What year to avoid purchasing?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
What year to avoid purchasing?
Hi
Need some advise which year C7 vert should l avoid and the best year to buy. I have owned vettes on and off since 1968
all coupes except my last c6 vert. Must have auto top, nav and be able to have cameras in front and back. I know l will need a new radio.
thanks
Need some advise which year C7 vert should l avoid and the best year to buy. I have owned vettes on and off since 1968
all coupes except my last c6 vert. Must have auto top, nav and be able to have cameras in front and back. I know l will need a new radio.
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 617
From: Houston Texas
I wouldn't say there is any particular year to avoid, it's more like what options to avoid. The '14s had the six speed auto trans that seem to be bulletproof. The '15s and up have the A8 which many have had (and continue to have ) problems with-myself included. To get the front cameras, you will need the 2LT or 3LT level interior. The 3LT can have problems with the leather dashboard coming up around the defroster vent (mine did) and other problems. Extended warranties won't pay for trim problems.
There are many posts about those problems, even a "sticky" about the A8s.
There are many posts about those problems, even a "sticky" about the A8s.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
I wouldn't say there is any particular year to avoid, it's more like what options to avoid. The '14s had the six speed auto trans that seem to be bulletproof. The '15s and up have the A8 which many have had (and continue to have ) problems with-myself included. To get the front cameras, you will need the 2LT or 3LT level interior. The 3LT can have problems with the leather dashboard coming up around the defroster vent (mine did) and other problems. Extended warranties won't pay for trim problems.
There are many posts about those problems, even a "sticky" about the A8s.
There are many posts about those problems, even a "sticky" about the A8s.
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
B-17 is probably correct. It is hard to give a truly meaningful answer, because most don't have problems... that said, I never buy a new series Vette before the fifth year of production. Just saying. 
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If front cameras are a must have, you'll need to go with a '16 or newer car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
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From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
A Valid question , I would suggest the newest car you can get, these cars are awesome. there is also a cool option called a PDR (performance Date Recorder ) I am not sure when it started ,but you can set it so when you valet your car it records what's happening, it meant for a race track but it real cool option . Good luck on your purchase your in for a treat. Not sure if your local to Kerbecks in Atlantic city but if you click on there deals of the day they have cars on sale less then some of the used cars I see advertized.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 141
From: Palm Beach Florida
I also am looking for a used C7, but have seen the dealers discounting new ones 8k-10k. Should I wait for the C8 for the C7 prices to drop more? I've never seen new corvettes drop more than they are now. I may have to pull the trigger soon.
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Pro
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From: Tarpon Springs Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
I would talk to Mark at MacMulkin...…. I just purchased a GS, sticker $75k for 65k..... deals are out there. I'm sure that Mike at Criswell has equally good deals..... it's just a matter of finding the right car. I wanted a 2019, MT (last of the FE's!)….. I'll sit back and watch the C8 for at least a year and see how things go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 141
From: Palm Beach Florida
I would talk to Mark at MacMulkin...…. I just purchased a GS, sticker $75k for 65k..... deals are out there. I'm sure that Mike at Criswell has equally good deals..... it's just a matter of finding the right car. I wanted a 2019, MT (last of the FE's!)….. I'll sit back and watch the C8 for at least a year and see how things go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 2,745
From: Northeast
The whole C7 run has been “generally” reliable as mentioned. I’ll add that if you’re looking for a Z06, then ‘17+ will have better cooling if you plan on tracking. Although, I have a ‘16 w/no issues...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Hi
I am not looking to pick up a new vette because it’s going to be a third car for tooling around and occasional road trips.
I thought Dennis from Wisconsin was our electronics genius who sells radio / Nav packages with front and rear cameras.
But let’s not get ahead of myself, a little more reasearch is needed
thanks
That’s a great question, by the way the West Palm area is loaded with vettes! What got me started was driving around West Palm
I am not looking to pick up a new vette because it’s going to be a third car for tooling around and occasional road trips.
I thought Dennis from Wisconsin was our electronics genius who sells radio / Nav packages with front and rear cameras.
But let’s not get ahead of myself, a little more reasearch is needed
thanks
That’s a great question, by the way the West Palm area is loaded with vettes! What got me started was driving around West Palm
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Jan 20, 2019 at 01:25 PM. Reason: Merged Posts
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 1,152
From: Keswick, Virginia
I have heard a few folks complain about the A8 in the 2015+ Corvettes. As stated above, the 2014 models had a six-speed automatic and you don't hear anything bad about them. I am a manual transmission kind of guy and my 2017 has the 7-speed. No issues with it at all. I can't say I would "avoid" any year C7 if you can find the car with the color & options you want - and the price is right. There are plenty of them out there for sure.
If you want to shift gears for yourself, the 2019 model will likely be your last chance to do so. The C8 will be an automatic only car.
If you want to shift gears for yourself, the 2019 model will likely be your last chance to do so. The C8 will be an automatic only car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 141
From: Palm Beach Florida
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
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From: Walhalla South Carolina
Avoid the 15 for sure, they seem to have more TC issues but not limited just to the 15.. Also avoid the base stingray A8 that has the dreaded WARBLE problem differential. GM bought my 16 base stingray back for this reason, long post on it I authored, read through it. Still see post with newer vettes have this same problem so GM still hasn't solved this problem. Base stingray A8 has different diff. that GS, Z51, and Z06.. Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
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While I believe there is no C7 MY one should necessarily avoid, it is true that 15 C7s equipped with the then new A8 probably had more reported problems than any other year. It's also safe to say the ancient guidance to avoid first year models" does not apply to the C7. I could be wrong, but if memory serves me correctly, I believe 2014s scored higher in initial quality than many subsequent MYs.
You're not going to get valid data by simply tallying up all the individual experiences here because they are single data points. In my case, I had zero warranty repairs on my 2014, but did have an early 02 sensor issue on my 2018.
You're not going to get valid data by simply tallying up all the individual experiences here because they are single data points. In my case, I had zero warranty repairs on my 2014, but did have an early 02 sensor issue on my 2018.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Look for some big rebates on 2019's this spring. When GM shows the C8 the 19's will get some big rebates to move them!!