100k mile C5
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Heidelberg
Cruise-In II Veteran
100k mile C5
I'm looking for a 50th anniversary coupe or convt and have seen a few with 100k or close to that.
What should I be concerned with with these high mileage Vettes?
Any high mileage owners out there?
Thanks for any info.
What should I be concerned with with these high mileage Vettes?
Any high mileage owners out there?
Thanks for any info.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside CA
Regarding mileage, my 98 has 93k and still runs great. I've changed plugs, wires, replaced the battery and performed various other routine maintenance. I'm the 3rd owner. Bought it 6 years ago at 50k miles. It's not a DD and sees about 5k miles/yr as a weekend driver so I don't worry if something happens. Still I'd have someone perform a comprehensive review if I were to buy one this "seasoned" as somethings can be pricey to repair/replace. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
135K (s)miles on my '01
I treated it to headers at 100K (s)miles
the maintenance issues are routine...
it has experienced some of the standard bugs that happen regardless of miles.
door control module
dim HVAC
steering wheel position sensor
low oil level sensor
oil pressure sensor
A/C compressor
I need to rebuild the drivers seat as the foam has deteriorated.
Other than than just normal maintenance.
I treated it to headers at 100K (s)miles
the maintenance issues are routine...
it has experienced some of the standard bugs that happen regardless of miles.
door control module
dim HVAC
steering wheel position sensor
low oil level sensor
oil pressure sensor
A/C compressor
I need to rebuild the drivers seat as the foam has deteriorated.
Other than than just normal maintenance.
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Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
In the Tech section there's a thread about high mile C5s.
Lots of guys posted in the 2hundred+ grand range, a few touching 300k, and there are at least two guys (last time I checked) with over 400k.
Tons of guys past 100k. These cars age well. Just like any C5, have it checked out by a person who knows these cars or take it to a shop/dealership for a final check if you've settled on one.
Lots of guys posted in the 2hundred+ grand range, a few touching 300k, and there are at least two guys (last time I checked) with over 400k.
Tons of guys past 100k. These cars age well. Just like any C5, have it checked out by a person who knows these cars or take it to a shop/dealership for a final check if you've settled on one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 5
From: Rockwall TX
I think the biggest thing is probably the general maintanence of the vehicle? Bought mine with 95K, I think the last two owners were not very good a repairs or keeping them up. I had to replace the AC compressor, and line, radiator sprung a leak, and I need to replace the shocks, and redo the brakes. But, the engine and drivtrain are great, and everything else seems fine. I just drove from Dallas to Sioux City , Iowa and back. What a great drive, made record time. Just check the background, or what you can get and check it all over.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,501
Likes: 1,828
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If it wasn't going to be your daily driver you might consider one with over 100K. But it's not just the engine, you've got to consider the elctronics etc on a car with that much mileage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 92
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
I keep all my cars until 200k and when I sell them there is usually just minor things wrong. My cars alway look new.
However, I take care of them. My 78 vette had 261k when sold.
With 245k I drove it from Florida to Denver and back. No issues,other than terrible gas mileage and it was not very comfortable.
My 98 has 95k and needs nothing. Everything work fine and I would drive it anywhere. In the old days engines barely lasted 120k,but today engines will easily go 250k + if you take care of it.
After all GM has been making them for over 50 years.
It's all about routine maintenance.
When I was shopping for the C5, I seen many with under 50k that looked and ran like crap. This car are owned by people that have no clue about car maintenance,they just drive them.
It doesn't make them bad guys. Not everybody knows how to maintain a car. That is why they have auto shops. Now C5 are not perfect and in this forum theres is an excellent thread about what to Look for when buying a C5. I would suggest you read it if you haven't already.
It cover pretty much everything.
The point being is that, I don't worry about the mileage as I worried more about the owner.
Good luck and let us know how it works out.
Last edited by Dale002; Nov 28, 2010 at 05:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
Don't buy a '67, 427 with 100,000 for $70,000. That's insane
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
Just kidding actually.....My '99 has 115,000 on it and I can't tell any difference than when it had 25,000 on it. I have "never" had a problem with the car, nothing, absolutely nothing. Be more concerned about the previous owner than the mileage. Have a friend that has a '06 Z06. Has 34,000 (last count) on it. Has been driven hard and put away wet more times than I can count. Has been in the shop more times than I can count. He knows 2 speeds....stop & WOT.
Dale is right...be more concerned about the owner or previous owner than the mileage. Take your time & check the car really good.
Best of luck.
Dale is right...be more concerned about the owner or previous owner than the mileage. Take your time & check the car really good.
Best of luck.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
Buy a C5 with records only. I didn't get records and I had to go through alot of maintance work to get the car to standards. Mine has 125k on it and now that I've fixed it, it's very reliable and runs strong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, Nassau County New York
I wouldnt worry to much about mileage as long as it looks and runs good. Use the high mileage as a negotiation tool. Most people that dont know any better run away from high mileage cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: Carlisle PA
Our 99 C5 coupe is less than 1,000 miles from the magic number and it still runs great. No problems other than the routine maintenance items and problems with the column lock/pull key...wait 10 seconds (but those problems were fixed two years ago and have not been a concern since).
Go for it if the price is right for you.
Advice....try to get as much information about it's service records, maintenance, etc. from the owner (is it the original owner???) The more evidence of "good care and maintenance the better chances you are getting a car that's been taken care of.
We bought our car with 30K on it 7 years ago and we asked for ALL the service/maintenance records for the car since day 1. That made the difference whether or not we bought it.
Good luck
Go for it if the price is right for you.
Advice....try to get as much information about it's service records, maintenance, etc. from the owner (is it the original owner???) The more evidence of "good care and maintenance the better chances you are getting a car that's been taken care of.
We bought our car with 30K on it 7 years ago and we asked for ALL the service/maintenance records for the car since day 1. That made the difference whether or not we bought it.
Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Waldorf MD
I am the proud owner of a 98 coupe with 102k miles on it, I got it for Xmas in 05 with 94k at that time. Since my purchase Ive replaced waterpump, front crankshaft seal,and rebuilt rack n pinion. With all of that being said what you will need to be concerned with is previous owners care because there is no feeling like the double takes(head snaps) that you will receive once you find the vette you want our only request is keep the vette wave going
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 4
From: Broward County Florida
Even if you check the car out, things can and will go. Nothing lasts forever and who's to say that everythings fine? Even after a 1000-point inspection, after a few weeks something can break.
If I were you I'd consider a car that is around the 50-60k mile range and pay $1k more...
If you are firm on a high mileage, then just make sure you check for any funny noises and negotiate hard on the price to put some $$$ back in your pocket for future repairs.
If I were you I'd consider a car that is around the 50-60k mile range and pay $1k more...
If you are firm on a high mileage, then just make sure you check for any funny noises and negotiate hard on the price to put some $$$ back in your pocket for future repairs.