JakeV1021

Hey guys,
Do any of you know if there are any known problems with the '97 Vettes? I never really wanted to buy a '97, but I found a well-taken care of one for a good price. I just wondered if they have had any known problems because of the first year? Let me know.

Thanks in advance

Patman

In all honesty, the 97s are no more troublesome than the 2004s, in fact there seems to be a better chance of getting a 97 whose engine does not burn oil or have piston slap. The 97-00 engines seem to be better put together in that regard.

The only things you'll need to worry about are the fact that the car is almost ten years old, so the chances of some normal wear and tear type things will come up. Things like the tire pressure sensors, the digital climate control, and other stuff like that.

I've had very good luck with my 98, I've had it for a year and a half and it's been very reliable for me. So if you have found a good 97 for a good price, go for it! The money you save can help pay for any minor problems which might crop up anyhow.

99bigL

No problems with my 98 either. I just dont like the digital climate control. Pain to use some times.

Cgillies86

iTrader: (1)

I have had 4 problems with my 97 C5 so far. MY slave cylinder wore out 81000 miles. My fuel filter started leaking about the same amount of miles. My key fob does not function. Lastly, the CD changer does not work. THe last two problems where there when I bought the car. Ill get around to fixing them eventually.

FACE

I've read about more people on average having electrical problems with 97's than later years. I stay away from first year builds whenever possible.

Robert56

iTrader: (2)

Sold my '97 at 55k miles and only problem I had was steering lock, but got my money back from GM. Great cars and a bargain these days.
Robert

zo6vetteman2003

iTrader: (1)

Hello Robert56..................yes, I agree the 97 is a great bargain for sure.

Lost

iTrader: (2)

When the average joe on the street can't tell the difference between the 97 and the 04, and instead of fixing problems, Gm seemed to add them as the years went by.[excessive oil usage, piston slap] the older low mileage ones are indeed a bargain. My 98 has just 33k on the clock, drives like new, uses [0] oil, has had the column lock fix, and will likely not depreciate much more than it already has.

JakeV1021

Thanks for all the responses, I found a '98 that is nicer than the '97 and is a better deal that I'm gonna go for.

ramairfreak98ss

I knew a guy with a 97, 85k on it, and had "ODD" electrical issues, headlights yet no other lights, interior lights would light up but no dash lights, abs light would come on sparatically.... coulda just been his. another guy i know has an 02 with 75k~ no known issues.

Lost

iTrader: (2)

i had the abs problem a couple of times, but only after a heavy rain [???], cleaning the ground plugs seems to have eliminated that.Low battery, bad battery and corroded battery cables will cause a plethora of codes and symptons, once you understand this, it becomes nothing more than a minor annoyance. I now do preventative maintenance and have had no codes or problems in more than a year.Same with my balky fuel guage senders, took three straight tanks with Berrymans B-12, now i add a can every 4th fill up, so far so good!