Sold my C5 (2003 Corvette 50th Anniversary Edition) about 7 years ago, hence the above mentioned "knowledge gap". While I love the C5, and always will, unfortunately time has kinda caught up and surpassed it in areas of engineering and creature comforts.
So begins my search for my next Corvette. As much as I loved the C5, I'd be remiss if I didn't explore the C6 and C7 generations to see how much more they have to offer. I'm not in the market to purchase right now, as I don't have a HUGE down payment to bring the monthly payment down to my affordability level. Which is why, at this point, my search is for information and has been concentrated on the C6...specifically 2013 Grand Sport. Only recently, have I begun to search for information on the C7 generation.

Thus far, I have learned that the 2013 Grand Sport auto trans/paddle shifter is much improved (faster shifting) over the 2012 and earlier C6's. The seats were also improved...
I'm not lazy and have spent many hours searching the Forum for answers to my questions. Some answers I just haven't come across yet and I'm hoping that the collective experience and knowledge of the Forum and it's members will be able to help.

I'll begin with two subjects that I have come across, one of them as recent as today.
- Clouded headlight lenses. Both the C6 and C7 seem to have the same headlight cover. Do they both suffering the same malady?
- Today, I just saw a YouTube video about why you SHOULDN'T upgrade to the 3LT interior. This caught my eye, as 3LT/4LT trim levels are all that I have been looking at. Apparently, part of the 3LT upgrade is a stitched, leather dash cover. The glue that holds the leather down deteriorates with time and the leather begins pulling away, and the stitching begins to deteriorate also... Is this true?
Thanks for your help!!
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy & Healthy New Year!!

 

I have not heard of C7 clouded headlight covers, but this may have happened to someone.

Some have had problems with the 3LT dash. Many have had zero problems. People generally think the problem can be brought on by heat (parking in the sun). Check the dash out carefully if you are looking at a 3LT.

 

Just a quick comment from a 15 year C5 (and 15 year C3) owner...I sold my C5 M6 last summer and bought a new C7 M7. You will be amazed at the improvements in pretty well every aspect. I loved the C5, but haven't missed it for a second. Good luck!

 

I have not heard of oxidation on c7 headlight covers either, but I had this problem on my c6 GS. I bought a 3M headlight restoration kit that worked well. The issue I had with it was that I didn't smooth out the sand scratches well enough before I put the clear coat back on the lenses and you could see shadows from the scratches in sunlight inside the housing.

 

I went from an 08 C6 to my 15 C7. The difference was amazing. I found it more comfortable, faster and so much more technology. Plus the C7 was faster with better fuel economy. I went from the 6 speed auto in the C6 to the 7 speed manual in the C7. Much more enjoyable to me. Also with the manual I dont have to worry about the engine going into V4 mode (C7) unless I am in eco made where the 8 speed auto does it all the time unless you have the trans in auto mode so I understand. I have the 3LT and the dash is a mess. I bought the car with 50 k miles and it was ok. It started lifting in about the end of 2018. Its an expensive fix at about $3500. Other than having to deal with intermittent issues with the radio freezing or the screen going blank the car performs flawlessly. I am approaching 89k miles now driven all the time

 

C7's are still probably to new, and to well cared for, to start seeing oxidation of the headlight lens. I'll be surprised if the issue doesn't surface on some cars as they age and spend lots of time in the sun. YMMV

Just for fun I looked in the C6 forum to see how long before posts concerning cloudy headlights began to appear and it took about 7 years... so... if C7's are going to cloud we're really just reaching the age limit where it would begin to show up.

 

THANK you all very much for your responses and the valuable information I learned! THANK YOU!

 

I've never heard of the clouded headlight issue. Probably happened, however if it hasn't been reported here then probably not worth worrying about. This seems to be the place where people come to report and complain about any and all issues.

Now I have heard of the 3LT dash delaminating issues, like a thousand times (probably not that much ). But seriously I'd stay away from 3LTs. It's approx a $3,000 repair where practically everything forward of the seats has to come out and
some 3LT owners have had it happen multiple times. Just not enough benefit to the3LT to make it worth the risk to me. Just do a forum search and decide for yourself.

I've always been a C2/C3 fan, have owned dozens of them, purchased a '17 GS convertible about 3.5 years ago and it's an amazing sportscar. I'd recommend you try one. Believe you will be glad you did.
Have a GREAT Holidays!

 

I had no problems with my C6 (128K miles before trading)... nor did I with my '15 C7 3LT (traded at 97,000++ miles).... both great cars.

 

I too came from a C5 AE, M6. Very pretty car. Sold it 3 years ago to the first looker. Bought a 14 3LT M7 soon after and the move was eye opening. That added 110 HP gets your attention. My headlights are clear and the leather dash looks great. I never owned a C6 so I can't speak about them. However, if you sit in a C6 and then a C7, I think it will become quite clear which one you will want to call yours. Happy hunting sir.

 

The 3LT dash on the C7 has been problemmatic on some of the cars. Unfortunately, if not under warranty, it can be expensive to replace. I have the 2LT package and no signs of any dash problems so far.

I have not seen any threads on the C7 headlight lenses becoming hazy over time. I know mine is still crystal clear (2014 car).

The C7 is a major leap forward over the C5 in terms of technology, handling, power, comfort and quality, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for the C5 - after all, I had three of them covering nearly 17 years.

 

A BIG THANKS to everyone who was kind enough to share your knowledge and experience about the concerns I listed!!
Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year to all of you!!

 

After 160K+ miles in my C6, I bought a 3700 mile '19 4 months ago. The differences to me are significant and partly due to a 13 year difference in my age (66 to 79). The biggest difference is the technology that I still haven't learned enough to get past the basics. Just two weeks ago, I found out how to operate the heater fan. haha. The seat doesn't go high enough to see nor back far enough to make entry/exiting easy. I may have shrunk vertically too among other shrinking body parts, since I have real visibility issues in the C7. If it didn't have front and rear cameras, I would have damaged both ends already and I've only driven it 1500 miles, which could be a contributing factor. In retrospect, I took delivery of my C6 in Detroit and put 5500 miles on it in 30 days on the way home to Phoenix, so I had plenty of seat time to learn how most things worked. The longest drive with the C7 has been an 80 mile round trip across town, during which I couldn't figure out how to operate the cruise control while on the freeway. I've read the OM and tried some stuff, but between old age sneaking up on me and limited seat time, it's easy to forget things I've read.

Just yesterday, I found out that if you don't shut off the engine before leaving the car for several minutes, the horn will sound as if it's being stolen. It was rather unnerving and embarrassing to my wife, who was still in the car and had no way to stop it.

However, overall it's a better car and I'll continue to drive it until I can no longer feel safe or manage to get in and out under my own power.

Now, what was the original question again??

 

I had a 2011 GS M6 3LT and now have a 2019 GS 2LT M7. There was no 4LT trim option on the C7, 3LT was the top trim and was equivalent to 4LT in the C6. The C7 2LT (Mulan leather, OK) is roughly equivalent to the 3LT (Napa leather, better) in the C6. The C6 was excellent however the C7 is a definite step up in all regards. Both cars had Magnetic Selective Ride but the system on the C7 runs circles around the one on the C6. The C7 chassis is stiffer, the Targa top is way lighter, the interior and infotainment are major advancements, the steering response is far superior and the seats are light years better in the corners. The wheels on the GS, ZO6 and ZR1 are a possible problem area (cracks in the rim) and some folks have had some issues with the A8 transmission shift smoothness. Those are the basics. The C8 is the new standard of excellence so if you can swing it get a C7 so you’ll only be one generation behind the latest Corvette.

 

There are a lot of people that have the C7 3LT with out any problems. If you are worried about it, just get a dashboard mat and a good sunshade.

 

I went from a C5 to a C7 and while I really liked my C5 it just doesn’t compare to the C7. Mine is a 2014 Z51 with the 3LT trim. My dash is pristine with no signs of damage. If you decide on a C7 you won’t be disappointed.

 

Ill be odd man out, had an 01 coupe, sold and ordered a 16 stingray, now have a 17 GS and picked up an 03 Z06 and drive it more than the GS, more room, quieter, and smoother ride. Not as much power and lacks some of the electronic gizmos but love the FRC look. Have not read about headlight deal but lot of dash issues. Good luck with your hunt.

 

Living in So.California, I've always used dash covers and sunshades in all my vehicles. PLUS all my cars, except my PU, are garaged every night we're home.. So, you're probably right.....it probably won't ever be an issue.

 

Long time Corvette Owner. Purchased first C5 in 1997 and 2nd in 2003. Sold the 03 Z06 in 2009 to pick up an 08 3LZ Z06 and traded it for a 15 C7 3LZ Z06/Z07 in 2015. The C7 is just so much more car than either the C5s or C6 there really isn't much of a comparison.

There is nothing wrong with the leather dash on my C7. However, it sits in the garage most of the time although when at the track it sits in the sun all day long.

As for the headlights fogging, I haven't seen that as a problem but due to all of the track time I have on the car the headlights did get sandblasted as did the windshield.

Things to look out for when shopping for a C7:
Seat Fit-Make sure your butt and the butt of your significant other fits in the seat. Both the GT and Competition Seats have high side bolsters on the seat bottom. If your butt doesn't fit between them you may have an uncomfortable ride. Some people dislike the side bolsters on the seatback of Competition Seat since they come higher on the torso Vs the GT seat side bolsters. The only real difference between the two seats is in the seat foam and skins. They both use the exact same frame so it is possible to convert one to the other.

Seat Travel. A fair number of taller people have issues with the lack of rearward seat travel. If taller make sure you can live with less seat travel.

Road Rash- Like C5s and C6s C7s get road rash in all of the same places. However, stickier tires on some versions may produce more rash on the side, lower door, and front edge of the rear quarter panels.

Other than those things I don't really see any other factors that would be any different than any other run of the mill used car.

Let me provide my opinion on the C7. At the time they were being built they were the Best Vette Yet. The Z06/Z07 was advertised as the most track-capable Corvette built yet and I agree with that. Out of the 15K miles on my car I have at least 5K track miles. It has been a terrific handling, rip snorting, fast, basically trouble-free car through the 5 years I have owned it. It has never overheated and it is a blast to drive. I did have an issue with intermittent power loss on track but that was resolved once we found all of the air had to be removed from the intercooler. I have set my personal best lap times ever when driving this car and I love driving it on long highway trips although I could do with somewhat less tire noise but that has been true of the C5s and the C6 as well. I never noticed tire noise on my two C3s or the C4 although the first C3 had side pipes so I couldn't hear the radio when it was turned all the way up.

Bill