Would you buy a 100+K miles C5?
08-05-2016, 02:44 PM
#1
Would you buy a 100+K miles C5?
Heya,
So I have been in the market for buying a C5 for a few weeks, and I just found someone that would be willing to trade my current car for a 2000 c5 targa but it has 130,000 miles on the clock so I am wondering if it would be a good idea or not. It's on the stock engine and tranny, so I am kinda worried that either might need a rebuild soon (which I am guessing for a basic rebuild would be $5-6 for engine and $2-3 for the tranny?) in which case it would probably be better to spend a few more grand and buy a lower mileage one.
Anyway, are there many high mileage C5 still running around with stock engine/tranny? How reliable are they past 100K miles?
So I have been in the market for buying a C5 for a few weeks, and I just found someone that would be willing to trade my current car for a 2000 c5 targa but it has 130,000 miles on the clock so I am wondering if it would be a good idea or not. It's on the stock engine and tranny, so I am kinda worried that either might need a rebuild soon (which I am guessing for a basic rebuild would be $5-6 for engine and $2-3 for the tranny?) in which case it would probably be better to spend a few more grand and buy a lower mileage one.
Anyway, are there many high mileage C5 still running around with stock engine/tranny? How reliable are they past 100K miles?
Last edited by hades1; 08-05-2016 at 02:54 PM.
08-05-2016, 02:50 PM
#2
Instructor
The LS platform is very reliable and with good maintenance they can hit 200k very very easy. I almost have 100k on my LS1 with a pretty aggressive cam and bolt ons. I respect and maintain my car very well, but I still have fun with it lol. What tranny, and year is the one your looking at?
08-05-2016, 02:55 PM
#4
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150K on stock engine @ 510HP and 500TQ supercharged
runs like a champ
There are examples of LS motors running 200-350K miles
Is it a manual or auto?
if it is an auto just make sure it isnt slipping at all
Miles would not concern as long as it has been taken care of
runs like a champ
There are examples of LS motors running 200-350K miles
Is it a manual or auto?
if it is an auto just make sure it isnt slipping at all
Miles would not concern as long as it has been taken care of
08-05-2016, 03:01 PM
#5
Safety Car
116k on my cammed Z06. What are you driving now that has you worried about higher miles?
08-05-2016, 03:08 PM
#6
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To me, it would all depend on how well the car was maintained and it's interior/exterior condition. I had a 2000 coupe for 7.5 years and it was a very good car once some issues were taken care of when it was a low mileage car.
Best bet is to read the stickies at the top of the page - there is a buyer's checklist in the one by calvins. Use that as well as a trusted mechanic to make sure the car is in good shape.
Best bet is to read the stickies at the top of the page - there is a buyer's checklist in the one by calvins. Use that as well as a trusted mechanic to make sure the car is in good shape.
08-05-2016, 03:36 PM
#10
Yes, I mean that makes total sense, I guess I am going for convenience here as he's willing to do pretty much a straight trade with little cash his way. So I wouldn't need to sell my car and potentially having to deal with some craigslist weirdos 
It's a manual btw, and I currently have a 96 cobra with 72K miles.
It's a manual btw, and I currently have a 96 cobra with 72K miles.
08-05-2016, 03:53 PM
#11
Safety Car
wouldn't rule out buying a 100,000k mile C5, if the trade value was right.
100k on a C5 is not that high of mileage. I read of a 2000 coupe in Florida with 700k on it. Granted, the engine was rebuilt and it was on its third transmission. But still impressive.
A couple people on here have C5s with 250k or more miles on the original drive train.
At 130k miles, you might eventually have to replace the clutch, but I'd expect the engine and transmission to last a while if they are in good running order.
100k on a C5 is not that high of mileage. I read of a 2000 coupe in Florida with 700k on it. Granted, the engine was rebuilt and it was on its third transmission. But still impressive.
A couple people on here have C5s with 250k or more miles on the original drive train.
At 130k miles, you might eventually have to replace the clutch, but I'd expect the engine and transmission to last a while if they are in good running order.
08-05-2016, 04:01 PM
#12
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I would much rather buy a well documented older C5 with 100K + miles than a newer undocumented C5 with low mileage and no documentation.
Age and mileage means nothing if the car is well maintained.
I have many members who stay in contact with me in PM who have 200K, 300K and 400K on their stock LS1. and have never has an internal engine issue. The LS1 was benchmarked and certified to 200,000 miles in its development certification. the First production engine in the world to have this certification.
I have every piece of paper ( documentation ) for my car since new, from the window sticker to the last oil filter and jug of oil. Every maintenance record, modification receipt, and upgrade, in between.
17.5 years old 100,000 + miles. Everything works and I could drive it 3000 miles across country without any concern ( bought 11/98 )
.
Bill aka ET
Age and mileage means nothing if the car is well maintained.
I have many members who stay in contact with me in PM who have 200K, 300K and 400K on their stock LS1. and have never has an internal engine issue. The LS1 was benchmarked and certified to 200,000 miles in its development certification. the First production engine in the world to have this certification.
I have every piece of paper ( documentation ) for my car since new, from the window sticker to the last oil filter and jug of oil. Every maintenance record, modification receipt, and upgrade, in between.
17.5 years old 100,000 + miles. Everything works and I could drive it 3000 miles across country without any concern ( bought 11/98 )
.
Bill aka ET
Last edited by Evil-Twin; 08-05-2016 at 04:04 PM.
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tommie (08-05-2016)
08-05-2016, 05:18 PM
#13
Got my 2000 vert in Dec. 2009 with 94k milage.
I now have 140k and have only replaced the clutch (pressure plate, flywheel, pilot bearing, slave cylinder) $1296. out the door.
The key to me is regular oil & air filter changes.
If you have repair documentation, that will help with you decision.
Good luck
I now have 140k and have only replaced the clutch (pressure plate, flywheel, pilot bearing, slave cylinder) $1296. out the door.
The key to me is regular oil & air filter changes.
If you have repair documentation, that will help with you decision.
Good luck
08-05-2016, 05:46 PM
#15
Drifting
seems 100k is not what it used to be..my car hit 222300 before it needed a trans and then shortly thereafter a cam and lifters/major tune around the same time. now runs like a new one. I'll drive my vette til it blows.
08-05-2016, 06:22 PM
#16
Pro
My C5 has 109K and it runs really strong, even better now with the tune. The previous took really good care of the car and documented its maintenance. With 130k miles, I'd want to see some maintenance history before id make my decision. Many C5's with 200k,300k, and 400k on a stock engine. The LS1 is very dependable and reliable when well maintaned.
08-05-2016, 06:31 PM
#17
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St. Jude Donor '11
I would much rather buy a well documented older C5 with 100K + miles than a newer undocumented C5 with low mileage and no documentation.
Age and mileage means nothing if the car is well maintained.
I have many members who stay in contact with me in PM who have 200K, 300K and 400K on their stock LS1. and have never has an internal engine issue. The LS1 was benchmarked and certified to 200,000 miles in its development certification. the First production engine in the world to have this certification.
I have every piece of paper ( documentation ) for my car since new, from the window sticker to the last oil filter and jug of oil. Every maintenance record, modification receipt, and upgrade, in between.
17.5 years old 100,000 + miles. Everything works and I could drive it 3000 miles across country without any concern ( bought 11/98 )
.
Bill aka ET
Age and mileage means nothing if the car is well maintained.
I have many members who stay in contact with me in PM who have 200K, 300K and 400K on their stock LS1. and have never has an internal engine issue. The LS1 was benchmarked and certified to 200,000 miles in its development certification. the First production engine in the world to have this certification.
I have every piece of paper ( documentation ) for my car since new, from the window sticker to the last oil filter and jug of oil. Every maintenance record, modification receipt, and upgrade, in between.
17.5 years old 100,000 + miles. Everything works and I could drive it 3000 miles across country without any concern ( bought 11/98 )
.
Bill aka ET
We just finished throwing all kinds of parts at a 2001 with 7200 miles on it. Crazy!
08-05-2016, 06:49 PM
#18
Wow, that's a lot more replies than I was expecting to get. Thanks everyone, I will check to see if he has receipts for most of the work that was done to it and go from there
Thanks for all the suggestions
Thanks for all the suggestions
08-05-2016, 07:08 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
Excellent maintenance trumps mileage. If I were to consider a 100k + vette it would have to have fully documented and meticulous maintenance. They are out there, look at Evil Twins vette above, a really beautiful vette with over 100k. Read the stickies! Good luck and best wishes!