Hi all: New to this side. Currently a 2002 with 34XXX miles C5 Vert owner but thinking about upgrading to a C7 Coup. Anything I that I should look for, avoid, or go for, or run from. I'm asking for advice, problems, good years-bad years, etc. All comments, opinions, criticism, etc. welcome. Thanks for the answers in advance from a knowledgeable group.

 

What options are you looking for? 2016 and up have nice features not included on the 14-15 cars. All years are great corvettes. Are you going M7 or A8? Give us some details about what you are looking for?

 

Traded my 02 vert for 14 coupe and just traded that for a 19 vert because of the high level of noise from the back. Just had a thread on this same subject. There are differences between 14 to 19 in features like dash delamination on 3lt trim and shudder on A8 trans. (8 speed) but there are lots of threads just start reading. Good luck and check back with questions, we're here to help.

 

My neighbor went from a C5 to a C7and lost cabin room meaning there's more room in the C5 vs. the C7. He gas long legs and bad knees so it makes entering and exiting at times a bit of a challenge. Other than that the C7 is a far superior car.

 

There are issues with 2014 infotainment screens flickering or going out completely. I’m still having issues with mine.

 

Really open to almost all options but looking for a mostly stock, automatic or manual doesn’t really matter. Heard about the automatic problem. Also read that 2014 is the “best” year? Followed by 2019? IDK.

 

Any individual car can have problems (lemon law comes to mind). My 14 info screen went out once. Buy a manual 1 lt for most carefree ownership.

 

The auto trans for 2014 is 6-speed. 2015-2019 have 8-speed (A8).

The A8, particularly the earlier years before a 2019 fluid upgrade, had some problems called 'shuddering' or 'shuttering', remedied by what's called a 'triple flush', done according to a Chevy Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). Cost at GM dealers for that is around $600 to $800.

2016 and up add forward-facing cameras for great help with parking, Apple Carplay for the infotainment screen, and a soft-close pull-down for the rear hatch (if coupe).

The performance exhaust option code for all years is NPP (doesn't stand for anything, it's just the option code). This allows controlling (through a number of means) exhaust tone, plus, it adds 5HP to the LT1 engine, resulting in 460HP. NPP is a neat option; it's included as part of the Z51 package.

Grand Sport (GS) and Z06 models are the 'wide-body' cars, with slightly wider quarter panels and fender extensions to accommodate wider wheels. The have been numerous threads and reports of cracking issues with the wider wheels. Not all crack. The best long-term cure seems to be forged aftermarket ($) wheels.

There are three trim levels: 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. View these videos for descriptions of the differences -

The 3LT interior has many reports of the leather delaminating from the dashboard. The proper repair seems to cost around $3000.

Z06 models and cars with the Z51 performance package have a dry sump, larger capacity oil pan and oiling system, which has 2 drain plugs, and has seemed to baffle some dealers and/or oil change franchises that aren't aware of special requirements for checking and changing the oil. Do-it-yourself is best in this case, if possible.

Z06 models have 650 supercharged horsepower. ZR1 models (not too many of them, and only in model year 2019) have 755 supercharged horses, and most likely, a surprising price.

2018 was the lowest production year of the C7.

The infotainment screens have a history of getting 'stuck' in the up or down position. It's not that they're physically stuck, it's the internal wiring that operates the up-down chafes and/or cracks, freezing the screen in place. Repair cost around $1200 give or take.

I don't know any issues related to convertibles or manual trans cars.

OEM brake pads are very dusty, and will blacken wheels pretty quick. I, and a number of others, have switched and had great results with low-dust PowerStop Z26 pads. And if you DIY, C7 brake pads are probably the easiest to change you'll ever run into.

If the car doesn't have mud guards, add some. I like the GM accessory ones. They only stick out about 1", but add great protection.

The drive belt tensioners are known to leak/fail. A relatively easy, inexpensive part you can DIY.

If you buy one, order the build sheet and window sticker from the National Corvette Museum. Great to have! https://corvettestore.com/corvette-b...sticker-combo/

OEM tires may be 'summer only', not all-season. All-seasons are best for me, and others, for a number of reasons.

You'll need lifting pucks, but you probably already have them.

After a purchase (which should come after a pre-delivery inspection), strongly suggest get all vehicle fluids flushed.

I bought our 2015 Z51 from CarMax in December, 2021,with 12,000 miles, and bought their MaxCare extended warranty, which has already paid for itself. Suggest if you can that you buy an extended warranty.

So, while I've been typing all this, probably 15 other guys or gals have been typing the same thing! I'll hit 'Submit' so you can at least see what my thoughts are. I'll probably think of more later.

Best of luck!

 

Not too many problems overall. The automatics of all years can get a bit funny. Not sure if the "fix" fixes it. 3LT leather dashes of all years can separate, but if they haven't by now it is likely OK. Wheels on widebodys can crack or bend if you run over a dime at walking speed. 16 and later have a more modern infotainment system, the earlier ones may no longer be supported (that 3g retirement thing) and the 16+ get front cameras so you can watch as you tear off your front splitter on a parking block. As with any car, look for evidence of good regular maintenance. Stock is preferable to modified. And plan on just replacing the battery in anything you get as a preventative measure. Check the belt tensioner for leakage and replace accordingly. The clicking is the direct injection and/or a check valve that can be noisy but doesn't hurt anything. By now pretty much all of the C7's are due for coolant changes and total fluid changes so I'd budget accordingly.

 

WOW This is just what I was looking for from a C7 owner. Thank you so much, now I have some information to go on and can make a decision on the different types and models.

 

My pleasure! I'm glad to share what I've learned.

Unwritten rule here - if you buy, post pics!!

 

@C52002Vert , well, I said I'd probably think of more later, so NOW is LATER -

Great sticky threads at the start of the C7 General Discussion. Here are a couple -

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...cking-etc.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uncements.html

The one below, and all the 'Decoding VIN' threads are great. If you only know the VIN, you can identify year, model, trans type, trim level, Z06, Z51, GS, etc.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...16-c7-vin.html

My personal preference is for 2LT. It includes memory seats and steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats, a bit of extra interior trim, driver's sunvisor with buttons to control your garage door opener, and other items I can't recall just now. I myself would not want a 3LT for the dashboard issues, even though not all are affected, and likely never will be.

I should have added about the infotainment screen wiring failure that a more common symptom is the screen will stay up, but go dark. You can't see your audio controls, navigation screen (if equipped), settings controls, and more.

Regarding the tires, if the car has the original Michelin summer only run-flat tires, there will be a perfectly normal sound when making tight turns (forward or reverse) due to this:
https://www.mcgrathautoblog.com/auto...ette-stingray/

That Ackerman sound is perfectly normal. Make it go away by using all-season tires. I used Michelin AS/4 tires, run-flats. They give a much quieter ride than the summer-only, and no Ackerman noise.

 

How about a C7 Vert. 2014 A6 transmission has few if any problems.

 

C7 Fuel Pump issues.

Check at mychevrolet.com the extended special warranty for this issue.

To check if you Corvette is effected (meaning you will soon get ‘the letter’), or if would want to know right now whether your car will be part of this repair program, if you not already done so register your car at chevrolet.com, enter your VIN, and you will see if they added the 10yr/120K mile Special Coverage Program # 17469 to it. Or call Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center...


*C7 Corvette is covered up to 120,000 miles or up through December 15, 2024 (10 years);

*Chevrolet is calling this an extended service warranty;

* It covers the left side fuel tank and attendent parts, including the primary fuel pump, though is primarily for cracks on the top of the tank itself;

* Symptoms include: check engine light; smelling fuel vapor; and/or fuel leaks on the surface below the car.

 

👍👌

 

Good recap by Catfish4818.

I went from a series of C5s before I got my current C7. I really liked the C5s, but I can attest that the C7 is just a superior car - performance wise, comfort wise, build quality wise, etc. Not knowing your budget, the newer C7s have more options than the older ones, but they are all excellent cars. I suggest you study what was available on each model year in terms of standard equipment and options, then try and test drive an example of a number of model years and see what really fits your needs/desires.

Good luck in your search.

 

I recommend that you look for buy the latest model C7 you can afford with the options you want. While at Carlisle, Paul, the World-Class GM mechanic, when asked during his seminar, which year was the best year to buy, said, "Get the last year of any model as they will be the best and most sorted out of that series." For the C7, this means the 2019 model. I have had a 2004, a 2013, and now a 2019 and I support what Paul said. My 19 GS has 43K plus miles on it and the only issue has been cracked wheels (both rears at 39K miles). Good luck.

 

I have a 2014, 3LT and Z51 with the A6. I've never had any problems with it. You will find many posts about the A6 in the 2014 as problably the most trouble free tranny. Later years have a few more bells and whistles, but that doesn't bother me. I like mine and plan to keep it for many years to come

 

I did the triple flush because it was part of my "new to me" car routine. "It Flows, It Goes". I looked at all the features and decided that anything older than a 16 2LT would be a regret so that is what I went with. I didn't see much going north of a 16 so that was what I stuck with for year and 2LT with the features checked was what I needed. Front cameras, Android Auto, memory seats, etc.

 

The major consideration is that they're all used cars, plain and simple. So, find the lowest mileage with hopefully but one-owner who serviced it appropriately and kept meticulous records. There's nothing in particular wrong with any of the cars apart from crappola OEM wide-body wheels and some A8 issues. More than the car itself is how any particular one was treated and cared for. All the best.