Let me apologize for the long message. I am in the process of buying a C5. Have been looking at a super clean 1999 with 50k and price range of around 16k. Its torch red with the glass top and seems to be in overall great condition. Here are my issues.

On a carfax, It doesnt have any negative items, but here is what I found:
6150 mi:
Tilt steering adjustment rod replaced,
Steering/Suspension checked

13,944mi:
Front window regulator replaced,
Rear differential replaced,
Axle housing/integral carrier replaced
Inside door handle replaced

22,828mi:
A/C and heating control assembly replaced (this is a manual system)

26,967mi:
Left front window replaced
Tires replaced
Wheel(s) replaced
Wheel bearing(s)/hub(s) replaced
Neutral safety/start switch replaced

36,437mi:
Electrical system checked.

The only other replacement was a serpentine belt replacement at 41k. It has had the service/Oil changes done and they are listed. The dealer is giving me the "this is all warranty work that has been done under warranty" and nothing has been listed after the 36k end of warranty. It drove good with but was a little loud, which I figured was the tire road noise.

Just need some really good advise as I am supposed to pick this car up this weekend, but need to know if I need to stop the deal and move on or understand that this is normal for these things to happen.

Sorry for the "newbie" talk, but this is my 1st C5 and dont want to make an initial mistake that I will regret later by not asking the experts.... You guys on here..

Thanks,
Rob

 

If you are unsure then pass on it. There are a ton of good C5s out there for the $16k you're paying for this one.

 

$16,000 is high in this part of the country. Likely closer to $12-13,000.
I would not worry too much about Warranty work done.
If it has Goodyear run flats on it, it will be a bit noisy.

 

Thanks for the info. Its not that I am unsure, I have just been looking at other carfax's and most of them have the usual maint checks, oil service, etc. This one just has a number of replacements when it was under warranty. Trying to figure out if this is somewhat normal or should I beware... lol

 

Those number of warranty issues is way out of line for a Corvette, much less any car. With that said, 16K for a 1999 is really high and it is not a convertible which normally sell for more.

PS: Hope the car wasn't made the first day back after New Years.

 

That does seem like a lot of things have been replaced, even under warranty. It would raise a red flag with me - especially since you may not know what the car has been like after the warranty expired.

 

I appreciate the comments. I am going to look around a bit and find one that has less on the issue side.

Thanks

 

Those replacements are why a new car comes with a warranty and they were a number of miles and years ago. Warranty only lasted 3 years so unless they were covered under some aftermarket service plan those repairs are at least 10 years old. If they haven't gone bad since then they obviously were repaired correctly.

Since the car is 14 model years old the average yearly mileage is about 3600 miles per year. That sort of indicates the car was a driver through its early life (very good) and then became a garage queen.

The only major repairs were the ones at 13K miles which were the axle housing/diff, etc. Wheel bearings aren't a major issue. That car is a good car. Don't know about price but you should look around to get an idea on the price.

Tires aren't an issue either. They were replaced with a lot of miles on them which means the suspension/alignment was pretty damned good to get that number of miles out of EMTs. Wheel replacement was common back then since pre 00 owners upgraded to the Y2K wheels Vs keeping the wagon wheels. I bet that wasn't a warranty replacement. I suspect the original owner was somebody who used the car but took very good care of it and made sure every suspect flaw was addressed. Better to have this kind of car than one owned by a person who was afraid to take it to the dealer to get things fixed and then brags about how they don't trust the dealer.

I had two C5s a 97 that I ordered and an 03Z which I bought when it was 18 months old with 18K miles on it. One thing I notice about this car is I don't see any of the so called normal C5 repairs. That is probably another positive thing.

Bill

 

Thanks bill. I am going back this afternoon to drive it again and look at some others as well. I appreciate all of the good advise and hope to come home with a new C5 addition this weekend.

 

At that price I'd pass on it. $3k less and its worth the risk, otherwise, as has been said, there are lots of others out there.