Man you can buy a entire C4 for that amount.
Rethinking the C5
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Rethinking the C5
For a while now I was toying with the idea of buying a C5 when I retire in a few years instead of rebuilding the engine in the 84. Today I talked to a friend who owns a prestine 50th Anniversary Ruby C5. He services it at Chevrolet and its a garage queen to say the least. 25K on the clock. His suspension light went on so he took it to Chevrolet where he was told all four shocks were leaking and needed replacing. After talleying up parts and labor the estimate came to $6,000.00 Yes the Zeros are correct. If this is the kind of expense C5 drivers have to face with advanced electronics over most of our C4s who in their right mind would buy one.I dont think I will ever complain again about the parts for my 84 as being to expensive.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
When everything is working right (or a great warranty) the late models are great but you are right, the electronics are more advanced and can cost plenty of $ to fix. Going through that now with an 02 truck.
Moderator Emeritus
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From: Maryville Tn
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Taking it back to the dealership is the first problem. No shock replacement should cost that much. Heck, Land Rovers with air suspension don't cost that much to replace! I think the "stealership" name fits on this one. Tell your friend to get online and shop around for replacement shocks and find a local shop to replace them. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Struts and shocks were just done on mine 4 months ago by the dealership, I was given the receipt when I bought the car a couple weeks ago. Parts were $2500, thank you PO.....................
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,009
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From: orange county n.y.
All 50th Anniversary Rubys have magnetic ride. Nice until it cr--s out. then expensive. But so is selective ride on C4's. I love my 50th Anniversary coupe, but I love my '95 convertible also. Two different animals with the same name, Corvette! Don't knock them, they're all great.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,284
Likes: 1
From: Whitehall Pa.
I'm thinking of adding a C-5 also. It's always a crapshoot when you buy a used car. Even the best maintained car can have a major component fail. My OD cost me some change when a bearing went out on it.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
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The C5 has more corvette tax to a point, but around here the shops told me flat out they like to work on old vettes, and new vettes, not c4's for several different reason, and parts.
I will not buy a C5 unless it is a really cheap modded Z06. I am pretty sure this is my last vette now.
I will not buy a C5 unless it is a really cheap modded Z06. I am pretty sure this is my last vette now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Taking it back to the dealership is the first problem. No shock replacement should cost that much. Heck, Land Rovers with air suspension don't cost that much to replace! I think the "stealership" name fits on this one. Tell your friend to get online and shop around for replacement shocks and find a local shop to replace them.
with this one "Stealership" is the right name
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
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From: Ohio
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
With a place like this, there's almost no reason to not do the work yourself. And there's NO WAY all 4 shocks were shot. Maybe one, with 25k miles. That dealer is a complete rip
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Name a hundred then
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
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$6000 for shocks Man you can buy a entire C4 for that amount.
Depending on who you ask, you can get a low mile LT4 for $6k, but then there's the 84 owner who says it would take twice that to buy his!
all 4 shocks to go at the same time?? i doubt it......
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 2
From: West Hills CA
I'm actually planning on buying a C5 sometime this year (still keeping my C4 though) It's funny how people spell the word Corvette with $$$, I'd never pay that much for any kind of suspension work, heck for that much you could've had coilovers and some money left over for other stuff.