Would appreciate some buying tips
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Newport Oregon
Would appreciate some buying tips
I'm going to be buying a C5 in the next few months and could use some input from you folks here. My budget looks like I can pull off a 99-2000 coupe and need to know of any specific things to look for, weather leaks, mechanical, etc. This will be my first vette, have mostly been a British sportscar guy due to finances, though my wife has had a '54 and a '57 with her 1st hubby (damn him!) I'm naturally stoked, but thought you here with knowledge of the car could tell me what to look out for. Any help would be really appreciated!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
The C5 platform is pretty solid but does have a few things to watch out for....rocking seats, erratic fuel guage, oil consumption, column lock issues...etc. I am sure others will chime in. Overall...as long as you research the individual vette you plan to buy...I think you will be ok. Welcome to the forum! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
I'm going to be buying a C5 in the next few months and could use some input from you folks here. My budget looks like I can pull off a 99-2000 coupe and need to know of any specific things to look for, weather leaks, mechanical, etc. This will be my first vette, have mostly been a British sportscar guy due to finances, though my wife has had a '54 and a '57 with her 1st hubby (damn him!) I'm naturally stoked, but thought you here with knowledge of the car could tell me what to look out for. Any help would be really appreciated!
The C5 was continually upgraded and improved, with the possible exception of the fuel system from mid-model year 2003 through 2004. Don't get me wrong, they are still great running cars, but the fuel filter was placed INSIDE the fuel tanks, and having had to change a few fuel filters over the years, the concept of draining and dropping the fuel tanks to do so is unimaginable to me. The FI system was also downgraded starting in mid-model-year 2003, which will mean nothing unless you decide to go for more ponies, which will mean changing the FI system. The EPA required changes to reduce evaporative emissions.
Like you, I researched and read and asked owners and learned that the running improvements were all in place by 2002 and early 2003. Those were the cars I sought. I purchased a 2002 coupe. Love the car.
BTW, a background in British sports cars, and I share that with you, is a great precursor to the somtimes finicky Corvette. Having had two of them, they are not as likely to leave you stranded in the rain as anything British (women included), but they have their own quirks of personality.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 25
From: If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. South West Florida / Livin' The Dream
St. Jude Donor '12
I would definitely check the computer codes in the system. details on how to do it and what they are are outlined in the link below.
http://klh-racing.com/computer_codes.htm
This will let you know if there are any major things going on with the car and can save you a few bucks in the negotiation. It can also save you the suprise of a costly repair after taking ownership.
Write down the codes and post them on Corvette Forum. There are a lot of very smart folks on this web site that can tell you what the problem is and approx how much it will cost you to fix.
Good Luck
http://klh-racing.com/computer_codes.htm
This will let you know if there are any major things going on with the car and can save you a few bucks in the negotiation. It can also save you the suprise of a costly repair after taking ownership.
Write down the codes and post them on Corvette Forum. There are a lot of very smart folks on this web site that can tell you what the problem is and approx how much it will cost you to fix.
Good Luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
Educate yourself, dont buy the first deal you find, find a friend who knows C5s. The later is important. I just got my C5 98 vert w/48k miles and my friend was key to not getting burned. Good luck and welcome
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Texas
