Is there something you hate about the C5
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 502
From: Jacksonville Florida
Ask your dealer for the seat belt extenders. They come in 9 and 12 inch models and are free for the asking. It makes it so much easier to reach the buckle part of the belt. They are intended for really large people, but they work great for anyone.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
As mentioned, build quality sorta sux, lots of minor little things seem to break. I had the fuel gauge problem when I first got the car but it corrected itself.
But on the plus side, as everyone knows it's a very capable car. Nearly unlimited mods available. Timeless design that can be freshened up with LED tails, HID headlights. Most the minor stuff can be corrected with some time, effort and $.
I like how it's very DIYable. I do all repairs including rebuilding the transmission. I only don't do alignment, body work, paint, tire mounting etc.
This is the longest I have EVER owned a car. 6 years and put 100k miles on it by myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
I hate the fact that there is no better looking replacement for the HVAC control module. You can upgrade EVERYTHING ELSE in the car except that ugly thing!
I'd even settle for a door to hide it!
I'd even settle for a door to hide it!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
I totally agree. I've added a few leather accents and actually the interior is now looking pretty good to me. The cheap leather has been covered with Wet Okole seat covers and all the various mechanical problems are being worked out.
As I see it, the previous owners of my car didn't know anything about vehicles or didn't care. If I had bought this car new, then I would have fixed all of these problems one by one as they came up, not at the nine year mark!
Not that it really does any good to complain about these things. I looked at my buddies C6 and they've pretty much taken care of all of my C5 complains. The leather is much nicer, the interior still uses plastics, BUT, they fit together much better and are so much more robust. No more shutting your door and loosing that plastic plug. The six speed auto is nice, too.
Anyway, here's an (older) photo of the vehicle in question (no seat covers, old top, old tires, etc.)! I've owned it for one year, it has 50k miles on it, I drive it everyday and I'm vowing to own it until it's a junker.
As I see it, the previous owners of my car didn't know anything about vehicles or didn't care. If I had bought this car new, then I would have fixed all of these problems one by one as they came up, not at the nine year mark!
Not that it really does any good to complain about these things. I looked at my buddies C6 and they've pretty much taken care of all of my C5 complains. The leather is much nicer, the interior still uses plastics, BUT, they fit together much better and are so much more robust. No more shutting your door and loosing that plastic plug. The six speed auto is nice, too.
Anyway, here's an (older) photo of the vehicle in question (no seat covers, old top, old tires, etc.)! I've owned it for one year, it has 50k miles on it, I drive it everyday and I'm vowing to own it until it's a junker.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I love the car when everything works in it. Have had it maybe 6 months and one headlight gear went out, passenger window sometimes doesn't work, trunk doesn't open enough unless you shut a door after releasing it and my oil sending unit has gone out and the rocking of the seat is annoying.
I love driving the car but frankly, have been thinking about giving it up because I wonder if it's going to become a money pit with electrical things as it ages.
From reading on here, it seems that my problems are pretty common. I had considered getting a C6 but I haven't looked at their forums to see if they are having problems. I definitely won't give GM the money they are asking for one unless I find out they got their stuff together on it, which I doubt.
If nothing else goes wrong then I'll love the car. Now, if I had bought the car new and paid that price tag and had these problems then I'd be pissed. Hopefully there are no more common unexpected bugs for me to find.
I love driving the car but frankly, have been thinking about giving it up because I wonder if it's going to become a money pit with electrical things as it ages.
From reading on here, it seems that my problems are pretty common. I had considered getting a C6 but I haven't looked at their forums to see if they are having problems. I definitely won't give GM the money they are asking for one unless I find out they got their stuff together on it, which I doubt.
If nothing else goes wrong then I'll love the car. Now, if I had bought the car new and paid that price tag and had these problems then I'd be pissed. Hopefully there are no more common unexpected bugs for me to find.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 324
From: Lynnwood Washington
The Goodyear Runflats. I am counting the days until they come off. And I would like 5 minutes alone in a room with the dude that engineered that cupholder and I use the term loosely.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: Carlisle PA
Not happy with the interior air vents. Very difficult to get air blowing in certain directions (esp. AC when it's hot). My wife's PT Cruiser's air vent are the best I've ever seen...which the vette had something like them.
Are there any adapters that can be put onto the air vents in a C5 to divert air around better?
Are there any adapters that can be put onto the air vents in a C5 to divert air around better?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 9
From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
Over all I love everything about my car. Love the look , comfort, space, hp. Just wish GM would have put it together better. Less squeaks, some better parts like the the pulleys, I've had to replace almost all of them.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 540
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver British Columbia
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton Alberta
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
I love the car when everything works in it. Have had it maybe 6 months and one headlight gear went out, passenger window sometimes doesn't work, trunk doesn't open enough unless you shut a door after releasing it and my oil sending unit has gone out and the rocking of the seat is annoying.
I love driving the car but frankly, have been thinking about giving it up because I wonder if it's going to become a money pit with electrical things as it ages.
From reading on here, it seems that my problems are pretty common. I had considered getting a C6 but I haven't looked at their forums to see if they are having problems. I definitely won't give GM the money they are asking for one unless I find out they got their stuff together on it, which I doubt.
If nothing else goes wrong then I'll love the car. Now, if I had bought the car new and paid that price tag and had these problems then I'd be pissed. Hopefully there are no more common unexpected bugs for me to find.
I love driving the car but frankly, have been thinking about giving it up because I wonder if it's going to become a money pit with electrical things as it ages.
From reading on here, it seems that my problems are pretty common. I had considered getting a C6 but I haven't looked at their forums to see if they are having problems. I definitely won't give GM the money they are asking for one unless I find out they got their stuff together on it, which I doubt.
If nothing else goes wrong then I'll love the car. Now, if I had bought the car new and paid that price tag and had these problems then I'd be pissed. Hopefully there are no more common unexpected bugs for me to find.
- My rocking seat went away when I installed my Wet Okole Seat covers. I don't know if the seat covers are masking the problem or if lashing them to the seat keeps them from rocking. Not cheap, though!
If you want to talk about problems then check out the 911 in corner of the photo above. It's a 1990, not sure how many miles, but my neighbor told me it breaks down all the time, has patchy build quality, and the parts are insanely expensive. He liked my C5!
Last edited by 71vetteinva; Jan 17, 2009 at 10:13 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 6
From: Dublin CA
Issues
I LOVE my car, but I hate the pooly functioning hydro clutch linkage, replaced it w/ aftermarket, fuel sender doesn't work, techron doesn't help and rocking seat. really not much to whine about. Did I mention I LOVE my car?