Cor430vette

Hey everyone I just test drove a 2012 GrandSport Centennial edition.

It was a manual.

When I was driving it I noticed that when I shifted gears that I could hear what sounded a bit like grinding when letting off the clutch and it seemed to come from the A/C vents in the middle. Engagement was good and smooth and no problem it just sounded a bit loud.

IS THIS NORMAL????

The owner told me that it has sounded like that since day one when he bought it in 2012 and he has 15k miles on it.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!

BlueAngelSAE

Well with 24k on my 2012 GS centennial M6 I have not heard that sound. I can tell you the sound a tire makes when it blows at 165mph and how the car handles when that happens.

Cor430vette

Hmm, okay...

It sounded like a tiny clutch grind going on, that could be heard through the A/C vent. He told me that it had a high flow catted X pipe so I wonder if the sounds are amplified underneath due to this or if there is a problem?

Price is 46k, with 15k miles immaculate not a scratch anything on the car. So I think the price is good??!!

4THTOY

In Feb, I bought one with an auto and chrome wheels, it had 24K miles with new Nitto tires, I paid $44K.

BlueAngelSAE

Did you "feel" it...if it was a grind you probably would feel it....whenever I need to identify a sound i have to turn off performance exhaust to quite it down enough to hear anything....so it could be exhaust related. My stock exhaust with performance open causes sounds vibrations..If it shifts good, I wouldn't worry about it.

ken breaux

I have just under 11,000 in my Centennial M6 and I have not had any clutch or gears noise, just the typical rough shifting first to second when cold.

Cor430vette

Hmm, okay so it does not sound normal.It still has warranty for 1 year, so I could buy it and take it in to Chevy. However, I dont really want to inherit a problem so I guess if no one has heard such a thing I will pass on it. Especially since the price seems normal and was not low like I thought.

Hell I could buy one like I used to have for mid to low 30s with less miles if I keep waiting.

THANKS

a66bbvet

Why not have the present own take it to the dealer and have them fix it under the warranty and then buy it. Maybe that has already been done and the owner did not like the answer.

jbc1995fb

I think the price is a little high. Bought my automatic 3LT, NPP, chrome wheels GS with 11k miles last Dec. for $46k.

So for the market almost a year later and more miles should be lower.

Look at carmax for examples. They have several 2012's the lowest is $39k and the high is $45K

Cor430vette

Well its also a Centennial Edition, so I think it should be around 2k more as it was what a 5k option in 2012? However at 15k miles, it probably should be lower. On top of that I had to pull teeth to get him to that price as he had it at $47,999. So sounds like the price was not good and there could even be a problem so I will keep looking!

ProfessorDeath

The "grinding noise" you're hearing could be harmonic vibration or some kind of reverberation from the pre- cat exhaust. You'll definitely feel a gearbox grinding. My guess? Drone and/or rattling heat shield.

Cor430vette

Interesting, He has the magnaflow catted X pipe and rear section so I thought this might cause a bit more vibration. I was moving at around 25mph and since the engine was not that loud it could easily be heard.

Afatcer

I bought mine in Jan with 20k miles for $40k
Mines a 3LT with both roofs and NPP

Cor430vette

So does everyone think that 46k is too much for this car? I checked KBB and based on his options and the fact that it is the Centennial Edition it is apparently appropriately priced. Not a great deal but a fair deal. Plus it has the magna flow exhaust including X pipe and haltech intake, and he tinted out the tails and sides real nice and legal like. All the things I would have done so that saves me at least 2k ...

He posted it on cars.com....here is the ad:

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...9010/overview/

J3TVETTE

That sure is a lot of money but that vette sure is beautiful haha

Gary '09 C6

If it's the exact car you want and otherwise checks-out, only you have to be satisfied with the price.
Compare it to the alternatives that you are considering...

jwf

I have an 11 GS M6 and have not had any noises through the AC or elsewhere. I'd say it's not normal.

Tonylmiller

The centennial GS is a sweet car. If it is mechanically sound, you will be happy with it. Just take it to the dealer before you buy and have them check it.
As for the price, it is up to you.

unixcorn

What's the difference between the 2012 Centennial edition vs the 2013 60th Anniversary edition?

Also, in my opinion, I wouldn't pay a premium for a car with mods. That exhaust may be the greatest thing ever but it's not stock and that lowers the value. Does he have the original equipment to go with the car?

Take the car to the dealer and ask them what they think and if they will perform the warranty work with the mods. Then at least you will have piece of mind.

CG3Vette

I have a 2012 Centennial, and the only mild "grinding" I get is when I start off in 1st gear. When I asked my corvette tech about it, he told me that it is a common issue with the manual transmission, and it is normal. My C5 did the same thing, so i wasn't too worried about it. I do not notice it when going to any other gear, though...just when starting off in first gear.