Milestones......
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 0
From: Lake Martin ALABAMA
Milestones......
Bought the 99 Torch Red H/T brand new, in March '99.
As of today, just 6 months shy of 10 years, there are 144,200 miles on the odometer.
Still have: original water pump, original alternator, original clutch. The paint looks almost new.
I have just installed the 3rd set of spark plugs, 3rd set of belts. Well into the 3rd battery, 4th set of tires.
The A/C has not pushed cold air for three years now, but rather than put the car in a dealers hands, I'll do without.
My only fear when I first got the car was that the electronic throttle would cause problems, but ironically, in all those miles, the engine has never missed a beat.
The car doesn't burn oil or leak oil, and still gets 30 MPG consistently.
Yes, I have had the column lock and gas gauge problems, and I had to replace one Bose speaker, but the car has never been to the dealer. Ever. Never. Ever.
I reckon that it's a "keeper".
As of today, just 6 months shy of 10 years, there are 144,200 miles on the odometer.
Still have: original water pump, original alternator, original clutch. The paint looks almost new.
I have just installed the 3rd set of spark plugs, 3rd set of belts. Well into the 3rd battery, 4th set of tires.
The A/C has not pushed cold air for three years now, but rather than put the car in a dealers hands, I'll do without.
My only fear when I first got the car was that the electronic throttle would cause problems, but ironically, in all those miles, the engine has never missed a beat.
The car doesn't burn oil or leak oil, and still gets 30 MPG consistently.
Yes, I have had the column lock and gas gauge problems, and I had to replace one Bose speaker, but the car has never been to the dealer. Ever. Never. Ever.
I reckon that it's a "keeper".
Last edited by steve badalamenti; Sep 15, 2008 at 04:14 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 6
From: hagerstown md
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Sounds like an awesome run you've had with her. Have you tried to diagnose the AC problem? I bet between everyone here, we could figure it out and get her blowin cold again for ya. 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
It's not that hard a job to refresh the gas for the A/C compressor since it's not feron anymore. Someone here has instructions or talk to a gearhead how to do it. Their should be no reason for you not to have A/C. Congrats on your Vette, I hope mine does as well after 10 years.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
approcahing 100K on my 99..just had the A/C fixed but still having issues 
hot on driver side/cold on passenger...had teh freon level checked so thats not it..gonna pull the actuator out next.New seats and leather this month also..original water pump but may pull it soon just because..
all in all very few problems over the years...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
approcahing 100K on my 99..just had the A/C fixed but still having issues hot on driver side/cold on passenger...had teh freon level checked so thats not it..gonna pull the actuator out next.New seats and leather this month also..original water pump but may pull it soon just because..
all in all very few problems over the years...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
When you look at how complex the C5 design is, tht's just amazing
Testament to the great engineering that went into this car
Shame about some of those cheap parts from the parts bin though. At least we know how to fix them
Good to hear a good news story
Testament to the great engineering that went into this car
Shame about some of those cheap parts from the parts bin though. At least we know how to fix them
Good to hear a good news story
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 631
Likes: 3
From: Joppa AL
Bought the 99 Torch Red H/T brand new, in March '99.
As of today, just 6 months shy of 10 years, there are 144,200 miles on the odometer.
Still have: original water pump, original alternator, original clutch. The paint looks almost new.
I have just installed the 3rd set of spark plugs, 3rd set of belts. Well into the 3rd battery, 4th set of tires.
The A/C has not pushed cold air for three years now, but rather than put the car in a dealers hands, I'll do without.
My only fear when I first got the car was that the electronic throttle would cause problems, but ironically, in all those miles, the engine has never missed a beat.
The car doesn't burn oil or leak oil, and still gets 30 MPG consistently.
Yes, I have had the column lock and gas gauge problems, and I had to replace one Bose speaker, but the car has never been to the dealer. Ever. Never. Ever.
I reckon that it's a "keeper".
As of today, just 6 months shy of 10 years, there are 144,200 miles on the odometer.
Still have: original water pump, original alternator, original clutch. The paint looks almost new.
I have just installed the 3rd set of spark plugs, 3rd set of belts. Well into the 3rd battery, 4th set of tires.
The A/C has not pushed cold air for three years now, but rather than put the car in a dealers hands, I'll do without.
My only fear when I first got the car was that the electronic throttle would cause problems, but ironically, in all those miles, the engine has never missed a beat.
The car doesn't burn oil or leak oil, and still gets 30 MPG consistently.
Yes, I have had the column lock and gas gauge problems, and I had to replace one Bose speaker, but the car has never been to the dealer. Ever. Never. Ever.
I reckon that it's a "keeper".
Mines at 80K now and it appears I may get a few more out of it.
I'd be glad to fix that AC for you. You're not that far away. PM me.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,552
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
Congrats on 10-years of ownership. I'd say after that long and that many miles your '99 was a well built example
I'd say after that long and that many miles your '99 was a well built example
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,781
Likes: 24,683
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 '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Congrats on having a basically trouble free car for so long. Hope you get many more miles and years out of it.