my 99 c5 i lemon lawed hows that my 94 c4 has its bad days but im very rough on them but i no all of you are not going to like this but i have owned many mustangs and every time the corvette has a problem the wife yells get another mustang they last you longer!!

 

I wonder if a lot of the problems were induced by those rough streets in the city! I was born and raised in Woodside, Queens and most of those streets are in rough shape! Haven't had any problems with my C4 (except the EGR code I got yesterday). Still having miles of smiles! :D

 

The day I bought it the alternator died $150 (I paid half car lot paid half)

At 1 month the dual mass flywheel grenaded $1200 and $300 labor (extended warranty paid for this)

While they had it apart for the flywheel they said the clutch was on its last legs $300 for parts $300 for labor (car lot paid half)

Got it back with new clutch and flywheel and the ZF6 trannie was noisy as hell $5400 for factory rebuilt (extended warranty paid this w/$100 co-pay)

Assorted labor for above jobs $1000 (extended warranty paid that too)

I replaced the shift **** and boot appx $100

Its in the shop today for a leaky radiator, rough idle I cant fix and noisy rear axle u-joints.

The GM rebuilt trannie is still noisy as hell.

More hours put in waxing and cleaning that I can remember.

Still needs seats recovered and weather stripping replaced. The rest is in excellent condition.

Would I give up my vette? Not a chance in hell.

 

Not very...most of the things I've had to replace have been pretty typical (except the ECM) the more I drive it the better it runs :D

 

Only thing that ticks me off is the altenator. So far i've replaced it every year. It's comming up close so i can expect to replace it again soon. Other then that never left me stranded. Knock on wood

 

It's been great so far. Knock, Knock.

 

No no no....I have driven it 52,000 miles....it hit 91,000 total today. I bought it off a lease from a Corvette abuser back in 86. It had 39,000 hard miles on it when it was only 3 years young. The tires, well, that includes a new set of Gatorbacks right after I got it and a set of Pepboys $99 specials that I didn't pay attention to when I needed an alignment and a set of Kumho's that have been on the car for 3 weeks now. So, take away the tires and I don't see where the list is considered a "massive" amount of maintenance for a 20 year old car with 91,000 miles on it. A garage queen it ain't, except when snow starts to fly.


[Modified by 84number2083, 3:07 PM 5/19/2003]

 

Bought the car in May 1999. So far I had to replace the ECM, MAF, O2 sensor, Injectors, EGR, radiator, steering rack, fuel pump, alternator then I had to rebuild the engine so new timing chain, water pump, starter. All new hoses for the engine and replace all transmission seals to stop leak. Drove the car across the country without any major problem then the alternator die on me the first week in the West Coast. Last week the smog pump gave out.

With all the money I spent so far, I could of buy a newer C4 with less mileage :mad .:nopity

We're talking about my brother and I (with a little help from MarkLT1 to take the cylinder head off last year before the rebuild) did all the work. So there is not too much labor money spent at the shop :rolleyes:

 

i have an 87 coup. i find that they hold up amazingly well considering the age of the corvettes on the road. i think the expectation is that these cars are infinately rebuildable. no matter what the age or mileage people keep them going. what other car is like that.

Paul :reddevil

 

I bought my Vette intending to do comprehensive restoration (GM's only last about 5 years under normal "daily driver" conditions).

It was a high mileage, one owner vehicle and to my delight the previous owner was the one to endure the warranty work:

1. New targa top
2. Numerous LTWPS sensor problems
3. A/C programmer
4. O2 sensor replacement
5. Weather stripping replacement
6. Water pump gasket replacement
7. Intake gasket replacement
8. Battery replacement
9. Rear luggage shade replacement
10. Horn replacement
11. Passenger side window switch replacement
12. Evap. canister purge control solenoid replacement.

The above repairs/replacements were done before 35000 miles.

The last factory repair was a fuel pump at 67K.

Fortunately, when I got the car at 90K ... to my surprise everything worked great. All lights, no Service Engine Lights, no nothing (other than the obligatory GM rattles, gasket leaks, poor plastic and carpeting typical of any GM'er). I was completely baffled. It ran out great! So good, in fact that I didn't do anything for one year and put 16K on it as is (including some long distance trips).

Mechanically it was beautiful (besides leaks) up until I rebuilt everything. The tear down at 106K revealed an almost new looking engine. I felt bad replacing rings and bearings (LT4/Hotcam conversion included). The tranny (auto) was worn but serviceable. It got refreshed/strengthened as well.

Overall I'd say if you can tolerate the level of GM build quality (leaks, cheap plastic and weather stripping) and share control items with a Cavalier (locks, door handles, and side mirror rattle) then you'll be more than pleased.

On a less pissy note... You cannot beat the level of "performance with looks" than the Vette provides. It is most definitely a good performing car with a handsome profile. You just have to be willing to learn and work to make it a better car than GM was willing to provide. It will deteriorate rather quickly without a dedicated owner.

As was said in my opening statement, I bought it to work on it. I haven't been disappointed so far and when I'm "finished" (ya, right) then it'll be a real show of my dedication.

My daily drivers have always been Honda/Acura's. I never get to work on them :(

 

Not anymore than any other old car I've had. Plus this one is so much more fun when it is running that I wouldn't consider getting rid of it.

 

So far, so good, but still had it less than 1 year so time will tell.

 

My ‘92 has ~ 40,000 miles on it; the repairs/replacements that upset me have been…….

- Side window scratches (replaced windows and exterior rubber/moldings, both sides)
- Bose speaker amp replacements (all 4 have failed!!! what a poopie design, an expensive
amp for each speaker ?! …and all that for a system that has marginal sound quality)

The other items have been what I consider normal maintenance.

 

JD,
I just try not to think about it!!!
:crazy: :smash: :cheers:

 

LOL, I do too, but each time I turn around, something needs to be fixed or repaired. O well! :reddevil