New Guy
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
New Guy
Hi, I’m new to the forum but not so new to Corvettes. I owned a 97 C5 and drove a ‘62 with a 3 speed manual extensively that belonged to friend. I’m looking to get back into ownership if I find a good deal on a used C7. I would greatly appreciate any advice as to what to look for and what to avoid in a C7. I’m not looking to track the car so aI guess a base model would be best for my needs. Thanks , Rick
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,405
Likes: 24,797
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C7 General for responses to your questions.
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
C7 is a great car. I’ve only had the common radio issue which was covered under warranty. I recommend an M7 due to the issues with the early A8s that I read about. However, they may have been resolved. Awesome car. You will love it. Get a Z06 if you can swing it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
Gotta narrow down some basics first—coupe or vert, stick or auto, z51 or not, then move onto the trim packages1lt, 2lt, or 3lt? Do you want the base stingray, the grand sport or the z06? I would read up on all of these items through the search feature and start to learn about each to make a more informed decision.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
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
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 428
Likes: 121
Any year 2LT trim level will suffice since that comes with HUD. Nav is optional on the 2LT and standard on 3LT. They are bulletproof especially with the manual transmission. Do you want the Z51 package? All of my previous Stingrays had it and I would not have owned them without it.
The Z51 Performance Package includes dry sump lubrication, specific close-ratio gearing; transmission-cooling system; larger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear aluminum alloy wheels and dual-compound Michelin tires; larger, slotted rotors and brake-cooling ducts; electronic limited-slip differential and differential cooling system; unique chassis tuning; and optional Magnetic Ride Control active-handling system with Performance Traction Management. Its center of gravity height is 17½";[24] lower than the Lotus Elise.=10.8333px
Last edited by R8Z51; Jan 12, 2020 at 11:40 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 617
From: Houston Texas
Look at the dash of any 3LT carefully before purchase, especially around the defroster vents.
They have a history of separating/splitting in that area. If not under the 3/36 warranty cost is around $3K to replace.
Not covered by extended warranties.
Ask me how I know-in fairness to GM, mine came apart just after the 3 years, they paid 2/3rds, I paid 1/3rd, around $950.
They have a history of separating/splitting in that area. If not under the 3/36 warranty cost is around $3K to replace.
Not covered by extended warranties.
Ask me how I know-in fairness to GM, mine came apart just after the 3 years, they paid 2/3rds, I paid 1/3rd, around $950.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 1,828
From: Western WI
Good luck with our search.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
2LT, mag-ride and performance exhaust is my standard recommendation for C7. As mentioned some 3LTs have issues with the leather dash. If your not tracking I agree you don't need the Z51, however it might be easier to find Z51 with the mag-ride vs the base car. If you do get a Z51 make sure to familiar yourself on the dry sump oil change procedure.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,058
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Monk, No matter what car you finally decide on, be sure to check out three documents before you buy. The first two are the Carfax and Autocheck. I'd get both because I've experienced significant differences that could impact your decision.
The third is the GM warranty report (formerly called the VIS report) It will provide all the warranty repairs and any service performed by a GM dealer. It will tell you if the car was problematic or not.
As for which model to buy, reading the above, the base Stingray is probably what you want with 2LT. You should have no problem finding a nice used Vette with low mileage and the 2LT for under $40K.
The third is the GM warranty report (formerly called the VIS report) It will provide all the warranty repairs and any service performed by a GM dealer. It will tell you if the car was problematic or not.
As for which model to buy, reading the above, the base Stingray is probably what you want with 2LT. You should have no problem finding a nice used Vette with low mileage and the 2LT for under $40K.