Corvette reliability
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Correct! I know of two that have had the problem. One is MINE! The other is a student driver I instructed on the NCM MSP a couple of years ago. His was so bad he had to leave after the first day on track. It would shudder 3 times upon accelerating out of turns toward the end of the first day. Mine has been flushed THREE times with fluid and still shudders after 10 minutes of driving on the interstate. These are facts. Put those in your statistics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,800
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
The C8 will be my first Corvette even though I've always loved them. I have many friends who have owned them for years. However, none of them use them as daily drivers & they all are low mileage for their age.
I'm buying my C8 as a daily driver which my commute is 60+ miles round trip daily. I'm looking for thoughts from those who have high miles on their Corvettes. How's their reliability for those who drive their cars?
I'm buying my C8 as a daily driver which my commute is 60+ miles round trip daily. I'm looking for thoughts from those who have high miles on their Corvettes. How's their reliability for those who drive their cars?
I daily drive my Corvette 8 months out of the year (due to Midwest Winters) and they have been consistently reliable, model after model, and generation after generation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,877
Likes: 531
I'm not saying there won't be first year issues with the C8, but the odds are far better for initial quality in 2020 than in the past. Robotics have greatly improved the quality of cars, and robots provide a consistent product. In the past I would never consider a first year model, but I'd have no hesitation to buy a new model in 2020.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 380
From: Edmond Oklahoma
My only point is that the Camaro drives better than any coupe on the road. Unfortunately it's styling is not that appealing. The C6 is a great drive. Last of the "analog" cars.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 195
From: Boxford Massachusetts
I've daily driven my C5 for the better part of 5 years, 60 miles round trip. This is the first winter when I haven't stored it away. I'm using it whenever the New England road conditions (including salt) aren't too bad. I hit 80,000 miles on the clock today. I have had minimal repairs, totaling less than $1,000, my five years of ownership. Never been stranded. However, the cost of frills / aftermarket items is limited only by your imagination and wallet. Buyer beware.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 380
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Correct! I know of two that have had the problem. One is MINE! The other is a student driver I instructed on the NCM MSP a couple of years ago. His was so bad he had to leave after the first day on track. It would shudder 3 times upon accelerating out of turns toward the end of the first day. Mine has been flushed THREE times with fluid and still shudders after 10 minutes of driving on the interstate. These are facts. Put those in your statistics.
I didnt know there was a problem with acceleration, that sounds much worse.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 288
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 290
Likes: 343
75k miles on my 2016 z06 and rock solid, very reliable and trouble free. You have to consider that with each generation of car, more and more of it is put together and validated with computers, with more and more virtual validation is done with software that is getting better all the time, which makes the first year more and more trouble free.
Last edited by z8ra; Feb 25, 2020 at 04:30 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 10,230
Likes: 885
From: Alexandria, Virginia, USA VA
It's "beta" as in the Global "B" electrical architecture, not "beta" as in software that isn't ready for production. But yes, it has lots and lots of computers. Pretty much everything on this car is controlled, at least partly, by computers, including the brakes and steering. But so are most new cars. Is there more risk in buying a first year all new platform? Probably. But I suspect any issues in the software will be identified and revised long before the 3 year warranty is up.
hopefully gm will support us tuners who are willing to invest in racing the product. The engine is likely to be very reliable as it's a further refined lt4 with better oiling and breathing, still with mild cam specs it will likely be an anvil as GM does great engine testing.
The tremec tranny and supporting software is the wild weasel here and although tremec does great work, this is a brand new box and likely the software will evolve and get the tranny even better. Mid engine for sure introduces some service challenges and the tremec box will cost more than the old slushbox (it's a better engineered tranny). With the rear engine all of that lovely drivetrain is loaded harder to hit 2.8 so expect some shaft failures unless GM got it right.
Ive had c3s (3), c4 ZR-1 (4), and one C5 The ZR-1 and c5 were great to beat on and very reliable when maintained. The c8 will be a bit more to maintain but nothing like the ridiculous prices on maintaining the euro exotics
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 199
From: Grand Rapids area MI and Palm Coast, FL
2006 C6. 95,000 miles with one problem. A6 Transmission controller replaced at about 65,000 miles. Some sort of limp home mode got me home and then to a dealer.
2014 C7. 76,000 miles and counting with no problems, although LCD screen flickers some days, other days not. No need to fix (yet).
For magnetic ride ride reliability doubters, the Mag ride on both cars had no problems (and provided lots of additional fun).
2014 C7. 76,000 miles and counting with no problems, although LCD screen flickers some days, other days not. No need to fix (yet).
For magnetic ride ride reliability doubters, the Mag ride on both cars had no problems (and provided lots of additional fun).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 579
From: Central Gulf Coast Florida
I have never had a major problem with any of the Vettes I have owned. My current 2017 Z06 is three years old and has only been to the dealer for oil changes and routine inspection.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 621
From: Los Angeles CA
I DD my c7 and I have had a thermostat issue resulting in high temps/reduced performance but that was fixed under warranty. The only other problem was a DIC msg about 'service power steering' but the dealer 'found nothing wrong'. Could have been due to Range unit. who knows.
Otherwise, no problems.
Otherwise, no problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,426
Likes: 3,609
From: Commerce Texas
800,000+ miles in Corvettes over the last 30 years... have had to replace a few end links, had a couple of alternators go out on my '89.... my cars have been essentially trouble free... got 96,000+ miles on my C7.....