Going to look at another Vette tonight, and it might not have Active Handling. It also doesn't have a HUD (99 Pewter, 19k original miles). I know I can add a HUD later with some work, but I can't add AH. So, if the car is good, runs well, nice condition, etc. but lacks AH, would you consider that to be a deal breaker?

 

AH, has saved my **** more than once....I would wait. These cars aren't too powerfull stock, but start modding, and that A/H is a great feature, for when you're just cruising....just this week, i hit a slick spot of water on new pavement at disney....the AH kicked almost immedately, thus requiring very little responce from myself.


Chris

 

Even stock, the AH saved me once

I'd say wait for an AH fitted car. JMHO

 

AH is a must have, it made the deal on my '99 white frc

 

Hmm.. so even on nice, mostly dry CA roads, AH is a necessity more than a luxury?

 

IMHO, it depends on how you are going to drive the car. On the track, in the winter (not true in your area) or very aggressive driving, would warrant AH. I have had my 2000 for 4 years now and have never needed it. I also thought it was a deal breaker until I reasoned it out. This was OK for me. I guess I figured it was one less thing to break!

 

If active handling is engaged once, it could save your life...I would pass on an non- A/Hcar....it is a good feature.
One time on the interstate, I had to swerve to avoid a bed liner that flew from the pick in-front of the Van that was right in front of me...Active handling kept me from losing control.

 

AH is great. Worth it, IMO.

 

After driving my 99 with A/H for six months now, I wouldn't go without it. Might save your car or your life someday.

 

..and while HUD not strictly necessary, it probably is a lot cheaper in the long run (if you want one), to buy a car, that has one in it.

 

I would say AH wouldn't be as neccessary if the car was more...precise.

You can drive a C5 hard and have fun with it but its not the most precise car. I don't find the steering quick enough to really bring the back end around and play with the car.

I've turned it off and played with the car a bit. Its just a tough car, at least to me, to hang out and control easily.

My Ls1 powered 93 Rx7 was easier to drive in a slide than straight. I guess I'm comparing the C5 against it, but with the LS1 I could bring it around a corner, step out the rear, drive the thing at a 30 degree angle like it was nothing, little snap of the wheel and it straightens right out. I can't find the room, or the ***** to really try that in the C5

What does all that mean? I'd try more 'stupid' stuff in the Rx7 without any electronic aid at all then I would be willing to even think about in the C5 with the AH turned off.

I'm sure part of the tuning of the C5 comes from the fact it has AH. Companies tune around the car, its chassis, engine, and electronic aids.

C6's from what I have been told can be downright scary with the AH off.

I've driven at the track in competitive mode and for sure it has made me 'faster' in certain sections, very fast wide turns where you are at WOT. Sometimes the AH came on, sometimes it didn't. In situations like that, regardless of driver skill, for fun I'd rather put it to the floor and not have to steer out of a slide at 100mph.

I think GM did a pretty good job with the tuning on the AH also. It lets you have a decent amount of fun without intruding and as others have said, it sure can save you.

I had my line lock leaking. Brake fluid would puddle on the cradle, then over 80mph it would spray onto the back tires. Cruising along at 90mph the car just went 30 degree's sideways for no reason. AH came on and brought the car back in line. Could I have done it? Maybe but most likely the way it uses the brakes brought it back faster than me steering since I was only really using the front wheels.

So in the end...I would get it. You can always turn it off or turn it down in competitive mode. For those unknown moments, especially if you drive it in poor weather its well worth it and I would only buy the car if it had it.

 

I'd hold out for a car that has it... be sure to get exactly what you want. There are so many C5s out there, you'll find it eventially.

I never would have activelly sought out a car with AH when I was shopping, but I'm very glad that the car I found has it. I've had mine kick in during an emergecny lane change, in an intersection near a car wash (lots of soap and water on the road) and once when I wasn't really paying attention and bolted into a busy street to make a left turn.

 

 

Pass on it. Too many good C5's out there for sale that have just what you want. Be patient.

 

IMHO, I'd rather not have it on a used car. To many people here have reported issuses. Out of warranty? out of luck and cash. A new vette under warranty I would get it. A deal breaker, for me, NO

 

Regardless of whether you drive hard or not, AH is an important safety feature. Also keep in mind that GM made improvements in AH & TC in 2001.

 

My 99 did not have it.. and I never wrecked it LoL.. yeah it "could" save your life one day.. but how many cars have you driven that did not have it? It would not be a deal breaker for me at all.

 

I my first C5 was a 98 'vert !HUD !AH, my opinion from 3 yrs experience with the '98,is that if you are a good driver you won't miss the AH at all. I attended Bragg-Smith during the time I had the car and did most of the class with AH turned off to be able to gain performance driving experience with the car (level 1 in the C5 coupe) in the same configuration as mine. Actually during the times I ran circuits with the AH on I found it very intrusive. On the street for sure there are some examples of where AH could help you... most of those occasions are driver induced and exercising a little discretion goes a long way. That said... do you need active handling??? That depends on how good of a deal you are getting on the car? Do you want active handling??? Sure.. it's nice to know it is there for you when you forget what kind of car you are driving.... Should it be a deal breaker on a nice '98 or '99 C5??? For me... the answer was and still is no!

XmP

 

I have two vehicles one with AH (my 2002 coupe) and one without it. Although its a good feature, I can't say it has made a difference--or even has saved my life! Guess it depends on how you drive.

Should I buy another vette in the future, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me at all.

 

Two quick stories...

There was a Forum member who totalled his new Z06, AH was off. Although a good driver, he swerved to miss an animal that jumped out in front of his car. He said that he believes that if AH was on, he would not have lost control.

I always leave AH on. Running through the mountains a C5 driver behind me ran without AH (he felt it was too instrusive - 2000 coupe). Going through a series of S turns @ ~120 my AH kicks in on the last S. He came out of it side-ways into a 180 in the other lane. Fortunately no one was coming the other way.

If AH saves me just one time during the length of time I own the car...IMHO it is worth it. BTW after changing stabilizer bars, shocks, wheels & tires, AH almost never comes on any more, where for me when stock it was quite frequent.