Do you pass on first year models
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,939
I'm batting 1000 w/ first year cars. Just within the last 15 years, I've purchased a first year C6, first year C6 Z06, first year Mustang GT w/ Coyote V8, first year Jaguar F-Type, and first year C7 Z51. NONE had any warranty issues during my ownership.
During that same period, I've had warranty issues with a later year Audi RS4, a last year BMW E93 M3, and my current 18 C7 Z51, although the 18 C7 was just a failed 02 sensor.
During that same period, I've had warranty issues with a later year Audi RS4, a last year BMW E93 M3, and my current 18 C7 Z51, although the 18 C7 was just a failed 02 sensor.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 8, 2018 at 03:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,939
There is a credible school of thought suggesting that later years are vulnerable to manufacturing complacency, and economizing on sources of parts. Intro cars tend to get an awful lot more QA attention.
2-3 decades ago, it used to be a truism to avoid new models, but the data just don't support that notion anymore. I would agree it's more true w/ airplanes than automobiles, having spent my career in the aviation biz. However, we're talking much more complex systems.
2-3 decades ago, it used to be a truism to avoid new models, but the data just don't support that notion anymore. I would agree it's more true w/ airplanes than automobiles, having spent my career in the aviation biz. However, we're talking much more complex systems.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 8, 2018 at 03:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,142
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I got an early C7 convertible. I had zero mechanical issues with it but the general quality control or paint and interior was poor. Over time I'm sure they improved it.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 258
Likes: 68
I would say no to passing on first year models. If it was the '70s, I'd pass but not anymore. The quality we have nowadays is crazy good. There is just no reason anymore to deprive yourself of a nice car for a whole year waiting for then to get the kinks worked out. Plus, there is always warranty and lemon law if you do have issues. If I had the money, I'd buy the new ME in a heartbeat.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,240
Likes: 1,879
From: USA
'14 Stingray was the first time I've bought a car in it's initial year and I had it for 3 years with no problems before trading for a new Z06. With the mid-engine car, however, I'd be more inclined to wait a couple years as I do think there will be a lot more bugs to work out on the C8 than there were with the C7.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 979
From: Annandale VA
The ME is going to be completely new from the tires up so it will be a bigger gamble than any previous generation.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 258
Likes: 68
GM is taking the time and not rushing the car. They know it's a big deal.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,939
And what the hell does your infotainment screen have to do with anything? That was just a simple supplier issue, and a very easy and cheap replacement. It had nothing to do with an engineering mistake.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 8, 2018 at 05:21 PM. Reason: typo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 979
From: Annandale VA
Yes! How could I forget the Fiero which was such a huge success for GM? And you are so right that "the ME design, which has been perfect by others" means that Corvette will have no problem matching Ferrari's 488 just like you have no problem writing correct English sentences.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,939
You just love to keep bringing up the Fiero, which was designed nearly 40 years ago and went out of production 30 years ago. That's yet another an example of your short-circuited thinking. To link the GM of 2018 to the GM of 1982 is delusional.
I can't name a single manufacturer, who hasn't had at least one failure in 40 years. It actually wasn't a bad car, except that it was afflicted by the 80's disease, when many manufacturers were struggling with emissions control regulations and quality.
However, it also illustrates that mid-engine is a very old concept, and it is far from revolutionary. Oops, you just contradicted yourself again.
I can't name a single manufacturer, who hasn't had at least one failure in 40 years. It actually wasn't a bad car, except that it was afflicted by the 80's disease, when many manufacturers were struggling with emissions control regulations and quality.
However, it also illustrates that mid-engine is a very old concept, and it is far from revolutionary. Oops, you just contradicted yourself again.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 8, 2018 at 05:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,928
Likes: 1,486
From: New Jersey
My current vette is a first year. Granted that isn't a fair comparison but it isn't plagued with a lot of the problems the later C4s had so go figure. I wouldn't have an issue with a first year C8 if I could afford it. GM has a damn good engineering team behind it and for the most part, any and all related problems to anything they do is generally caused by the bean counters... just my opinion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 984
Likes: 574
From: Fort Worth, TX
I’ll pass on first year but that has more to do with the fact I want a higher end version and refuse to pay over sticker for something that’s going to depreciate hard shortly there after.
