So I think after a year of going back and forth I have decided to go with a C8 over a Gen1 R8. I think I’m going to go with a yellow C8 either accelerate yellow or the new 2025 competition yellow as these tend to be a little more rare. A must for me is the 3LT package with yellow stitching and im 50/50 on the Z51 package. Now for my question, I would be looking to spend less than 75k total for the car and was wondering if there is any reason to avoid a certain year like a 2020. I am curious because obviously the price difference between a 2020 C8 with <20k miles and a 2024/2025 is a decent one. I was not sure if I should avoid anything prior to like a 2022 or 2023 due to transmission related problems etc. I won’t be purchasing a car till March of next year unless I want to take up permanent residency on my couch haha.

any help is much appreciated.

 

Worry about it next year.

 

If not buying until next March, the 2026 Corvettes will be on showroom floors. Most pre-owned C-8 Corvettes will be very low mileage. I would consider looking at new '25 models late this year for a good deal. Like any pre-owned car research is your friend. We will have a solid knowledge of the '26 changes by March if you want to wait. Of course, there will be a price increase for '26 like there is each year

 

Problems with the DCT have been reported by owners of every MY (20-24). IOW, there is no year to avoid.

 

There were no significant early year issues, diffeerent than others, in my observation. My 2020 C8 Z51 3LT w/Lift & MRC was fine. No issues in 4 years. The DCT issues was more a matter of luck. Few percent failures. There were a few early DCT cases with porous aluminum castings the weeped fluid. But those would be fixed.

The real issue IMO looking for used cars is there are so many options, exterior colors, interior colors, Z51, non Z51, MRC, NPP, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT and you have very specific desires. All 7 of my Vettes were made just for me in Bowling Green, i.e made to order. In fact, all C8s up until 2024 were customer ordered as dealers WITH an allocation to buy had customer lists waiting!

You're being so specific, odds of finding a yellow with the interior you want AND 3LT at a price you want with mileage you're willing to accept get very small!

And don't put Accelerate Yellow in the same class as Competition Yellow. I was planning on a yellow C8 like my 2008 C6 Velocity Yellow BUT Accelerate Yellow to me looks like a Safety Vest! I like Competition Yellow and would order.

If you buy new be sure you have seen the color in person.



Accelerate Yellow was also only a 3% ordered color. So you may be waiting a long time!

 

Own a ‘20 with 18,000 miles and it’s been an excellent car. I put the 2 extra quarts in the transmission and feel it shifts smoother and quieter.

 

I'd order new to get exactly what you want. If it's worth it to you. Or, keep shopping.

 

first buy a comfortable couch....

 

Most of the transmission issues usually happen early on (under 10,000 miles). If you are willing to go back to a 2020, chances are that unless it was barely driven garage queen, the transmission would have already been repaired or replaced. If you decide on a later model, it should still be under warranty.

 

Take your time & do your due diligence if you are buying used, get a Carfax & a GMVIS report for any car you plan on buying, if you are buying new, your options are pretty much endless

 

Just buy the best deal that you can find, when the time comes.

 

place a factory order from a dealership with an available allocation and select all the options you want, (including "Option R8C")
Just a heads up, You will be going to the national Corvette Museum and you will be going to Ron Fellows Spring Mountain all within the next year or so.
Congrats on your new ride and "don't forget to wave"
I suggest get the factory stripes, splash guards, grill screens, nose lift and floor and trunk/frunk liners.M
Mine is a 2023, Z-51 Coupe 2LT with GT2 seats and these cars are freaking awesome.

 

Might feel that way BUT not what gears etc need. The Overfill, which is what GM Exec's admitted it was, can actually cause issues!

In fact Harlan Charles supported by Josh Holder recently admitted they were overly conservative requiring the overfill when Tracking. Harlen said most Trackers would NOT encounter the possible issue of having fluid leave the pick-up at the bottom of the DCT pan. Appears you need to be going downhill and turning at a high lateral "g." As if going down the Laguna Seca Corkscrew!



Clips from a Video by a Banks Engineer show what lubrication looks like in a dif as speed increases. The spinning gears in a DCT create a cloud of lubrication throughout the case. It's not a tranquil environment! Nope spinning gear teeth submerged on lub create drag and toss it all over! He showed excess lub caused oil foam (warned about in tech pubs on lubrication. Bubbles make lubrication worse.)
The increased level in the DCT may not be an issue other than as Tadge said causes drag and somewhat reduced mpg. BUT Josh Holder helped a fellow who does high speed straight road racing fix a problem the 2 quart overfill caused! After testing on this car and monitoring what was going on, Holder had him remove the extra 2 quarts and problem was gone.


Nope MORE isn't always better!





Now if you are skilled Tracker using Racing Slicks on the Laguna Seca Corkscrew might need the "Overfill."

 

overall, I wouldn’t say there's any specific year to avoid

 

Although there is nothing specifically wrong with a 2020, I think the graphics for displaying and setting up of the Driver Mode options are improved in the 2021-2023 models.

I prefer that. It was changed again for 2024 - I do not know much about it.

But a key change that some like, and some hate, is to the infotainment system and in particular the way the on board navigation works.

For 2020-2023, the Navigation System used an onboard map, on an SD card, that can be updated by purchasing an updated card. No subscription required for the Navigation System.

For 2024 that was changed. There is no longer an on board map. Map data are downloaded in real time and a subscription to an OnStar data plan is needed. There are workarounds to that - so its possible to load maps while connected to your WiFi at home without a subscription - you will have to figure that out or find the methods on a forum.

All the systems still support Android Auto and Apple Car Play (so far). But 2020 model does not provide "wireless support" of those functions. I believer there are devices that will allow the connection to be "wireless".

Oh, and I would verify that all the maintenance has been done on time and there is a record of it. And I would make sure the car had, or is eligible for the Chevrolet Platinum Protection plan with some significant remaining coverage.

 

I ordered a 2020 in July of 2019. I got my 2021 in Jan 2021. I'm really happy with the car. My wife will sell it when I die.

 

21-23 is the sweet spot with the infotainment package. As noted '20 needs a wireless and '24 on need subscriptions. '25 has people complaining about the display space itself.

 

Additionally, PTM (requires Z51 and MSRC) can't be linked to Z Mode on a '20. Later rears can be linked.
In '23 (I think) and on the emergency trunk release key lock was removed.

Just things to be aware of, not significant enough to avoid certain model years.

 

Yea I got some time to do more research etc. I have narrowed it down to yellow or a rapid blue with tension blue two tone interior.

I know I’m going to be hard pressed to find a yellow with yellow stitching and carbon/z51 but who knows what the market is like or has in 12 months. I need to see this accelerate yellow in person and same for the rapid blue. I have only seen white and red and a orange one so far locally at the dealer.

 

Over the year the word has been wait till they get the problems solved before you buy a CORVETTE so just curious have the problems been solved yet? 7 years has there been enough time to get the kinks out?