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New perception. Same, but different.
The C7 is easier to work on the drive train.
Have to remember we all complain on the forum about the problems.
The C8 is amazing in so many ways.
The C7 is the best front engine sports car. It looked great. It has very nice interior, finally. And it had a great drivetrain.
The C7 A8 problem was a fluid problem. Too bad many early cars had torque converters and transmissions changed.
I had 2 C7's with not one issue. 2019 GS was my favorite and quickly fixed the cracked rim issue by purchasing forged wheels before I even drove it.
My 2023 C8 had transmission issues at 843 miles along with a couple minor issues such as the center console button popping out when pressed. I, however, no longer own it.
More tech, more complex = more things that can go wrong / are harder to fix right now.
As time goes on these things become easier to fix as common issues will build a community.
I do agree though that C7 with the triple flush to fix A8 transmission shudder and getting forged wheels for the GS / Z06 are pretty easy fixes for the two most common problems with the C7. No huge horror stories like Opti-sparks on early LT1 C4's or EBCM not repairable for 97-00 C5's (VATS issues for C4/C5 leaving people stranded) or Gas tank leak issues on ALL C6's or steering column lock issues in C5 and C6 leaving people stranded. C8's are so new now and like a lot of things in life, buying the first design / build of anything will usually have a ton of issues. Some people will experience them, some won't.
All cars, across all manufactures will have problems. Cool thing about sports cars and especially Vette's because they always build a ton of them is its a huge community where everyone can share what they do to fix these things or help troubleshoot.
My C8 has spent much less time at the dealer vs. my C7 for warranty jobs, etc. [knock on wood] My C8 has actually been the the most reliable car I've ever bought/owned!
I got rid of both of my C7s because of rattles in the dash and constant non stop top creaking and popping. Mechanically they were fine for the short period I owned them. I've had my C8 for 3 years now and zero problems.
I didn't have a C7 but I had a C5 and it had plenty of issues. I did a lot of research on the C8 before buying it and I'm very optimistic it will be the most reliable Corvette ever. While there are issues here and I there I don't see anything compared to generations ago.
C7 manuals were pretty solid, C7 autos had their share of issues with the trans. C8 unfortunately at least has some occurrences of trans problems, and they are more painful to the user because they brick the car, with many cars being dead waiting on parts. So while I'd bet the overall reliability is similar, C7 was easier to repair, very similar to the C6 and well known. The DCT alone makes the C8 a car I would not want to buy without a warranty, where I wouldn't have had much concern buying an out of warranty C6 or C7.
I had 2 C7s one a Z. I beat these cars on the track......... Zero reliability issues.
No issues with my C8s although no track time and a lot less miles.
I never knew anyone personally with either car who had cracked rims. I always concluded that you drive with low profile tires and maybe in track mode.... it can happen. I'm in the south and potholes are rarer then up in the North. But in the last few weeks I hit 2 that I though there is no way I did not damage something...... so far looks good. Point is we hear oh I had a cracked rim, bad GM but some drivers don't dodge potholes...... they don't know you can move withing a lane and think the steering wheel only works when turning.
SEVEN rims- not driven in track mode- Dont blame the driver as GS and ZO6 notoriously had this issue. Blaming the roads? perhaps they should only produce and sellthe c7 gs in an area as pristine as yours- or conversely make rims that tolerate low profile run flats at the wider stance for everyday use. BTW the cracks were slow leaks most of the time and I dont aim for potholes and know how to steer in a lane.
In the c8 over same period of time/miles and same roads Im still on my original rims- sorta dispels your theory
When I hear from more then one owner state "I wouldn't own one without an extended warranty" it makes me wonder. May be reliable until it's not then sounds very expensive to fix.