I currently own a C7 Z06 with 30K miles.
I take immaculate care of it but I’m thinking about a C8 Z51 or a C8 Z06.
I’m hearing about possible engine / transmission reliability issues in the Z06.
my current C7Z seems rock solid, I am the original owner and have stayed on top of
all maintenance… engine, transmission, rear end fluid, coolant and even power bled
the brake fluid last year.


Is there anything of concern going on with the base engine & transmission that
has disappointed anyone? rumors etc?

I don’t want to spend a boat load of money and end up disappointed…
Thanks.

 

Loaded question. Just do a search and you'll find folks that have had issues with transmissions and other systems. The good the bad and the ugly. But folks that don't have issues don't post about not having any... What the actual failure rate is unknown to the general public. I haven't had any issues with my 23 Z51 with 8000 or so miles and 8 track days. I over maintain my car.

It will depend on how bad you want a C8.

 

Seriously?
Theres been a lot of transmission failures with the DTC on the C8. Well known and reported, not just on this forum...
Motor, not so much.
I will say this, even though I am on my 2nd C8, going from a C7 Z06 to a C8 you probably will be somewhat disappointed at first, but, you will eventually blend in and learn to like and enjoy the C8. Going from a C7 Z06 to a C8, the C8 is just not the same. Some say its better more refined etc, others have gone back to the C7...

Initially I was disappointed in how the C8 drove until I put in the Soler throttle control..
That woke the car up and I'm satisfied. Without it, it felt somewhat sluggish...
Some may agree with me, some may not, but thats how it felt for me..
I had 3 C7 Z06's prior to the C8...
You should try to test drive one, new or used, or from a friend>>>you'll know right away.

 

I went C4 to 6 to 8. The C8 is different in everyway. A much better sports car in every way. That said If I could find a C4 in perfect condition optioned/ modded how I want I'd go back to it. Yes the C8 is pretty high maintenance and of course prices to do it are high. I try to do my own work but still seem to be spending a lot more on my C8 than expected.

 

I had a C7Z06 manual 7 Speed with about 30,000 miles on it. Wanted to trade for a C8 Z06 a year ago. Local dealers were $25-50,000 over sticker and 2+ year wait for the Z06. Those were “no way in hell.”
So bought a 24 stingray. I don’t track but I do miss the manual shift and the power of the 650 HP, and I really liked the wider stance of the Z06. However my new C8 is much more comfortable to ride in and it’s quieter inside. And it’s no slouch in power and driving pleasure. Recently the prices of Z06 have dropped a lot and there are a few on the lots here. But I’m probably looking at $55,000 or so to Trade my SR for a new Z06. Since I don’t track or race, that’s not worth it to me.

 

Wow. If you bought your C7 new it would be a tough call to sell it for a C8. You may be disappointed at first but I doubt that would last long once you drove the Z51. I’m thinking on the track the C8 would give your C7 a run for its money. And as said above it’s a pretty comfortable car. Yes there have been tranny issues but as long as you keep the maintenance up and keep that warranty going its GMs problem.

The prices on C8 Z06s are still pretty high but a bargain for a Ferrari and maybe a Lambo killer at a third of the price.

 

Go and test drive a C8 and then make your decision. My C8 Stingray is light years better than my C7 Stingray. The C9 will be way better than the C8. If you just read the forum, where almost everyone has a complaint or problem, you will never purchase a corvette.

 

All of the C8's at the Spring Mountain Corvette driving school are purchased new with no warranty. When I was there in July, they had over 300 vettes (C8 and Z06), which aren't driven gently. The instructors said the cars needed routine maintenance for the most part.

 

Nice C7 Z06's are in demand, especially M7 cars. If you do not drive it a lot, I would keep it.

 

Keep it and get a C8.

 

Agreed. Pick a middle ground equipped c8 not too expensive and maybe not too cheap all of the cheaper ones would be a better value and get a good discount because there's so many around and then move on to the next thing if you have too many problems or get tired of it and I don't think you should lose too much if you get a really good discount up front the way things are right now.

 

I went from a C7 Z06 to a C8 Z51 with twin turbos and now to a C8 Zo6. I was seriously considering going back to C7 Zo6 when the C8 Zo6 popped up. While the C8 Z51 is very capable car, you will likely miss both the power and "rawness" of the C7 Zo6. I wouldn't suggest a C7 Zo6 owner go to C8 Z51 without driving one for an extended period of time. MSRC is a must (standard with Zo6) and not having it will be very noticeable coming from a C7 Zo6. Force induction options for the C8 are expensive and come with the risk of much higher out of warranty repairs than the C7. The exception here is Callaway which comes with full GM warranty coverage. The C8 Zo6 is absolutely amazing and pulls super hard above 20MPH (same or greater torque at wheels when in optimal gear as a C7 Zo6). However, it is also a very different driving experience as you would expect with a different layout (mid engine), and different powertrain (high revving NA vs supercharged, DCT vs traditional automatic or manual). The C8 Zo6 has all the connectedness/responsiveness that you come to expect having driven a C7 Zo6 (or other modern Zo6/ZR1) but is more refined while still being a very visceral driving experience. Again, a lot of that is as much about drive train and layout as improvements in chassis/suspension. The C8 Zo6 is fast and fun to drive slow (in the right gear) or fast. But it doesn't feel like always on verge of going sideways when go full throttle. You will find yourself double and triple checking the speedometer as the car is even faster than it feels (not that it feels slow). They are both such amazing but different cars that are each quintessential Corvettes that the best answer is really to have both. I know that isn't always an option and even where it is that some people just don't have the time to drive both. If I could do it all over, I would have kept my C7 Zo6 and added the C8 Zo6. It would have almost even money as doing the TT C8 in between - some of that was due to buying the C8 Z51 right before prices came down and inventory available and then trading it soon after while C8 Zo6 prices were still high. The net, I would think long and hard above trading a C7 Zo6 on nearly anything. And if at all possible, drive a C8 Zo6 first if going in that direction; drive here means getting it above 3000RPM . I know Zo6 test drives are still a challenge at dealerships even where have cars in stock, but C8 Zo6's should be readily available for "rent" now on car sharing apps. If I could only have one, that is a really tough question still ask myself. I love my C8 Zo6 but do miss the C7 Zo6.

 

Coming from a C5 and a C6 Z06, both modded. Not apples to apples with your C7 Z, but I can tell you the C8 I purchased is just as much fun to me as the Z's were. Mine has an AWE Touring exhaust with 200 cell cats, and I started running the Soler TC as well. The car is quick, handles excellent, is comfortable (even like the Competition seats), and relatively quiet when I just putter around town. I do think the C7 Z's are showing some of the appreciation that the ZR1's did, so it may pay to keep it. As far as issues with this C8, I've had none. All maintenance has been done, on time or close to it. Not sure about the previous owners driving style, but I'm in Z mode most of the time. Car gets a ton of comments, and frankly (it's silly), but I've been asked "what is it?" or "is that an exotic?" dozens of times.

 

I came from a C7 Grandsport and have had (2) C8 Z51s and trust me the C7 is a nice sportscar bout you will not miss it after getting a C8.
I didn't have any issues with either of my C8s.

 

I put 130K on a C7, 35K on a second C7.... love my C8.