In the market for a 2014, but have concerns
12-14-2018, 10:23 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
In the market for a 2014, but have concerns
Hi all,
I知 new to this forum but not to Corvettes. I致e owned a 1978, and a 1972 BB ragtop with air, 454, 4 speed Pewter Silver. As usual hind site is 20,20. Wish I still had the 72.
Within the next six months I値l be in the market for a 2014 or 2015 Corvette convertible. I知 leaning towards the 2014 because I really like the lime rock green metallic exterior color. The only year that was available was 2014. However I have my concerns now after reading a few articles one of which was a long-term on a 2014 convertible, I believe it was from car and driver magazine. They found the following issues.
My my question is, have these issues affected a lot of 2014 car owners. Should I consider a 2015 instead. My thinking is the second year maybe these and other issues will have been ironed out. I really like the Green exterior on the 2014 but now I am a bit apprehensive. I am retired and would like to own a Corvette again but as a used car, it will probably be out of warranty leaving me to foot the bill for any repairs. Financially the 14,15 years are the only ones within my budget.
Thanks in advance for any advise.
I知 new to this forum but not to Corvettes. I致e owned a 1978, and a 1972 BB ragtop with air, 454, 4 speed Pewter Silver. As usual hind site is 20,20. Wish I still had the 72.
Within the next six months I値l be in the market for a 2014 or 2015 Corvette convertible. I知 leaning towards the 2014 because I really like the lime rock green metallic exterior color. The only year that was available was 2014. However I have my concerns now after reading a few articles one of which was a long-term on a 2014 convertible, I believe it was from car and driver magazine. They found the following issues.
- Squeeking steering wheel
- Creaking drivers side door
- Electronic parking brake sticking and giving a brake error on display when trying to release the brake
- malfunctioning infotainment system display
- Connecting rod bearing failure destroyed engine (2014)
- Passengers side air bag recall
- Heating and AC system issues with very poor seat heating and cooling
- Axel seal leakage at 25000 miles
My my question is, have these issues affected a lot of 2014 car owners. Should I consider a 2015 instead. My thinking is the second year maybe these and other issues will have been ironed out. I really like the Green exterior on the 2014 but now I am a bit apprehensive. I am retired and would like to own a Corvette again but as a used car, it will probably be out of warranty leaving me to foot the bill for any repairs. Financially the 14,15 years are the only ones within my budget.
Thanks in advance for any advise.
12-14-2018, 10:30 AM
#2
Safety Car
Might want to read thru this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-year-c7.html
The only common problem I've seen reported is the Infotainment system display problem.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-year-c7.html
The only common problem I've seen reported is the Infotainment system display problem.
12-14-2018, 11:26 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
Im biased because I bought a 2014, 3LT, Z51 - so I can say that I haven't experienced any of the items you listed with my 14. One of the issues I did hear alot about last year was the sporadic over-heating messages. This has been linked to bad radiator fans and/or a radiator leak (my Vette mechanic told me the C7's are very finicky when it comes to low coolant). I've heard that if you are getting an automatic, the 2014 is THE year to get since models that followed had substantial issues.
Overall - I couldn't be happier with my 14 - it turns heads where ever I go and I just have a ball driving it! Good Luck - that green color is rare and maybe hard to find, but looks beautiful in person - especially in a convertible.
Overall - I couldn't be happier with my 14 - it turns heads where ever I go and I just have a ball driving it! Good Luck - that green color is rare and maybe hard to find, but looks beautiful in person - especially in a convertible.
12-14-2018, 11:31 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
I haven't read about several of the things you mentioned. But there are a lot of cars out there that are CPOed. If not, you can often negotiate to have it done or pay for it yourself and you will be set for a year to find anything.
12-14-2018, 11:33 AM
#5
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Sold my bought new '14 Z51 with 52K on the clock last August and only problem during all that time was the flickering center screen (replaced under warranty early on and never a problem again)
(It was the oil catch can that made it so reliable
)
(It was the oil catch can that made it so reliable
)
Last edited by KenHorse; 12-14-2018 at 11:34 AM.
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12-14-2018, 12:50 PM
#6
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anderdea, the first thing you did wrong is read a forum. Folks always report problems they have, but very few ever report how good their car has been. That makes the few problems reported seem bigger than they really are. The '14's have a proven reliability record. The one repeated problem I saw was with the infotainment screen, however that showed up very early in ownership. So, if the car you're looking had the problem it would have been taken care of by now. We have a member here (owc6) that has over 100K miles on her '14 without anything other than normal wear items. Have the dealer run a "GMVIS" report, and then you can see if the car has been good, or has problems. Good luck.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; 12-14-2018 at 01:14 PM.
12-14-2018, 01:25 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
anderdea, the first thing you did wrong is read a forum. Folks always report problems they have, but very few ever report how good their car has been. That makes the few problems reported seem bigger than they really are. The '14's have a proven reliability record. The one repeated problem I saw was with the infotainment screen, however that showed up very early in ownership. So, if the car you're looking had the problem it would have been taken care of by now. We have a member here (owc6) that has over 100K miles on her '14 without anything other than normal wear items. Have the dealer run a VIS report, and then you can see if the car has been good, or has problems. Good luck.
As I live in Massachusetts and I never put my play cars on the road in the winter. It gives me the opportunity to save a few more $$ until Spring. I知 sure prices will be higher then and I may have to wait a little longer to purchase a car but I WILL buy something. This forum while be a valuable resource to learn more about the C7痴.
Unfortunately, searhing C7痴 for sale will generally mean a nationwide search especially considering the Lime Rock Green limited productio. Then another issue arises. Seeing the car and getting it back to a Massachusetts. Mass isn稚 the most convenient state when it comes to buying vehicles out of state. No temp plates to drive one back. Well that痴 down the road.
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Rebel Yell (12-15-2018)
12-14-2018, 01:46 PM
#8
Love my LRG 2014. 30K miles.
12-14-2018, 02:02 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the responses.
Read a long post on the 2014 C7 and on the whole people seemed to be happy with the car. Most issues were minor in nature and the major issues would have probably been repaired under warranty. There were some comments about running a bit hot, issues. Makes me feel a bit better on considering a 2014 down the road.
Read a long post on the 2014 C7 and on the whole people seemed to be happy with the car. Most issues were minor in nature and the major issues would have probably been repaired under warranty. There were some comments about running a bit hot, issues. Makes me feel a bit better on considering a 2014 down the road.
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Rebel Yell (12-14-2018)
12-14-2018, 05:14 PM
#10
bought my 14 used with 5,000, now has 26,000 miles, had the fan replaced.. I have the 3LT and the dash is delaminating just like most of them are... love mine and will be driving the wheels off it 
12-14-2018, 06:01 PM
#11
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
12-14-2018, 08:58 PM
#13
I'd either get a used C7 under B2B warranty, or, wait until I could afford one that had B2B warranty left on it. Buying used, you may not get the exact color you want, epecially a 2014 that's out of B2B warranty.
12-14-2018, 09:12 PM
#14
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
12-14-2018, 10:48 PM
#15
- Squeeking steering wheel
- Creaking drivers side door
- Electronic parking brake sticking and giving a brake error on display when trying to release the brake
- malfunctioning infotainment system display
- Connecting rod bearing failure destroyed engine (2014)
- Passengers side air bag recall
- Heating and AC system issues with very poor seat heating and cooling
- Axel seal leakage at 25000 miles
I have had to replace two belt tensioner pulleys, both under warranty (apparently they last an average of 50,000 miles), The AC blower motor fused, and a valve spring at 80,000 miles, all of the above was under warranty.
And mine is LRGM.
Last edited by owc6; 12-14-2018 at 11:17 PM.
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12-15-2018, 09:24 AM
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
Nice LRG vert. That痴 what I知 keeping my eye out for. Looks like you have the Brownstone interior. I prefer the Kalahari
But may be hard to find. There were 5 LRG verts for sale on the web in October but I wasn稚 in a position to buy at that time. My 2nd choice is Laguna blue and third choice is Torch Red Tint Coat. Each with ether one the brown interiors. Has to be an Automatic. Live on Cape Cod, MA and traffic here in the summer cane be a nightmare.
But may be hard to find. There were 5 LRG verts for sale on the web in October but I wasn稚 in a position to buy at that time. My 2nd choice is Laguna blue and third choice is Torch Red Tint Coat. Each with ether one the brown interiors. Has to be an Automatic. Live on Cape Cod, MA and traffic here in the summer cane be a nightmare.
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owc6 (12-15-2018)
12-15-2018, 05:35 PM
#18
Instructor
Thread Starter
Owc6,
Nice LRG Vette. Especially given the high milage. Must be a somewhat comfortable car the drive. I’ll be looking for a similar vert. If possible with the Kalihari interior. Second exterior color choice is Laguna Blue Tint coat and distant third is the Torch Red tint coat. Interior, ether of the browns. I saw 5 LRG’s on the WEB in October but wasn’t in a position to buy at the time. I can wait to get the car of my dreams.
Nice LRG Vette. Especially given the high milage. Must be a somewhat comfortable car the drive. I’ll be looking for a similar vert. If possible with the Kalihari interior. Second exterior color choice is Laguna Blue Tint coat and distant third is the Torch Red tint coat. Interior, ether of the browns. I saw 5 LRG’s on the WEB in October but wasn’t in a position to buy at the time. I can wait to get the car of my dreams.
Last edited by anderdea; 12-15-2018 at 05:36 PM.
12-15-2018, 05:42 PM
#19
Team Owner
I bought my 2LT Z51 M7 '14 used with ~14k miles on it and have daily driven it for 50k miles with only a leaky radiator (replaced under warranty) and a couple of minor recalls. 20k of those miles were with an A&A supercharger. It runs like a bat outa' hell and is my favorite car of all time.
