Hello Vette Lovers,

I'm almost 80 ( and still working 4 half days), have have Vettes since 1979, and presently have a 2008 2LT with 42k miles....and just want ONE MORE--lol

I was close to buying a 2014 with 48k miles (and all equipment I wanted), but a few guys on another forum, said, "Don't buy a 2014. The 15 has a better transmission, and 14s have had engine fires and other significant problems."

Thought it best to come to you Gurus, and ask, if these things reported were 1 in 100,000 problem or more frequent. At this point, can't make an expensive mistake.

Thanks Guys,

 

First, who ever you were talking to are idiots.

The 14 is probably one of the better C7s. It has the A6 as opposed to the A8 which had issues up to and including the early 19's.
Um, no fires, not much ever mentioned about transmission issues. The 15s had the PDR and a front camera IF you got the options. The 14s did NOT have PDR and a front camera (Aftermarket fixes for those items).

If the 14 you see has what you want, I'd recommend that you get it. I have a 14 and 37K on the clock and no major issues have plagued my car.

Elmer

 

I've never heard of the engine fire issue. As far as the transmission, the 6-gear version that came on the early 14's is regarded as a very good transmission. The A8 found in the later 14's and up came with inferior transmission fluid that allowed moisture to build which in turn caused slippage (shudder) at the torque converter. The proper fluid was finally installed in the late '19 C7s. There was a service bulletin covering this issue. It prescribed a "triple flush" with the updated transmission fluid and was free of charge under warranty. Otherwise, it is around an $800 event. Outside of that, the A8 is a reliable unit. The other common issue is in the 3LT models with the leather interior. The leather dash tends to shrink at the defroster vent and bubble up on the flat surfaces. This is a VERY costly repair, upwards of $3K and not covered under the GM Extended Protection Plan (GMEPP). The 1LT and 2LT packages are simulated leather and have no shrinkage issues that I'm aware of. These are the common problems that I'm aware of and have personally experienced. There may be others but these are the only ones that, to my knowledge, occur on a frequent basis. I would advise you to do two things:
1.Have someone that is familiar with '14 C7s assist you with your walk around.
2. Purchase a GMEPP.
I've attached a copy of the TSB (technical service bulletin) for you;

 

The only common problem I'm aware of on the 2014s is the buggy cooling fan controller. Sometimes after you've been driving at a steady speed on the highway, on cruise control for instance, the fan won't come on when you come to a stop. This is easily fixed by replacing it with a newer fan, or upgrading to the Z06 fan. Or you can just shut the car off for 30 seconds and start it up again. I don't know if it was ever determined which specific trim levels it affected, or if it was all of them. I just sold a 2014 Z51 with a 7 speed and it happened to me one time. So I swapped the fan with the Z06 fan and it never happened again.

The only other problem I had with the car was a pinhole leak in the radiator. I don't think that was a specific 2014 problem or even a Corvette problem for that matter. I think it was just a manufacturing flaw. It leaked like a silver dollar sized blob of coolant. I figured out what was happening and swapped it out on a Sunday.

No other problems in just over 4 years and 15,000 miles.

 

Thanks so much to Elmer, Az, and Jeff.

I really appreciate the clues. Am hoping a 2014 in Florida may work out. Guessing the nay sayers, get their years and problems mixed up. Would sure hate to go through the triple flush thing.

Thanks and take care, Grant

 

What Elmer said.

 

Nothing wrong with the 2014, however, newer models have more features. 2015 got the PDR and the Z06, 2016 got the front camera and the hatch/trunk pull-down (so you don't have to slam them closed) plus Apple Car Play and the Google version of the same thing, 2017 saw improved cooling for the Z06 and the introduction of the GS, 2018 had the Instrument Panel updated, 2019 saw the A8 Z06 models get a thicker radiator. Night Race Blue color was removed as an option in mid 2016 model year. Etc, etc.

Bill