Care Free C5s?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Care Free C5s?
My C5 has been really low maintenance. I replaced the F45 shocks with Konis, and new tires. The other items that I bought were bolt-ons for some more kiddy up. For a complex machine, it is really reliable. I would hate to have a lemon. It would ruin the whole Vette thing for me.
I had a "factory bad after market" torque converter installed for a short time. It made me sick that the car had problems. I was going to trade it in. Luckily a replacement converter fixed the vibration. For that short time, owning the C5 was not a pleasure.
I had a "factory bad after market" torque converter installed for a short time. It made me sick that the car had problems. I was going to trade it in. Luckily a replacement converter fixed the vibration. For that short time, owning the C5 was not a pleasure.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Excluding normal wear items and mods, mine has been trouble free. 
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,415
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
You're right - these cars are pretty maintenance free and very reliable. Keep up with the oil changes is about all you do for a long time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 22
From: Lititz PA
When I got my car (with 15,500 miles at the time) it needed a new leaf spring! The one that was on it was cracked. Too bad I didn't notice that until I took it off the lot. Then, at 22,000 miles, my water pump took a crap. Not exactly care free so far! 
Hopefully, if I drive it more than the last owner, it won't have as many problems.
Hopefully, if I drive it more than the last owner, it won't have as many problems.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,107
Likes: 26
From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
My C5 has been really low maintenance. I replaced the F45 shocks with Konis, and new tires. The other items that I bought were bolt-ons for some more kiddy up. For a complex machine, it is really reliable. I would hate to have a lemon. It would ruin the whole Vette thing for me.
I had a "factory bad after market" torque converter installed for a short time. It made me sick that the car had problems. I was going to trade it in. Luckily a replacement converter fixed the vibration. For that short time, owning the C5 was not a pleasure.
I had a "factory bad after market" torque converter installed for a short time. It made me sick that the car had problems. I was going to trade it in. Luckily a replacement converter fixed the vibration. For that short time, owning the C5 was not a pleasure.
No problems for 60,000 miles
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 4
From: Sweden
I have owned my 99 FRC for some time now. Guess what...column lock hit me when car was at the tuner.
That was probably due to low battery but luckily it was still a recall issue and did not cost me a dime.
I just love this car
That was probably due to low battery but luckily it was still a recall issue and did not cost me a dime.
I just love this car
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
There's a short list of common C5 issues that most seem to have, but on the whole they're very reliable cars. Forums amplify the issues and many come from modifications.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
I purchased my C5 a month and a half ago with 21,740 miles on it. It now has 23,100 miles on it and no problems yet. It is a daily driver. I just keep up with the cleaning and maintenance of both the exterior and the engine bay.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 111
From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
I bought my 04 vert in may of 04 with 2 miles on the clock. Now with 50000 miles so far I have had to.......change the oil when the DIC got down past 20%, changes fluid in trany-rear end at 30000, drive and enjoy