What would you do? (C5 rant)
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
My first C5 (and '01 Mag Red Vert) was a "nightmare" to own (in the shop 6 time in the 4 months I had it
) All electronic components. If I had known then what I know now (this forum) I would have kept the Vert. That said, I have had virtually no issues with my '04 (replaced pads and rotors and a power window module) so I would not characterize the C5 as a "not dependable"
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 1
From: Volcano, HI
These sound like minor issues for an 11 year old car. I'd suggest looking at a few things... Realistically, you can fix all of these issues with the help of the forum for a few hundred bucks. If you decided to trade it in on 'something more practical' (read: boring!), it would cost you more than that, and from what you suggest of your financial situation, would still be a used car with its' own set of issues.
I've had three Corvettes, and overall they have been stellar cars. You get quite a tremendous amount of car for your money, especially if you buy used.
That said, I'd say keep it and fix it, or trade it in on a newer C5.
I've had three Corvettes, and overall they have been stellar cars. You get quite a tremendous amount of car for your money, especially if you buy used.
That said, I'd say keep it and fix it, or trade it in on a newer C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 43
From: Scottsdale Az
After reading your reply it makes me think that the problems are not as big as they appear to be. I'll post the codes next time the "service vehicle soon" appears. I put in a new battery two weeks ago and the other issues still occur.
I guess I'll try to address each issue one step at a time. Thanks again for your tips!
I guess I'll try to address each issue one step at a time. Thanks again for your tips!
I bet you could fix everything with some time and a few hundred bucks. Then you're not only driving a vette that's like new, but you know that much more about it if there's any future issues.
P.S. 99.9% of my issues in my '99 have been caused by massive amounts of power and not from low build quality. If anything I'm surprised how much the car puts up with me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,137
Likes: 65
From: Orlando, Florida
Dude...your car is OLD! 
Just about any 11 year old, 110K car is going to have the same kind of small, annoying problems as yours, but I assume your drive train is functioning well, which is the MOST important thing, of course.
Personally, I would put a $100 limit on repairing any of those problems you listed. Save spare money NOW for your NEXT Vette.
Prioritize the repair schedule like this: The first problems you fix are the ones that would cost the LEAST, but annoy you the MOST.
Just about any 11 year old, 110K car is going to have the same kind of small, annoying problems as yours, but I assume your drive train is functioning well, which is the MOST important thing, of course.
Personally, I would put a $100 limit on repairing any of those problems you listed. Save spare money NOW for your NEXT Vette.
Prioritize the repair schedule like this: The first problems you fix are the ones that would cost the LEAST, but annoy you the MOST.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 4
From: Grand Ledge Michigan
Sounds like you can fix it for less than the cost of ONE car payment and maybe a patient weekend worth of time.
The car is still fun and had been good other than the recent problems that you let pile up? Fix it then fix new problems one at a time so they don't seem so overwhelming when they become a long list.
Nothing personal, but if you do not have time to fix or maintain a C5, check out the new Aveo for $12,000 and 100k warranty. It's a "you play, you pay" thing, sometimes in sweat and work.
The car is still fun and had been good other than the recent problems that you let pile up? Fix it then fix new problems one at a time so they don't seem so overwhelming when they become a long list.
Nothing personal, but if you do not have time to fix or maintain a C5, check out the new Aveo for $12,000 and 100k warranty. It's a "you play, you pay" thing, sometimes in sweat and work.
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Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Oakton Virginia
No seriously, your C5 is not going to be any more reliable in the future. In fact, it'll probably become more and more problematic. As someone stated earlier, it's getting to be an old car. It's too bad you can't demote it to weekend warrior or hobby car.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,940
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster County Pennsylvania
I feel the Corvette is very dependable. I have a 98, 42,000 miles and absolutely no issues. I take very good care of it. Mobile 1 every 3000 miles, leather conditioner on seats often, plenty of Meguiars Tech 2.0 wax. Car looks and runs like new. Over 100,000 miles of smiles for your Vette, you should expect to put a little back into her and run her for another 100,000 miles.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
Not trying to sound cheesy, but I really, really appreciate the support and help you're all offering to me fix each of the problems. It just sucks when all of these issues start happening around the same time. The problems seem bigger then they really are, no what I mean?
And by no means do I consider my vette an "unreliable vehicle", as I do acknowledge that it's an older car with high miles. It comes with the territory. I know there will be other issues down the road - more related to maintainance and upkeep (clutch, engine accessories, etc). I desperately want to keep it, I just want to make the right and logical decision for my personal financial situation.
Again, thanks for all the offers to help with each of these little headaches. You'll probably start seeing many of my help posts in the tech section in the next few days. I hope that with a few hundred bucks, a little elbow grease, and some TLC, I will be able to sort everything out.
And by no means do I consider my vette an "unreliable vehicle", as I do acknowledge that it's an older car with high miles. It comes with the territory. I know there will be other issues down the road - more related to maintainance and upkeep (clutch, engine accessories, etc). I desperately want to keep it, I just want to make the right and logical decision for my personal financial situation.
Again, thanks for all the offers to help with each of these little headaches. You'll probably start seeing many of my help posts in the tech section in the next few days. I hope that with a few hundred bucks, a little elbow grease, and some TLC, I will be able to sort everything out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
I feel the Corvette is very dependable. I have a 98, 42,000 miles and absolutely no issues. I take very good care of it. Mobile 1 every 3000 miles, leather conditioner on seats often, plenty of Meguiars Tech 2.0 wax. Car looks and runs like new. Over 100,000 miles of smiles for your Vette, you should expect to put a little back into her and run her for another 100,000 miles.
She gets a coat of Zaino every 6 months, is cleaned inside and out on a regular basis (including the leather cleaner) and looks years newer then it really is.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36,838
Likes: 438
From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Sounds to me like most of your problems would be cured if you cleaned your grounds
Peace
Chip
Peace
Chip
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Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Not trying to sound cheesy, but I really, really appreciate the support and help you're all offering to me fix each of the problems. It just sucks when all of these issues start happening around the same time. The problems seem bigger then they really are, no what I mean?
And by no means do I consider my vette an "unreliable vehicle", as I do acknowledge that it's an older car with high miles. It comes with the territory. I know there will be other issues down the road - more related to maintainance and upkeep (clutch, engine accessories, etc). I desperately want to keep it, I just want to make the right and logical decision for my personal financial situation.
Again, thanks for all the offers to help with each of these little headaches. You'll probably start seeing many of my help posts in the tech section in the next few days. I hope that with a few hundred bucks, a little elbow grease, and some TLC, I will be able to sort everything out.
And by no means do I consider my vette an "unreliable vehicle", as I do acknowledge that it's an older car with high miles. It comes with the territory. I know there will be other issues down the road - more related to maintainance and upkeep (clutch, engine accessories, etc). I desperately want to keep it, I just want to make the right and logical decision for my personal financial situation.
Again, thanks for all the offers to help with each of these little headaches. You'll probably start seeing many of my help posts in the tech section in the next few days. I hope that with a few hundred bucks, a little elbow grease, and some TLC, I will be able to sort everything out.
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
From: Ellisville MO
CI 4-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 3
From: Fort St John B.C
Deal with one problem at a time. It only seems bad because theres a bunch at once.
If I was a bit closer Id give ya a hand with it. Any questions just ask.
PS. Where did you get your Zaino???? IM dying to try it!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
Believe it or not, there's a photography studio in Vancouver (called Artona) that sells Zaino as a side business. I guess the owner of the studio is also a car guy or something. Just google the site for their contact info and give them a call. Maybe they know of someone that sells it on the island. Zaino definitely works great! Although, I'm almost finished my supply so I plan on trying Meguiars NXT next. I hear it works just as well and is a much easier process to apply.
