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Four years, Three C7's, two buybacks, goodbye Corvette
I just wanted to say that it has been pleasure being part of the Corvette family. I got to know some cool people from the forum, build new friendships, and have blast at the track for as long it lasted. My first C7's was a 2015 A8 Z51. Unfortunately I couldn't run it at the track for more than 3 laps before overheating the transmission. I have upgraded the transmission cooling and got to enjoy it for a year before selling it. It was a blast.
My second corvette was a 2016 C7 Z06. The car was built one day before Christmas shutdown. No one knows how it passed QC. Doors would not close unless you slam them hard. Panels were off. The roof was leaking. I accepted the car thinking the dealer can make adjustments and align things but not even GM engineer was able to fix it so GM took it back and ordered me a 2017 Z07.
The 2017 Z07 was a beauty. Everything aligned properly. Cosmetic was excellent. Iloved the car. Five weeks later, I was driving on the freeway and saw that I was getting low on gas. I switched to ECO mode. One lifter jammed, lost a push rod, shaved the cam..... GM got me a new engine and a month later I had my car back like nothing happened. From there the car was never the same, several reduced engine incidents, MAP sensor, knock sensor, P0106, software upgrade, I always thought this will be behind me soon and had Gspeed cooling kit installed as well as DSC controller but never got there.
At one event my car locked up on me at a slow turn after hitting 135 mph at the banking. Later we found that my clutch and bell housing assembly were completely destroyed. GM and the dealership investigated the issue and found a long GM bolt in the bell housing that didn't belong to my car. No one knows if it was dropped by someone from when the car was built or if it happened during engine replacement which was 9 months prior. With heat and vibration it got loose and sled into the flywheel It took a month for repairs and on my next event the car threw a reduced power code. I dropped it off the dealer so they can initiate he buyback process and I appreciate that GM was prompt and professional in handling the situation. For that I will consider GM again down the road but not a C7. Maybe when GM limits corvette availability to dealers that have Corvette performance center and high caliber Corvette technicians. Not every dealer should sell corvette. Here in CA some dealers get one allocation every few months. Its better that GM give all allocations to one dealer that can support Corvette properly.
I have friends that are having great experience with C7's. I consider my situation as isolated and bad luck.
I know that GM fixed the car. Someone out there will get a good deal on a lemon Z07 that has Gspeed system and DSC controller hopefully they will have better luck than mine.
I hear you buddy and would do the same myself. Unfortunately if you are one of the > 1% of any car manufacturer with these consistent issues your out of favor with them. It happens to the most high end hand built cars down to the Honda civics, crazy how shitt happens. Sorry bud, good luck on your next vehicle 🙏
Well that's a tough one. The first time a Corvette drives away from you.
You will remember your folly. I am waiting for my new Audi to arrive and was in the area. So I stopped]in and they had one traded back in.
Ok how about a ride. The salesman and I pulled out once on the road he jammed the gas we went the 1/4 mile and took a corner at 45mph then back on the pedal took the next corner even harder and hit 80 mph by then we were back and parked it.
NOT THE RIDE I WANTED but the car would never touch either Corvette I own nor any Audi on the lot ( I doubt) would either. Corvette performance will be missed. Well maybe come back for a C8!
Sorry for your troubles and to see you go. I hope you enjoy the new toy. I've been bending DSC's ear about making a controller for those cars as well. Tractive already makes shocks for them
Sometimes, it’s the dealer. Leson Chevy did an oil change at 480mi on a then new 2016 z and did not pull both drain plugs...overfilled and bent a connecting rod. Same dealer 1 year later (last week), another 2016 z goes there for a flat tire repair. Service employee backs into the car, damaging front bumper cover. After explaining that they will remove the cover to repair and replace, the car was left for 2 days. When it was picked up, it was/is covered with overspray. My buddy just an estimate today for 2500.00 for paint correction.
Buy from a high volume dealer, and plan a road trip if you have issues. Personally, no service dept has seen any vehicle of mine in 19 years, (11 vehicles during that time). I buy knowing I’m on the hook for repairs, because I live in the armpit of the United States
Sorry for your troubles and to see you go. I hope you enjoy the new toy. I've been bending DSC's ear about making a controller for those cars as well. Tractive already makes shocks for them
I hope they listen to you Sean. I didn’t realize that BMW had such a large presense at the track and there are many BMW clubs that prompt tracks. There is a big BMW gathering in May at Auto Club Speed.
Damn dude, I had no idea you were having that many problems with it! Good luck with whatever is next on the list!
Thanks Eric.
Its just a bad luck combined with human errors. When I called you thinking it was an alternator problem, it turned out to be that long GM Bolt that trashed my bell housing. I just finished getting through the banking and was braking for the slowest turn when the car locked up on me. 5 seconds sooner and I would have hit the wall. Thank god for the good timing
Ali, Wow! You are such an asset to the forum, hopefully youll stick around some! If you ever make it to texas, track day on us!
I sure hope to meet you guys one day. You are rock stars and your support with HG Motorsport in getting my car ready before the Porsche event was outstanding. Ran fastest lap in 5 out of 6 time attacks sessions in 30 minutes 100F weather. That was my best day with the Z06.
You deserve better and I totally agree with you that not every dealer should be allowed to sell corvettes unless they have a specific trained Corvette technician. Its almost like finding a good doctor to go to. I travel an extra 1/2 hour to get my Corvette serviced from a great technician and always joke with him if he leaves the dealership I will follow him unless I need a plane to get there. Good luck in whichever car you get and post some pictures of your new ride.Dave
I hope they listen to you Sean. I didn’t realize that BMW had such a large presense at the track and there are many BMW clubs that prompt tracks. There is a big BMW gathering in May at Auto Club Speed.
Thank you Everyone.
Proper support for a 100k car is a must. The technician that worked on my car is a very experienced person and can get the job done. The problem, there is only one person of that caliber and he is stretched between corvette, trucks, suvs and Even 10k cars. That’s when mistakes happen and I was vocal to allow the tech to focus on my car but then another customer comes screaming because he needs a transmission rebuild on his Chevy Cruze and managers have to take the tech to another car. That’s why there is a need for a Corvette performance center with corvette only master technicians.
I hear you buddy and would do the same myself. Unfortunately if you are one of the > 1% of any car manufacturer with these consistent issues your out of favor with them. It happens to the most high end hand built cars down to the Honda civics, crazy how shitt happens. Sorry bud, good luck on your next vehicle 🙏
True. I have seen it happen with Porsche Mercedes,....
I had to walk away from a car that I really love and hope will try a corvette again down the road. I would have to see a change first though in dealer support. Example, not every Nissan dealer can sell a GTR. They must have a GTR trained technician and all special tools needed for the car. I would like to see the same type of pride with Corvette someday.
Picked up a new BMW M4 competition package. Although it doesn’t have the Z06 wow factor and sound, it seems to be solid. Guys I know said oil will not go pass 210F at the track. I like the power and DCT so far. It will not be Z06 fast but a I am sure it will be a fun car.
03-21-2018, 03:51 PM
Four years, Three C7's, two buybacks, goodbye Corvette
hopefully they will have better luck than mine. 
What a string of bad luck. It seems you were snake-bit regarding the C7. 
