4th Gen to C5
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Staging Lane
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Oswego, IL (~40 miles west of Chicago)
4th Gen to C5 I have been thinking of selling my 98 camaro and getting a higher mileage vette 97-98 with like 100k miles on it. My first question would be do you guys think its worth it? If yes i have a few more questions like how many miles will the average ls1 last in a vette? How long does the stock clutch usually last? Im looking for 6 spd. I'm gonna look for bad synchros because my camaros trans craped out right after i got it and i had to do a rebuild, good learning experience though. oh what is the m12? where should i look for leaks or abuse of the car? I read look at the rockers for abuse and check for battery acid damage which my camaro had but sounds like mine was much easier to clean. Also wondering what kinda of gas mileage you guys think i would get doin mostly 50mph cruising probably in 5th gear, ill be daily driving this car in the summer. oh my last question what kind of times do the C5's put down stock in the 1/4 mile. Thanx for any help.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 86
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From: United Kingdom, England
I went from 99 Z28 to this C5 and it's way better, LS1 motors meant to be good for 200k, mileage same as Camaro & high 12's Can't answer on clutch as I have A4.
As for leaks it shouldn't have any check usual places under the car, axle, gearbox & sump
As for leaks it shouldn't have any check usual places under the car, axle, gearbox & sump
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 389
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From: Issaquah, Wa.
Dude,...I was just horsing around at work last week and wanted to show a guy that I work with how easy it IS to get into a Corvette,....So on E-Bay (just the first one I checked) on the first page,....(click auto,..click Chevy,....click Corvette) we found a "99" coupe in PERFECT condition for $15k 
lots of pictures and this baby was beautiful!! This was only one try there is also Greg's list witch is way cool too! Don't put up with WAAAAAY used buy the best most babied cream puff you can find!!! they ARE out there. Good luck in your quest young man you are doing the lords work!!! 
lots of pictures and this baby was beautiful!! This was only one try there is also Greg's list witch is way cool too! Don't put up with WAAAAAY used buy the best most babied cream puff you can find!!! they ARE out there. Good luck in your quest young man you are doing the lords work!!! It really is easy to find a corvette that has been babied. The majority of owners are older and rarely drive them..... Hell I'm not that old and mine is nothing more than an every other weekend car.
I've driven no less than 30 different C5's in the last couple months (job) and I daily drive a 421 rwhp Firehawk.... so I'm talking from experience..
The C5 is hands down a more fulfilling driving experience just making a quick fast-food run at night. I'm now so spoiled (although I'm a diehard f-body fan) that I just bought a C5 as my new daily driver.
**************
You shouldn't be afraid of 100k miles, they don't age badly. If you drive a "clean" 90k miles car you can't tell the difference from the average 30k mile car.
Other than the massive labor to change a clutch/etc, I see the C5 as a clear choice. You live once.
The C5 is hands down a more fulfilling driving experience just making a quick fast-food run at night. I'm now so spoiled (although I'm a diehard f-body fan) that I just bought a C5 as my new daily driver.
**************
You shouldn't be afraid of 100k miles, they don't age badly. If you drive a "clean" 90k miles car you can't tell the difference from the average 30k mile car.
Other than the massive labor to change a clutch/etc, I see the C5 as a clear choice. You live once.
Last edited by ~JOSHUA; May 14, 2007 at 02:10 AM.
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Teching In
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 30
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i'm 22, and have had my 04 z06 for only 2 or 3 weeks now. it's an amazing car. i've driven a few fbodies, ranging from stock to about 450rwhp. the vette is still a more enjoyable car. it flows through corners without an ounce of body roll, while being much softer on the freeway and streets than a fbody is STOCK, much less when you do the 1LE or anything else to the fbody. i get 24 in town and about 32-34 (depending on mph) on the freeway, but i have the manual. i think the m12 is the z06 trans, but could be wrong.
the car is simply a blast, i would recommend it over anything, except maybe a c6 z06 because you can simply never have enough hp.
the car is simply a blast, i would recommend it over anything, except maybe a c6 z06 because you can simply never have enough hp.
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TECH Resident
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Richmond, VA Where fast cars, well......are hard to come by.
I went fbody to vette as well. I'm pretty happy with the change. Going back to a car payment wasn't fun, but you can't have your cake and eat it too lol. Now might not be the best to go shopping though, as these cars are gonna have a higher sticker and current owners won't want to give them up as cheaply during the nice weather. If you get an auto MAKE SURE YOU HAVE 3.15 GEARS. 
Even with those first gear is pretty doggy out the hole, on a stock TC at least. MPG isn't as good as the manuals though. I'd say get the targa top, it's hard to go without some kind of removable top. Check corvetteforum.com for usual issues. One that I looked at had a bad case of the bcm/tcs issue and targa top squeaks. I'd say try for a 99+ if you have big plans for tuning. Older pcms can work fine, but some of the tables are a bit better in later ones.
Oh and no engine under the cowl = priceless. Pulling the rear for tranny access isn't so great.
Even with those first gear is pretty doggy out the hole, on a stock TC at least. MPG isn't as good as the manuals though. I'd say get the targa top, it's hard to go without some kind of removable top. Check corvetteforum.com for usual issues. One that I looked at had a bad case of the bcm/tcs issue and targa top squeaks. I'd say try for a 99+ if you have big plans for tuning. Older pcms can work fine, but some of the tables are a bit better in later ones. Oh and no engine under the cowl = priceless. Pulling the rear for tranny access isn't so great.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 20
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From: Baton Rouge, La
I sold my 2000 WS6 about 2 months ago. I just bought an 02 6-speed Coupe about 2 weeks ago. I debated what to do for a long time. I love the Vette. It does everything better. I've been getting 28-30 mpg on the highway. You will be happy you made the switch.
I went from a 12 second '00 Z28 to my vette. I miss the Z but there's no comparison between the 2 cars really. I don't regret the switch(even though I'll eventually get another Fbody in the future)
) 
Originally Posted by DocT
You definitely won't regret the upgrade!!! Get into one and never look back!
I agree.
Best thing(s) ever.
My Ls1, lasted 108,000miles.....my cousins Ta...100,000miles.....his vette,....20,000 miles...... it can last forever, or a day.