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Buying a C5 auto

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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 03:55 AM
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Default Buying a C5 auto

Hi
Can anyone help me to make my decision I`m about to buy C5 1998 coupe with auto gearbox. I just have few questions.
On the outside the car looks pewfect , there are magnesium wheels on it without any any damage No leaks etc. It have 59k miles. The engine works ok, the only thing that i noticed is a rough idle, i was on the passenger seat and i felt a vibrations. Is it normal? The other thing i noticed is that the owner changed from P to R and R to D very slowly ?!
The car was serviced last year and it comes with full history. I`ll be 4th owner. There is borla exhaust (4 round big tips) and KN intake (2 air cleaners)

Can anyone help me with these issues ?

Andy
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 04:12 AM
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Originally Posted by felga
Hi
Can anyone help me to make my decision I`m about to buy C5 1998 coupe with auto gearbox. I just have few questions.
On the outside the car looks pewfect , there are magnesium wheels on it without any any damage No leaks etc. It have 59k miles. The engine works ok, the only thing that i noticed is a rough idle, i was on the passenger seat and i felt a vibrations. Is it normal? The other thing i noticed is that the owner changed from P to R and R to D very slowly ?!
The car was serviced last year and it comes with full history. I`ll be 4th owner. There is borla exhaust (4 round big tips) and KN intake (2 air cleaners)

Can anyone help me with these issues ?

Andy
You'll be the 4th owner I guess it wouldn't matter if you're the first,second or third owner as long as you know what problems or would be problems you are looking for - bring a mechanic that you know with you, it wouldn't hurt. Even at 59,000 miles you'll never know if it is a problem car. But I would probably stay away. Kinda like buying a house, you would wonder why people sell the same house over and over- you know what I mean.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 05:29 AM
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I would get it inspected before purchase.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 05:45 AM
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I would stear away from this car. 4 owners at 59K= a wreck and or body work somewhere.......(I'd bet money on it.) There are PLENTY of 1-owner 98-2000 out there & I know one is in your price range & probably better miles also......keep looking.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 08:09 AM
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I disagree ...

there are many reasons for a "rough idle", it could be from sitting for extended periods or clogged injectors, etc.

If it is the car that you want, have it inspected and figure it out that way.

Don't trust a car fax, there are far too many "clean" cars that are a POS. Trust a well know and recognized vette shop, tuner or speed shop to look at it with you.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 08:25 AM
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If you are really interested in this car, have it thoroughly checked out by a competent mechanic. Tranny problems can get expensive.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 08:32 AM
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Unless it is an awesome deal, pass it up. There will be many more vettes out there in the future. Also do a carfax on all cars you are concidering. Do not buy a rebuilt car.By the way, the shaking and slow shifting are not normal. Have the car checked out by an expert if you intend to buy, but I wouldnt.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by IMXCITD
I would get it inspected before purchase.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Allzwell
I disagree ...

there are many reasons for a "rough idle", it could be from sitting for extended periods or clogged injectors, etc.

If it is the car that you want, have it inspected and figure it out that way.

Don't trust a car fax, there are far too many "clean" cars that are a POS. Trust a well know and recognized vette shop, tuner or speed shop to look at it with you.
I agree... the rough idle could be normal -- it's a V8 with a borla. If this guy is coming from a Lexus or even an accord, it's going to seem a little rough. And for him to be the 4th owner... big deal... it's a 10 year old car. People buy and sell for all kinds of reasons... whims, impracticalities, costs, places to park, divorces, etc. The owners shifting slowly from Park to drive -- gee, maybe he's just very gentle with the car -- plus the mag wheels are unscuffed, so that shows it was driven all these years with at least some care. The car has averaged under 6K miles per year. If it looks good, gets an OK by an reputable mechanic, and the price is right, why not?

Last edited by rcs128; Feb 13, 2007 at 09:19 AM.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 09:23 AM
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If the exhaust has been changed there is a possibility that it could be rubbing on something. That will cause a vibration you couild feel in the seat. Have it checked out.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by slverc5
You'll be the 4th owner I guess it wouldn't matter if you're the first,second or third owner as long as you know what problems or would be problems you are looking for - bring a mechanic that you know with you, it wouldn't hurt. Even at 59,000 miles you'll never know if it is a problem car. But I would probably stay away. Kinda like buying a house, you would wonder why people sell the same house over and over- you know what I mean.
be careful drive it yourself and shift from P to D and see what happens, big loud clunk? be careful
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by oldschoolvette
be careful drive it yourself and shift from P to D and see what happens, big loud clunk? be careful
i think the guy was just careful i dont see were speed would have anything to do with it because the valves are going to open and close. it would scare me more if the guy backed out the drive way and slammed it into drive with out stopping!
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 02:42 PM
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Wow
Thax for all answes.
Ok i shoud write . I live in Uk i made a HPI check. The car was build in 1998 it`s a euro model (fogs on bumper) It was first registred in UK on 01/02/2003 then sold on 10/10/2003 (probably somone imported a car and sold it ) Then it just says about most recent keeper change 08/05/2004. It sais about 2 previous keepers + current on which give You 3.
The owner is a military chopper pilot and he kept the car in hangar without using it much. Maybe it just need a good run to get smooth but maybe it just the way it works with these exhausts. True i`m driving an xj6 x300 , not very smooth engine inline 6. It shaked a little and i noticed similar thing in this vett. In jag it was a foulty ignition coil ( seperate coil for each cylinder) But i don`t have a lot exprience with c5`s so i can`t judge.
Now i`ll tell You how much is it the prices here for c5`s around this age are 30k $ for the chepest and up to 52k$ for z06. :/

I`ll go and see another c5`s in area to compere this one and take another look on "mine". I You guys have more usefull opinions please write it.

Thanks again for help
Andy

oh and some photos:






Last edited by felga; Feb 13, 2007 at 02:55 PM.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by felga
Hi
Can anyone help me to make my decision I`m about to buy C5 1998 coupe with auto gearbox. I just have few questions.
On the outside the car looks pewfect , there are magnesium wheels on it without any any damage No leaks etc. It have 59k miles. The engine works ok, the only thing that i noticed is a rough idle, i was on the passenger seat and i felt a vibrations. Is it normal? The other thing i noticed is that the owner changed from P to R and R to D very slowly ?!
The car was serviced last year and it comes with full history. I`ll be 4th owner. There is borla exhaust (4 round big tips) and KN intake (2 air cleaners)

Can anyone help me with these issues ?

Andy
I am not sure of your comment of :
i noticed is that the owner changed from P to R and R to D very slowly ?!

I have an auto 2000. When I shift from p to r and from r to d I am somewhat deliberate and do not just grab and slam and make sure I come to a complete stop. Just a quirk so that I am not shifting from R to D while moving in Reverse.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 05:24 PM
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The car was parked and he changed from P to R very slowly like very slowly
Maybe he`s very carefull but i don`t know.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 05:52 PM
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From what I've gathered throughout CF, a rough idle is not uncommon..?
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by TomZ
From what I've gathered throughout CF, a rough idle is not uncommon..?
I have a 2K A4 and it idles and shifts very smoothly. Maybe it's had some mods to the engine, maybe it's a tune. I would drive and shift it hard and also have a good mechanic or tuner check it out. Something doesn't sound right.
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To Buying a C5 auto

Old Feb 13, 2007 | 06:17 PM
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...

Last edited by felga; Feb 13, 2007 at 06:22 PM.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 06:22 PM
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The thing is when we accelerate vry fast and slow there were no signs that anything is wrong with tranny. He accelerate from 0 - 140km/h and i even couldn`t feel the gear change. Maybe it`s jusy my problem after what i had in jag :/ Or it`s normal for You that car shakes a little and i just want to have it too perfect , while there is a borla and nearly 6ltr engine on the frame :/
I don`t know i`ll have to ask him to meet me again ang check the car with somone who owns c5.
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Old Feb 13, 2007 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by IMXCITD
I would get it inspected before purchase.
You Betcha, my A4 was purchased w/35k on the clock and the best
thing I did was take it to a vette specalist in the area. They KNOW
what to look for.
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