Well I guess if you never had it, its not to bad to live without.. I like being more in contorl of the rear when it slides out.. been doing it for so long that its not even an issue now.. My C5 is my daily driver too...

 

I'll keep it. It lets me push the envelope. I have some assistance should I push a bit too hard.

 

AH = Good....

above average driver...much professional training, driven very high HP race cars...kick it in once a month probably...sometimes a little overkill, but i won't complain

 

Personally - I have A/H on my '98 and I have Stabili-Trac on our '07 Cadillac (essentially same systems) and love the idea have having a system that can react much faster than I can. It's saved me a few times in the Corvette, and there have been times when it was a little intrusive. But the nice thing is that you can shut it off if you really want to.

Click here for an interesting article on the 1st generation A/H.

The second generation A/H became standard equipment in 2001, and by design allowed for more spirited driving. The following is a quote from the July 2000 GM Press Release introducing the 2001 models (quote courtesy of the CorvetteActionCenter) -

"In mid-1998 a new feature called Active Handling was introduced on Corvette. It is a sophisticated stability control system that utilizes on-board sensors to measure yaw, lateral acceleration and steering wheel position, then brings into play the capabilities of Corvette's standard ABS brake and traction control systems to smoothly assist the driver in maintaining vehicle control in oversteer or understeer situations.

For 2001 a Second-Generation Active Handling system, much enhanced over the original, becomes standard equipment on all Corvettes. With a new Bosch brake pressure modulator and many new or revised calibrations, Second-Generation Active Handling provides even more assistance to the Corvette driver.

Corvette engineers know how Corvette owners like to drive their cars, so a stability control system that would shut the car down too severely during enthusiastic driving was out of the question. Second-Generation Active Handling calibrations have been carefully developed to limit such intrusiveness. Aside from an "Active Handling" message on the instrument panel, drivers will not even realize they've been assisted in most situations.

Average drivers will find themselves capable of producing even lower elapsed times in autocross competitions. Above-average drivers will appreciate Active Handling's Competitive Mode, which allows them to switch off the traction control part of the system.

In addition to making all Corvettes more agile, Second-Generation Active Handling adds a cushion of safety given its ability to help out in emergency situations. It deftly senses both over- and under-correction on the driver's part and adjusts to help bring the car back into balance.

As good as it is, Active Handling cannot overcome the laws of physics. It is offered only as an assist - albeit an assist that makes Corvettes a lot more agile, and even safer - but it is not a cure-all for every situation. Ultimately, drivers must still take full responsibility for control of their vehicle."

If I were buying a C5 today - I'd want the A/H.

 

It is more than an electronic bell and whistle. It is a performance option and can be used that way. I had a 97 for 6 years which I then traded for an 03Z. I enjoy using the AH. It can do things a human cannot do when yawing the car since it can apply a brake on a single wheel to get the car to pivot. I loved my 97 but I know I would always miss the AH if I went back to that car. My 03 Tahoe has the option also and it is quite useful when running fast in the snow.

Bill

 

Nuh said. THis mode is only available with the AH package adn the option for that I forget which but you can activative it in those models by holding hte traction button for 5 seconds while still.

WIthout that mode.. C5 = stinko.

 

If you don't have it you don't miss it, but once you've had it save your rear end you won't go back.. I was getting on the freeway a couple of days ago in a spirited fashion hit second punched it, the rear tires broke loose and it started to go around. I have done 360s in Corvettes many times so I knew what was coming, anyway the AH kicked in and straightened the whole mess out with very little drama. The car probably would have just gone around but there was the chance I could have wound up in the weeds since I was going about 70. I am a convert if you can afford it get it. My car is an 02 with a Procharger so I have the potential to get into trouble a little faster than a stock one.

Rick

 

I would have said no big deal . . .until my EBCM went and I had to drive around without AH for a while till it was fixed.

I always felt like the car road on rails. I love to push through a set of turns and was sure I wasnt anywhere near the envelope (never came close to sideways). My eyes were where they belonged (on the road) so I never noted the DIC Active Handling Engaged message, and was under the impression that I was well within the limits for surface traction and lateral G.

The EBCM went (so no proportional braking, hence no AH) and while waiting for the repair I still drove hard at times. Still never got sideways but IMO you can definitly feel a difference. Just doesnt track as well, feels a little swooshy (<= is that a word?).

Im not a highway cop (nobody drives like a highway cop :-) ) but I am EVOC Certified and have 30 years of emergency driving experience and I have to tell ya, this car with AH is a pleasure to drive.

I'm sure there is nothing wrong with a C5 without AH, probably handles great, but at least for me having been assigned work cars with a little bit of juice (LS1 Caprice (with the Highway Package) and a Crown Vic (with the Interceptor package) the AH is the way to go.

I hated antilock brakes when they first came out. Just didnt feel like I would be able to stop as well (took a while to get used to not feeling them lock up in a panic situation), but after getting used to them I wouldnt want a car without them.

I look at the AH the same way, you are not going to use it a lot (hopefully), but when it does kick in, it's worth every penny :-)

I'd wait till I found one I liked that was 2001 or newer (AH2).

 

IMO, active handling is something that is very nice to have on the car. It does not just work in rain, ice, etc. You can hit slick spots in dry weather too (oil, sand, etc) and it saved my butt a couple of times when I had my '99.