'97-'00 owners step on in...
09-21-2011, 12:35 AM
#42
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Sep 2004
Location: Carlisle PA
Posts: 843
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Same here...our arctic white 99 coupe has over 105K on it, looks like new and runs like a charm. Sure there will be some problems from time to time but what car that's over 13 years old and has over 100K miles doesn't encounter problems once in a while. It's one of the most mechanically sound cars I've ever owned. I am 64 and it's also the first car I've kept past 70K miles...I plan to have it for another 100K miles too.
We have owned our 99 for almost 5 trouble free years now. It just turned over 50,000 miles. We take care of it, keep it maintained, don't beat it and really enjoy it. I still get asked from time to time if it is a new one. I feel it will continue to last and be reliable for many years to come.
Maybe some early C5's are in the hands of those who do not respect such a vehicle and beat them or mod them so much reliability is compromised.
Maybe some early C5's are in the hands of those who do not respect such a vehicle and beat them or mod them so much reliability is compromised.
09-21-2011, 01:06 AM
#43
Team Owner
The pre-2000's have the older style climate control system, and to be honest, I'd rather have that. I've owned a 2001 and 2000, and something was always going bad on those electronic climate control systems. 
I do miss being able to go into competitive mode while moving, but that's the only thing I miss from the '01+.
Happy with my '99 FRC. Only time I'll get another vette, will be a C6Z to go next to her!
I do miss being able to go into competitive mode while moving, but that's the only thing I miss from the '01+.
Happy with my '99 FRC. Only time I'll get another vette, will be a C6Z to go next to her!
09-21-2011, 01:25 AM
#45
Race Director
2000 FRC tipping over 125,000 miles.
The only "stock" issues I had were a failed thermostat, hazard relay switch failure, and currently the windshield weatherstrip needs serious replacing. Oh, and letting Greg at Antivenom touch my car. (It's amazing what the wrong sized push rods can do to the heads, rockers, and pistons when they are too long!!!)
Issues since rebuild by LG Motorsports: Shattered torque tube racing. Failed lifter on NurburgRing. And some stupid Kraut in Germany leaned out my tune from LG which caused detonation and my #4 piston to go BOOOOOM.
Other than that, I love my oil sucking C5 money pit.
The only "stock" issues I had were a failed thermostat, hazard relay switch failure, and currently the windshield weatherstrip needs serious replacing. Oh, and letting Greg at Antivenom touch my car. (It's amazing what the wrong sized push rods can do to the heads, rockers, and pistons when they are too long!!!)
Issues since rebuild by LG Motorsports: Shattered torque tube racing. Failed lifter on NurburgRing. And some stupid Kraut in Germany leaned out my tune from LG which caused detonation and my #4 piston to go BOOOOOM.
Other than that, I love my oil sucking C5 money pit.
09-21-2011, 01:26 AM
#46
Team Owner
09-21-2011, 08:17 AM
#49
ANY C5 is the cat's meowwww!! Mine is a '99 FRC and I love it....nothing to compare to as it's the first and last for me.....age and budget as previously mentioned by another member. It's fine with me at age 71 now, I can proudly say I've had MY Corvette after a 53 year wait (owned it for 5 years now). A few minor issues but WTF. 
09-21-2011, 08:53 AM
#50
My 97 is my first Corvette. I am all but positive it will be my last Corvette too...not because I don't like other ones, but because age and budget and circumstances make that very unlikely...Powerball being the exception...
So I drive this one regardless of whether it's not everyones favorite year or it's technologically substandard in some way. It is my Corvette and it makes me smile everytime I start it up and go for a drive with my wife by my side. I don't beat the crap out of it, but for the occasional kick to get it up to speed on the interstate, I have no interest in mods which will get me more HP or economy either, I want it to be reliable and comfortable, and snazzy...which is sure is
Bob
So I drive this one regardless of whether it's not everyones favorite year or it's technologically substandard in some way. It is my Corvette and it makes me smile everytime I start it up and go for a drive with my wife by my side. I don't beat the crap out of it, but for the occasional kick to get it up to speed on the interstate, I have no interest in mods which will get me more HP or economy either, I want it to be reliable and comfortable, and snazzy...which is sure is
Bob
only difference mines a 98
09-21-2011, 08:57 AM
#51
Instructor
Hey Alex,don't wet your pants,I have been drving hot rods all my life,and they all had more power than what we are drving,and no abs!(other bro.in okc)Oh,I'am 62 yrs old.
09-21-2011, 10:19 AM
#52
Race Director
. Chevelles, classic Chargers etc. Carbed cars, man I wish I had that experience. Unfortunately all the safety bs has reduced the relationship between driver and car.-Alex
09-21-2011, 10:24 AM
#53
of course back then there was no corvette forum........so
for technology......and for the general attitude of most now.
09-21-2011, 10:45 AM
#54
Instructor
my 98 is all stock,I have a first gen camaro 383 stroker alum heads soild cam 410 gears.When I drop the clutch,it can get real wild.I'am my own abs.boy what a rush.Thats why I don't need mods on the vet.When I feel the need,I hop in the camaro.Retired and can't afford to mod two cars.Everbody,drive the wheels off!
09-21-2011, 10:54 AM
#55
Burning Brakes
2000 FRC and ECBM went south 3 years ago. For me MUCH more fun to drive but I did grow up without electronic controls in all my cars so I'm used to it. No plans to replace it at all. Next time I go in for a dyno tune I'm going to ask if the idiot lights and error messages can all be programmed out!
09-21-2011, 11:36 AM
#56
09-21-2011, 12:29 PM
#57
You 97-00 Corvette owners have it easy, we 01 Z06 owners get beat on like red headed step children.
385 is an oooohh-kay number, but nothing compared to 405...
And the oil usage thing, that seems (to me at least) to be pinned solely on the 2001 Z06 certainly doesn't help.
I don't know how many cars use a bunch of oil, but so far my car does not seem to go through any, but it does have problems passing with that enemic 385 hp LS6.
385 is an oooohh-kay number, but nothing compared to 405...
And the oil usage thing, that seems (to me at least) to be pinned solely on the 2001 Z06 certainly doesn't help.
I don't know how many cars use a bunch of oil, but so far my car does not seem to go through any, but it does have problems passing with that enemic 385 hp LS6.
09-21-2011, 02:04 PM
#59
Melting Slicks
You 97-00 Corvette owners have it easy, we 01 Z06 owners get beat on like red headed step children.
385 is an oooohh-kay number, but nothing compared to 405...
And the oil usage thing, that seems (to me at least) to be pinned solely on the 2001 Z06 certainly doesn't help.
I don't know how many cars use a bunch of oil, but so far my car does not seem to go through any, but it does have problems passing with that enemic 385 hp LS6.
385 is an oooohh-kay number, but nothing compared to 405...
And the oil usage thing, that seems (to me at least) to be pinned solely on the 2001 Z06 certainly doesn't help.
I don't know how many cars use a bunch of oil, but so far my car does not seem to go through any, but it does have problems passing with that enemic 385 hp LS6.
09-21-2011, 02:10 PM
#60
Melting Slicks
Well you were fortunate enough to grow up when during the best decades for cars were being built. Chevelles, classic Chargers etc. Carbed cars, man I wish I had that experience. Unfortunately all the safety bs has reduced the relationship between driver and car.
-Alex
. Chevelles, classic Chargers etc. Carbed cars, man I wish I had that experience. Unfortunately all the safety bs has reduced the relationship between driver and car.-Alex