Corvette questions.
Corvette questions. alright you Corvette guys, I'm looking at getting a C5 Vette and getting rid of my Truck for my daily commute, Naturally I'd like a Zoh, or an FRC but I'm keeping my options open with coupes and well, as long as it's a 6spd..
now my question is, what are some of the known problematic areas on the C5's? and what should I be looking for? been an F-Bod guy, so my knowledge is limited in the Vette department.. been looking at a few low mileage FRC's and Z06's mainly, since a good bit of the 6spd Coupes I find are Yellow..
now my question is, what are some of the known problematic areas on the C5's? and what should I be looking for? been an F-Bod guy, so my knowledge is limited in the Vette department.. been looking at a few low mileage FRC's and Z06's mainly, since a good bit of the 6spd Coupes I find are Yellow..
stay away from 6 owner cars for starters 
Seriously I would try to find a one or two owner car, of course there are always exceptions. I bought from a private seller and when I saw the car parked in an immaculate garage on carpet, figured I had probably found the 'one'.
As far as problem areas, especially for FRCs is leaking. I had some trouble with the drip rail and door seals, these aren't cheap to replace either. There are issues with electrical as well, you can check the codes on the DIC. Most electrical issues can be traced back the grounds/weather packs, bad battery etc. The C5 seems to be fairly temperamental with regard to voltage sensitivity, so a bad ground or battery can cause weird issues.
You will for sure want to run the vin and see if it has been in any accidents etc. Check underneath for rocker damage, frame damage and other damage underneath. Some wear is normal given the cars close proximity to the ground, just look for excessive damage, bent and broken ****...
The tranny (difficult shifts) can be a problem area in 6spd cars, a lot of owners don't keep that clutch reservoir clean, drive it and check the reservoir.
The C5 really aren't hard to figure out, there is a wealth of tech on CForums and here.
Seriously I would try to find a one or two owner car, of course there are always exceptions. I bought from a private seller and when I saw the car parked in an immaculate garage on carpet, figured I had probably found the 'one'. As far as problem areas, especially for FRCs is leaking. I had some trouble with the drip rail and door seals, these aren't cheap to replace either. There are issues with electrical as well, you can check the codes on the DIC. Most electrical issues can be traced back the grounds/weather packs, bad battery etc. The C5 seems to be fairly temperamental with regard to voltage sensitivity, so a bad ground or battery can cause weird issues.
You will for sure want to run the vin and see if it has been in any accidents etc. Check underneath for rocker damage, frame damage and other damage underneath. Some wear is normal given the cars close proximity to the ground, just look for excessive damage, bent and broken ****...
The tranny (difficult shifts) can be a problem area in 6spd cars, a lot of owners don't keep that clutch reservoir clean, drive it and check the reservoir.
The C5 really aren't hard to figure out, there is a wealth of tech on CForums and here.
alright you Corvette guys, I'm looking at getting a C5 Vette and getting rid of my Truck for my daily commute, Naturally I'd like a Zoh, or an FRC but I'm keeping my options open with coupes and well, as long as it's a 6spd..
now my question is, what are some of the known problematic areas on the C5's? and what should I be looking for? been an F-Bod guy, so my knowledge is limited in the Vette department.. been looking at a few low mileage FRC's and Z06's mainly, since a good bit of the 6spd Coupes I find are Yellow..
now my question is, what are some of the known problematic areas on the C5's? and what should I be looking for? been an F-Bod guy, so my knowledge is limited in the Vette department.. been looking at a few low mileage FRC's and Z06's mainly, since a good bit of the 6spd Coupes I find are Yellow..
What are you plans? Are you modding it, plans on replacing the engine with something better?
just mainly for a daily, and most likely nothing more than the basic Bolt-ons to start with. nothing too wild really, until I've had it awhile anyways since I'm most likely going to keep my 408 assembly and block that I'm was building for my 97 WS6 build..
Common problems:
HVAC not lighting up.
HUD "sinking"(you can barely see it despite all attempts at adjustment).
BCM bad or going out(telescoping wheel/memory seats/TC/ASC inop or permenent engage).
Rocker panel damage(low ground clearance and "curbing".
Front skids(fangs) bashed in. This and above are good indications of driver's skill...or lack thereof.
Ripped seats(horrible leather).
Cracked and leaking markerlights.
"Thud" from drivers side wheel area.
Worn or damaged headlight gears.
That just gives ya a start. Check out Corvetteforum.com for more specific info on any of the above.
Personally, the 2 C5s Ive had have been great. Little to no issues at all. Above are just some COMMON complaints.
ALSO, forgot. If you go after a Z, Id highly suggest against the 01 model year. This is a heated topic, but look into the changes brought on in 02.
HVAC not lighting up.
HUD "sinking"(you can barely see it despite all attempts at adjustment).
BCM bad or going out(telescoping wheel/memory seats/TC/ASC inop or permenent engage).
Rocker panel damage(low ground clearance and "curbing".
Front skids(fangs) bashed in. This and above are good indications of driver's skill...or lack thereof.
Ripped seats(horrible leather).
Cracked and leaking markerlights.
"Thud" from drivers side wheel area.
Worn or damaged headlight gears.
That just gives ya a start. Check out Corvetteforum.com for more specific info on any of the above.
Personally, the 2 C5s Ive had have been great. Little to no issues at all. Above are just some COMMON complaints.
ALSO, forgot. If you go after a Z, Id highly suggest against the 01 model year. This is a heated topic, but look into the changes brought on in 02.
search around the corvetteforums... this is a starting point, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Door panel skins start coming apart
Seats slide braking/accel
Older c5 little more road noise
Tire sensor old need new battery
I'm sure there's more just can't think a year since I sold my last one..
Seats slide braking/accel
Older c5 little more road noise
Tire sensor old need new battery
I'm sure there's more just can't think a year since I sold my last one..
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On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 182
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From: Houston
If you're not wanting to build a race car, wait and get a C6. Much better DD. That being said, I'll probably get another FRC body style in the next couple months bc I like them more for the raw, fun feel. I'll replace everything in the driveline, motor, and put a blower in it. It won't be a DD like you want, hands down the C6 wins there.
although I would love a C6, I just don't think I could swing one, unless it was an 05, which I've heard that's not the year to get due to a number of issues..
found a 00' 30k mile FRC I like and might go check out tomorrow...Black seems to be the common ground for a 6spd C5....or yellow...and I won't buy a Yellow one..
found a 00' 30k mile FRC I like and might go check out tomorrow...Black seems to be the common ground for a 6spd C5....or yellow...and I won't buy a Yellow one..
Personally I'd get a C6. If I could sell my C5 Z06 and get a C6 Z06 for the right price I would. I am actually waiting for the prices to drop. Here are the problems I am having after 3+ years owning my 03 Z06.
Mirrors - Have to adjust them each time I get into the car even if I set it to memory.
Hvac Display is very very dim.
Seat Memory - Gets stuck halfway and I have to manually move it forward by tapping the button a bunch of times.
Water leaks - Had them in the front cabin, but fixed it. Now have it in the rear cabin to were it fills up inches in the driver side compartment.
Passenger side A/C Temp controller doesnt work
3 of my AC vents have broken including the top defroster vent
Had to replace the driver side window unit due to frayed wire. Cant just get one replacement. Have to buy whole assembly.
Driver side leather tear. Has maybe grown half a inch since owning it for 3 years.
Wind leak at speeds above 65mph. Annoying but get use to it. Ive adjusted the hell out of my windows, but still leaks somehow.
Thats about it for now off the top of my head. Mechanically it has had 0 problems. Never had to replace any engine part, etc. Still on the same clutch when I got it 40K miles ago.
Mirrors - Have to adjust them each time I get into the car even if I set it to memory.
Hvac Display is very very dim.
Seat Memory - Gets stuck halfway and I have to manually move it forward by tapping the button a bunch of times.
Water leaks - Had them in the front cabin, but fixed it. Now have it in the rear cabin to were it fills up inches in the driver side compartment.
Passenger side A/C Temp controller doesnt work
3 of my AC vents have broken including the top defroster vent
Had to replace the driver side window unit due to frayed wire. Cant just get one replacement. Have to buy whole assembly.
Driver side leather tear. Has maybe grown half a inch since owning it for 3 years.
Wind leak at speeds above 65mph. Annoying but get use to it. Ive adjusted the hell out of my windows, but still leaks somehow.
Thats about it for now off the top of my head. Mechanically it has had 0 problems. Never had to replace any engine part, etc. Still on the same clutch when I got it 40K miles ago.
They are damn good cars. Just a few quirks.
I understand that. But Ive had 2 Vettes over a course of 4yrs and havnt had half those issues. Hell, 1/3 of them! Just want the OP to know that is not the norm. And, I hate that youve had that luck. Dont want him scared away from a C5!
They are damn good cars. Just a few quirks.
They are damn good cars. Just a few quirks.
Oh I wasn't complaining. I was just listing problems that are common with the C5's. Majority of my stuff is electrical. Which is common with all C5's. My car has been good to me with the mechanical side of things. Knock on wood lol.
But the interior of the C5 is def getting out dated.
But the interior of the C5 is def getting out dated.
I know it's an fbody site and this is a typical response, but I'd rather have a pristine low mileage 02 collectors edition ss or ta than a c5.
In the end it's still an old corvette, you try to show it off and people are surprised like oh that's the old corvette
In the end it's still an old corvette, you try to show it off and people are surprised like oh that's the old corvette