C7 Purchasing Advice
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 22
Likes: 28
From: South Arkansas
C7 Purchasing Advice
Good evening, been lurking around the site for quite some time, decided it was time to transition to the light. I'm fairly certain this dead horse has been beaten to death, but....Not an owner(never have been} and I've located a 2017 Z51 black rose 2LT coupe with the microsuede Kalahari interior, auto, mag ride, roughly 50K miles. No accidents, no recalls, haven't received the service records yet. I've only seen photos and had a few exchanges with the current owner. Been looking for this combo for months - and this one pops up in state. Had planned on making the 4 hour drive this weekend to inspect - but the weather has other ideas. When I do make it, assuming it hasn't sold, what should I be looking for/at and what questions to pose to the owner? I keep hearing torque tubes, harmonic balancer, etc., I may be a gearhead but not a wrench. Any advice would be appreciated.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 32
From: Tucson AZ
If you have never driven one, then I would try to find something locally to get a baseline. Maybe a few. The car should feel solid and without hesitation. Not a lot you can "look" at on these cars without it up off the ground and wheels off. You can open the hood and listen for strange sounds, look for leaks, belt running straight.... yada. Is the body straight, gaps right, misalignments or paint variations. You might consider arranging an inspection as part of your visit. I like to buy used as stock as possible. One man's mods are another's problem, IMO. If modified, what and why? Who did the mods? If the owner did it, does the garage look like a "capable" place? Who did regular maintenance? OEM recommended fluids used? Good luck with your purchase!
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Take a test ride & make sure that the transmission doesn't have the dreaded shudder, some of the A8 transmissions had this issue until the 2019 model year
I Love My C7
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if it kind of fell in your lap it has probably already been decided that it is yours...seems like that happened to a lot of us.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
If you have never driven one, then I would try to find something locally to get a baseline. Maybe a few. The car should feel solid and without hesitation. Not a lot you can "look" at on these cars without it up off the ground and wheels off. You can open the hood and listen for strange sounds, look for leaks, belt running straight.... yada. Is the body straight, gaps right, misalignments or paint variations. You might consider arranging an inspection as part of your visit. I like to buy used as stock as possible. One man's mods are another's problem, IMO. If modified, what and why? Who did the mods? If the owner did it, does the garage look like a "capable" place? Who did regular maintenance? OEM recommended fluids used? Good luck with your purchase!
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Just get it inspected at the local chevy dealer. And make SURE the triple flush has been done on the transmission. Torque tube bearings, transmission shutter, oil leaks, etc. A good inspection is worth its weight in gold.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,220
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
In addition to what others have said, I look at how long the seller has owned it. Short time period might indicate an issue, but not always. I'd definitely get a CarFax - not a be all end all, but usually a good guide for anything major. Receipts are always good and if owner does his own oil changes and other maintenance, they won't show on a CarFax but he/she should keep those receipts. I keep EVERYTHING to document service intervals and what products were used. It's also nice to get both key fobs as a replacement is not cheap and requires new fob programming.
I'd make sure there are no strange rattling sounds when you shut the car off or any light knocking sounds from underneath when it's running (potential torque tube symptoms).
I'd ask about and look for mods as well - headers, intake, exhaust (cat deletes can cause emissions challenges), ECM tunes, lighting (funky wiring).
You can google the VIN and see if anything pops up either from a previous seller, dealer, or auction house.
None of this advice will guarantee a problem free car - sometimes you gotta take the jump and enjoy. I have zero regrets after purchasing my 48K mile, 3 owner car. After owning it for four years there are still very few cars I would trade it for. And the ones I would are not in my budget anyway...
I'd make sure there are no strange rattling sounds when you shut the car off or any light knocking sounds from underneath when it's running (potential torque tube symptoms).
I'd ask about and look for mods as well - headers, intake, exhaust (cat deletes can cause emissions challenges), ECM tunes, lighting (funky wiring).
You can google the VIN and see if anything pops up either from a previous seller, dealer, or auction house.
None of this advice will guarantee a problem free car - sometimes you gotta take the jump and enjoy. I have zero regrets after purchasing my 48K mile, 3 owner car. After owning it for four years there are still very few cars I would trade it for. And the ones I would are not in my budget anyway...
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: North Texas
Seconding the quest to establish whether the "triple flush" has been done. Even if the shudder hasn't been felt, IMHO, the fluid should be changed out to avoid A8 clutch wear. You might also establish whether the Magnetic Ride Control update has been done, if applicable (FE4 package).
Last edited by TxLefty; Jan 30, 2026 at 01:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 22
Likes: 28
From: South Arkansas
I appreciate all of your suggestions and input. Had scheduled a weekend trip to evaluate the black rose C7, and the guy sold it on the Friday before. Probably for the best, I think I would prefer buying from a dealer where I at least have some recourse if things go south. I have to be in Houston the latter part of this week, and am tentatively scheduling a stop by Corvette World just to see various models in one place. I bought a 2016 MB SL400 for my bride last year that she really enjoys, and now would like to at least sit in a C8 HTC.
I Love My C7
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I appreciate all of your suggestions and input. Had scheduled a weekend trip to evaluate the black rose C7, and the guy sold it on the Friday before. Probably for the best, I think I would prefer buying from a dealer where I at least have some recourse if things go south. I have to be in Houston the latter part of this week, and am tentatively scheduling a stop by Corvette World just to see various models in one place. I bought a 2016 MB SL400 for my bride last year that she really enjoys, and now would like to at least sit in a C8 HTC.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,510
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If you live near a CarMax, see if they have a C7. Test drive it. There will not be any pressure to buy it. I paid $100 to have a C7 shipped to my local CarMax. I test drove it and the thing felt loose in the suspension. I figured the previous owner had driven the hell out of that car. The Stingray had a foul smelling odor, much like a dog. The passenger seat belt was chewed or torn half way through. Definitely not CarMax standards. I bought an immaculate Stingray from CarMax and it had only 1,000 miles. Still smelled new.
Check out these threads:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-s-guide.html
That one above is a few years old but still good advice.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-look-for.html
One more:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ime-buyer.html
Check out these threads:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-s-guide.html
That one above is a few years old but still good advice.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-look-for.html
One more:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ime-buyer.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 756
I Love My C7
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 5,373
From: Go Bucks!…
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
also. The high tech and maintenance is what holds me back...sounds like a lot of work. I am a good hour from any dealership. Don't want that commitment...want to be able to do basic stuff here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 756
LOL- I thought it was very comfortable. I could see out pretty good. Hubs said the passenger area felt smaller than the C7...felt like a Toyota to me though. I can't afford the high dollar ones that have great sounds and all the extras. soooo
also. The high tech and maintenance is what holds me back...sounds like a lot of work. I am a good hour from any dealership. Don't want that commitment...want to be able to do basic stuff here.
also. The high tech and maintenance is what holds me back...sounds like a lot of work. I am a good hour from any dealership. Don't want that commitment...want to be able to do basic stuff here.
