Should I sell my C5?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
Should I sell my C5?
I've had my vette for a little over a year and a half -- and in that time, I've put about $3500 in repairs into it, not including maintenance items. I've now got a possible bad power steering rack, a convertible top that is showing some age, the original clutch (which is fine, but with 70K, who knows?), broken horn, broken oil pressure sender, and the stupid EBCM codes that pop up once or twice a month.
SO, I'm thinking it may be time to move on, instead of dumping a bucket of money into it, just to be greeted with another major repair 2 or 3 months from now.
However, I'm just not sure what I want to do -- I like the car overall, and I'm not sure there's any other cars out there that have the balance of power, style, and relative affordability that the corvette has.
Do I trade it in on a newer C5? Get out of a C5 altogether? I'm confused. I think I need to get some sense slapped into me
Any thoughts?
SO, I'm thinking it may be time to move on, instead of dumping a bucket of money into it, just to be greeted with another major repair 2 or 3 months from now.
However, I'm just not sure what I want to do -- I like the car overall, and I'm not sure there's any other cars out there that have the balance of power, style, and relative affordability that the corvette has.
Do I trade it in on a newer C5? Get out of a C5 altogether? I'm confused. I think I need to get some sense slapped into me
Any thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
Depending upon your financial situation and if you want to stay with the C5, you might look for a low mileage 2004 that is still under the factory warranty. (Time is running out and a car like this may be hard to find.)
If the car is still under the original 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, you will be able to buy a GMPP warranty to protect yourself for big repair costs.
Another option would be to find a C5 that already has a transferable aftermarket warranty.
Good luck!
If the car is still under the original 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, you will be able to buy a GMPP warranty to protect yourself for big repair costs.
Another option would be to find a C5 that already has a transferable aftermarket warranty.
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Bro,
It depends on whether you "love" this particular car! My 2000 MN6 Coupe's biggest problem to date has been front turn signal bulbs, Twice, once on each side. That is it for almost two years. I am at 50,000 miles on mine. My point is that no matter what line or model car you pick, some of each line and model "seem" to have more problems than others. Reasons could be environmental or a zillion other factors. The people who actually build our cars also LOVE our cars as well. Try to get a job at Bowling Green! If you love your car keep it and nurse it back to health, if not then sell it and get another one. The is no place like vette, there is no place like vette, there is no place like vette!
It depends on whether you "love" this particular car! My 2000 MN6 Coupe's biggest problem to date has been front turn signal bulbs, Twice, once on each side. That is it for almost two years. I am at 50,000 miles on mine. My point is that no matter what line or model car you pick, some of each line and model "seem" to have more problems than others. Reasons could be environmental or a zillion other factors. The people who actually build our cars also LOVE our cars as well. Try to get a job at Bowling Green! If you love your car keep it and nurse it back to health, if not then sell it and get another one. The is no place like vette, there is no place like vette, there is no place like vette!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
I have no emotional attachment to this particular car, unlike my IROC that I had for 8 years. I love corvettes, I love the feeling of owning one, being part of the "family"... so if possible, I'd like to stay in a corvette.
I'm not really sold on the looks of the C6, nor is the payment all that attractive to me -- so if I'm staying with a vette, it looks like C5. I love the C4s, but I think I'm taking a step backwards in the reliability department there.
I'm not really sold on the looks of the C6, nor is the payment all that attractive to me -- so if I'm staying with a vette, it looks like C5. I love the C4s, but I think I'm taking a step backwards in the reliability department there.
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Find yourself a low mileage C5 (perhaps even a Z06) that has a warranty remaining. That way you can still enjoy owning a Vette without all the repair bills hitting you in the wallet.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 2
From: Surprise Arizona
I think you may be experiencing a string of bad luck with this car. You need to trust your gut feelings on this one. If you are tired of throwing money in to it and just want out nothing wrong with that. Keep in mind that if you pick up another one with similar mileage you may be getting similar problems all over again. Once you get this one sorted out it may be a decent car for you. Then again???
Low mileage private owner cars are usually a pretty good choice when buying used. If a car has been maintained well and in good condition a person would be more likely to sell it themselves. If a car has problems most people just trade it in.
Low mileage private owner cars are usually a pretty good choice when buying used. If a car has been maintained well and in good condition a person would be more likely to sell it themselves. If a car has problems most people just trade it in.
Dig
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,479
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From: Port Saint Lucie FLORIDA & HONDURAS
Keep the car and fix the problems one at a time. Then it won't be overwhelming. More than likely it will be cheaper fixing the car. Buying another used car is a risk too !!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I feel your despair. The repairs can stack up on these cars. If yours is cosmetically excellent, Then as 123 said get caught up on the mechanics with a plan over time. If the cosmetics are so so then maybe it's time to plan on replacement. Mechanical repairs can be done within buget, apperance restoration can be too much $.
Race Director
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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I've had my vette for a little over a year and a half -- and in that time, I've put about $3500 in repairs into it, not including maintenance items. I've now got a possible bad power steering rack, a convertible top that is showing some age, the original clutch (which is fine, but with 70K, who knows?), broken horn, broken oil pressure sender, and the stupid EBCM codes that pop up once or twice a month.
SO, I'm thinking it may be time to move on, instead of dumping a bucket of money into it, just to be greeted with another major repair 2 or 3 months from now.
However, I'm just not sure what I want to do -- I like the car overall, and I'm not sure there's any other cars out there that have the balance of power, style, and relative affordability that the corvette has.
Do I trade it in on a newer C5? Get out of a C5 altogether? I'm confused. I think I need to get some sense slapped into me
Any thoughts?
SO, I'm thinking it may be time to move on, instead of dumping a bucket of money into it, just to be greeted with another major repair 2 or 3 months from now.
However, I'm just not sure what I want to do -- I like the car overall, and I'm not sure there's any other cars out there that have the balance of power, style, and relative affordability that the corvette has.
Do I trade it in on a newer C5? Get out of a C5 altogether? I'm confused. I think I need to get some sense slapped into me
Any thoughts?
I have a '98 that now has about 60K on it - I have replaced the oil sending unit, the clutch (I am the third owner) and the headlight gears. Other than that - it's been routine maintenance and mods/upgrades.
I really believe in the common phrase that every says around here - buy the newest lowest mileage car you can afford.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,088
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From: tampa florida
Brad
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 391
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From: NC
Dump it if there's no love lost. I've had two C5's and the same ongoing problems on both. Column lock (no surprise). Oil pressure sender a few times. EBCM twice and now bad again within a year. Pressure sensors, four window motors, leaking hard top. Replaced headliner, climate control, cracked vinyl, trunk barely opens, yada yada yada...
Problem I have is that it's not been a one-time fix, so taking things one step at a time until it's all fixed doesn't apply. It would be great to know I could replace the EBCM once every 70k miles and be done with it, then on to the next repair that would hopefully last.
Of course, my problem is that I like my vettes, so I just put up with it. But sometimes.....
Problem I have is that it's not been a one-time fix, so taking things one step at a time until it's all fixed doesn't apply. It would be great to know I could replace the EBCM once every 70k miles and be done with it, then on to the next repair that would hopefully last.
Of course, my problem is that I like my vettes, so I just put up with it. But sometimes.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 9
From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
If you're not happy with it sell it. Make sure you sell it for a fair price if it still has repairs still left to do.. Not fair to the potential buyer.. It's a tough call.... I'm in that sell not sell delema as well.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Cut your losses and move on. If your wondering if you should stay away from vettes because the problem you have had with yours that would be just silly. If the vettes were known to have the problems that you have been going through well I dont think anyone would be buying them. There is a post on here where people are posting their milage and I have seen (c5's) one in particular that has his 99 at 232k a few others nearing 200k. Their solid cars. You just picked up a bad one. So cut your losses and buy a different one. Their fun. Thanks for reading my post.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Houston, TX www.djmotorsportaccessories.com Specializing in C5 & C6 Accessories. DJ Motorsport Accessories.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Seems like you should just get a better C5..change the color and options to make it really new for ya.
I have two 2002's, one vert with 31k, and a coupe with 40k and have not had any mechanical problems with either. Oh yea, the radio **** broke on the vert and one of those clip things under the door handle broke out and is lost from my coupe. New batteries, oil changes is all I've done.
I have two 2002's, one vert with 31k, and a coupe with 40k and have not had any mechanical problems with either. Oh yea, the radio **** broke on the vert and one of those clip things under the door handle broke out and is lost from my coupe. New batteries, oil changes is all I've done.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 218
From: Merritt Island, FL
I really appreciate everyone's input...
I went to test drive a couple of cars over at carmax tonight, mostly just out of curiosity... I drove a 6-speed Infiniti G35 coupe, which was surprisingly fun, and very comfortable, and a Lexus IS250 (I think) at the salesman's urging, which I was much less impressed with. THe salesman, coincidentally, had a '98 C5 vert that he got delivered at the museum, he loved the car, until it was stolen... and replaced with a BMW.
Anyway, while I had a nice time driving the G35, I actually had more fun driving my ol' C5 back home -- the torque, the B&B exhaust note... even with a service ABS light popping up as I pulled out of the carmax parking lot.
I guess that tells me something, about my need for a big V8 and wind in my hair. I think a different C5 is the way to go, most likely. I might go test drive a C6, but I worry that that is a bad idea.
I went to test drive a couple of cars over at carmax tonight, mostly just out of curiosity... I drove a 6-speed Infiniti G35 coupe, which was surprisingly fun, and very comfortable, and a Lexus IS250 (I think) at the salesman's urging, which I was much less impressed with. THe salesman, coincidentally, had a '98 C5 vert that he got delivered at the museum, he loved the car, until it was stolen... and replaced with a BMW.
Anyway, while I had a nice time driving the G35, I actually had more fun driving my ol' C5 back home -- the torque, the B&B exhaust note... even with a service ABS light popping up as I pulled out of the carmax parking lot.
I guess that tells me something, about my need for a big V8 and wind in my hair. I think a different C5 is the way to go, most likely. I might go test drive a C6, but I worry that that is a bad idea.