Fit and Finish

[tmelita]

fit and finish
What a great web site, just love it. Well the Xmas tree just happened to be in the garage this year and low and behold, my lovely wife placed a mil yellow 2003 Z06 under the tree, man will the list get long now for the honey do's!

Quick question, although I have not returned to the dealer yet, I found that both the front and real aprons where they meet the other body panels don't quite line up. Also, I found that the exhaust pipes aren't even too. My question, should I have the dealer make an attempt to fix, and I'm worried that once they mess with alignment, something else is going to be messed up. Just going though, what should the level of expectation be, perfection? Just looking for anyone who may have had the same issues and what route they took.

I just love the car even though it only has 20 miles on it, just have to peak in the garage every 5 min just to convience myself its not a dream. Again, what a great web site. Thanks, Tom

[Kat]

Welcome and Congrats

Can't help with your questions but I'm sure someone will soon

[NYCHASM]

Hey Tom...

WELCOME and congrats on a great car and an even greater wife. If you ever tire of either, pack 'em up and ship them off to NY.

Welcome aboard.

Charlie

[emf]

Congrats on one heck of a XMas present, and welcome to the forum!

The exhaust tips should be a fairly straight forward fix, depending on how out of whack they are [X / Y / Z axis], but then again . . . the dealer should be able to identify how 'able' they are in making the repair . . . ditto with the body panels.


Only 480 miles until a few good WOT runs!

[Zippy]

Hi Tom, and welcome to the site! Wow, what a great present!

I used to live in Westland....Wayne Rd, just South of Warren Ave. My dad is in a Sr citizens complex in Canton. We will have to get together some time and talk Vettes!

Not sure what to tell you about the body panel alignment, suggest you discussthe pros/cons with your dealer.

Happy New Year, and your going to luv that car!

Zippy

[corvette184]

congrats on the great wife and the awesome car......welcome

[70boss302]

Hello Tom and welcome to the 'best' Vette site on the intenet! Take your car to the dealer for a look at and your wife out on the town. She sounds like a rare jewel. You are lucky to have her and the car. Enjoy both! Bill

[Joslyn]

I guess having had so many old muscle cars before this Z06 I have developed a different expectation of what panel fit means. I know from building some of these cars that sometimes they just arn't perfect even after a bizillion hours and as much profanity, I look at it as part of the originality of the car. To me a GM muscle car was not ment to be perfect just fast. I would try not to worry about it. Personally, the body shops at the dealers I know are not my first choice, (Ahem, ahem) Why not drive the car, get it broken in before you risk letting someone else drive it, and take the time to look around for a body shop that can do the work right. On my cars it really isn't about getting the work done under warranty but about getting it done right. Unless your dealer really understands the Z06 owner I bet they arn't going to be anxious to bring the car in, let alone put thier best man on it.
Just my 2 cents. Enjoy the car, and realize you can always get the car worked on if you decide to later.

[tmelita]

Thanks for the reply's, great to hear the welcomes. Zippy, love to get together sometime, give me a yell, love to meet. I live just north of Warren off Waye, just down Cowan Rd from Westland Mall. The weather is not Vette friendly here the last few days, driving me nuts, and yes to all, can't wait for my 500 miles, better than a honeymoon woody. Haven't had a muscle car since my 72 Z28, sold it about 10 years ago on an impulse, big bummer for my impeteous behavior.

For those that are interested, went to the dealer and they recommended to leave the body panels alone, tough fix, mold issue, and that's ok, all seems less important when I drive it, at least its on record and will take the car in for the exhaust sometime later.


Again, thanks for the welcomes. Tom

[Jayzvette]

Welcome to the site...I would have the dealer fix the uneven exhaust tips but, the body panels I would leave alone mine are a tad off also but not to major

[Glenns]

Welcome and congrats on a great Christmas gift. As far as the facia [I think thats what you are asking] is concerned.

I'm not sure if its a simple loosen the screws and align or take it off and line it up. That would be the determining factor for me.

If its a loosen and line up then I would do it but if they have to start taking things off completley then I would live with it.

[Sanford]

Even going into the garage and looking at your Xmas present is very satisfying. Some of the body panels are adjusted by loosening the screws and adjusting for the fit you want. Everything is more or less separate and removable, because the insurance industry requested GM to help cut down on the repair costs. If your dealer has a body shop they should be able to make it the best it can be. I also hail from Detroit, Michigan. Left there in 1949 and headed west to sunny California. I won't bother you with the weather report here. Have no fear Spring will be here sooner then you think.

[tmelita]

Thanks again for all the replies, if I could sum it up, I'd much rather be driving my Z06 then watching the Detroit Lions..!

Appreciate all the information, especially since this is my first Vette experience. Will continue to absorb and Digest. Thanks, Tom

[03Z06EB405]

Take it back to the dealership and don't leave until your satisfied.


Congrats on the new Z06

[JoeS]

Tom - a very big welcome & congrats.

I agree with 03Z06EB405 - make them get it right. It should look perfect in your eyes or you'll forever see those flaws.