I’m currently trying to figure out what to get between a C6 or C7 with a budget being I want to spend no more than ~40K (maybe 45-50K if it’s a great deal) but I think I’d be more than happy with something around 25-30K if it’s the right car/ deal and want to see what the best options are.

First off, what type of reliability differences can I expect between the two? I’ve heard the C6 from 2008 and newer are practically bulletproof but it seems the C7 has had some reliability history issues and I want my car to be as issue free as possible and easy to work on in my garage. What are the general thoughts on these? I’m not the most familiar with what changes they make in these cars so any general tips like avoid automatic in X year or avoid Y year altogether would help

How differently do the generations handle/ feel to drive? I would imagine the C7 is faster but how much faster does it feel?

This is a question for both generations but how much better is a manual than automatic in terms of fun/ speed and acceleration?

I don’t have any other specific questions but I’m also looking for general recommendations on trims/ features to get, model years to avoid etc. Thank you!

 

My thoughts, coming from a 2000-C5, 2008-C6, 2012-C6, and now a 2017-C7: ( only one at a time )

Your budget pushes you towards a good, low mileage, C6. I recommend the C6 Grand Sport.
That said, you will want a C7 someday, or maybe jump up to the C8.
C6's are the best mechanically. The C6's lack a nice interior.
Good luck finding your miles and smiles. There are still 1-owner C6's out there.

 

Generally the newer the car the more cost of repair. Simply because all the new safety features and other electronics, it all cost more.

 

I had bought my 2007 C6 new and in my 12 years of ownership spent less than a thousand on repairs (not maintenance).

I have had my C7 for just under four years now and it has been repair free and from what I read they are quite reliable too.

I would recommend you find the newest and lowest mileage car in your budget. Definitely have your own mechanic give it a once over prior to purchase.

 

If you decide on a C7:
- The '14 had a 6-speed automatic. The others had the 8-speeds. They had issues, seemingly fixed wtih a 'triple flush'.
- I've not heard of any issues with the M7, but clutches are expensive.
- 3LT has issues with the dash material bubbling.
- Z51 had issues with wheels cracking.
- Center dash screens going blank seems to be the main electrical problem. Dunno if this is related to specific years.
- Alternator belt tensioner can leak and fail, I think chevy had a TSB on this. Not difficult to replace.
- Shocks are wear items; Magnaride shocks are expensive to replace.

What I took away from my research:
- If you're looking for an automatic. go >= 2017
- If you're looking a manual, 2014 seems to be the most reliable, but I think we're spliting hairs here.
- non-Z51 will have lowest running costs (tires, brakes, oil)
- 1LT has less crap to go wrong but 2LT adds heated seats.

 

If you are most comfortable looking in the 25-30K range, I'm sure there are a lot of C6s' for you to choose from. They are quite good mechanically, but as others have said, the interior is a bit lacking. However, spending 25-30K on a sweet C6 would serve you well. It would be extremely difficult to find a great C7 for 25-30K.
Best of luck in your search.

 

Have owned 2 C6’s, one a 2011 GS convertible, the other a base 2008 coupe. Also have owned a 2016 Stingray. All were automatics with the 3LT trim, and all were purchased used with the intent of being mostly a highway cruiser. None were ever driven hard or saw any track use during my ownership. Comfort and looks were what most interested me. I think both versions have fantastic styling, but IMO, the best riding one was the C7. It also had many more desirable features wrt the infotainment system and safety cameras, etc. If the budget allows the C7 would be my choice.

As far as reliability, I don’t think one model year has any particular advantage over the other. Thankfully, most of the problems have solutions, but a few can be quite costly. C6’s have issues with the engine’s harmonic balancer, fuel smell due to problems associated with the fuel tanks, shift levers getting locked in the park position, bubbling leather on the 3LT dashboards, (also a problem on the C7), and the dreaded shudder of the A8 transmission on the 2015-19 model year C7. One of my C6’s had the shifter problem locking up in Park, and the C7 had some suspect transmission issues. Hard initial shift out of reverse into drive, and a fluctuating tach during steady state cruising on the interstate as the engine cycled between 4 and 8 cylinders. Driving in the manual (ie paddle shift mode) and using the Range device eliminated that problem. Now, a flush and switch to a reformulated transmission fluid appears to have fixed those issues. But I always feared I was driving a ticking time bomb.

I’m currently Vetteless, but on the prowl for another. I’m focused on finding a 2014 C7 coupe with the tried and true A6 transmission and the 2LT trim which features a vinyl dashboard. Another option may be a pristine low mileage late model C5. Still comfortable (with plenty of performance for this geezer) and attractive styling. Have owned 3 of them in years past and all were totally problem free. Just concerned that some parts (if needed) may be getting hard to find. Enjoy your search and good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

Based on your budget I would go for a C6 M6 GS.

 

Others have answered most of your questions...I went from a C5 to a C7, so can't comment on the C6. I bought the C5 at age 6 and drove it for 15 years with few issues. I've only had the C7 M7 which I bought brand new for 3.5 years...but not a single issue yet.

Your question about the fun factor of a manual...to me there's no comparison...I won't buy a sports car without a clutch pedal...nor as long as I'm able to, family vehicles without one...our 2 SUV's are manual also. If you've driven a manual before and enjoyed it, you will likely miss having one. I went auto once with a sports car years ago and regretted it not long after.

Good luck!

 

My C7 Z06 has had fewer issues than my C6 Z06 had. It has had no problems with door control modules, the engine hasn't blown and required replacement and the water pump is still the original. As far as I know, C7 reliability is far above C6 reliability.

Besides the C7 looks much better than the C6.

Bill

 

Good luck finding a C7 for under 50k. You might need to spend a bit more. C6 GSs are going for 40s.

 

m6?

 

The newest C6 is already a 10 year old car. Get as new of a car as you can afford. The C7s will still be easily maintainable until 2040 the C6s are already reaching the point where parts issues become more of a problem. Remember OEMs usually support vehicles for about 10 years after they go out of production. After the 10-year period, popular parts are carried but unpopular ones are forgotten. The issue you have with Corvettes is the volume numbers are so small that Corvette-only parts become very hard to find even before the cars are 10 years old. It has been impossible to find ABS modules for the 97-early 98 cars since they were 5 years old. The ABS module for the late 98 through 2000 cars has been impossible to find since those cars reached 5 years of age. I imagine there are C6 parts that have reached the unobtainium stage. Aftermarket copies of electronics are very hard to find on high volume cars let alone low volume cars where the number of cars doesn't justify the expense of developing a module because the vendor can never break even let alone make a profit.

Bill

 

With a budget of $25-30K, the only C7 that you will probably find will have a lot of miles on it but a decent C6 could be had if an early model or one with moderate miles on it. The higher range budget you mention should be able to get you a decent C7 and a really nice C6.

AnotherNorskie has given you some good info on the C7, but I have not heard of many Z51 equipped cars having problems with the wheels cracking/bending - that was moe the GS/Z06 wheels with that issue. And whle the A8 transmission in the newer cars had some advantages, I would not discount the A6 that was available in the 2014 - it has been pretty much bullet-proof.

Whether it be a C6 or a C7, either can be a good choice, just be sure to test drive samples of each to see which one suits your style (including the various models of each generation) and once a car peaks your interest, have it thoroughly checked out by a good tech,

 

I had a 2006 3LT Roadster, Magnetic Ride and a 2016 3LT Roadster Magnetic Ride, and there is a world of difference. Make yourself happy, pay a few extra bucks and get the C7, you will not regret it.

 

Well, that statement is certainly up for debate

 

Many good comments from the group on this issue. It seems everyone has an opinion based on their personal experience and that's expected...I'm no different. I've owned a 2003 C5, 2008 C6, and now a 2019 GS. No repair cost required on any of them. My costs came from aftermarket installs (splitters, side skirts, spoilers, wheels, etc). When I owned the C5 I lusted for a C6. When I had the C6 I lusted for the C7. I'm completely satisfied with the C7 and know I'll have it for a long time. The C8 does not appeal to me. So the bottom line is get the most/recent car you can afford that will make you happy. You can't go wrong with the C6 or C7.

 

I previously had a 2008 C6 and now own a 2014 C7. The biggest differences for me was the updated appearance of the exterior and interior. The C7 has, in my opinion, a much for tighter and soled ride. The transparent top on my C6 would often have a creeking sound, which my C7 never has. As for overall reliability, I haven't found any differences.

 

I've had a C2 (when I was a youngster, far from that now), an '05 C6 and a '17 C7 GS.

My take on the C6: First week I had it the transmission shift cable failed and cost me $600 to fix. That's the only money I spent to repair, and I later learned it could have been repaired exponentially cheaper by replacing the "grommets" on the cable. After that, it was just a bunch of ongoing issues: The A4 shift wouldn't come out of park (issue with the safety interlocks) and occasional codes popping up and going away sometimes by itself, sometimes I'd clear it. I got rid of the car when I started getting a code about a computer failure that would come up once or twice a month. I don't remember which computer it was, but I found a computer, but I went dead stop when I found that it was located under the front fender. It was an incredibly comfortable car and I loved it dearly. My final take was that with that car was that I needed to be able to do all the work myself, or be able to pay a mechanic to do so. I didn't have the motivation to do either. One important caveat to note. The '05 model year was known to be prone to electrical gremlins. I didn't do enough research when I purchased it. The state of the user electronics was really rudimentary. My kids used to complain when looking at the radio was that and early Pac Man game was about to break out. I replaced the head unit and added a backup camera.

My take on the C7: This is that car that I thought a Corvette should be. Less "plasticy" that the C6. The interior, to me, feels somewhat smaller, but I love it and find it significantly more comfortable. The infotainment center is light years ahead of the C6. I have had no problems with the A8. The wheels are a different matter. Hit an unseen pot hole kind of hard and ruined 2 wheels. This is really my only disappointment with this car. GM should be ashamed to have put out an expensive sports car with wheels made of glass. I love this car, it is the perfect car for me. I wouldn't go back to the C6 for anything.

No two cars are the same, and no two people are the same. I highly recommend you drive both as much as you can before you decide which one you want.

Good luck with the decision.

 

Be honest, did you buy it or did Mom & Dad buy it? And how did you see over the dash?