How Many Miles & Years Do Chevrolet Corvette Last? (Actual Numbers)

In the world of supercars, the Chevrolet Corvette is an anomaly. It is fast, practical, cheap to maintain, and most of all, affordable–qualities you’ll hardly find on other supercars.

We have looked at some of the most common issues and problems with the Corvettes, now we’ll turn to how long they last.

Since a Corvette costs more than the average vehicle, you’d want to know how long these models last. Find out in this article.

Here is the short answer about how long Chevrolet Corvettes last:

Well-cared for, a new Chevrolet Corvette can last between 150,000 miles to 200,000 miles. Based on this, the average Corvette should be good for 10-13, at the very least. The Chevrolet Corvette is perhaps the most reliable and affordable supercar you can buy.

How Many Miles Can You Expect From A Chevrolet Corvette?

A sports car hardly comes to mind when asked to picture a ‘reliable vehicle’. With delicate engines and exorbitant maintenance costs, sports cars often have short lifespans.

Some sports car owners even avoid putting high miles on their vehicle just so they don’t break down earlier.

But the Chevrolet Corvette is built differently. Given proper maintenance, a Chevrolet Corvette will remain in excellent condition for long. The Chevrolet Corvette has proved that supercars can last long if well-cared for.

These days, you can expect up to 150,000 miles from a Chevrolet Corvette or 200,000 miles if you’re lucky. Given that the average supercar lasts about 100k-150k miles, you’re getting a bargain when you buy a Corvette.

The engine–a frequent pain point for sports cars–is very reliable. It uses a dry-sump lubrication system that ensures reliability even under aggressive driving.

This means you can race your Corvette all you want and still get high miles from it.

Make sure to also read our article on how long Porsches last.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust On A Chevrolet Corvette?

As they have minimal steel parts, Chevrolet Corvettes are less prone to rust. Body panels are aluminum and many other parts are coated to prevent corrosion.

Based on this, you probably won’t get any rust on your Corvette until after 100,000 miles or more.

This doesn’t mean Corvettes cannot rust–they can and will rust if exposed to salt. Here are some rust-prone areas on Corvettes:

• Wheel wells
• Suspension areas
• Frame area

How Long Do Chevrolet Corvettes Last Compared To Similar Car Models?

The sports car segment comprises several models that offer a thrilling ride experience like the Chevrolet Corvette. We compared the longevity of the Chevrolet Corvette to these models to see if it’s worth buying.

Chevrolet Corvette vs. Porsche 911 Carrera

The Chevrolet Corvette and the Porsche 911 Carrera S are among the more reliable supercars on the market. From our analysis of mileage reports, the Corvette and the 911 have roughly the same lifespan: 200,000 miles.

The biggest difference between both models is perhaps the price tag. With a cost of $114,650, the price of a 911 Carrera is almost twice that of a Corvette.

If you want a durable supercar that delivers the goods at an affordable price, the Corvette is advisable. However, if you want the status associated with a Porsche sports car, the 911 Carrera is in your corner.

You should also check out our article on how long different Ferrari models last.

Chevrolet Corvette vs. Jaguar F-Type

For years, Jaguar has had well-publicized issues with reliability; and the F-Type is another in the long line of Jaguar models with low reliability.

Sure, newer F-Types have improved reliability-wise; but none is more reliable than the Chevrolet Corvette.

Due to its amazing build quality, the Chevrolet Corvette can give you 200,000 miles of service, with minimal repairs in between. In contrast, you’d be hard pressed to get 150,000 miles from a Jaguar F-Type.

Chevrolet Corvette vs. Nissan GT-R

Based on what owners say, the Nissan GT-R lasts about 100,000 to 150,000 miles. This means the average Chevrolet Corvette gets better service life than the Nissan GT-R does.

At the very least, the Corvette 200,000-mile service life means it can last three years longer than a Nissan GT-R does. Moreover, the Nissan GT-R, at $115,235, is more expensive than a Chevrolet Corvette, which costs under $60,000.

Chevrolet Corvette vs. Acura NSX

Asides the Porsche 911, the Acura NSX is another model that ties with the Corvette in terms of durability. This is something we expect, since it is made by Honda, famous for making highly reliable models.

The Acura NSX has an average lifespan of 150,000-200,000 miles. This puts it on par with the Chevrolet Corvette.

A 2020 Acura NSX is about $159,495, more than double the price of a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette. Choosing the Chevrolet Corvette is sensible as it offers reliability at a much lesser price.

How Reliable Is A Chevrolet Corvette?

For years, supercars have been some of the least reliable vehicles. Increased susceptibility to expensive repairs further worsened the reputation of supercars.

However, supercars are slowly getting rave reviews for reliability–and the Chevrolet Corvette is among models spearheading the revolution.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a 4/5 J.D. Power reliability rating, which is high for a sports car. 

The reliability of the Chevrolet Corvette explains the model’s nickname, “the working man’s supercar”. Owners say it is highly reliable and won’t cost a fortune to keep running.

The Best And Worst Years For Chevrolet Corvette

Here are the best and worst model years of the Chevy Corvette.

Here’s more:

Worst Model Year

To get the worst model years for the Chevrolet Corvette, we evaluated the number and complexity of reported problems for each model year.

Based on our research, the 2005 and 2008 model years are undoubtedly the worst model years for the Chevrolet Corvette.

Here are some commonly reported problems on these models:

i. 2008 Chevrolet Corvette:

The Chevrolet Corvette had issues with the fuel system, with some drivers reportedly detecting fuel odors in their cars. Some traced the problem to a fuel leak, which cost about $2,250 to fix.

The 2005 Corvettes also had problems relating to expensive engine failure, malfunctioning airbag sensor, and faulty low-beam headlights.

ii. 2005 Chevrolet Corvette: The 2005 model year was another problematic year for the Chevrolet Corvette.

The models released that year had major issues affecting the transmission, lighting system, and electrical systems.

One of the transmission-related issues owners complained about was the shifter’s susceptibility to being stuck in ‘Park’ mode.

According to owners, the transmission won’t move into ‘Drive’ mode no matter how much they try.

This has led some owners to abandon their vehicles since they cannot drive them.

Other reported problems include faulty electricals and fading clearcoat/body paint.

Make sure to also read our article on how long Toyota Supras last.

Best Model Year

The best model year is perhaps the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette.

Offered in various configurations, the 2019 Corvette was named part of Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars of the year.

It also has a great reliability rating of 4 out of 5, which is better than most sports cars.

Oh, and the reported problems are fewer compared to other models in the lineup.

What About Recalls For These Models?

Here are the details of the recall actions for  Corvette models:

• 1997: 7 recalls
• 2005: 6 recalls
• 1984: 6 recalls
• 2015: 5 recalls
• 2006: 5 recalls
• 2014: 5 recalls
• 2004: 4 recalls
• 1998: 4 recalls
• 1990: 4 recalls
• 1999: 4 recalls
• 2000: 4 recalls
• 2002: 3 recalls
• 2001: 3 recalls
• 2003: 3 recalls
• 2007: 2 recalls
• 2016: 2 recalls
• 2017: 2 recalls
• 2012: 1 recall
• 2011: 1 recall
• 2019: 1 recall

Chevrolet Corvette Model Year List

Here are all model years for the Chevrolet Corvette since 1999:

• 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2011 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2012 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2013 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2014 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2015 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2017 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2017 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2018 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2019 Chevrolet Corvette
• 2020 Chevrolet Corvette

Are Chevrolet Corvette Expensive To Maintain?

According to RepairPal, the Chevrolet Corvette costs around $737 to maintain in a year. This is higher than the $652 RepairPal estimates you will spend on the average vehicle. 

However, the average vehicle won’t give you the sharp handling or overwhelming speed that you get on a Chevrolet Corvette.

Therefore, we say the Chevrolet Corvette has average maintenance costs based on the kind of vehicle it is.

The Corvette may have higher-than-average maintenance costs; but for a sports car, it’s inexpensive to maintain.

How Long Do The Brakes Last?

The Chevrolet Corvette is designed for extreme performance. Of course, this means the brakes will wear out faster. However, if you can limit spirited driving, you can get 40,000 to 50,000 miles from a set of brakes.

How Long Do The Tires Last?

Again, the Corvette’s supercar status means drivers subject tires to aggressive use. Particularly if you race your Corvette frequently, you can expect the tires to wear out quickly. Per reports, the lifespan of tires on Corvettes is 10,000-30,000 miles.

How Long Do The Transmissions Last?

On forums, most owners indicated the transmission of Corvettes can last anywhere between 100,000 to 120,000 miles. What you get on your car will vary depending on your maintenance schedule and driving habits.

How Long Do The Spark Plugs Last?

Per Chevrolet’s claims, the spark plugs on any Corvette are good for 100,000 miles. Despite that, owners typically replace them earlier-particularly around 60,000 miles.

What About Insurance Cost?

The Chevrolet Corvette requires around $2,856 in annual insurance costs–that is about $238 in monthly insurance payments.

Tips To Prolong The Life Of Your Chevrolet Corvette

Here are ways to improve the longevity of your Chevy Corvette:

• Always run synthetic oil (such as Mobil 1) to preserve the engine.
• Avoid over-the-top modifications. Modifications put your car’s parts under stress and can damage them. Save yourself heartbreak–and money–by leaving your supercar stock.
• Keep up with scheduled maintenance.

References

repairpal.com

CarComplaints.com

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