iclick

Well, at age 65 I bought my first new Vette three days ago, a black/ebony 1LT with 5-spoke chrome wheels. I've had two Corvettes, both '66 C2's, and the second (427/390 Coupe) I still have after 32 years. It's a very original NCRS Top Flight car and I don't drive it much anymore, mostly because I'm afraid of the texters and inattentive drivers around here.

The C6 purchase was a stroke of pure profligacy on my part, as I usually opt to ride my Harley over riding in a car, but at this point I'm a happy profligate. I'm justifying the purchase in my own mind by the great deal I got, not to mention the fact that I've always wanted a modern Vette. Here are some notes so far, and any comments would be welcome:

The car pulls slightly to the right and the dealer wants me to bring it in after 500 miles. I haven't found any other issues with the car thus far.

Performance is amazing although I haven't had it above about 3k RPM and maybe one-quarter throttle, as I'm taking it easy for a few hundred miles. Handling is go-cart-like as expected and the ride firm but quite comfortable. My last car (Saab 9000) had a 5-speed and this C6 6-speed is taking some time to get used to, as the throw is much shorter and the movement quite stiff by comparison to the Saab and the C2. I assume it will loosen up a bit in time, but if it doesn't I think I'll get used to it sooner rather than later. I haven't run into the 1-4 gear-skip routine yet.

I want to buy some sort of seat protector, like the "Seat Towel" sold by Mid-America. Does anyone have any input on alternatives? I want to have some means of protecting the leather when needed, like when I'm sweaty after a workout.

I'm frankly lukewarm about the chrome wheels, but that's what were on the car. They may grow on me but the bling effect against a black car with little exterior chrome is rather high. All of my friends like it, though, or at least say they do. The standard 7-speaker stereo sounds better than I expected, and wonder how much better the optional Bose system sounds.

I'm confused by the oil requirements, especially the Dexos1 spec as it relates to warranty and sensor longevity. I want to use Royal Purple HPS 5w30, but it is neither Dexos1 or API certified. The dealer gave me a non-committal answer on this topic, like "GM wants you to use Dexos1 oil but lots of our customers don't." I wasn't told categorically that not using Dexos1 oil would void the warranty if engine work was required, so I left the conversation as confused as I was to start with. I don't criticize the dealer for this, as I was glad to get something besides a corporate answer. I don't worry about the lubrication qualifications of a non-Dexos1 oil but rather the effects of the additives on sensors. I'd appreciate more thoughts on this, although I've read quite a few opinions on other threads.

Joz132

Regardless of the claims and counter-claims of manufacturer-specified oil superiority, here's all you need to know: As long as you follow the oil specifications shown in your owner's manual, you have nothing to worry about.

In the event that the dealership tries to void your warranty over the use of non-manufacturer oil - The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act will protect you.

gbrtng

I THINK the owner's manual says dexos1 oil is recommended, not required. Anyhow, the
dexos1 specification is a worldwide spec for oil in GM cars since about 2011. Manufacturers have to submit to GM testing to be able to claim dexos1 compatibility.
I don't know about the factory oil in my 2013 C6, but the factory oil in my 2012 Buick Enclave was a Mobil1 synthetic blend, and that's what the Buick dealer uses. Look around - even wally world has dexos1 oil in stock from several sources.

su8pack1

dvilin

Congratulations and enjoy it. Take it in for the alignment to fix the pulling to the right, the seat towel will meet your needs, as for the oil, I just use what the manual says and drive the hell out of the Vette.

pahlbfishn

Congrats on your new vette. I'm sure you will love it. I also a joy reading comments written by someone who knows how to use correct grammar and punctuation.

boraxman

Don 79 TA

just have fun with the ride and enjoy
the wife enjoys her 05 when she uses it

JPJR

Do I have to say it?


Congrats on the new C6!
Last of the good looking Corvettes!

alyupe11

congratulations......enjoy your new toy

laconiajack

The Bose system, by all accounts, doesn't sound as good as the standard system. Why take a chance on voiding your warrenty by using an oil that doesn't meet GM specifications?

383vett

Congratulations.

Tony 327

But I admit that I had to Google "profligacy". I learned a new word today!

Torchsport

You've had Corvettes all these years and you're finally joining us here??

JK.
Be sure to spend some time in our C2 section.

Congrats on the new Corvette. Enjoy it. They are wonderful cars to drive.

Supersonic 427

Congrats on the new Vette!

gunnerjuju

peter pan

Congrats

iclick

My understanding of the MMWA is that they can't force you to buy a specific brand of any product or require you to have scheduled maintenance performed at the dealership to maintain your warranty unless they provide it gratis. I bought a new Saab once and to maintain the warranty you had to have the dealer perform the first service (1000 miles), but it was "free" (i.e., absorbed in the price of the car).

Dexos is a specification, not a specific brand they insist that you buy, and I'm not sure how that translates vis-a-vis the MMWA.

iclick

I read what was in the manual and didn't come out of the experience with a conclusion on this topic. It's all pretty nebulous, probably intentionally to make you have second thoughts about falling off the Dexos1 bandwagon.

I saw the list somewhere on-line and it was large. Finding a Dexos-rated oil isn't the problem, but the question is whether or not I can use a non-Dexos1, non-API oil in the car with assurance the warranty won't be at risk. I have no doubt about the quality of the oil I'd like to use(RP HPS), but wonder if GM will go berserk if I suffer an unlikely engine failure and they ask for maintenace records and receipts, or if the oil will cause issues with the converter or O2 sensors. This oil is almost identical to the oil I've been using in modern cars for 20 years--i.e. rich in moly, phosphorus, and zinc--and I never had either a sensor or catalyst issue in that time frame.

iclick

Yes, that was a glaring omission, especially since I put the C2 in my signature.