Billy346

Mine is a '17 Z51 1LT M7 with 5200 miles. I purchased my Corvette with confidence that it wouldn't have any problems and it has not let me down. When GM wants to build a quality vehicle, they can and do. Their legacy vehicles (full size pickups / SUV's, Camaro, Corvette) tend to be well designed and long lasting, even in comparison with some of the Japanese makes in their respective segments. In my opinion, when it comes to the small block V8, GM makes the most refined and reliable engines in the world. Usually if there is a problem, it tends to be well documented, and eventually there is an easy (but not necessarily cheap) fix that comes along. For my '98 Camaro SS, it is the rear end, and for the Corvette, it seems to be the torque converter on the A8 transmission.

On the subject of the A8, while there are many vocal complainers on the online forums, there are also many, many happy owners. It is a strong transmission. Just get onto youtube and watch owners pounding their A8 Z51's, Grand Sports, and Z06's around road courses. If the transmission really had a significant problem, you would hear MUCH more moaning and complaining.

So, in terms of reliability, you will do just fine with a Corvette. Now, in terms of ergonomics, you should take a hard look at the Infinity. If you are over 6 ft tall, the C7 is a tight fit. I'm 6'4, and I fit comfortably, but I have about a half inch in clearance in all directions. The low chopped roof makes it hard to see street lights that are on the near side of the intersection. It has a large blind spot (that is actually mitigated with the little rear quarter windows). During the summer, it gets hot inside the car. You can feel the heat radiating up off of the center tunnel and from the engine. (Which is nice during the winter....the heat coming off of the drivetrain keeps the car comfortable, so you really don't need to use the heater to a large extent.) . During the summer, the air conditioning seems to be tepid at times and at others freezing cold. (I don't know if this is an efficiency thing or an emissions thing....but I'm not the only owner who has noted this phenomenon.) The Corvette makes lots of strange noises...from valve clatter to fuel pump and injector ticking, and a strange burbling sound that comes off of the dry sump oiling system when the car is cold....I found myself frequently asking, "is this normal?" when the car was new. All of these things I forgive the Corvette, because, although for me, it fails as a touring car, it WINS as a sports car. Even the base Stingray is a FAST car. When you step on the gas, it snaps you back in the seat and before you know it, you are in the triple digits. (As fast as the base Vette is, the Z06 puts it to shame.) . If you go with the Z51 or GS, you get an electronic differential, which makes a noticeable difference in the way the car powers through corners. I thoroughly enjoy driving my Corvette on country roads and on switchback mountain roads. It was built for spirited drives and road courses.

So, would I buy it again? Yes. But only since it is a third vehicle for me. If I could only have one car, I would probably have gone with a Camaro. The extra head room and shoulder room make it much easier to live with when you are over 6 feet tall. So, if you plan on driving the car every day, and you are tall, take a hard look at the inifinity. (I'm not saying the Vette wouldn't be a good daily driver because there are many guys on this forum who are tall like me and who drive their Corvette every day. But I am saying that a car with a bit more head room and insulation might be easier to live with in the long run.)

Best of luck in your decision.

Jeffthunbird

iclick

I agree after hassling with A8 issues for the two years I owned my 2015 A8. If Karma is bad the OP may be trading engine issues for tranny problems, and neither is recommended for maintaining sanity.

Chances are that among those smiling, happy A8 owners are a percentage that will become frowning, sad A8 owners at some point in time.

Vetteram

ricks327

. IF there is a 25% repair rate(which I doubt) on all A8 transmissions, are you stating that the number will go to100%? What time frame is your wild *** predication?

bearphoto

I have a 17 Z51 M7 trans. NO issues with the car, no squeaks, no bad wheels. I also have a 17 Z06 with an A8 trans. NO issues, no squeaks. Both flawless.

iclick

Please re-read my post. I said "Chances are that among those smiling, happy A8 owners are a percentage that will become frowning, sad A8 owners at some point in time." Nothing there implies 100%, but that some not having problems will have them sooner or later. I didn't and wouldn't speculate on the actual percentage that will have problems.