Second thoughts
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 23
Likes: 28
From: South Arkansas
Second thoughts
Having missed out on a black rose C7, was subsequently out of town on business and while visiting one of the corvette specialty dealers, had transitioned my affections to shopping for a C8 HTC. I live in the sticks, so finding a used one locally is not a possibility. Just had a great experience buying a used Mercedes HTC sight unseen, and would most likely end up doing the same if I pursued a C8 HTC. But reading all of y'all's comments about the transmission woes, makes me think I'd be better off reverting to the C7 black rose hunt. I can afford a new or near new C8 , but the economics of sinking that much money into a weekend driver makes little sense - but back to the transmission issue, all of a sudden a warranty seems almost mandatory. Seems like my bucket list has a hole in it.
Probably makes the most sense to just ride the Harley, and occasionally take the Mercedes out for a spin.
Probably makes the most sense to just ride the Harley, and occasionally take the Mercedes out for a spin.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 10,274
From: Garden Valley CA
I don't consider a warranty mandatory but I got one because it was such a good deal from the forum vendors that I'd feel stupid if I didn't. The C8 comes with a 5 year powertrain warranty with the remainder transferable to a a buyer of a used car. But if you feel you need a longer warranty then buy a used car with less than 36K miles/3 years on it and purchase a warranty from one of the forum vendors.
The transmission problems are overblown on the forum. Consumer Reports the transmission as having average reliability.
The transmission problems are overblown on the forum. Consumer Reports the transmission as having average reliability.
CF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 2,907
From: Charlotte N.C.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,983
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Reading your post I'm not sure who you are trying to convince that you should stay as you are, us or yourself. Oh yeah, of course... yourself. Then enjoy what you have and drive/ride on. 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 186
Likes: 60
From: Carmichael Ca
I purchased a 2020 C8 HTC Z51 3LT loaded with every option in 2020. I was one of the first in Northern California to receive the car. This car his not my daily driver.
This car is about as perfect as a car can be. It is flawless! Even the panel lines are spot on. This is my 6th Corvette, and not to bragg I know
Corvettes of all generations backwards and forwards. Absolutely no problems with this car. This car is not your average Chevy. Yes, I baby it and to me it is family.
Your fears are groundless. If you treat this car accordingly it will treat you well. This is a high performance car folks, and yes, stuff will break. The transmission problems and HTC problems are overblown. In my opinion for the over $100,000 I paid for this car they are giving the car away. The engineering on this car is off the planet for the price. Do you have any idea the engineering complexity of the dual clutch transmission for example? To summarize, I do not think this is the car for you. To me, the C8 is not a car. It is an icon on wheels!
This car is about as perfect as a car can be. It is flawless! Even the panel lines are spot on. This is my 6th Corvette, and not to bragg I know
Corvettes of all generations backwards and forwards. Absolutely no problems with this car. This car is not your average Chevy. Yes, I baby it and to me it is family.
Your fears are groundless. If you treat this car accordingly it will treat you well. This is a high performance car folks, and yes, stuff will break. The transmission problems and HTC problems are overblown. In my opinion for the over $100,000 I paid for this car they are giving the car away. The engineering on this car is off the planet for the price. Do you have any idea the engineering complexity of the dual clutch transmission for example? To summarize, I do not think this is the car for you. To me, the C8 is not a car. It is an icon on wheels!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,405
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From: Various places in Southern California.
It seems to me that used C8 prices are not that far off from C7 prices right now. Given that, a used C8 is a no brainer. There's nothing that can touch it for even twice the price.
My friend who drives a Porsche GT3 couldn't stop raving after driving my C8 HTC. Very different cars, to be sure, but he was quite surprised at the Vette.
My friend who drives a Porsche GT3 couldn't stop raving after driving my C8 HTC. Very different cars, to be sure, but he was quite surprised at the Vette.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 23
Likes: 28
From: South Arkansas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 1,892
From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
Valid point - that's what I'm finding pricewise. And I appreciate all of the comments. Think I will resume the hunt, with an eye towards a newer model with a remaining warranty, that offers the option of tagging an extension. Still have to deal with no local purchase options - we don't even have a Chevy dealer in the immediate area. But buying remote worked well with the wife's Mercedes HTC, though I did add a 5-year extended warranty.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 35
Likes: 76
Broken HTC cable. Just happened to me and not covered under the extended warranty. Poor design, it’s not if is going to happen, but rather when it’s going to happen. For the bottom assembly, they want $1700 installed. I was able to fix it myself making it more reliable than the original crappy design.
Last edited by redcor21; Feb 13, 2026 at 10:52 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 1,836
From: Western WI
Valid point - that's what I'm finding pricewise. And I appreciate all of the comments. Think I will resume the hunt, with an eye towards a newer model with a remaining warranty, that offers the option of tagging an extension. Still have to deal with no local purchase options - we don't even have a Chevy dealer in the immediate area. But buying remote worked well with the wife's Mercedes HTC, though I did add a 5-year extended warranty.
Administrator
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Finding a used C8 with an existing warranty is certainly a wise consideration - the cars are very tech complex and can be expensive to repair if out of warranty. And adding an extended warranty is not a bad idea.
The C8 is an amazing car and good luck if you decide to find one that you like. Otherwise, the C7 is one fine car also and love the black rose color.
The C8 is an amazing car and good luck if you decide to find one that you like. Otherwise, the C7 is one fine car also and love the black rose color.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 366
Likes: 179
From: Plano TX
Broken HTC cable. Just happened to me and not covered under the extended warranty. Poor design, it’s not if is going to happen, but rather when it’s going to happen. For the bottom assembly, they want $1700 installed. I was able to fix it myself making it more reliable than the original crappy design.
for a Hysteria Purple before it is too late!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
Having missed out on a black rose C7, was subsequently out of town on business and while visiting one of the corvette specialty dealers, had transitioned my affections to shopping for a C8 HTC. I live in the sticks, so finding a used one locally is not a possibility. Just had a great experience buying a used Mercedes HTC sight unseen, and would most likely end up doing the same if I pursued a C8 HTC. But reading all of y'all's comments about the transmission woes, makes me think I'd be better off reverting to the C7 black rose hunt. I can afford a new or near new C8 , but the economics of sinking that much money into a weekend driver makes little sense - but back to the transmission issue, all of a sudden a warranty seems almost mandatory. Seems like my bucket list has a hole in it.
Probably makes the most sense to just ride the Harley, and occasionally take the Mercedes out for a spin.
Probably makes the most sense to just ride the Harley, and occasionally take the Mercedes out for a spin.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 922
Likes: 98
From: Sugarland/Houston TX