I just purchased my new C8 brought it home making sure not to exceed 75 miles per hour. Took it out the next day and received a warning “oil is at 0 percent. Had to get a tow to the dealer. After the engine was checked out the mechanic fold tow of the valves in the engine broke. Chevy is offering to replace the engine with a née one.

My concern: I will no longer have a matching number vehicle.

question. Should I be concerned about a non matching number vehicle? If so what should I ask for from the dealer and Chevy? I want the car but after paying 20k over list I have reservations. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Is this for real?

I don't matching numbers matter on a mass produced car. I don't even know if the motor and trans have numbers that can be matched to the VIN.

 

Asking the forum for advice. Concerned that if this car ever becomes a classic the numbers will not match. Should I take the vehicle with the new engine? Should I ask for a new car? What should I ask for compensation?

 

$20K over list, blown motor with basically no mileage on the car, whole story sounds fishy.

 

I wouldn’t be waisting my time replying if it was t true. I can’t make this up. The engine had less than 90 miles. Only had it for two days. You can debate me but I know what I purchased and the issue with the car as described to me by the service advisor. Just looking for some help on what I should do.

 

No, you should NOT worry about the numbers matching thing. That is for the special world of "collectible cars" (which I know something about), and despite what we all think about our C8s, there will be twenty thousand 2020 cars out there. Your car, and my car with its original engine will not be a collectible numbers matching Corvette, EVER, until it's the last 2020 remaining in the world in 2120. Three points:

A Model T Ford. Is it collectible? Sorta, but not much. Zillions were made, many thousands still exist, and 99.9% don't have original engines or anything else for that matter. They go for relatively low bucks at auction, because there are still those thousands out there.

A Hemi car with a "service replacement engine", meaning it was replaced under warranty and linked to the VIN, and has the documentation to prove it. I stood next to a Challenger (hardtop) at a Mecum a few years ago with just such an engine. $278K, which is well into the going rate for those (hardtop) cars. [The reason I emphasized the hardtop is that it's the [i]convertible Hemi Cudas and Challengers that go for million$.]

Your car, when the engine is replaced, will have extensive documentation that it's a service replacement engine vs. your VIN. I can't say for sure that they will stamp your VIN on the block, but for the next 100 years, the computers will know the story. Your great grandchildren will be rich. Or not, because you'll sell the car in 5 years and never think about it again. Or not.

What you ask for from the dealer is a "Component Warranty" which covers virtually everything for 72 months or longer if you can negotiate it. They'll be HAPPY to offer it, because it costs them nothing if your car never has a warranty issue. Free to you, free to them. Do not underestimate the value of this, as it transfers with the car. Next owner will be happy...unless you keep it until 2120.

Anyway, enjoy your new engine, and the extensive bumper to bumper warranty your dealer will offer.

 

Just take the new engine. Number matter zero on a car they are making, or trying to make 40K a year of. The quicker you let them do it the quicker you'll have your car back.8.5.2

 

Appreciate the reply. Much much appreciated. Totally makes sense. When you spend over a 100k on a vehicle I just want to make sure that it’s right.

I already paid for the 5 year extended warranty. Should I ask for the money back on that warranty and ask for the warranty you mentioned for free?

Thanks for your patience. Just nervous about taking the vehicle back without researching my options.

 

JMHO
but I would tell the dealer I wanted a new engine AND my extra cash (gouge factor) back to get it at sticker, because of diminished value.
If they don't go for that tell them to keep it and you want all your money back.

 

Do they even put VINs on engines anymore?

 

You can ask for anything but don't see it's likely you'll get from GM.

I agree with others re matching numbers BUT do recall when I sold my 1st Vette a 1988 (have sold all of my 5 prior Vettes on my own) the fellow from Nebraska looked spent time to find the engine number. I assured him it was the original engine in the car and he said, yes BUT if an engine fails at BG they will replace it! He found it and the deal was completed! The other 4 no one every asked! I agree with others this is NOT a low volume '63 split window or an early fuel injection high hp V8! No one will every care!

 

Makes sense. Appreciate the replies.


However I think everyone should agree the value of the car is diminished. I just need to figure out what’s a fair compensation.

 

These modern cars are never going to be collectable like the old ones. For one thing, with GM's habit of discontinuing electronic parts after a number of years and the sheer amount of them on the new cars I don't see them aging well. It'll get to the point where it will be hard to find certain parts to keep some systems running as it is with the C5's.

 

Not really.

Approximately zero. Maybe GM will make a payment or two for you, or give you a $500-1000 certificate for accessories. Anything past that, good luck.

 

No way I keep the car w/o significant compensation. They got you for $20K over. If you can back out somehow no way they are going to flip it for anywhere near that now. I’d push them hard.
This valve spring crap sucks. I keep reading excuses like it’s not Corvette specific but you paid big bucks for your car. Push them.

Good luck

 

Don't even start to try for extra compensation. You'll just be initiating a situation where there has to be a winner and loser. You chances of being the winner are slim, and this experience will leave you even more upset than the unfortunate experience you've had with your car.

 

OP, You have a beautiful new car but it will never be a collector car, GM will end up making 20k Corvettes before this year is over. Get a new engine installed & go enjoy your car

 

In fact I would say the chances are very slim to NONE- with NONE being most likely!

I'm with those who are NOT everyone! Perhaps getting a car to drive while the OPs in laid up would be the proper thing for the "dealer" to do BUT GM does not owe the OP anything, IMO, except to have the car fixed on their dime!

Yep, if the OP's mind is made up he is owed something he will be disappointed with the result. Sure ask BUT don't expect anything as it's not justified, IMO.

SIDEBAR
Now, I had GM replace a broken clutch plate (none warranty part) in my 1st new Chevy buy waiting for the GM Area Service Rep to look at my dismantled car any validating my observation it was a casting defect and the flywheel and clutch disk showed no signs of abuse. Just had to wait the week for his normal visit!

Also got them to pay for a hole in my 6 month old C6 Corvette AC Condenser (that I to pay $800 to have replaced as I was told GM wound not cover because it was probably caused by a rock.) Wrote a report showing it had been dropped prior to the install at BG and where it was slightly bent had the defect. Took pics (see below) of the removed Condenser AND the GM Area Service Rep agreed. Got my full $800 back.

(Did something similar with a 260Z two months after the warranty was up but that took high res macro pics and failure analysis report of a dif broken bolt! That was more difficult as had to use the Metaurgical Lab in the R&D Lab I managed but Datsun US rejected the request! Had one of my engineers put a hand written cover note in Japanese to the President of Nissan showing it manufacturing defect! Was fully reimbursed for a new replacement dif I paid for that cost ~20% of what I paid for the car!)

NO DIMINISED VALUE!

 

OP if this is legit, and you care about the loss...Back out otherwise you’re in the hole.

maybe they’ll come back with something but chances are it won’t make you whole.

 

If you paid 20 grand over list why would you worry about diminished value for non numbers matching engine? Obviously money doesn’t seem like one of your concerns.