i currently own a 2000 vette coupe, i love my car, and planned on keeping it for a very very very long time since it is payed off, and figured the maitenance and repairs would be better then a car payment. My car has 65000 miles on it, and has had quite a few problems with it so far. Not serious problems, but problems that cost a rediculous amount of money because its a vette of course. A few problems that cost me around 2k were the headlight motor burnt out, driver side power window stopped working, and the emergency break broke and needed to be replaced. All of these repairs were made at the dealership which is probably why the cost was so massive. I have had my car since i was 16, i am currently 22 and about to graduate college (which is bringing me to this delima). One part of me wants to keep it because its my dream car, and the other part says to trade it in on a car with a nice warranty so i wont have to worry about any expensive for a car for atleast 5 years so ill have all the more money to save rather then dumping it into my car. (since mommy and daddy have been payin for it up to this point its obviously hasnt concerned me to much :P). I COULD afford it easily, but im affraid in the next 2-3 years every single thing that could possibly go wrong with it will go wrong. Here is a sample of current problems with it: the check engine light wont go away, (its the code for the gas cap being loose, but the dealership checked it out and said nothing was wrong), occasionaly the belts make weird noises when i turn it on and drive for awhile then it goes away (i have had all the belts replaced recently), about once a month ill be driving along and my car will stright turn off, i start it up again and keep driving and it seems fine. When i turn sharply (and slowly) it makes a grinding noise around my front bumper, im assuming its the wheel grinding against something (this began after i had a little accident with a plastic bucket on the freeway going 85, went left and the thing blew back at me coudlnt avoid it , didnt do any body damage though) - anyhow, i am completely ignorant to cars, and the problems associated with them espeicaly engines. My plan was to learn enough i could fix minor problems but ive been to busy preparing for graduation and all of this has put me in an confusing situation. Any ideas, or comments on my situation are welcome, also if anyone has any links to information to repariing common problems with vettes thatd be great thanks , also i am not going into any further debt my car bluebooks for around 20k so ill be taking quite a loss of quality if i do end up trading it in

 

OK, I'm certainly no Vette or car expert but I have been around the block a few times. Here's some advice...
First, I recommend you stop taking the car to a dealership. Dealerships make their money in the service department and almost no matter which one you go to they see you coming a mile off. A kid driving a vette? Must be about as easy a mark as they think a woman would be. Dealership service departments are for warranty stuff that they have to pay for. That isn't to say getting your car fixed right is cheap; I just don't trust dealerships.
Second, find a good mechanic. Every decent size town has at least one shop that people trust. How do you find a mechanic? Join, or contact, a car club in your area. I have never seen a car club that didn't have a relationship with a good mechanic. At worst, they can tell you where not to go. Heck, one of the members is probably a pretty good mechanic. (The best mechanic I ever found was a member of my first club and has worked on all my cars for 15 years.)
Joining a car club supporting your favorite ride is the smartest thing you can do, in my opinion. Some of the most knowledgable people in the world about your car can be found just dying to help you. You don't have to be an expert. They'd love to help you, especially after they get to know you. That said, payment for that help is supporting the club and being a good member. You could have a great time and I guarantee it'll greatly increase your knowledge about your car. Never found easier friends to make in the world than when I went to my first club meeting.
I'll bet if you ask for club info on this forum you'll find several opportunities from right here. Just tell the forum your city.
Lastly, I can't give you an opinion on keeping your car, or not. Problem is, you can't either till you find out from somebody you trust what it'll cost to fix it. Finding the right person will be some work, but the effort will be worth it.
Good luck.

 

I agree about joining a local Ccorvette Club. You might also want to mention your city right here on the forum, where many of us have experience with local specialists. You might get some good suggestions on where to take your car. Dealers suck, please talk taking your car to the dealer, unless you graduate into a high paying job that can allow you to waste a lot of $$ at the 'stealership'.

There IS an affordable repair/mod for the headlight gears. A fellow makes bronze gears for them, and the identical lift mechanism found in the Fiero pop-ups. If you need his info, please send me a PM and i'll dig it up for you.

Jennifer

 

From what you have written, it doesn't sound like you have any major problems. Just annoying little ones. My advice, for what it's worth is: If you really like the car, try fixing these minor problems yourself, one at a time. Start with the most annoying and work down to the least annoying. There are plenty of how-to articles and lots of friendly people on this forum that will give you good advice in your effort.
After you fix the first couple problems, I think you will keep the car and save your extra money for other things. Good luck.

 

Do some research on the forum, get out the tools, and buy a 12-pack of your favorite beer. My vette and I enjoy a lot of our sunday afternoons this way.

Plus, you learn the ins-and outs of the car which makes the ride that much sweeter.

 

Think of it as bonding with your Vette..

 

I'm not a whiz with mechanical stuff, but I learned a long time ago to try at something and see if I could do it. As a result, I'm handly on basic stuff and don't mind trying. Do the same....the forum is a great place to learn "How"

 

The advice given above is really good. I've been amazed at the things I've been able to do to my Vette based on information I've gotten from this forum and some of the most incredible directions for tackling problems available. Most with Photos. I'm pretty sure my wife could handle most of these projects if she was so inclined. Spend some quality time with your car and trust the people around here to help. This place is the single best resource for anything associated with your Vette.

 

The above posters are correct. Hang out with Vette Guys and Gals. It's amazing what you'll learn and they're always willing to help each other.

 

I'll give you the same advice I give my son, who just cost me 30k for his first year at college. Learn how to write, you both sound like idiots.

 

This is my initial reaction from reading your post.

Sell the Vette, relax a bit and buy something cheap (that you like of course), that will hold up and has a good warranty. Get you feet on the ground with a new job, get established and start saving for a new Vette!

 

with one exception - I think the shutting off in the middle of driving is a dangerous one. Sounds like a fuel pump issue which cost about $350 if you buy it here (instead of the $525 you'll pay from those rippoff stealerships), Plus about 1.5 hrs labor. But it could be another problem as well.

 

Definately fatherly advice.... lol


Yeah, i agree with the above posters, you'd be suprised what you can get done on your car. After a few DIY repairs it'll feel like a bran new car and you'll have the immense satisfaction of doing it yourself! Totally worth it!

OBTW, the chirping may not be your belts... check the pullies too... could be a bad bearing... again, easy & cheap to fix if you DIY.

Whatever decesion you make, good luck!


Dan

 

My thoughts exactly. Sell it or trade it, and go to Carmax and buy a good reliable fuel-saving low mileage car (Tooyta, Honda, nissan) Carmax has some incredible deals and with good warranties!!! And they give you more money for your trade than the stealerships. I have bought 2 cars from car max in the last 10 years, including a 2001 LEXUS LS430 with 12K miles on it for $19K less than the new price.

Be patient, You are only 22 and 5-6 years FROM NOW, you will be buying a better and faster C7 and will probably have plenty of financial breathing room to do it, not like some guys who are barely getting by with a large car payment.

 

it would be nicer if you gave him advice on the topic he is addressing rather than offering your opinon on his grammar skills, which has nothing to do with the thread.

BTW, ya might want to "read" the forum rules with respect to calling others idiots or other selective deragatory nouns.

 

Buy the service manuals and start working on this car yourself.

I hate dealerships.

 

Your problem is not your car, its the dealership! These are minor problems and you really should start doing things yourself. When I bought my first home 5 years ago, I learned quickly that if you don't DIY, you'll almost always get F#*&ed! Two years later, I bought my vette and learned the same thing--especially to stay away from dealerships. Not only are they too expensive, but they will F#*k you in a heartbeat.

 

you're right but, his grammar does SUCK for someone about to graduate college!

 

I had the same problem with my engine cutting out on my 00. No codes or nothing the mech could find. He cleaned out the throttle body and I changed gas stations, I just had a bad feeling about it and my claim about the gas station doesn't have much validity, just something I did on a gut feeling in addition to what the mech did. Knock on wood it hasn't stalled in the 3 months since.

 

I agree with the advise about avoiding the 'stealership' and joining a club. The members there (and here!!) can help with the problems you're having and if not a DIY'r point you towards a good mechanic.
You've had the car a long time, it's your 'dream car'...IMHO I'd keep it.