Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

97 C5 issues?

Old Sep 19, 2008 | 04:04 PM
  #1  
Shore's Avatar
Shore
Thread Starter
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Photogenic
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
Default 97 C5 issues?

I'm going to look at a trade for my 01 Z3 tommorrow for a 97 C5.I've done the C4 thing but never a C5 so a little info from those that know would be welcome.

It's an auto w/90k.No issues as per the owner.He has had it for 7 years or so.

Any pointers on what to look for?
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2008 | 04:18 PM
  #2  
BigSexy181971's Avatar
BigSexy181971
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: PSL FL
Default

Just look the car over like you normally would before a purchase. I personally have a list that I go by and added to over the years.

For beginners I look at the wear pattern on the tires, try and look at the brake pads, all the lights work, underneath the car for any visible damage, and the obvious motor and fluid checks. During the drive I make sure that the car does not pull one way or the other, and while braking it brakes straight and consistant.

Good luck with the purchase. You will absolutely love the C5.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2008 | 04:34 PM
  #3  
Shore's Avatar
Shore
Thread Starter
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Photogenic
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
Default

Maybe I should have clarified...I was looking for 97 C5 trouble areas.

Sorry bout dat.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2008 | 04:39 PM
  #4  
BigSexy181971's Avatar
BigSexy181971
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: PSL FL
Default

I can't really think of any trouble's that even the 04' may not have, besides the age. The coupe's top leak during the nice rain showers we get here, the interior vinyl door panels peel lift (I am one of the lucky ones who's doesn't). AC tend to work hard down here so make sure that is up to par. Check the serpentine belt. A lot of people have problems with the crank pulley and the tensioner. Good luck
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2008 | 07:37 PM
  #5  
INaband's Avatar
INaband
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,161
Likes: 8
From: Beverly Hills Florida
CI 7-8 Veteran
Default

fuel pumps are noisy, but that's normal
Check around the dif for any wetness..
ask him if he did the column lock recall.
actually the '97's are great buys..
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2008 | 02:48 AM
  #6  
Shore's Avatar
Shore
Thread Starter
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Photogenic
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
Default

I hope so....thx for the info guys.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2008 | 08:03 AM
  #7  
capehorn3's Avatar
capehorn3
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 745
Likes: 12
From: Milton FL
Default

Only problem I've had with my '97 is PCM damage from a leaking battery. Not a bad idea to pull panel and check it.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2008 | 05:55 PM
  #8  
slgman's Avatar
slgman
1st Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

Mine has been pretty good. Only real problems were I've had are the main computer went three times. twice under warranty and the third time was this spring - April. It cost about $500.00 and some steering column thing in 2007 (above and beyond the re-call) that cost $900.00. The left front headlight won't go up now - so we'll see.
Otherwise it's been great
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 2, 2008 | 06:38 PM
  #9  
canecorso69's Avatar
canecorso69
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 1
From: Middletown de
Default

If I am not mistaken, I believe there were some issues with the 4L60E trans. with some hard 1-2 upshifts. I had a problem with mine but reset the code and did a fluid change on all fluids and I havent had a problem since doing that 3 months ago.

Good luck.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2008 | 07:16 PM
  #10  
OIF2XVET's Avatar
OIF2XVET
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 24
From: Leavenworth, KS
Default

Originally Posted by BigSexy181971
I can't really think of any trouble's that even the 04' may not have, besides the age. The coupe's top leak during the nice rain showers we get here, the interior vinyl door panels peel lift (I am one of the lucky ones who's doesn't). AC tend to work hard down here so make sure that is up to par. Check the serpentine belt. A lot of people have problems with the crank pulley and the tensioner. Good luck
I couldn't have said it better I have had very minor issues like these with mine. GREAT CAR.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2008 | 07:28 PM
  #11  
dobewillie's Avatar
dobewillie
Race Director
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 10,477
Likes: 4
From: lockport n.y
Default

good luck with your choice
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2008 | 08:13 PM
  #12  
robert123's Avatar
robert123
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Illinois
Default

My 97 has been pretty good. Some things to look for. Rocking seat, inner door panel vinyl sepeartion, pegged oil pressure guage. Check out AC, make sure it blows from the vents. These are some minor issues I had, but otherwise its a good car. Do a carfax.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 97 C5 issues?



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:30 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE