New Corvette Owner Says Chevy Dealership Damaged His C8 Z06 Corvette on Delivery, What Can I Do?

When Jeff Mercer shared his experience in the Corvette C8 Z06, ZR1 & E-Ray Facebook group, it struck a nerve among fellow enthusiasts.

His post detailed a frustrating saga involving a brand-new $150,000 C8 Corvette Z06. Mercer wrote:

"What is a good contact number to speak with someone at GM about an issue that occurred at the dealer prior to vehicle delivery... I paid for the paint to be factory perfect. I know this is not a Bugatti. But it’s a $150k car, and the factory sent the paint perfect. The dealer’s guys messed up when trying to adjust the panel, then messed it up more by trying to do a quick fix... I need to speak with someone at GM asap as I don’t want to be responsible for this issue as I did not cause it."

This is the kind of issue that would make anyone wince, especially when it involves a car as iconic as the Corvette. Mercer’s frustration was compounded by the dealer's promise to sand and repaint the quarter panel properly, only for them to deliver another slapdash repair job. His post sparked a heated discussion, with many empathizing with the ordeal of buying a dream car only to encounter nightmarish after-sales treatment.

The Legend of The Corvette

• The C8 Corvette is the first-ever production Corvette with a mid-engine layout, a dream that Zora Arkus-Duntov, the “Father of the Corvette,” had championed for decades.
• Historically an American icon, the C8 Corvette’s design and performance have made it a global contender, rivaling European exotics like Ferrari and Lamborghini.
• With the C8 Z06, the Corvette continues its tradition of dominating tracks, thanks to a 670-horsepower flat-plane crank V8 that screams to 8,600 RPM.

Mercer’s frustrations with his dealership’s mishandling of his Corvette Z06 are far from unique, as evidenced by comments like Michael Myers’ in the same group. Myers shared a story of learning the hard way with his new Suburban, where a dealer promise to fix a paint issue fell flat. “I let the dealer at first try to fix a paint problem, after that was a screw up, I went to a private paint shop that did custom work... my lesson learned!” Myers advised Mercer to bypass the dealership entirely and find a reputable high-end paint shop, even if it means footing the bill upfront. While frustrating, stories like these underscore the challenges customers face when dealing with luxury vehicles and subpar aftersales service.

A Ground Breaking Change

These issues become even more poignant when considering the groundbreaking nature of the Z06 Corvette. When Chevrolet unveiled it, it was hailed as a revolutionary leap forward. As detailed in this article from Torque News, the transition to a mid-engine layout was a decades-long ambition of Corvette’s legendary engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov. The design wasn’t just about aesthetics, it was about performance, finally giving the Corvette a configuration that could rival European supercars in handling and balance.

Despite these advancements, no innovation is immune to growing pains. Performance enthusiasts have pushed the boundaries of what the C8 can do, with companies like Hennessey building the world’s first twin-turbo C8 Corvette. As detailed in Torque News, these modifications highlight the car’s potential as a platform for extreme performance, but they also remind us that even factory models can come with their fair share of quirks and challenges.

When it comes to high-end vehicles like the C8 Z06, attention to detail and accountability are non-negotiable. Always inspect your car thoroughly upon delivery, document any issues, and hold your dealer to their promises.

Have you ever faced a frustrating experience with a dealership? Share your story in the comments… we’d love to hear how you handled it!

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.