I have a coworker who is looking seriously at buying either a used 2019 Camaro ZL1 (with the manual) or a 2019 C7 Corvette (also with a manual). I am not familiar with these cars or these years (other than 2019 was the last year of the C7 Corvette and 2019 was a few years into this Camaro generation) but thought I’d get some feedback from the Forum. The ones he will be looking at are low mileage (less than 20,000 miles). Both are manual and my friend only plans on putting less than 5,000 miles a year on them and keep for at least 10+ years.
He also insists on GM, so it’s either the Camaro or Corvette, but of the 2 devils which is better?
I worked for GM for most of my adult life before starting my own shop.
You want to know the truth about those cars:
Don't do it. The quality is TERRIBLE, they are WAY overpriced, and GM does not stand behind their products.
I can't recommend either.
Thanks @mod_man! After he saw these videos and did more research he is no longer going with either car. I told him about this Forum and how it’s helped and saved countless people from making a bad mistake.
I'm glad to hear that and happy I could help. He will be much happier with a better car.
With a manual in either, I’d pick the one I liked more. With that low running, it should be a fun toy.
Now, you have to get the car checked out by a great mechanic like Scotty or atleast a guy who specialises in performance GMs before you buy it, as both of the cars need a thorough inspection. Don’t even think about buying either, without having them checked out by a mechanic who knows what to look for.
Scotty recently made a video on picking up a used ‘vette - https://youtu.be/-9gHD3xQDeU
@InThrustWeTrust or anyone, the engines in those vehicles - have they been reliable? I think in the ZL1 it is supercharged 6.2L V8, and in the Corvette that he is looking at it is NA V8. What’s the verdict on those engines if you plan on keeping the overall mileage under 100,000 miles.
Are there any other issues in both to be mindful of? I checked carcomplaints.com and given how many were made - there was not a statistically significant number of problems.
Anyhow have experience with them???
I wouldn't have either, even if you paid me to own one.
Vettes are "hey look at me" toys. Last good ones were in 60s and 70s...and they weren't all that great.
The Camaros in this go-around are nightmares. Late 60s an early 70s also...restomod with all around disc brakes, you'd still have a rough ride, but at least you could stop.
Both are great candidates to be trailer queens hauled from show to show.
I was mainly asking from a reliability point of view question. My friend is going GM no matter what, just wanted to see of the 2 devils which would be less problematic in terms of reliability up to 100,000 miles.
Bumped (to get more feedback).