steves ls6

I am considering purchasing a C5. Anything specific I should look for that is common for going bad? Common problems? I am not sure if I want a Z06, FRC, roadster, or hard top. I know it has to be a manual. Can you put a kid in the front seat ( I want to take my 5 yr old in it)? Any in put is appreciated.

alans02z

iTrader: (9)

My son is 4 and he rides in his car seat with the air bag off in his Z06. Biggest thing is if you like to take the top off or not and how much you want to spend. But basically look into normal stuff that you would any other car.

steves ls6

You can turn of the airbag?

alans02z

iTrader: (9)

Yep. Switch is in the console or the glove box. Cant remember since I cut it off day one and his seat stays in it so I never messed with turning it back on.

oldirty2k

iTrader: (1)

If you buy an early 2000 or older FRC, you will not have an airbag switch from the factory. You can get an aftermarket airbag switch, but you will have to fill out some paperwork and send it to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It took me a few weeks or maybe a couple months to get the approval to even order the switch from an aftermarket company. GM doesn't sell the retro-fit kit anymore. If I had to do it over, since I have a toddler I would look for an 01+. Good luck.

Mean87SS

iTrader: (21)

Go for it!

Poppa G

iTrader: (1)

Since this thread is over 5 months old I hope you got a C5! If you did not yet I suggest you get a 2002 or newer model since it has an air bag shut off switch, an ls6 intake, and the sport 3:15 gears available. I bought the coupe since I wanted a removable top. But you can't go wrong with any model since they are awesome performance vehicles. If your not on corvette forum that would be helpful as well.

donald4972

the EBCM on 2000 and older C5's, cannot be repaired, if it fails.
2001 thru 2004 can be easily repaired by ABSFixer (and others), should it fail.

Lots of guys with older C5's very frustrated about this. Surprisingly no one has engineered a 'fix' for the older ones; yet.

I love my 2003, especially after SuperCharging it....

Don

JDEP162

im a hopeful future c5 purchaser, and price range dictates i be open to 97-up, what happens when the ecbm goes out? if theres no fix, what will need replaced? and are there any indicators prior to failure?

donald4972

if the EBCM fails, you loose ABS, TC, and Active Handling. Essentially, you default back to old fashioned hydrolic brakes. You still drive normally, you just don't have any computer assist to 'keep it straight'... You will have message in the DIC, and icons on the dash will light up, and will not go out, if EBCM fails. lots of threads about this issue, in other forums, where guys who know more about this than I do, can give better info. But it seems to be a common thing, with C5.
I had the problem, took off my EBCM (just 6 torx screws and two wire harness) sent it to ABSFixer, they sent it back with lifetime warranty. No problems since then, for me.
Most guys (with 2001-2004) seem to have the same good results with the fix, if they have an issue. It's the older ones which cannot be repaired.......

Don

blackcoupe04

Get a 02-04 Z06. Everyone I know with a base model wishes they had spent the extra coin for the Z06.

V-seriesTech

iTrader: (5)

Zero regrets buying my 2000 fixed roof coupe, either of them but, I would suggest a 02 Z06,..the fuel system, and everything on the car is the best to work on. 03 and up, the fuel system gets more complex, and harder to work on in comparison to older C5 setups.