I own a 2000, and have really had no issues other than the hazard switch going bad. While the dealership fixed that for me, they installed the fix for the column-locking issue. Yeah, there was a wear mark in the seat when I bought it, but that is common in most GM leather seats when you buy used.

The reason I own a C5 is because I drove several C4s (more in my price range when I was looking) before buying. Not a single one left me impressed. And one left me on the side of the road. Then, I drove a C5 and never looked back. You will most likely come to love owning yours after you relax with it a bit. Take a day-long cruise and enjoy.

 

I'm guessing all your uncles cars were junk and he didn't know how to take care of anything. Just sayin....

 

That about sums it up right there

I can just picture the place and the cars.

 

Guys of course the C5 is a better car than the c4 is. This has to be the stupidest thread of the week

 

I don't think that you're going to get a lot of HONEST input here for a few reasons;
1. Everyone owns a C5 and either loves it, or is trying to convince themselves that they love it.
2. C5 or new is all they've owned (All they know)
3. They've drank from the 'Vette-aid glass and "KNOW" that every generation is "obviously better" than the last...w/o really thinking about it.

I started with a C6 (similar in most ways to the C5) and have ended up happier, now with a C4.

I had wanted a Corvette, since I was old enough to know what one was. When I could finally afford one, my first was an '06 Z51. I ordered it from Kerbeck and had it delivered to my hometown dealer. Since the time I got the car new, I spent 3-1/2 years trying to convicne myself that I loved it. How coudl I not? (read 1,2, and 3 above). Still there were many things about it that annoyed me, and as you stated, worried me about breakage, wear and COST.

This past May, I bought a '92 LT1 as a "repairable" -It was in great shape, but wouldn't start. I bought it ONLY to repair it, sell it, and make a few grand. What happened was I bought it, repaired it, and started driving it. From May, until late August, I didn't drive the C6 AGAIN! It sat in my garage, and I drove the C4 every day. I finally sold the C6 in late August, and I'm glad it's gone.

On Paper, the C5/C6 will annhilate the C4 in every objective measure...HANDS DOWN! But there is more to the relationship that you have w/a car, than objective data. I didn't have a great relationship w/my C6; I never "loved" it. I already LOVE the C4. I drive it every day (even in the rain, which I would never do w/the C6). I love it. I use it hard, I don't "worry" about the paint falling off the rockers behind the wheels (b/c it doesn't like it did on the C6)...but I wash it and put wax on it too. It's a balanced situation; it feels right to me.

I think you'd hear more of the above, if people were really honest with themselves and others. The C5 and C6 are monsters on the track. They kill it in with gas mileage, power, refinement, structure, etc. But they AREN'T as durable as a C4. The paint sucks, the seats ARE cheap and weak/wear prone, they wheel hop...and yes, prices for repairs IS very high, compared to a C4. And frequently, those prices are w/o good reason.

My opinion? After reading your post, it's possible that the C5 isn't for you, just as the C6 wasn't for me.

 

My wife actually pointed out to me that she does not think I love this car. I loved my C4 from day one and could not wait to be in it and wax it and detail it. I polished every piece of visible aluminum BY HAND and would get under it with a toothbrush and clean it. I felt safe, in control, and not to worried about anything except possibly blowing the engine. The C5 is so different. When I sit in it, I could be in almost any car. there is no distinct feature that says Corvette exceptthe emblems. The gauges are ordinary, the seats are ordinary, the stereo is the same as my truck. It could be any car (until you hit the gas). I honestly wanted a car with personality. The C4 has personality, the C5 has function. It is a "go fast" machine. I am going to keep my C5 until next year and see if anything changes. If it still feels the same, I am going to step back to a very clean 95-96 C4 and relax and enjoy the car and actually have some fun. Let the seats hug me, lean my arm on that "up high" console, and watch my fancy gauges dance.

 

I completely agree with that too.

The only time the C6 felt good, was at the track -and now that I think about it, even THAT wasn't great. I had more fun running 13.86 in my LT1, than I ever did, running 12.89 in my C6. Anyway, in the C6, anything that "feels good" on the street is illegal, and "just driving it"...you could be driving a Saturn, IMO.


Mine too!! And I kept saying to her, "No, no, no...it's a good car. I need to keep it." Interesting the word "need", rather than "want". Anyway, finally I admitted to myself that I didn't LOVE it. It was a great machine...but not a great CAR, for me.

Best of luck in your automotive experience!

 

Vitually every problem you read a about here is a easy fix, gas gauge, (top teir gas and hit it with a dose of techron on occasion). EBCM, (cheap fix with a vendors unit) Rocking seat (easy fix), Column lock (CLB) etc.....

One exception might be the leaky butt, (harder fix more money)

 

WRONG- Nice Try, he worked on keeping them in good shape, garage kept and all. Cars were his hobby. Sorry

I doubt it, have you been there? Just because I don't like C4's and you guys do, no reason to throw personal insults out.

 

I got my 2000 back in 05 and I now have around 116,000 miles on it. Over all it’s a reliable daily driver (resistor in the key went bad and thru the belts are the only keep it from driving issues I have encountered) nock on wood.

The C5’s natural habitat is the Interstate System, it puts up with city driving but it longs for petal to the metal open road driving.

In general the only fundamental bad thing chevy did on the C5 is they went way way way overboard on the electronics! Seems like a lot of planed opsolesance for the stealerships to make money on repairs, the C6 only ups the anti. Most of the issues I have seen are related some how to the electronics, they can be fixed it just takes money or time, the drive train and chassis are solid.

There are some electrical engineering issues when it comes to how they mount equipment and where they place sensors. The forums have ways to fix a lot of these problems for good.

Compared to alot of other cars in its class (Viper, 911, 928, 850IL, GT40 etc) it is a lot more reliable and road worthy. Its not just a movie prop, you can drive it, just need to have a budget for the occasional issue or put on the DIY cap.

 

All I can say is, I've owned 7 Vettes now. 4 of which have been C4's to include an 89,92,93,94 Everyone of them was a great reliable car. Once I sorted out whatever the previous owner neglected to address, they were all wonderful vehicles. None needed anything more major than an Optispark (big deal ) Two other Vettes I have had were 2 2002 Z06's. Also both excellent vehicles. The worst Vette I have ever had was ab 81 C3. The car had the dreaded rusty birdcage, it was a lost case & sold for parts.

 

Well the wife and have three (3) C5s, two(2) 2000 FRCes and the '01 Z06. One one has ever had any warranty work and that was a drivers rear axle seal at 957 miles. I am retired mechanic that has no life but my 7 collectable vehicles so I spend lots of time upgrading and 'fawning' over them.
We have had several C3s from 1969-1978 and spent lots of time and money keeping them going ( mostly power steering and differential work) and then upgrades to keep them driveable ( adding th700-r4) , seats, cruise control, ect.
Same with C4s. Have had '87, and '91 both drove well but had elecrtical dash issues and VATS. Not bad mpg but no where near the 29 mpg that my Z06 gets.
I have noticed that the C5es that have the most issues here on the forum are those that have been modified, you know the ones. I have always had the idea that everything can be improved but as these cars get more and more sophisticated , the more sensitive or less tolerant of the wrong changes. The two FRCes are fairly stock with only GM late model parts swapped here and there. My wife drives her FRC without problem all summer ( we have snow in winter).

So my advice is that the cars are really good if you find the right one. And if you can not tell the right one , find a pro that can point it out to you, because you're right in that the wrong Vette can be a big hole to throw your money into. Good luck and keep reading and learning.

 

Forums are designed to give owners a place to exchange ideas, solutions, and just generally discuss their car or for that mater, most any other item. My 2000 vert has 69k miles on it and I've had to replace one rear seal, nothing else. If I'd have taken your approach, I never would have bought the car, or my 40' diesel motorhome , 13' Scamp travel trailer, wifes current gas range, and on and on. The C5 is a very robust car that is designed and built to provide many years of trouble free, enjoyable driving. It is, however, a mechanical/electrical "being" and does occasionally break. If you can't get beyond your current mind set, sell the dang thing and get yourself a Toyota!

 

You have to remember that C5's are probably the most common generation of Corvette on the road right now.

There are a lot of people acquiring them and a lot that have had them for close to a decade.

With so many on the road, there are going to be more people writing about issues on the forums. Also remember that most people only post when there is a problem. The 99% of the time over the past 5 years that the car has been flawless is usually not talked about.