Z06 is beginning to be a love - hate relationship

[Rockin_Ron]

Fellow Z06er's

I am the proud owner of a TR '03 Z06 which is just over 6 months old and less than 10k miles on the car. The car has awesome acceleration and handling, but GMs quality is really beginning to distrub me ... especially for a +$50k price tag and it being their flagship vehicle. So far I have had the following warranty work performed:

Steering wheel not aligned properly. (Aligned not once, but twice)
Rear Brake duct (cosmetic) Replaced
Exhaust tips crooked (cosmetic) Aligned
Driver's door hinge popping. Replaced
Driver's seat back popping on the right side. Replaced/repaired
Rear differential leaking. Replaced cover.
No A/C. Defective compressor casting, leaking around mounting hole. Replaced compressor.

While the dealership experience has been generally good, one still has to hassle with bringing the car in. This last experience with the A/C I brought the car in first think 8:00 AM on Sat. and they kept the car until 3:30 PM. The GM dealership now will not give you a car .... if they can fix it that day. So I'm without a car the entire day. While I'm grateful they had the part and fixed it that day since I wasn't looking forward to driving around in the sweltering 100 degree Texas heat .... it is still a hassle. Especially since I just had it in 2 weeks ago to fix the leaking rear end.

I don't think I have a lemon since most of these same problems have been posted all over this website. BTW this site has been great since it has made me a more informed consumer when dealing with the dealerships, not to mention all the mod advise.

I hate to bring this up and don't get me wrong I love this car, but I never had this many problems with my '94 TT Toyota Supra ! The car ran solid up to the day I sold her with 135k miles. All you had to do is change the oil, add gas, and standard routine maintenance.

Anyhow ... call this my objective review of the Z after 6 months experience. I sure hope things get better and this is just "infant mortality" when it come to parts failure. Maybe I should get that extended warranty. If GM is listening, get you quality act together !!! Especially for the C6 ! I don't think consumers want to pay +$60k for a car and have to bring it into the dealership ever two weeks.

Ron

[Andy Cravens]

Nah I dont believe you have a lemon either. They all have a few flaws, they are good cars. gotta love the Z06

[perry]

I`ve had a lot of little BS problems with the used `01 I`ve got. Haven`t had anything for a while. I`m thinking that eventually they WILL get everything fixed. Good theory anyway! Still the greatest car I`ve ever owned.

[jub jub]

I scraped my 2000 Eldorado because of all problems I had with it. I woud probably do the same with the Z if it wasn't for the fact that it hauls ass and looks good doing it. Yep, it's a love-hate thing...kinda like having a second wife.

[SMFCPACFP]

At 21,000 miles, I haven't had it at the dealership once. I have had no problems. You car may be an exception.

[Z06airways]

No, I don't think you have a lemon either. I haven't had to take mine to the dealership yet either and would like to warn everyone how some dealerships lift the Z.

They tend to ignore the lifting points and don't use lifting pucks. Advise them before service, not to destroy the bottom of yours. I have seen this time after time walking through dealerships. I have shaken my head many of times while walking under Vettes

[VettBoy]

ive had my z06 for 4 months when a bad connection to the fuel pump kept it from starting

i didnt buy it for quality, but shit
it does make one wonder where the 50k goes ???
but i dont think i will ever hate the car
of couse, i dont have an arm's length list of problems yet either
the guy that towed it said he has been towing for 35 years and he assured me that he has seen everything break down,
expensive and cheap, foreign and non foreign


-philip

[dbvettez061]

You can get a car with problems, just the way it goes..I have 12000 miles, and not one problem....Has to be frustrating for you , but let them fix it right for you then go enjoy the beast..

[jswatek]

I have to admit that I am disappointed in the quality as well. I love driving the car but have never purchased a new car with so many defects so early in its life. I have bought 10 new cars so far in my life and this is the most expensive and poorest quality. Rattles, leaks, poor paint, fit and finish all below par for ANY car of any type or price range. I'm not going to sell it though!

[rjsnyder]

I agree with you all until I hit the gas! The Adrenaline rush makes me forget the little annoyances!

[WA 2 FST]

Sure, having small problems are a pain in the butt. However, if you own "exotic" cars worth 2-3x what the Z06 is... you will still have problems. Just ask the guy who owns a Ferrari.

How about BMW's new M3? Horrible issues with the engine/drivetrain in that car are well documented.

The small stuff really doesn't get to me. Granted, I have yet to take my car in for service (change my own oil, etc) due to a problem. Just last week I discovered my passenger side door lock does not unlock every time I hit the button. It is a bit annoying, but I'm not even going to take it in for that. Not worth it.

Enjoy the car for what it is... a driving machine meant to be driven enthusiastically. I didn't buy the car for the cheap plastic they use on the dash or the radio straight out of a Cavalier, that's for sure.