Hello:

I am in the process of looking for a C5. To be honest, this will be my first real domestic purchase. I typically am an import fan (smaller displacement w/ turbo) and I have owned 2 3000GT with the last making about MID/LOW 600AWHP with a stock block. It has gotten to the point where I became obsessed with it and wanting to add more and more power and worrying about every little thing: AFR/TIMING/EGT/FUEL PRESSURE/etc.. It just became too much. I couldn't enjoy the car. I decided to start over.

I have always enjoyed/admired the C5 especially the lines but it was always a bit out of my price range. I searched around my area and found SEVERAL 97-99 w/ under 70K for 16-18K which is damn nice. I have a few questions:

1) Typically, how long do the blocks/major components last?
2) What are the typical problems? Anything big?
3) Any leakage with the verts/targas? I LOVE the Targa but could consider the vert. Never drove one tho so I'd have to try.
4) Dealers rape you on repairs just because it's a Vette?
5) Insurance. I guess I will find out myself
6) What are free mods or bang for buck mods? I am used to FI cars where it's easy to make big power. Personally, I'd love to make 4XXRWHP and be able to trap around 115. Is this possible without doing any engine mods or nitrous? I really want to keep it as near stock as possible. Perhaps an intake/exhaust is the only thing in my future.

Thanks.

-Shawn

 

Welcome. I think you would enjoy any of the Corvette styles, but much easier to track a Z06 or coupe. The Z06 starts with more power from the factory. It won't drive like AWD, but it is an incredible car and I think you would be very happy with change. I'll let other guys chime in on all mods, and effects.
Bruce

 

Thanks for the reply. I considered the Z06 and thought I could get the C5 and do some really light mods and be happy. To be honest, I just want something that feels like my car on pump gas right now (450-500AWHP/~118MPH traps) but something I won't mod to hell and feels just like stock. My car feels like a drag car and I just don't want that feeling.

 

I have a friend who is a big DSM guy. He bought an 01 Z becuase I talked about how awesome they were and loved it. His wife loved it too since he wasn't working on it all the time.

His only complaint was the Z couldn't launch like his AWD Talon or his EVO and it didn't have a back seat. He eventaully sold it and bought a CTS-V loved it but was afraid of the weak rears in them and bought another EVO.

As far as your questions

The engines will last as long as you take car of them. I have basically the same engine in my truck but it is a 5.3 with over 140k on it and absolutley no problems.

There is a sticky in one of the forums about the common problems/ leaks and such. I think it is in General or Tech.

Dealers charge alot no matter what make your car is.

Insurance is actually cheap considering it is a sports car.

Free/cheap mods Zip-tie mod (*consists of taking the top of the aircleaner off and Zip-tie the airfilter in (requires a hood seal if you plan on driving in the rain (also cheap you can get the generic weatherstripping from almost any auto parts store for around $10)

throttlebody bypass

those are the really cheap mods the rest depends on what you consider cheap, it sucks when you start thinking $300-500 for a part is cheap or I found some awesome headers and they're only $1k.

 

I think a evo would be better suited for you at your price range but thats just my opinion

 

Thanks. Yea, my VR-4 became a pain as street tires wouldn't allow a launch. I'd just spin the **** and didn't want to run drag radials or slicks. I think I will really look into this further given how stour these motors or as I have read. I just want 4XXRWHP and 115MPh traps. I am sure there must be a way between an intake/used exhaust/headers/tune to get there w/o making the car feel much different than stock.

It would take an act of God for me to buy an EVO.

 

Definitely check out the sticky. But, let me tell you that in my almost one year of ownership, I have had what I consider a disproportionate amount of problems for a car that had under 25K miles and was 5 years old and I don't think it is a stretch to say that this car is prone to electrical problems. My problems so far,

1. HVAC actuator door went out.
2. Passenger door automatic lock failed (the infamous bad DCM faulty relay issue)
3. Driver door everything failed (corroded power connector)
4. HVAC blower motor failed (corroded power connector)

But the good news is you will find is that this Forum rules and people here are tremendously helpful. I fixed 3 out of the 4 problems on my own thanks to the kind people on this board. Do I regret my purchase? No. I love my vette so much, these things pale to the whole driving experience for me. However, other people that just want to turn a key, drive faster than he!!, and never look under the hood would probably feel differently.

 

why?

 

Ok. Ive never driven a c5. But I just bought one My brother is driving it across country for me, but I knew for the money I couldnt go wrong and imo $18k goes farther in a c5 than in an Evo.


I was actually considering buying an Evo, cant afford my near $30k 03 Cobra, so I paid cash for a 99 FRC.

I was so set on doing something different, and as much as Ive come to love FI I was trying to find a turbo car. Was leaning towards buying a turbo honda or an EVOVII then I came to realize Id be a fool to pay $14k to $15k for a Type S, dump $4k-$5k into it when I could have a c5 for the same dollar.

As far as insurance I think youll be pleasantly suprised, you might want to check out the '20 year olds come in' thread, its only a few back from this one.

Wish I could help out more, but I really dont know much about these cars just yet.

 

either get the C5 or get a M3 i really love those cars they just looked a little to common for me. Looks like a regular 3 series which are everywhere.

 

I have heard that about this forum. I know nothing is perfect and I generally have a negative opinion about domestic cars. Sorry, it's the truth. But, I know these are much different. I just want to know the truth and not the typical fanbois who don't talk about the negatives. They always exist.

A few reasons:

1) 4 doors
2) Looks like the econbox base $15K lancer
3) **** clutch
4) It's a Mitsubishi
5) etc..

I was debating a M3 but the 2001+ are way out of my price range.

Thanks for the insight. I am a BIG FI fan so this will be really different. I think for the money, the lines on the is incredible. I will wait and get exactly what I want.

 

Insurance is reasonable
Gas mileage is better than a lot of other family vehicles
Smile-age is through the roof

Don't forget to wave!!

 

yet your coming from a 3000GT

 

Sounds like you are an EVO fan. Sorry, if I hurt your feelings.

 

Shawn, I'm more of a stock guy, but I have had no problems with my car. I know I've been lucky, but nothing but replacing the battery and I hated the run flats so I just switched to TA's a few weeks ago.
I would think with a Cam, head work, jets and headers you could or would reach what you are looking for from a stock 98 or 99.

If your looking at just air in and out, and jet work, I don't think you could get to 400+ but I may be wrong.

Good luck deciding, I know it's hard when you have to spend that kind of cash.
Vinnie

 

Go for it, you wont regret it.

 

My honset opinion for you is to go find a dealer and test drive a C5, take it for a good long drive and get a feel for the car. If, when you return it to the dealer your not totally in love with the car, then I would say to move on to something else.

I test drove a 2004 Z06 and I had to have the car. Didn't work out for me last April on the Z, but I ended up with a gorgeous 98 black vert in September and I'm very glad I have it. I totally love the car. I drive it every day.

Even better, it has become a replacement hobby for me as I used to coach High school basketball and after 24 years I called it quits, but I needed something to fill in my time, I was used to almost always having something to do. I have done all of my own work on the car and it has been a blast. Even better, I have had the privalege of meeting some high quality individuals both here on the forums and locally here in Tampa due to owning the car. IMO it doesn't get any better then that.

2 cents deposited. Sorry for the long post. I wish you the best of luck which ever road you travel.



Brad

 

yeah you can say that, but what i thought was funny is that you are coming from a mitsu that chrysler help build. Thats like saying a 1g dsm is built better then a evo lol. My feelings arent hurt just thought it was kind of ironic thats all.

 

I think you're going to have trouble getting 400+RWHP with bolt ons unless you start with the Z06. The standard C5's have 350BHP and about 300RWHP stock. You're not going to get to 400 without cracking the engine for at least a cam. (unless you go for the temporary solution of the bottle).

 

You could probably get 115 traps with well under 400 rwhp. You've gotta remember, the C5s are a good bit lighter than the AWD 3/S. Ive heard of stock C5s with M6 tranny trapping 109 in the 1/4. Z06 titanium catback, headers, CAI, and tune would probably get you 115 traps pretty easy.

Ive owned 2 LS1 cars, 1 C5, 1 Z28. Ive yet to have any engine problems out of mine. The main gremlins with C5s are electrical. The column lock is a common problem, but can be easily defeated with a cheap mod called the column lock bypass (CLB). Other than that, watch for issue with the factory battery as they can leak and damage electronics.

Insurance: Im 23 and my insurance was less than $100 month. Repairs can be a bit pricey at stealerships because of the name though Gotta watch for that.