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Problem? Or normal new-car issues??

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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 09:48 AM
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Default Problem? Or normal new-car issues??

There's been so much talk about the ECU issue - which for 90% of the drivers will never come into play. But what I'm concerned about are the three separate issues with cars breaking down in the first couple hundred miles???

Is this an issue indicative of a Z06 problem that the average owner is going to have to have fixed? Or is it just "normal" that a certain percentage of brand new cars have problems? Are the Stingrays seeing the same issues or is this exclusive to the Z06.

The problems I refer to are the following:
Guy gets a check engine light on his car possibly due to fuel pump issue.
Guy's car shuts off and leaves him stranded on the street needing a tow truck
Guy buys the car and after 7 miles has a problem and has to haul the car back to dealership.

I'm getting ready to spend nearly $100k on a car and THIS has me scared. I'm buying a convertible that will never see the track so the conservative tuning of a car over 130mph will never affect me. But being stuck on the side of the road with a broken $100K car scares the crap out of me. I'm about to take delivery in KY and drive the car 650 miles home!

Thoughts? And please don't mention heat soak, ecu or hot oil temps, that's been hashed to death and not what I'm curious about...
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 09:53 AM
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You will be fine...pick up your car, enjoy the experience at the plant, and have a nice safe drive home. Life is too short to worry about what-ifs......congrats on the Z!

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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 09:56 AM
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The sky is not falling.
When the C7 rolled out there were immediately a couple of cars that had a "service rear axle" message. Everybody thought the rear diffs in all C7's were going to explode and be prone to problems because of the e-diff.
When the C7 rolled out there were lots of people who couldn't access the PTM menu in "Tr"ack mode. A simple reset at the dealer resolved the issue, which was due to a low battery voltage condition during shipping.
When the C7 rolled out there were some cars that had early infotainment screen issue. GM replaced the screens in those cars and the problems seem to have largely abated.
There will be some cars that have more than one problem. Some cars that have none. In the end, anybody obsessing over having a problem-ridden car based on some anecdotal issues is probably overreacting.
S.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 09:56 AM
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Denise,
I took Museum Delivery this last Tuesday (9th) and spent a day in BG. Then drove another 500 miles home on Wednesday. Took another 100+ mile trip last night. The car has been great. We hear about the isolated cases of problems, but not the 1500 cars without a problem.
Don't worry........you will be fine. Can't wait to see the pics of that DSOM Convertible. You're going to love it.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by CB1953
You will be fine...pick up your car, enjoy the experience at the plant, and have a nice safe drive home. Life is too short to worry about what-ifs......congrats on the Z!

I'm hoping I'm just being a nervous nellie and am looking forward to getting the opinions of others here. I've owned over 50 cars, this will be my 3rd new car! The first one was trouble free for 6 years, the second was a new production model truck that ended up getting replaced by the manufacturer after multiple and dangerous breakdowns in the first 10,000 miles. This car is more money than I've ever spent on any one thing other than a house and I don't want a repeat of my last new-car experience (or should I say, in that case, a new truck). My Z is going down the assembly line today and I'm highly emotionally involved in this car at this point, not to mention I've already sold my C6 GS.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 09:59 AM
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I wouldn't extrapolate some of these early issues out of context. When the early C7 Stingrays were released, there were also a few who had issues and the early probs weren't an endemic effect across all C7's. I had an early VIN number Z51 coupe at first for about 8-months... not one prob. Then had mid/later build Z51 conv... again not one issue. And so far so good with my early VIN Z06.... basically those reports don't keep me up at night. I'll deal with/if anything arises.

So on that note I say don't be pessimistic, just enjoy it. The anticipation is part of the euphoria.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:01 AM
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Starting to feel better... :-)
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by dlparsons
Starting to feel better... :-)
Just wait until you get the car........feeling better is an understatement. You're gonna be walking on clouds.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by arcticblast
Just wait until you get the car........feeling better is an understatement. You're gonna be walking on clouds.
Amen to that!

I have been away on a biz trip from my Z since Monday... can't effin wait to drive it later today after I fly/arrive back home. With the C7, you'll surely discover new roads!
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:10 AM
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R-E-L-A-X You are going to be on such a high. Enjoy the most advanced piece of machinery GM has produced. "Be Happy, Don't Worry". You will be fine your dream car will be fine and enjoy. Pics please!!!!
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:24 AM
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D, relax and enjoy your new Vette. Just think how many Z's and Stingrays have been built with no problems. All you read here is the complaints, but there are a lot of good things said too. I am looking forward to pics of your DSOM vert. As I said before, it's almost exactly what I have ordered and am stuck at 3300. I am so jealous, I could scream and I could care less about what might happen based on what is said on a Forum.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by dlparsons
I'm getting ready to spend nearly $100k on a car and THIS has me scared. I'm buying a convertible that will never see the track so the conservative tuning of a car over 130mph will never affect me. But being stuck on the side of the road with a broken $100K car scares the crap out of me. I'm about to take delivery in KY and drive the car 650 miles home!

Thoughts? And please don't mention heat soak, ecu or hot oil temps, that's been hashed to death and not what I'm curious about...

I'd suggest...

Don't panic, be objective, and list your pros and cons for spending $100k on a car/any car...a material good that is a depreciating asset with the primary purpose to provide ________ (fill in the blank/s).

I'll start the list for you.

- I have $100k to spend on a vehicle. I am completely comfortable spending $100k on a depreciating asset.
- Incurring this expense will not compromise any relational or financial obligations (present or future) I have.

Continue your list and objectify the reasons you made the purchase in the first place...to "take delivery in KY and drive the car 650 miles home!"


And keep in mind that if you take delivery of the car and don't enjoy it for all the reasons you bought it, you can sell it!
As a depreciating asset, you won't get all your money back but you've already thought that through.

There will be plenty of people who would love to buy a convertible Z06.

But, subjectively, I bet you will be a very proud owner!!

ENJOY the fruits of your labour!!!



Last edited by Vernon; Dec 13, 2014 at 10:35 AM.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:27 AM
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Me thinks I need to stop reading all the negative press! BTW, one of my fellow club members just cancelled his order today because of all the ECU talk. In his defense, he is an active track competitor so he needs to make the decision that is best for how he enjoys using his Corvette.

On a positive note, I am hoping Shane will shoot me some teaser assembly line photos today or Monday!
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by dlparsons
There's been so much talk about the ECU issue - which for 90% of the drivers will never come into play. But what I'm concerned about are the three separate issues with cars breaking down in the first couple hundred miles???

Is this an issue indicative of a Z06 problem that the average owner is going to have to have fixed? Or is it just "normal" that a certain percentage of brand new cars have problems? Are the Stingrays seeing the same issues or is this exclusive to the Z06.

The problems I refer to are the following:
Guy gets a check engine light on his car possibly due to fuel pump issue.
Guy's car shuts off and leaves him stranded on the street needing a tow truck
Guy buys the car and after 7 miles has a problem and has to haul the car back to dealership.

I'm getting ready to spend nearly $100k on a car and THIS has me scared. I'm buying a convertible that will never see the track so the conservative tuning of a car over 130mph will never affect me. But being stuck on the side of the road with a broken $100K car scares the crap out of me. I'm about to take delivery in KY and drive the car 650 miles home!

Thoughts? And please don't mention heat soak, ecu or hot oil temps, that's been hashed to death and not what I'm curious about...
Good Post! These issues are not scaring me away, but I am anxiously looking at each forum post to see the final outcome! Would love to see people stay on topic in these posts, stop theorizing when we don't know better, and stop beating that poor old dead horse!
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Snorman
The sky is not falling.
When the C7 rolled out there were immediately a couple of cars that had a "service rear axle" message. Everybody thought the rear diffs in all C7's were going to explode and be prone to problems because of the e-diff.
When the C7 rolled out there were lots of people who couldn't access the PTM menu in "Tr"ack mode. A simple reset at the dealer resolved the issue, which was due to a low battery voltage condition during shipping.
When the C7 rolled out there were some cars that had early infotainment screen issue. GM replaced the screens in those cars and the problems seem to have largely abated.
There will be some cars that have more than one problem. Some cars that have none. In the end, anybody obsessing over having a problem-ridden car based on some anecdotal issues is probably overreacting.
S.
Agree with Snorman! Local guy picked up his C7 Stingray and had oil leakage his garage floor the next day. Dealer he purchased from could not diagnose the problem over several visits. He went to the Lemon Law folks and he was able to return the car for full price. Turned out to be an overfill issue from the dealer and the car was perfectly fine! Look up Oil Leak on the C7 forums, there are pictures, etc.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Snorman
The sky is not falling.
When the C7 rolled out there were immediately a couple of cars that had a "service rear axle" message. Everybody thought the rear diffs in all C7's were going to explode and be prone to problems because of the e-diff.
When the C7 rolled out there were lots of people who couldn't access the PTM menu in "Tr"ack mode. A simple reset at the dealer resolved the issue, which was due to a low battery voltage condition during shipping.
When the C7 rolled out there were some cars that had early infotainment screen issue. GM replaced the screens in those cars and the problems seem to have largely abated.
There will be some cars that have more than one problem. Some cars that have none. In the end, anybody obsessing over having a problem-ridden car based on some anecdotal issues is probably overreacting.
S.
Yep. No different than when the C5 and the C6 rolled out. There are going to be some problems on some cars, but most of the time the problems are identified and corrective actions are made.

But, I also remember when my one week old new C5, back in 1997, went into limp home mode, and I only had 3rd and reverse. I was not happy about it, and it did take some of the excitement out of my ownership of my new Corvette. Ten days before I got the car back along with a no extra charge busted right front fender.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 11:09 AM
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Denise,

I've already paid for our new z and haven't picked it up yet. We delayed our museum delivery until dec 22, so my 9 yr old son wi be out on Christmas break and can go with us. Seeing these negative comments was a little alarming at first, but then you gotta realize some may not be vette folks anyway so nothing they say will be positive. My car won't be tracked either (as there's not one close and I am typically too busy to travel that far), and as far as the occasional street challenge, well I've never been beaten in my BASE c6 with mild mods so really don't see any issues here.

As a side note: I purchased a brand new silverado truck from our local dealer a few years ago. Right after the warranty expired the tranny went out. What could have been a very angry situation for me ended well as gm actually replaced it despite being past warranty. I have no doubt they'll take care of things that may pop up.

Enjoy the car, and please do give a write up on the maiden voyage home! We are headed back to the museum next weekend and very excited about Monday dec 22!
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To Problem? Or normal new-car issues??

Old Dec 13, 2014 | 11:33 AM
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Just drive it and enjoy it, if it breaks fix it, don't let anything ruin your ownership experience. My partner just got into a F Type R 550 bHP purring cat, 100 miles in it went into limp mode, software glitch fixed with no drama, cars are rolling computers and will have issues regardless of brand.
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by dlparsons
Starting to feel better... :-)
Yes, sit back & enjoy the ride!

You will love Museum delivery & the car!
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Old Dec 13, 2014 | 11:54 AM
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First year problems are normal. Risk you take be an early adopter.

Some are spending almost $90k on the new M3/M4. A couple owners have had DCT replacements and one diff replacement. Now there is a rumor of a conrod engine recall going to take place.

But in the end, that is what a warranty is for. I wouldn't worry about a thing.
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