test drive in a few hours
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
test drive in a few hours
so my dream car may be in my hands within the week...i am really looking at getting a corvette right now...ive thought about a few things...and preferred not to go get a c6...i would rather get a used c5...see how i like it...and move from there....i found one i will be test driving in a few hours.... 99 targa top...white on black leather...auto tranny....43k miles on it.....
any suggestions on what i should be looking for when test driving aside from little noises here and there and feel of the car?...anythign specific i can look for maybe for leaks or maybe the battery issue that these had?...any quick responses would be greatly appreciated....
any suggestions on what i should be looking for when test driving aside from little noises here and there and feel of the car?...anythign specific i can look for maybe for leaks or maybe the battery issue that these had?...any quick responses would be greatly appreciated....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
Yes. As exciting as it will be, keep your emotions in check. Be sure to look at it as a machine -- a used machine -- that may have some flaws and imperfections. Getting a C5 is a great idea and one you won't regret, but make sure you're buying the RIGHT one. If this one isn't right, just move along. There are plenty out there.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
How to Enter Diagnostic Mode
The "diagnostic display" mode is entered with the following procedure:
1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2) Press the "reset" button to turn off any warning messages
3) Press and hold "options"
4) While holding "options", press "fuel" four times within a 10-second period.
When first engaged the on-board diagnostics go into an "automatic" mode which shows all parameters: PCM-TCS-RTD-BCM-IPC-radio-HVAC-LDCM-RDCM-SCM-RFA. If there are no problems, you will see "no more codes" on the ICP display.
The computer will show two kinds of codes, "current" and "history," designated "C" or "H". A current code indicates a malfunction is present in the system whose module is displaying data. A history code indicates a past problem.
When the screen displays "manual diagnostics," select the desired module by pressing the "options" button to go forward or the "trip" button to go back. Press "gauges" to go forward or "fuel" to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press "E/M". If you want to erase or "clear" codes, press " reset".
The "diagnostic display" mode is entered with the following procedure:
1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2) Press the "reset" button to turn off any warning messages
3) Press and hold "options"
4) While holding "options", press "fuel" four times within a 10-second period.
When first engaged the on-board diagnostics go into an "automatic" mode which shows all parameters: PCM-TCS-RTD-BCM-IPC-radio-HVAC-LDCM-RDCM-SCM-RFA. If there are no problems, you will see "no more codes" on the ICP display.
The computer will show two kinds of codes, "current" and "history," designated "C" or "H". A current code indicates a malfunction is present in the system whose module is displaying data. A history code indicates a past problem.
When the screen displays "manual diagnostics," select the desired module by pressing the "options" button to go forward or the "trip" button to go back. Press "gauges" to go forward or "fuel" to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press "E/M". If you want to erase or "clear" codes, press " reset".
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
thanks for the quick replies everyone!!
i will definitely keep my emotions in check...as much as this is my dream car...i need to look at the reality and as you stated, the fact that this is a USED mechanical object...
i will definitely keep my emotions in check...as much as this is my dream car...i need to look at the reality and as you stated, the fact that this is a USED mechanical object...
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 36
From: Bolton Ontario
...so my dream car may be in my hands within the week...i found one i will be test driving in a few hours...
Hard to keep your emotions in check all right. Harder still when you have a fixed price in mind, then ask the owner what his bottom line is and he gives you a price $1500 lower that what you had in mind!
Rick
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
dammit...a delay...i couldnt make it out today...the owner called me back a bit late and it was too late to drive out his way (about an hour each way)....this week will be tough to get his way too...my gf is being deployed in a week (stationed in germany thank God)...so this is the last week i can spend some time with her...the car can wait 
...if its sold im sure there will be more along the way...
thanks for all of your comments everyone...i would probably be using this as a daily driver....any recommendations against that?...
...if its sold im sure there will be more along the way...thanks for all of your comments everyone...i would probably be using this as a daily driver....any recommendations against that?...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,979
Likes: 31
From: Wichita KS
dammit...a delay...i couldnt make it out today...the owner called me back a bit late and it was too late to drive out his way (about an hour each way)....this week will be tough to get his way too...my gf is being deployed in a week (stationed in germany thank God)...so this is the last week i can spend some time with her...the car can wait ...if its sold im sure there will be more along the way...
thanks for all of your comments everyone...i would probably be using this as a daily driver....any recommendations against that?...
...if its sold im sure there will be more along the way...thanks for all of your comments everyone...i would probably be using this as a daily driver....any recommendations against that?...
, Luckily they have internet tho 
but there is nothing wrong with it being a DD, enjoy the hell out of it thats why you would buy it!! 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,410
Likes: 3
From: seattle wa
thanks for the support 
....
yea i just wanted to make sure this model as a dd would be ok or if it had any issues specific to that....this one im looking at seems to have been garaged a bit...given that it only has 43k miles and is a '99....
....yea i just wanted to make sure this model as a dd would be ok or if it had any issues specific to that....this one im looking at seems to have been garaged a bit...given that it only has 43k miles and is a '99....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hope its a good one
If its the original battery you'll need to replace it before it leaks. Also look at the rear diff area for leaks.
I drove mine every day in Vegas. It makes great DD.
If its the original battery you'll need to replace it before it leaks. Also look at the rear diff area for leaks.
I drove mine every day in Vegas. It makes great DD.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Good luck with the car. Just check it over for leaks, wear and tear, make sure everything works OK, etc.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Here's a few common C-5 issues:
1. Make sure the passenger side power window works.
2. Make sure the oil pressure gauge is reading correctly (i.e. not 160 psi)
3. Make sure the turn signals work all of the time, if the hazard switch is bad they will work some of the time and won't work the rest of the time.
There may be a few other common issues, but I'm not aware of them. Each one of these items is a $400 - $500 repair bill at the stealership.
Look carefully at the glass top (it it has one) the streaks and lines on the passenger side are very common, the only known repair for this one is to have the top painted.
I wish you the best of luck with your purchase, the C-5's are a great ride.
1. Make sure the passenger side power window works.
2. Make sure the oil pressure gauge is reading correctly (i.e. not 160 psi)
3. Make sure the turn signals work all of the time, if the hazard switch is bad they will work some of the time and won't work the rest of the time.
There may be a few other common issues, but I'm not aware of them. Each one of these items is a $400 - $500 repair bill at the stealership.
Look carefully at the glass top (it it has one) the streaks and lines on the passenger side are very common, the only known repair for this one is to have the top painted.
I wish you the best of luck with your purchase, the C-5's are a great ride.
Last edited by Vette Nutz; Mar 26, 2007 at 03:12 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
mine is a 01 with 75k and I love to drive mine daily!
