Question for the C5 owners
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 4
From: Parker Colorado
Question for the C5 owners
Greetings I currently own a 92 C4 and am thinking about upgrading to a 2000 C5. I have a good mechanical ability and am able to work on most things. My question to the group is what are the issues with the C5's? From what I have read the interior seems to be an issue. What other things should someone look for when upgrading to a C5. Thanks in advance for your help.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 13
From: Colorado
Leaky rear ends
Battery leakage
wobble in the seats
electrical gremlins
There's a starter list.
Before you buy to pull the codes hold down options(4) and press fuel(1) 4 times and it will display current codes with a C and history codes with an H.
Battery leakage
wobble in the seats
electrical gremlins
There's a starter list.
Before you buy to pull the codes hold down options(4) and press fuel(1) 4 times and it will display current codes with a C and history codes with an H.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
Depending on who you buy from, miles, and the condition you buy it in, many of the fixes may have already been done...as for anything else...take it as it comes. Most of the items are an EZ fix. I think the biggest issue is the CLB.
Cheers
Cheers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 979
Likes: 0
From: millstone NJ
seat wobble & lack of seat bolsters , electrical gremlins esp chassis grounds. so far thats it. . . Every1 complains about the interior style and says it looks cheap. I love it, its a sports car not a luxury car
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: upstate new york
All you hear on these forums is when there is an issue, so i am reporting in to say, no issues here, except CLB and that was an easy fix,once i figured it out. 2001 vert 50,000 miles. 
just pull the codes like someone mentioned. All cars have there issues. 
just pull the codes like someone mentioned. All cars have there issues.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Simi Valley CA
Seems all the C5's have the same issues one time or another. 
I had a C4 and it was always in the shop for one repair or another. Yet, I talked to other C4 owners and they didn't have any problems at all. Guess it just depends on the car.
I have a 98 C5, owned it for about 9 years. The only problem I've had with it, was the gas gauge started acting up. Replaced the sending unit in the gas tanks years ago. It's been just fine ever since. Just regular maintenance, nothing out of the ordinary. It's been a great car
I had a C4 and it was always in the shop for one repair or another. Yet, I talked to other C4 owners and they didn't have any problems at all. Guess it just depends on the car.
I have a 98 C5, owned it for about 9 years. The only problem I've had with it, was the gas gauge started acting up. Replaced the sending unit in the gas tanks years ago. It's been just fine ever since. Just regular maintenance, nothing out of the ordinary. It's been a great car
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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What has already been mentioned are many of the common problems with the C5 - and remember, not all cars will have all these problems. If you want more information on the C5, including a Corvette Buyers Checklist, just PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you what I have.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 9
From: Camdenton MO
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have a 2000 coupe and the only problems so far were the column lock issue and the hazard switch going bad. Otherwise, it's been smooth sailing so far.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: N E area of state Kansas
most common problems have been lsited. Not sure why peeps are saying only 01 or newer. There is a threa don the diffrences, and they are minor. 01 up gets you 5 hp, and diffrent wheels. You lose the automatic lock/unlock upon approach. There really wasn't any new options that came out after 99, so depending on options that is the year I would start looking for. Some 2001 have a well documented high oil consumption, so if there was a year to avoid, that would be it for me.
C5 is a great car, I have been very very happy with mine. Best advice I could give, is don't settle. do some resarch, and find what options and colors you want and buy nothing else. I decided I had to have sport seats, HUD, dual zone, and active handling. Wanted in order, NBM, black, any of the silvers. Ended up witha 99 NBM with everything except upgraded suspension and cd changer. Couldn't be happier.
C5 is a great car, I have been very very happy with mine. Best advice I could give, is don't settle. do some resarch, and find what options and colors you want and buy nothing else. I decided I had to have sport seats, HUD, dual zone, and active handling. Wanted in order, NBM, black, any of the silvers. Ended up witha 99 NBM with everything except upgraded suspension and cd changer. Couldn't be happier.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Get a 2002 or later ZO6!
I have had a 2000 and 2001 coupe, but my ZO6 is hands down superior in every since of the word...I never was into removing the top, so I never worried about the FRC package being limited to not being able to remove the top.
LOVE my C5!
I have had a 2000 and 2001 coupe, but my ZO6 is hands down superior in every since of the word...I never was into removing the top, so I never worried about the FRC package being limited to not being able to remove the top.
LOVE my C5!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 38
From: Temecula CA
I have a 2001 C5 coupe I have owned since new. The only problem I have had is a leaking seal in the differential on the left side. Not sure if the seat complaints apply to all seats or just the standard ones. Some cars, like mine, have the optional sports seats. I find them to be very comfortable with plenty of lateral support, which is adjustable, along with adjustable lumbar support. No rocking issues so far.
Interestingly, when these cars came out, the was a bit of controversy about the soft touch interior, with a lot of mags not liking it. Today, the same mags complain about hard plastic interiors in cars. Go figure.
Prior to my C5, I owned a 1993 40th Anniversary C4. There is no comparison. The C5 is a big, big improvement over the C4, just as the C4 was a big improvement over the C3, which I also owned. As mentioned, decide on what features are most important to you, and shop around as there are lots of low mileage C5's available.
Phil
Interestingly, when these cars came out, the was a bit of controversy about the soft touch interior, with a lot of mags not liking it. Today, the same mags complain about hard plastic interiors in cars. Go figure.
Prior to my C5, I owned a 1993 40th Anniversary C4. There is no comparison. The C5 is a big, big improvement over the C4, just as the C4 was a big improvement over the C3, which I also owned. As mentioned, decide on what features are most important to you, and shop around as there are lots of low mileage C5's available.
Phil
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 107
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From: Knoxville TN
Didn't see oil pressure sensor going bad...that's the first problem I had.
edit - I mentioned this as for issues to repair...sure you would notice the gauge pegged at purchase time =)
edit - I mentioned this as for issues to repair...sure you would notice the gauge pegged at purchase time =)
Last edited by sereneDelusions; Jul 20, 2011 at 02:41 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: San Antonio Texas
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
if your budget will allow. better car with improvements over the first series of C5. i have an 04 CE convertible 31k miles, except for the column lock (which was changed by the dealer under warranty by the original owner, the car has been a pleasure to own. i have had corvettes all my adult life (i'm 67 so that has been quite a while, lol) and each has had it's own "personality". you won't be sorry you bought the C5 and you'll quickly forget having to bench press yourself out of your car (like you have to in the C4 (yes, i had one of those also, lol. it's actually the only corvette i ever owned that my wife hated, for just that reason.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
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From: Fords, NJ
A must read for any C5 owner.. Lots of good info in this post
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html