Trouble
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 4
From: Los angeles CA
Trouble
So.. only 4 days left for me to get my vette, and now trouble. I took my brothers 05 v6 mustang to the mechanic shop across the street today, and asked the mechanic what he thinks about me getting a vette. He started telling me its not a good choice because the insurance will be WAY too much and that maintenance on the car is gonna cost me also, BUT, He drives 2 mustangs, and 07 gt and a classic restored one. Im not sure if i can trust his opinion since hes a mustang driver. With that aside, I dont worry about his opinion. I want yours. I just want to know from people who have C5 vettes, Is the car a trouble to maintain? is the insurance cost too much?, what common problems does the car give?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 473
From: Olive Branch Mississippi
Winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
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Buy the car if thats what you want. There are no specific problems to look for. Check it over like you would any car, Enjoy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
From: BROOKLYN PARK MN
This sounds like a bunch of 
. Insurance is about the same as a normal car. Last time I checked the vette does not have anything special that the mustang does not have that would cost more to maintain. Well maybe cause you have to use Mobile 1 oil. Call your insurance agent and ask them for a insurance quote. I am pretty sure that the insurance on your vette will be cheaper than the insurance on his 07 mustang. Think this is bad, wait untill you get your vette. The haters will come out of the woodwork. F' em
. Insurance is about the same as a normal car. Last time I checked the vette does not have anything special that the mustang does not have that would cost more to maintain. Well maybe cause you have to use Mobile 1 oil. Call your insurance agent and ask them for a insurance quote. I am pretty sure that the insurance on your vette will be cheaper than the insurance on his 07 mustang. Think this is bad, wait untill you get your vette. The haters will come out of the woodwork. F' em
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From past experience, a C5 is normally much cheaper to insure than a Mustang. And as far as maintenance goes, it is very reliable. Sure there are things that cost a lot to repair, but every car has parts like that. If you want a Vette, get one. I doubt you will regret it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
common problems:
EBCTM/EBCM
column lock
oil pressure sender
fuel gauge
rear diff leak
harmonic balancers coming apart
etc.
depending on your definition of "expensive" none of these are too terribly expensive to either fix, or perform preventative maintenance on to prevent the problem.
insurance on a C5 is remarkably low. I expected it to be much higher than it actually is. there are 2 factors that I can think of
1) the car is a 2 seater, if you get into an accident, only 2 people can be hurt. a mustang's CD holder (rear seat) can technically allow the car to accommodate a total of 4 people, to insurance companies this means more money they might have to pay out = higher rates.
2) Corvette owners tend to be much safer drivers than owners of other main stream sports cars like F-bodies and mustangs. owners tend to be more responsible people. most owners are older to be able to afford such a car. C5 prices are coming down fast, there are now many many young owners on this forum, myself included. I drive my C5 very conservatively, you don't need to prove its fast, just enjoy the ride.
another factor in cost of ownership, a C5 gets much better fuel economy than a mustang. with todays prices, it really helps in keeping your wallet heavy to get 33mpg!
Buy the Vette and never regret it.
EBCTM/EBCM
column lock
oil pressure sender
fuel gauge
rear diff leak
harmonic balancers coming apart
etc.
depending on your definition of "expensive" none of these are too terribly expensive to either fix, or perform preventative maintenance on to prevent the problem.
insurance on a C5 is remarkably low. I expected it to be much higher than it actually is. there are 2 factors that I can think of
1) the car is a 2 seater, if you get into an accident, only 2 people can be hurt. a mustang's CD holder (rear seat) can technically allow the car to accommodate a total of 4 people, to insurance companies this means more money they might have to pay out = higher rates.
2) Corvette owners tend to be much safer drivers than owners of other main stream sports cars like F-bodies and mustangs. owners tend to be more responsible people. most owners are older to be able to afford such a car. C5 prices are coming down fast, there are now many many young owners on this forum, myself included. I drive my C5 very conservatively, you don't need to prove its fast, just enjoy the ride.
another factor in cost of ownership, a C5 gets much better fuel economy than a mustang. with todays prices, it really helps in keeping your wallet heavy to get 33mpg!
Buy the Vette and never regret it.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: Katonah NY
I had the same doubts when I bought my '01 vert. It's not true. Insurance is not very much. And maintenance after almost two years and 12K miles is a lot less than my old '99 BMW M3. In fact it's been almost nothing except for mods.
Call for an insurance quote to solve that question and then go for a good solid C5. Have a reputable mechanic check it out thoroughly to make sure it wasn't beat on, and you should be fine (I used a GM dealer, but any good mechanic should do).
Good luck.
Call for an insurance quote to solve that question and then go for a good solid C5. Have a reputable mechanic check it out thoroughly to make sure it wasn't beat on, and you should be fine (I used a GM dealer, but any good mechanic should do).
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23,900
Likes: 218
From: Foxtrot Delta Tango
Let's look at it this way....You were getting advice from a guy that works on Mustangs...if Mustangs didn't need fixing..he'd be out of a job....you want a car that is maintenance free try to find a dealer that doesn't have a service department!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Lets face it an 18 yr.old male is going to get reamed on insurance no matter what you drive,mustang included.As prior thread suggested get several quotes from several companies on several types of cars.Hell several years back we bought a new Focus as a DD.We've been married 25 yrs. plus at the time with a clean record and were stunned at insurance cost,,,reason lots of young people buy them so they have a high rate number.If you can swing it ,go for it!!Maintainence should be in line with most modern cars.It's a great opportunity to get a manual and learn the basics yourself.Save money and learn your car at the same time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 5
From: Plainfield, IL
Wow and you guys let this guy touch your cars? lol assuming he was being serious he doesn't sound like he knows to much about what he's talking about haha. Corvette insurance is very cheap and cheaper than a Mustang or Camaro/Firebird. Like others have said its along the lines of any typical car. And as for reliability these cars are excellent!! Even if something does go wrong they are very easy to work on. Dont listen to that dude seriously he has no clue what he's talking about. Get the vette
Edit: I just saw in your profile that you are 18 lol. Ok good luck with insurance lol
Edit: I just saw in your profile that you are 18 lol. Ok good luck with insurance lol
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
We pay slightly more on my wife's '03 Trailblazer than her '01 Vert.... both with the same coverage.
120K miles on the Vert and and apart from Dim A/C display, bad relay in door control module, oil pressure sensor and headlight gear issue, all other expenditures have either been routine maintenance or mods I wanted to do.
All of the fixes needed I have been able to do myself using how to's posted here on the forum...
120K miles on the Vert and and apart from Dim A/C display, bad relay in door control module, oil pressure sensor and headlight gear issue, all other expenditures have either been routine maintenance or mods I wanted to do.
All of the fixes needed I have been able to do myself using how to's posted here on the forum...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
Mustang guys are always hating on the Corvettes.
I paid more insurance on my 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII then I do on my 1999 Corvette. I'm 26 and daily drive my vette. If you don't mind daily driving a two seater I think it makes a great daily driver. It gets great gas mileage. I had a friend with a Toyota Camery and needed shocks. It cost him $800. At the same time I got C6Z shocks put on mine for under $500.
Overall it might be a little more then most cars for maintenance but it won't be that bad if you get a nice vette to start with. If you can take a vette to a good vette shop or dealership that deals with lots of vettes to look over it before you buy it as your own insurance that you are getting a good vehicle and then just use you senses to figure if the car is right for you.
I paid more insurance on my 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII then I do on my 1999 Corvette. I'm 26 and daily drive my vette. If you don't mind daily driving a two seater I think it makes a great daily driver. It gets great gas mileage. I had a friend with a Toyota Camery and needed shocks. It cost him $800. At the same time I got C6Z shocks put on mine for under $500.
Overall it might be a little more then most cars for maintenance but it won't be that bad if you get a nice vette to start with. If you can take a vette to a good vette shop or dealership that deals with lots of vettes to look over it before you buy it as your own insurance that you are getting a good vehicle and then just use you senses to figure if the car is right for you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
3 cars between the wife and I and the lowest insurance is..................
........................................ ........................................ ................
the Corvette!
FWIW the other cars are a 05 GTO and an 06 Pontiac G6 GTP.
Even at 18 if you have a clean record you should find the rates in line with any other vehicle.
........................................ ........................................ ................
the Corvette!
FWIW the other cars are a 05 GTO and an 06 Pontiac G6 GTP.
Even at 18 if you have a clean record you should find the rates in line with any other vehicle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
I have a 2002 mustang gt and I pay $68-something monthly for full cover, and on the 1999 corvette I pay $56-something. The insurance on my corvette is cheaper than that of the mustang.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta GA
As far as insurance goes, I have geico, and before the vette I had a 2000 HYUNDAI ACCENT! it was $575 for 6 months and I am 24 with a good driving record. The vette is $595 for 6 months....Enough said
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Insurance will vary from state to state and city to city (claims) and company to company, the drivers motor vehicle driving record, drivers age, marriage status, job status, claims history, drivers credit rating, vehicle type with overall history of claims/cost analysis, etc.
Corvette insurance is similar to street rod insurance in that the owners usually don't drive them everyday, they have other vehicles to use as daily drivers and they tend to take care of their vehicles. Many use their Corvette for weekend fair weather cruising. The annual mileage is kept lower and the odds of a collision or theft claim are % wise, reduced. Insurance companies want to see reduced chance of claim payouts.
I found that my '04 Corvette Z16 was actually less expensive to insure than I imagined...even the USAA representative and my wife were surprised.
That probably has more to do with all of the above than just the vehicle type.
There's nothing wrong with a Mustang. I had seven or eight of them before I finally bought my Z16.
You're correct to question the opinion of the shop owner...as well as anyone else who might be biased...
Corvette insurance is similar to street rod insurance in that the owners usually don't drive them everyday, they have other vehicles to use as daily drivers and they tend to take care of their vehicles. Many use their Corvette for weekend fair weather cruising. The annual mileage is kept lower and the odds of a collision or theft claim are % wise, reduced. Insurance companies want to see reduced chance of claim payouts.
I found that my '04 Corvette Z16 was actually less expensive to insure than I imagined...even the USAA representative and my wife were surprised.
That probably has more to do with all of the above than just the vehicle type.
There's nothing wrong with a Mustang. I had seven or eight of them before I finally bought my Z16.
You're correct to question the opinion of the shop owner...as well as anyone else who might be biased...