I am considering selling my C3 and purchasing a C5. Are there any particular years I should avoid? Any that are the best? Particular problems with specific model years? Euipment that is a must?

Thanks in advance

 

I have an 04 vert, so that's the best.
Typical advice is to buy the newest, best, lowest mileage you can afford.
I would want an 02 or newer if I was buying used. Spend some time, you will find great ones to choose from.

 

Some '01's have a problem with weak oil control rings and consume more oil than usual, mine included. If you tend to drive in a spirited manner that can add to the consumption. There is a Technical Service Bulletin out there on them and according to some threads here GM Dealerships "sometimes" will begrudgingly replace the rings with stronger ones. Go the the "sticky notes" section here at the top of the thread and click on the "weights,measures" for a wealth of pertinent information on the C-5's. Trust me, you will love the C-5 when you get it, and you will wonder why you waited so long to have one. You must post pictures or you will get flamed from the Corvette Forum Naked C-5 voyuers! WE MUST HAVE PICTURES!!!!

 

I would not buy one that has super low miles. You will want to keep them low and never drive it. I'd look for one with the miles somewhere in the high 20K to low 30K area. That way it will still be nice with few problems and you would not be afraid to drive it.

As for options, if the top does not go down keep looking.


Dave

 

Any C5 is a MAJOR step up and you will NOT be sorry but, as in any multi year model platform, you should always try to purchase the newest most up-to-date model year C5 that you can afford. I am particular to the ZO6 variant my self. I have had a 98, 02 Z06 and now have an 06 C6 Z51 Coupe.

97- early 98 C5 were good cars. They had rear mounted Electronic Brake Traction Control modules (EBTCM) and didn't have HUD options. There braking system only included "antilock" and traction control.

You could option the F-45 selective ride control BUT, I personally found it to be a waste of money. Your better off finding a Z-51 suspension package or converting a base suspension up to Z-51 later!

Late 98-99-2000 C5 had front mounted EBTCM with more features like Active Handling as an option and HUD as an option. Those cars still didn't have the advanced breaking features unless they were added as and option. 2001+ C5 had advanced EBTCM's that worked better than the earlier anti lock brake systems. 97-98-99's Came stock with wagon wheels.

The FRC C5's first appeared in 1999 and was offered through 2000.

2001 was the first year for the ZO6 at 385HP. In 2002 it was increased to 405HP. I believe 2002 was the first year that HUD was standard. All ZO6's had titanium exhaust, unique ZO6 style wheels, were lighter and stiffer, had a MN12 tranny with 3;42 rear gearing, ZO6 suspension and a unique face gage cluster..

Some 2000-2001's were troubled with excessive oil consumption and GM offered owners of those cars engine re-ring repairs. (it has been pointed out that running those engines at light loads at higher RPMs (3500--5000 rpm) caused ring flutter and thus excessive oil. consumption. Under normal operating conditions the problem was less apparent.

The 2002-2004 LS1 engines had the (improved design) LS6 intake manifold as a standard intake.


2003 carried over same stuff from 2002. 2004 was a unique C5 in that they changed some (a lot) of the design of the systems IE. different design fuel tanks, some of the wiring schematics are unique etc.....
Need a 2004 Factory Service Manual specific for 2004 to get stuff correct! They still look the same as other model years.

As with any Corvette purchase, it is highly recommended that you hook up with someone who is familiar with C5 and have them check the car out with you. I will do that for any one here on CT!

C5 have unique issues and there easily detected IF, you know what your looking for. They are toooo many to list! I would be willing to guess that, most have been previously fixed but,,,,,,it best to examine the car as a whole and make sure.

The C5 Corvette has it very own built in OBDII Diagnostic Scanner that will tell you if there are any system or emissions related problems. You really need to know how to read the DTC's and have the list of DTC Codes with you when you examine the car. Its easy to do and can tell you a LOT! The Drivers Information Console (DIC) on the dash is used to display the DTC's

Here is a link to a web site that explains the procedure and how to read the DTC's:

This is the absolute best C5 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) web site!!!

http://www.corvettedoctor.com/Code_Main.html
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/index.html

www.corvettedoctor.com

Go to “technical data base” and then to “Corvette ECM Computer Codes”. Then select your year car. Read the instructions and then scroll down to the "READ MORE" window to view the code definitions.\

Here is another very good site:

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php

Make sure to include the H or C suffix!!


Probably one of the MOST problematic and most costly C5 issues out there is the damaged caused by the OEM Delco battery acid leakage. The OEM Delco batteries were problematic with battery terminal acid leakage. If that has happened or is happening, it destroys the wiring harnesses, Power train Control Module (PCM) and vacuum lines under the battery! people have been quoted any where from $1000 to $6000. dollars to fix that problem!

Check the car for leaks. Especially in the passengers foot well area. feel the carpets and examine the jute carpet underlayment for dampness. If the car has a mildew smell,,,,it leaks!

Don't buy a salvage title C5! (unless you have Lot's of time and money!)

Look for any engine or drive train leaks. There should be N O N E!

Look at the underside of the car for under side body damage.

All C5's have poorly designed Electrical Grounding systems. There not sealed from the elements and prone to corrosion. If you have an electrical issue, the very first thing to check is the GROUND for that circuit prior to replacing expensive electrical parts. Grounds are fixable and fixing them your self is FREE!

See this post for ground stuff!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=896875

Look for uneven/abnormal tire wear.

Listen for strange noises.

Any strange smells.

AC work??

Car should drive and break straight as a arrow!! No C5 should pull or drift off to the right or left on a straight flat road unless theres something WRONG! PERIOD!

I could go on for hours and not cover everything.

Your best bet is to get with a local C5 owner who is familiar with the car, and learn how it drives, smells, sounds, looks and behaves prior to making a purchase. Drive a coupe, convertible and a ZO6 before you make the decision. Come to CT and I will HOOK YOU UP!

I'm sure if you post on the tech or general section, you will find someone who will help you get familial with C5's and help you inspect the car prior to purchase.

Bill Curlee

Welcome to the C5 world!

 

Thanks for taking the time to send me that wealth of information. It is much appreciated!

 

I have a '98 vert, bought in 2004. I have not had any issues at all with the car, only $$ spent have been on maintenance and mods. Just turned 50k on odometer.

 

sell the C3. Keep it so the C5 can have a garage mate.

 

Well, I hate in a way to sell the C3...but the C5 will have a garage mate..A 1969 Chevelle SS 396 all original with 22,000 miles

 

Hubba Hubba!!

 

I sold my not so mint white 78 vette so I could by my first C5. Lucky for me I found out they made a white Z06 in 2001!!! Needless to say I had to have one!!!

As for which C5 to get. It was suggested to me from the guys I know in Tampa to get an 02 and above. Due to the HUD and other kinks they took care of.

I decided on the SW 01 Z06 cause it reminded me of the 78, it has awesome modds and power, and it pretty rare!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

I agree, keep the C3 and ADD a C5...but then I'd keep the SS 396 as well - you've got room for three, just try harder

As for what C5 to buy, simple advice, drive as many cars as you can get your hands on, coupe, verts and hardtops. If you're looking for bang for the buck, go wih a Z06. Only draw back is you can't remove the roof - all Z06's are FRC, Fixed Roof Coupes.

True, the C5 platform matured over time, minor HP bumps, fine tuned some creature comforts, etc. The C5 Z06 is a buyers market for several reasons including the '08 C6 LS3 base HP now exceeding the C5 Z06 HP. Some low mileage cars are showing up with great prices!

Oh, one last thing...the 04 Z06 CE aka Z16 is the top of the food chain IMHO

One word of caution, if you drive a Z06 you will buy it ...good luck!