Is this a bad Vette???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 630
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From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Is this a bad Vette???
Vin# 1G1YY22G8X5104615
Should this be my first vette?
99 Torch Red Coupe with both tops
60,000mi
Thowing codes having to do with Bilstein aftermarket shocks so it will need the sims or a BCM reprogram(P.S why would a vette with 60k need shocks anyway???)
Has vinyl flames on L/R front fenders that im hoping will come off
After market chrome rims to mimic 5 spoke star rim
Fair Condition in and out (nick here/there, small leather tear in seat)
Not sure of any carfax info yet, I really want to confirm no accidents, floods, etc so if anyone's got an acct that'd be awesome!!!
Post your email address if you want to see pix.
$15,000 bottom dollar Private sale.
What do you guys think?
Should this be my first vette?
99 Torch Red Coupe with both tops
60,000mi
Thowing codes having to do with Bilstein aftermarket shocks so it will need the sims or a BCM reprogram(P.S why would a vette with 60k need shocks anyway???)
Has vinyl flames on L/R front fenders that im hoping will come off
After market chrome rims to mimic 5 spoke star rim
Fair Condition in and out (nick here/there, small leather tear in seat)
Not sure of any carfax info yet, I really want to confirm no accidents, floods, etc so if anyone's got an acct that'd be awesome!!!
Post your email address if you want to see pix.
$15,000 bottom dollar Private sale.
What do you guys think?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Thanks for the pix 50bait! I love the torch red and was very suprised to see the thread on here that said which color DONT you like and it seemed torch red was most dis-liked by quite a bit...
Oh well we shall see. I wish I could post the pix in here to get everyones opinion on the looks of it. Also is it just me or does the shock story seem like more of an issue than it appears?
Oh well we shall see. I wish I could post the pix in here to get everyones opinion on the looks of it. Also is it just me or does the shock story seem like more of an issue than it appears?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Sounds like it had the mag ride suspension? Any guys want to confirm that was available in 99? If that was the case, the code can be tuned out or you can purchase some sims for them (not expensive). I replaced my stock shocks at 55k, they were pretty worn out. So it's not unusual to have new shocks at that point.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Im pretty sure Mag Ride Susp. Is what the car has. Im worried that resale with the car wont be good if I disable this feature with the sims. Basically the sims will totally eliminate this feature correct? If I put this sims on the car with the bilstein shocks the mag ride wont work right? Anyone else replacing shocks around 50-60k???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 18
From: Columbia, SC
My only woory from the description is... What else did they cheap out on? Sounds like either a kid owner or someone who didn't have the money to do it right. Not getting the sims for the shocks and living with the codes is a kid way of doing things. So is the vinyl flames, and aftermarket wheels that come close but aren't quite right.
I would rather pay a bit more for a car that at least looks and feels like it was well taken care of. You can never be sure how it was treated, but if you can prove that things were done on the cheap, and not really done right, I would move on. Don't take the chance on your first Vette letting you down. Let life live up to your dreams without the headaches of someone else's inadequite care of a car that deserves better.
Just my 2 scents, and no matter what you buy, I hope you end up happy. I'm not trying to pee in anyone's coffee here.
Also, being that shocks are a performance upgrade, having Bilstiens at 60,000 is of no consequence. Shocks also wear out at varying rates depending on driving style, and 60,000 is not uncommon at all. As to resale, you can always replace the F45 shocks (I think that's the right designation) later on if you like. Running the sims isn't permanent.
I would rather pay a bit more for a car that at least looks and feels like it was well taken care of. You can never be sure how it was treated, but if you can prove that things were done on the cheap, and not really done right, I would move on. Don't take the chance on your first Vette letting you down. Let life live up to your dreams without the headaches of someone else's inadequite care of a car that deserves better.
Just my 2 scents, and no matter what you buy, I hope you end up happy. I'm not trying to pee in anyone's coffee here.
Also, being that shocks are a performance upgrade, having Bilstiens at 60,000 is of no consequence. Shocks also wear out at varying rates depending on driving style, and 60,000 is not uncommon at all. As to resale, you can always replace the F45 shocks (I think that's the right designation) later on if you like. Running the sims isn't permanent.
Last edited by IM28702; Jan 2, 2008 at 06:32 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Hey guys im just curious if there was a bunch of problems with C5 vette's and particularly the 1999. I dont want to get this car and have a major hick-up with it and have to fork out all kinds of dough to fix it. A family member is telling me to look out for some type of big engine/trans problems that didnt get fixed untill 2002. Thanks in advance!
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'08
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Can someone please fill me in on this 10$ fix for these mils I can pick up at radioshack? I got a feeling that if I just go into radioshack and tell him im there to pick up the mils for a 1999 Corvette he's gonna look at me half funny....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
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From: Scottsdale Az
Hey guys im just curious if there was a bunch of problems with C5 vette's and particularly the 1999. I dont want to get this car and have a major hick-up with it and have to fork out all kinds of dough to fix it. A family member is telling me to look out for some type of big engine/trans problems that didnt get fixed untill 2002. Thanks in advance!
Little stuff like head light motors, window motors ect are easy fixes while the shocks you may end up buying aren't so easy. Unless you get the $10 simm but then there's no mag ride...
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That's a heck of a price. If it all checks out (mechanic review recommended), then you had better jump on that deal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
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From: Northwest Iowa
Hey guys im just curious if there was a bunch of problems with C5 vette's and particularly the 1999. I dont want to get this car and have a major hick-up with it and have to fork out all kinds of dough to fix it. A family member is telling me to look out for some type of big engine/trans problems that didnt get fixed untill 2002. Thanks in advance!
And no engine/tranny problem that I am aware of either.
As for the shocks, best thing I could tell you is to take your new car to a tuner and just have it dyno tuned and at that time, they can take out the codes with a reprogram. You will like the new power it brings out and well worth the cost of a tune.
Also send me a picture of the car and I can host it for you on my site, or just start a photobucket site of your own and host all kinds of pics of your new ride.
Congrats on your purchase and hope it is the car of your dreams.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 280
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From: Washington NJ
Dont take this wrong at all but keep this in mind. If you are looking for and planning on buying the cheapest/best deal on a vette you can find. Even if everything checks out at the time it might end up costing a fortune in the end. Vettes do hold their value better then most cars. The cheapest vettes are probably that way for a reason. People don't just pay $50k for a new car then sell it for $15k 5 years later unless it's an import 
or there is a reason! Thats the way I think anyway...
If you want a 'good' vette and don't want to have problems it is probably going to be worth spending the extra bucks and getting one with lower miles 30-40k. And one that besides a few paint chips, is 100% stock and in 100% condition. It comes with records of every repair that was done to it. You will be paying pretty close to market value for a car like that but at least you will have piece of mind and a vette that won't let you down!
Also this makes it for an easier sell in the future if thats what you want to do. You know the corvette breed! I've seen guys ridicule and rule out the purchase of a certain vette because the front tires were diff brand then the back! In their eyes that made it a bad one haha. 
or there is a reason! Thats the way I think anyway... If you want a 'good' vette and don't want to have problems it is probably going to be worth spending the extra bucks and getting one with lower miles 30-40k. And one that besides a few paint chips, is 100% stock and in 100% condition. It comes with records of every repair that was done to it. You will be paying pretty close to market value for a car like that but at least you will have piece of mind and a vette that won't let you down!
Also this makes it for an easier sell in the future if thats what you want to do. You know the corvette breed! I've seen guys ridicule and rule out the purchase of a certain vette because the front tires were diff brand then the back! In their eyes that made it a bad one haha.