Sorry if I posted in the wrong place.



I’ve been reading up as much as possible on C7’s and their known issues. I’ve located a 2017 Stingray LT2 with just under 18,000 miles. It’s a 3 owner car and the Carfax says it had a transmission flush at 14,700 miles. Around 8 months later is sold to owner #3. The car fax says there is a mileage inconsistency noted with the 3rd owner sale. The 3rd owner put about 3000 miles before selling it. The current dealer did an oil/filter change, inspection, and replaced 4 tires.

It seems to me this one had the A8 shutter/shimmy issue thus the fluid change. The change was performed at a different GM dealership. Carfax does not indicate if it was the triple flush. This car is located over 300 miles from me. I’ve been emailing the dealer today but am waiting until this evening when I can call and talk about shimmy, transmission flush, and/or AFM issue. I’m not rich but not poor either, affording this car isn’t a problem however buying and then having to replace the top end of the engine or transmission and torque converter replacement would probably be the end of my marriage! My wife is 100% in on this but she completely trusts me to do my homework and buy with confidence.

My question is, based on the experience of current C7 owners, should I rule this one out or make the 6 hour, one way trip and test drive? IF I test drive, is there a certain driving style or amount of time needed to feel the shimmy or will it be noticeable as soon as I hit some open road? Should I go ahead and purchase the AFM delete module and if I feel the shimmy, stop, pop it in, and see what happens?

Let me know what you think…

 

I don't have a A8 so others will be a better resource for you about the shudder but anytime I'm purchasing a car I have a 3rd party perform a PrePurchase inspection. There are mobile companies that will perform this at the dealer or if they're serious about the sale they can have one of their team drop it off (if within proximity to their dealership). If reputable (read reviews and ask for an example of one of their reports and a outline of what they inspect) - this will be a major time saver for you. If this report checks out, then make the drive. My 2c.

 

We had the trans shimmy in our 2016 at about 13K. Had the triple flush, and have had no further issues with the trans (up to 39K miles now).

Based on that experience, we suggest that if you can verify the triple flush was done, you can reasonably expect no trans shutter in the 2017 you are considering. We know of nothing to suggest the potential for engine/trans failure in a properly maintained 2017. Others more knowledgable will likely be along to add more insight.

Good luck in your search/decision.

We trudge on.

 

I have a 2015 3LT Z51 and just changed the fluid in the A8, I had no shudder, so just did it to prevent issues, so maybe that car had no issues either. I'd be more concerned with the mileage discrepency you mentioned. Oh, my car now has 6001 Miles on it now.

 

Carfax said it might be a typo. The mileage listed matches the mileage on the odometer. I've never encountered this before so im not really sure what to look for?

 

Just got off the phone with the dealer and was told they cannot get any information on the pervious history due to some confidentiality issue. Ive never heard of this before. Wouldn't the dealership that performed the flush still have the service report and since that owner sold the car whats to keep confidential?

I asked if I can do an extended test drive of around 50 miles. I asked the salesman if I could do and extend test drive of around fifty miles. At first, he didn't know what to say, but finally, said didn't think ownership, we'll go for that, but he would ask. What exactly am I looking for and when should I expect to feel it? I've been searching for videos that show, describe this issue but haven't found any yet.

Thanks for the advice/help, much appreciated.

 

Something just doesn't "sit well" with me on this one. Personally, I'd move on and keep on looking. There are a LOT of C7's on the market. It may also help to fill out some profile information, where are you, etc....

 

I would think that the dealer could disclose if the triple flush was performed without mentioning the previous owner by name. Perhaps best to move on.

 

Yes sir, my thoughts exactly. I'm going to call the dealer that performed the flush and see if I get anywhere.

 

A GMVIS report would list the trans flush if it was done by a GM dealership along with any other service provided by them, a Carfax also helps to see some of the car's history. I would spend the time & physically inspect & drive the car myself to determine if it's a wise buy or not

 

The carfax indicates a trans trans flush but does not elaborate on if it was the triple flush.

 

Walk away!! Lots of C7's out there.

 

FYI, I was able to get the service department of the dealer who did the flush to verify it was performed underTSB#18NA355.

Don't you just love sales people.....

 

That TSB number is correct for the triple flush procedure. IF you do decide to test drive this Corvette you want to watch for what feels like running over a slightly "washboard" road. You will feel this in the steering wheel. You will experience this feeling when cruising at a constant speed under a light load. The shudder will happen when AFM is activated - switching from V8 to V4 or back again to V8.
Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the info. If we can agree on pricing then I'm going to make the trip and if it presents and drives as described then I'm a buyer. If not, we will have a plan B and go have some fun!

 

OP - You confirmed that the Triple-Flush was accomplished at 14K miles (TSB-355), so you should not notice any shudder while driving. If this 17 Vette is what you want (Stingray or Grand Sport, the options and color you want), then go ahead and test drive it around town and on the road at 60+ mph to get a good feel for it. Since you are not that familiar with C7s yet, I agree that having a third party, or even a Chevy service dept, do a complete inspection is worth the cost. Keep in mind that you are looking at a 9-year old Vette, so, once you buy this one, or another, you should plan on doing a complete flush of all the fluids, check the alignment, and check the belt tensioner for leaks. No need to buy an AFM delete module prior to any test drive. Once you purchase your Vette, assuming with auto trans, then you can buy an AFM delete module so the engine will not go into 4-cylinder mode. Good luck and provided pics of whatever you finally buy.

 

In addition, check the age of the tires. If they are the original tires from `17 negotiate the cost of new tires into the purchasr price.

 

Its got new tires and they won't haggle on the price at all. It's a 2017 Stingray, LT2, just under 18,000 miles. Out the door price is 49,000 and something.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice.

 

I tried getting my dealer to provide new tires on my 17 as they were the originals as well. They didn't budge but I think I still got a pretty good deal on my 17 A8 with just under 17k miles at 43500.

 

If you do go to test drive it, if you can, get it on a flat highway and set the cruise control at a reasonable speed.... 55 or 60 mph for some miles. If it has tranny shudder, which it probably won't since it had the triple flush done, watch the tachometer. If the car is bouncing in and out of V4/V8 you will see a very small rhythmic "bounce" of the tachometer needle. Probably won't "feel it", but you can see it on the tachometer - it is only a very small bounce or "tick" of the tachometer needle. AFM defeat (Range device) will stop that.
Also, the triple flush with the "new recommended tranny fluid" didn't show up in the marketplace until around mid/late 2019, so that could possibly explain why it had miles/time on it before it was done. My 2016 had around 14,000 mile on it when I bought it in 2023 and it had no shudder, I had the fluid changed per the TSB, so if you look at the Carfax on my car, it shows a "tranny service" at a local Chevrolet dealership in late 2023 at 14,XXX miles and there was no problem whatsoever with the car or tranny - it shows that because I had the triple flush done because I wanted it done. As others have said, it is due for coolant change, diff fluid change and probably brake fluid change, if it has not already had those services completed.