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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:04 PM
  #1  
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Default 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".

Last edited by steve badalamenti; Sep 15, 2008 at 04:14 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:06 PM
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Awesome, but I'd never go w/o AC. Did it for a year on my Mustang and vowed never again. Not all dealers are horrible.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:17 PM
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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.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:23 PM
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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.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:29 PM
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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...
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:43 PM
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Congrats on your reliable Vette for the service you have gotten so far and here is to the next 100K
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by pewter99
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...
If you are going to change the water pump, might as well do the timing belt too at the same time. Maybe even put a light underdrive pulley! Sorry for the hijack.
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:48 PM
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Congrats...
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Old Sep 15, 2008 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Storm Cloud
If you are going to change the water pump, might as well do the timing belt too at the same time. Maybe even put a light underdrive pulley! Sorry for the hijack.
yeah I need to swap the belt...no UD pulley for me..just screw up my S/C boost
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 12:36 AM
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Congrats!! Your relationship with your baby has lasted a LOT longer than a lot of marriages!!:ch eers:
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 01:39 AM
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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
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Storm Cloud
If you are going to change the water pump, might as well do the timing belt too at the same time. Maybe even put a light underdrive pulley! Sorry for the hijack.
timing belt?!?!? on a chevy V8? you're kidding, right?
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by steve badalamenti
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".
I also reckon it's a keeper. Glad to hear how well your car is doing.

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.
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 11:44 AM
  #14  
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Sounds like you have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of your Vette!
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 11:53 AM
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144K.. you are almost half way there. All parts go bad after 10 years and that many miles, but you have an awesome machine that should go many more years.
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 12:11 PM
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Congrats on 10-years of ownership. I'd say after that long and that many miles your '99 was a well built example
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 12:41 PM
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Congrats on having a basically trouble free car for so long. Hope you get many more miles and years out of it.
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