Stitching Quality/Consistency Concerns
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 791
From: Stamford, CT
I disagree
The same seats and interior panels go in a base C8 and a Z06. You are not paying extra for the Z06 interior. You are paying extra for mechanicals and exterior parts. Why would you think otherwise? You pay 40k more for a base 911 than a base C8. For the difference price and the inferior performance of the base 911 you show get perfect stitching, better panel gaps, and paint, and Porsche dealers should have someone service you when you have to bring your car in for warranty work, not just give you coffee.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 1,922
From: San Jose
Corvette fit and finish and quality of materials seems to be the compromise you have to make to get supercar performance at a reasonable price. It bothered me with my 3LT Stingray but not enough to stop me from getting the Z06. I know I’m going to cringe when I look up at my HTC interior fitment but the sound of the FPC with in open air should remedy that quickly. Too many Corvette apologists IMO, but some people just don’t care about this stuff and that’s their prerogative.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 1,922
From: San Jose
That fit and finish is not acceptable even in the most base C8 so I don't know why you are defending it. In addition, the Z06 is $50K more than the base C8. The added bits do not have a price differential of $50K over the base C8 so GM did have margin room to put in an upgraded or better qa'ed interior.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
That fit and finish is not acceptable even in the most base C8 so I don't know why you are defending it. In addition, the Z06 is $50K more than the base C8. The added bits do not have a price differential of $50K over the base C8 so GM did have margin room to put in an upgraded or better qa'ed interior.
What do you guys do in your cars? I drive mine. I have a lot to pay attention to other than stitching. I guess if I got bent over like you do on a Porsche, I might care. I wasn’t, and I don’t. Even if I did, mine is good. If interior fit and finish was my priority, I would have bought a used Roller, where horsepower(performance) is adequate, and the interior is stellar.
Pay the extra 40k and buy a Porsche.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3,566
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 791
From: Stamford, CT
So, to defend the poor quality you come up with all of these alternative scenarios?
it is on my C8.
What do you guys do in your cars? I drive mine. I have a lot to pay attention to other than stitching. I guess if I got bent over like you do on a Porsche, I might care. I wasn’t, and I don’t. Even if I did, mine is good. If interior fit and finish was my priority, I would have bought a used Roller, where horsepower(performance) is adequate, and the interior is stellar.
Pay the extra 40k and buy a Porsche.
What do you guys do in your cars? I drive mine. I have a lot to pay attention to other than stitching. I guess if I got bent over like you do on a Porsche, I might care. I wasn’t, and I don’t. Even if I did, mine is good. If interior fit and finish was my priority, I would have bought a used Roller, where horsepower(performance) is adequate, and the interior is stellar.
Pay the extra 40k and buy a Porsche.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 469
From: Las Vegas Nevada
This issue caused me to make a quick trip to a Chevy dealer that had a Z06 as well as a 20203 C8 SRs in showroom. I also was able to look at 3 more C8s (2021 and 2022) with red and white stitching. It was interesting because one of the cars (2023 SR) had yellow stitching, 3LT interior, and competition seat. The Z06 had a natural dipped interior (which was one of the options I am considering). See below pictures but the short summary is as follows:
Note : Best to view these pictures in a large screen to better mimic the size of the viewing area and the object you are looking at in real life. Phone's tiny screen isn't same as looking at a big door panel in real life.
- The stitching up close is inconsistent as per my pictures in 3LT and 2LT cars. In 1LT car, the stitching is substantially better to the point it's hard to imagine it came out of the same supplier. One of the posters here has a very good point I think. This issue might be due to GM's supplier stretching the Nappa leather too much and perhaps they dont have enough experience. But nevertheless, the issue is there, it's present in every single car and every panel. Some cars its worse than the others.
- Some small but key details : the difference between each stitching line is twice as much as the other cars I have experience with (Lambo Huracan, P cars, and BMW). In EU cars, the distance from each stitched line to the center line is precisely 1mm. In Corvettes, its more than 2mm. Furthermore, the stitching lines themselves are not aligned dashes to dashes vs in other cars they are. I actually stopped by a Lambo dealer on my way back and looked at various models, including the URUS.
- The stitching color makes this issue much worse. Red stitching is much more subdued and doesn't bother you whereas yellow (which was my preference until I discovered this issue) is pretty terrible.
- The competition seat bottom not only has the stitching issue but the seat's V shape area is very badly built. Uneven length and shape as well as angle where the V connects at the center. It's exactly as my picture from the OP. Furthermore, competition seat seems to have not enough padding and its sides and sitting area sags and doesn't stay straight.
- The natural tan dipped interior's dash had a horrible defect where the leather was wrapped around the edge had pretty dark marks (looks like someone used a dirty plastic piece to wrap them). This was visible from the outside of the car and looked very bad.
- More than half the cars had the issue where the dash to center trim stitching was not aligned.
From a 6 ft distance, I could tell the zig zag yellow stitching on the door card. So when people say "I cannot see it". You either dont have bright stitching, or not 3LT interior, or you are simply not looking. I still love and will order a Z06 but now this whole thing is making me re-consider what spec to order. I dont think the interior is worth anything above $150k to be honest, even that is a stretch but the engine and the car itself is well worth it. However, my dream for many years was to design and build my own extremely custom and beautiful Z. I am now having hard time paying $5,000 for CF trim and every single option checked. Maybe need to accept Chevy will be Chevy and never Lambo or Porsche fit and finish wise and order a more basic $120-130k build.
But then the problem is, outside of the car will have all the CF bits, Z07, CF wheels, the extra CF bits, roof so it will be amazing to look at. The interior on the other hand is nothing to write home about. That's really bothering me. I wish Chevy would see these pictures and do something about it.
Note : Best to view these pictures in a large screen to better mimic the size of the viewing area and the object you are looking at in real life. Phone's tiny screen isn't same as looking at a big door panel in real life.
- The stitching up close is inconsistent as per my pictures in 3LT and 2LT cars. In 1LT car, the stitching is substantially better to the point it's hard to imagine it came out of the same supplier. One of the posters here has a very good point I think. This issue might be due to GM's supplier stretching the Nappa leather too much and perhaps they dont have enough experience. But nevertheless, the issue is there, it's present in every single car and every panel. Some cars its worse than the others.
- Some small but key details : the difference between each stitching line is twice as much as the other cars I have experience with (Lambo Huracan, P cars, and BMW). In EU cars, the distance from each stitched line to the center line is precisely 1mm. In Corvettes, its more than 2mm. Furthermore, the stitching lines themselves are not aligned dashes to dashes vs in other cars they are. I actually stopped by a Lambo dealer on my way back and looked at various models, including the URUS.
- The stitching color makes this issue much worse. Red stitching is much more subdued and doesn't bother you whereas yellow (which was my preference until I discovered this issue) is pretty terrible.
- The competition seat bottom not only has the stitching issue but the seat's V shape area is very badly built. Uneven length and shape as well as angle where the V connects at the center. It's exactly as my picture from the OP. Furthermore, competition seat seems to have not enough padding and its sides and sitting area sags and doesn't stay straight.
- The natural tan dipped interior's dash had a horrible defect where the leather was wrapped around the edge had pretty dark marks (looks like someone used a dirty plastic piece to wrap them). This was visible from the outside of the car and looked very bad.
- More than half the cars had the issue where the dash to center trim stitching was not aligned.
From a 6 ft distance, I could tell the zig zag yellow stitching on the door card. So when people say "I cannot see it". You either dont have bright stitching, or not 3LT interior, or you are simply not looking. I still love and will order a Z06 but now this whole thing is making me re-consider what spec to order. I dont think the interior is worth anything above $150k to be honest, even that is a stretch but the engine and the car itself is well worth it. However, my dream for many years was to design and build my own extremely custom and beautiful Z. I am now having hard time paying $5,000 for CF trim and every single option checked. Maybe need to accept Chevy will be Chevy and never Lambo or Porsche fit and finish wise and order a more basic $120-130k build.
But then the problem is, outside of the car will have all the CF bits, Z07, CF wheels, the extra CF bits, roof so it will be amazing to look at. The interior on the other hand is nothing to write home about. That's really bothering me. I wish Chevy would see these pictures and do something about it.
Woof. Those are bad...and I keep seeing this over and over.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 1,922
From: San Jose
Who cross shops used rollers with brand new sports cars? And, why would you need to get bent over to have good quality when even very affordable vehicles do not have such issues? Part of the experience of a pseudo/semi-exotic is the interior and it should not look like the manufacturer is basically skimping on qa. What else is being skimped that is invisible to the eye?
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 1,922
From: San Jose
Plenty of cars that offer great interiors at various price points but I don’t see anything that’s offering Z06 performance… and no that doesn’t just mean mundane 0-60 and 1/4 mile times … AND a great interior at the Z06 price points. Maybe the next Godzilla will get close but the European supercars certainly don’t. Furthermore I think it’s going to be hard to get those workers on the line to care enough when they are making wages that can’t even get a barista to care about how he/she makes your coffee.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
Who cross shops used rollers with brand new sports cars? And, why would you need to get bent over to have good quality when even very affordable vehicles do not have such issues? Part of the experience of a pseudo/semi-exotic is the interior and it should not look like the manufacturer is basically skimping on qa. What else is being skimped that is invisible to the eye?
Show me the Porsche that matches the performance on the street of the base C8 for the same price and we can compare the interior fit and finish. Oh, that right, there isn’t one. Ok, let’s compare how much you have to pay for a Porsche that matches the street performance of a base C8, and we can compare prices and we will see how much you pay for that improvement in interior fit and finish, it is more than $40k. You can get a fully custom interior interior for far less, that puts the Porsche interior to shame.
The fit and finish in the interior of my 2LT is good. Is it perfect? I don’t know, I am too busy enjoying driving it to care. I have never had anyone give negative comments on it, but have had plenty of positive comments on the car.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 238
Likes: 266
This guy (OP) has a point.
This car is not good bang for the buck all things considered. It is expensive AF - GM jacked up the price to account for current and future inflation.
You decide what you want: a decked-out Z06, an M3 + a VW GTI / Golf R as a daily driver, a low-spec GT3, or a nice spec 911 GTS.
This car is not good bang for the buck all things considered. It is expensive AF - GM jacked up the price to account for current and future inflation.
You decide what you want: a decked-out Z06, an M3 + a VW GTI / Golf R as a daily driver, a low-spec GT3, or a nice spec 911 GTS.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 699
Likes: 421
From: Armonk, NY
it is on my C8.
What do you guys do in your cars? I drive mine. I have a lot to pay attention to other than stitching. I guess if I got bent over like you do on a Porsche, I might care. I wasn’t, and I don’t. Even if I did, mine is good. If interior fit and finish was my priority, I would have bought a used Roller, where horsepower(performance) is adequate, and the interior is stellar.
Pay the extra 40k and buy a Porsche.
What do you guys do in your cars? I drive mine. I have a lot to pay attention to other than stitching. I guess if I got bent over like you do on a Porsche, I might care. I wasn’t, and I don’t. Even if I did, mine is good. If interior fit and finish was my priority, I would have bought a used Roller, where horsepower(performance) is adequate, and the interior is stellar.
Pay the extra 40k and buy a Porsche.
Part of what made early Mercedes Benz and early 911s legendary is that they did things the right way and went the extra mile EVEN WHEN YOU COULDN'T SEE IT. Honda used to operate the same way. The materials and construction you COULDN'T see was every bit as good as that which you could. GM traditionally has a habit of only changing poor construction when it affects their sales--NOT because they have an innate desire to build their cars with pride because it has their name on it. It is a completely different mentality, and excusing bad stitching because it is "good enough" or saying "I bought my car to drive, not ogle the interior" perpetuates the cycle of "Decent is good enough"
Someone wanting EVERYTHING to be above average and is willing to pay more for it doesn't mean they "bend over". It means they like nice ****. I'm not talking about Porsche in particular, I mean in general.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,224
Likes: 987
From: Think BEFORE hitting "Submit Reply"
Point is if you want the ultimate interior, buy a Roller, not a Corvette. Not a Porsche, not a Ferrari.
Show me the Porsche that matches the performance on the street of the base C8 for the same price and we can compare the interior fit and finish. Oh, that right, there isn’t one. Ok, let’s compare how much you have to pay for a Porsche that matches the street performance of a base C8, and we can compare prices and we will see how much you pay for that improvement in interior fit and finish, it is more than $40k. You can get a fully custom interior interior for far less, that puts the Porsche interior to shame.
The fit and finish in the interior of my 2LT is good. Is it perfect? I don’t know, I am too busy enjoying driving it to care. I have never had anyone give negative comments on it, but have had plenty of positive comments on the car.
Show me the Porsche that matches the performance on the street of the base C8 for the same price and we can compare the interior fit and finish. Oh, that right, there isn’t one. Ok, let’s compare how much you have to pay for a Porsche that matches the street performance of a base C8, and we can compare prices and we will see how much you pay for that improvement in interior fit and finish, it is more than $40k. You can get a fully custom interior interior for far less, that puts the Porsche interior to shame.
The fit and finish in the interior of my 2LT is good. Is it perfect? I don’t know, I am too busy enjoying driving it to care. I have never had anyone give negative comments on it, but have had plenty of positive comments on the car.
Porsche makes very good interiors, using very high quality materials and they get the details right.
They keep it functional and allow for upgrades to trim, color, material, etc. to personal taste.
Yes, it is possible to pay for a custom interior like Caravaggio for the C8 but the only benefit is that it will be different, not necessarily better than factory.
Last edited by vrybad; Jan 9, 2023 at 09:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
GM could have made the C8 a loss leader and really gone the extra mile on the interior build quality, but as per their usual, having some flaws was deemed good enough because they know there are people who will accept ANYTHING they make--as long as it says Corvette on it.
Part of what made early Mercedes Benz and early 911s legendary is that they did things the right way and went the extra mile EVEN WHEN YOU COULDN'T SEE IT. Honda used to operate the same way. The materials and construction you COULDN'T see was every bit as good as that which you could. GM traditionally has a habit of only changing poor construction when it affects their sales--NOT because they have an innate desire to build their cars with pride because it has their name on it. It is a completely different mentality, and excusing bad stitching because it is "good enough" or saying "I bought my car to drive, not ogle the interior" perpetuates the cycle of "Decent is good enough"
Someone wanting EVERYTHING to be above average and is willing to pay more for it doesn't mean they "bend over". It means they like nice ****. I'm not talking about Porsche in particular, I mean in general.
Part of what made early Mercedes Benz and early 911s legendary is that they did things the right way and went the extra mile EVEN WHEN YOU COULDN'T SEE IT. Honda used to operate the same way. The materials and construction you COULDN'T see was every bit as good as that which you could. GM traditionally has a habit of only changing poor construction when it affects their sales--NOT because they have an innate desire to build their cars with pride because it has their name on it. It is a completely different mentality, and excusing bad stitching because it is "good enough" or saying "I bought my car to drive, not ogle the interior" perpetuates the cycle of "Decent is good enough"
Someone wanting EVERYTHING to be above average and is willing to pay more for it doesn't mean they "bend over". It means they like nice ****. I'm not talking about Porsche in particular, I mean in general.
I don't have these problems in my car. So I would be paying $40k for nothing. Maybe you are OK with that I am not. You seem really unhappy with the way GM does business. Buy something else. Life is too short to be unhappy. To give you an idea of how much my preference leans towards the driving experience, I bought a first year Lotus Elise. There is no US car that was more spartan at the time or probably since.
Just know that you are paying $10s of thousands of dollars for whatever little difference there is in the interior, or maybe you are paying part of that for the badge. If I cared about badges, I would pay a few bucks for some badges and slap whatever brand badge I wanted on my car.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 13
This would personally drive me crazy. And for two reasons..... 1) It looks awful and 2) It is very sloppy job and I hate sloppy jobs!!!!! When it comes to doing any work, I take pride in what I do, be it screwing a screw or cutting wood or even mailing post. How can anyone do this sloppy work and sleep good at night? $20,000 Subaru does not have this problem. So the argument that you must pay $250,000 to get straight stitching or seam lines is crap!!!!
Someone said above that there are people out there who would buy anything with a Corvette logo on it. I think that might be too true and is part of the problem. I read the other day in C8 forum someone has gone through 4 transmissions. Are you kidding me?
GM : These pictures is not good! Please fix this unless you wanted to put the world on notice on how not to have straight lines!!!!!
What a joke!
Someone said above that there are people out there who would buy anything with a Corvette logo on it. I think that might be too true and is part of the problem. I read the other day in C8 forum someone has gone through 4 transmissions. Are you kidding me?
GM : These pictures is not good! Please fix this unless you wanted to put the world on notice on how not to have straight lines!!!!!
What a joke!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,556
To add, this is why I prefer my 1LT/1LZ cars to the higher trim ones. GM doesn't do the interior details well and I find the suedes and fancy stitching end up creating more issues. That said, my 2LT HTC wasn't bad, but I had sky cool grey interior which made the stitching blend. My Z06 will be 1LZ.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
This would personally drive me crazy. And for two reasons..... 1) It looks awful and 2) It is very sloppy job and I hate sloppy jobs!!!!! When it comes to doing any work, I take pride in what I do, be it screwing a screw or cutting wood or even mailing post. How can anyone do this sloppy work and sleep good at night? $20,000 Subaru does not have this problem. So the argument that you must pay $250,000 to get straight stitching or seam lines is crap!!!!
Someone said above that there are people out there who would buy anything with a Corvette logo on it. I think that might be too true and is part of the problem. I read the other day in C8 forum someone has gone through 4 transmissions. Are you kidding me?
GM : These pictures is not good! Please fix this unless you wanted to put the world on notice on how not to have straight lines!!!!!
What a joke!
Someone said above that there are people out there who would buy anything with a Corvette logo on it. I think that might be too true and is part of the problem. I read the other day in C8 forum someone has gone through 4 transmissions. Are you kidding me?
GM : These pictures is not good! Please fix this unless you wanted to put the world on notice on how not to have straight lines!!!!!
What a joke!
A $20K Subaru doesn't have this problem on any of it examples? Have you personally gone and taken pictures of them? I doubt that claim.
There are people that will buy anything with a Porsche Logo, or a Ferrari logo,..... take you pick of many.
If a person has had 4 transmissions, they have extraordinarily bad luck. Or the root problem is not the transmission.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 579
From: Central Gulf Coast Florida
We have debated this for many years. There is the Vette performance, the Vette price, the Vette fit / finish and the Vette quality of products used. These things make the Vette what it is. Change one of the items and you may change one or more of the other items. I am sure many would like better fit / finish and better quality at the same or lower price. Unless Vette sales go way down, that is not going to happen.
