I obtained the VIN# and ran a CarFax... what do you guys think? Looks like it had a few gremlins....


06/27/1997
42 miles
Title or registration issued
First owner reported
Registered as
personal vehicle



11/23/1998
11,111
Service Facility
Oil and filter changed


03/30/1999
12,276
Service Facility
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Oil and filter changed
Engine/powertrain computer/module replaced


11/11/1999
14,487
Service Facility
Engine/powertrain computer/module replaced
Battery replaced
Oil and filter changed


04/19/2000
15,476
Oil and filter changed
Outside mirror replaced/repaired


06/07/2000
15,928
Transmission checked
State safety inspection completed
Oil and filter changed
A/C and heating control assembly replaced


05/11/2001
17,502
Oil and filter changed
ABS/TCS computer/module replaced
Fuel filter replaced
State safety inspection completed
ABS computer/module replaced


09/04/2001
17,762
Outside mirror replaced/repaired
Right front door lock actuator replaced

04/01/2002
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection


05/08/2002
18,349
Oil and filter changed
Recommended maintenance performed
Inside door handle replaced


09/05/2002
19,084
Oil and filter changed

01/16/2003
19,904
Recommended maintenance performed
Oil and filter changed
Engine/powertrain computer/module replaced


05/01/2003
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection


09/09/2003
21,562
Battery replaced




03/01/2004
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection



5/01/2004
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection


01/15/2005
22,335
Tire condition and pressure checked


04/11/2005
Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed
Fuel filter replaced
Serpentine belt replaced


05/01/2005
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection


07/27/2005
A/C compressor replaced
Brakes checked


09/12/2005
Vehicle serviced

05/01/2006
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection


04/02/2007
Oil and filter changed
Drive belts checked


05/01/2007
Texas
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection

05/01/2008
Texas
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection

05/26/2008
Battery replaced
Oil and filter changed
Four wheel alignment performed
Drive belt(s) replaced
Two tires mounted and balanced

05/01/2009
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection

05/01/2010
Texas
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection

03/01/2011
26,107
Battery replaced
Oil and filter changed


05/01/2011
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Registration issued or renewed
Passed safety inspection


07/19/2011
26,256
ABS computer/module replaced
State safety inspection completed
Battery replaced


11/02/2011
26,406
Vehicle serviced



...Then it goes to the current owner, with just registration reported...
No accidents reported.

Thoughts????


Thanks again...

 

I do not like electrical gremlins. Battery four times something is shorting the battery life. Think twice .

 

As little as this car has been driven, the previous owner might have just let the battery run down and put new ones in each time. Replaced in 1999, 2003, 2008, twice in 2011 but those in 2011 were only 4 months and 149 miles apart. The 2nd one in 2011 also had the ABS module replaced so the owner might have just been wary and replaced the battery to be safe.

 

Always check underneath corvettes to make sure there is no lift damage! And I would suggest taking it to a local mechanic that you trust and just have them look under the hood. Does it have any modifications??

 

seems as if this car has had quite a few owners... Which usually means it has been ragged out

 

No mods. It's a two owner car. All the service intervals listed above were from the first owner. The second owner has not owned it for very long... a year, maybe. He keeps it in air conditioned garage, and is selling it because he has cancer. He was telling me how he just sold his Harley as well. I tried to get all of the details from his ownership, but he was hard to understand sometimes.

He also mentioned he had the car professionally checked by some sort of lemon-check service before he purchased it, and he still has the paperwork from that (everything checked out).

My biggest concern is the electrical issues. I can see someone being a little lazy and not using a battery tender and also not driving it much leading to the battery issue. Don't forget, last year was the hottest year on record here in Texas, so I guess that could have also been a factor.

I want to buy the car, but I dont want to make excuses for the issues and end up with an expensive headache.

I see that the modules have been replaced, both ABS and the powertrain module (both more than once)... but I am so inexperienced with these cars I'm not sure of the significance of that issue. Is this the dreaded EBCM that is discussed? Or is it simply an eletrical box that can be replaced fairly easily?



I emailed Dennis for the report, thanks for the tip.

 

I had a 98 and loved it. Now I have an 04 and love it too. You won't go wrong as long as the car has been decently cared for.

 

Well If your wanting to go for the cheap type of car, DONT go with a Corvette. I know I'm not wealthy in anyway but I pay boat loads of money to keep up with it. I'm only 22 years old though so I'm sure its a little different for you. I will tell you this though, there is NOTHING like owning a corvette. It is awesome!

 

Definitely misread that haha!

 

MJK there are thousands of C5 out there . Keep looking . Let this one go

 

WOW! You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't purchase the car.

As I was reading the post, I was thinking "PULL THE DTCs,, PULL THE DTCs!!" You should also inspect under the car for leaks and hidden damage.

It should drive straight, shouldn't pull left or right and by all means,, TEST the EBTCM.. From approx 50mph, stomp the brakes and see if the antilock works properly and you don't get any failure messages. Should stop straight and fast.

Low mile cars that sit a lot can have as many issues as C5 that have been driven regularly.

Things that I see as negatives:

PCM replaced SEVERAL times. Look for battery acid damage repairs. Check the frame and components under the battery for acid damage.

It has REAL TIME DAMPENING Suspension. IMHO it a waste of time and money. Not the best suspension for performance/spirited driving.

Two EBTCM replacements??? At least you have a new unit that working... Check the DTCs while the engine is running to see if you have any issues in that module.

What tires do you have? If they are the OEM original run flats, they MUST BE CHANGED!!! They will be hard and unreliable. Sounds like only two were replaced

Check for any evidence of battery acid damage under the battery. It was a very common issue on the early DELCO Side terminal batteries..


The GOOD:

Interior and exterior should be MINT!

What are your plans for the car. If its just a driver, you will be fine out of the box.

I had an early 98 and it was a daily driver here in New England and the winters were rough on the factory grounds. You should be fine for a southern car.

Bill

 

Why is your Vette costing you so much to operate. Beyond gas/oil changes, mine has not cost me any more than the average car. This car has not needed any repairs. I drive it daily, rain or shine.

 

Thanks gents.


I drive a GTP daily, so the 'Vette would not be a daily driver. However, my GTP's tranny is weak, so I would need the vette when the inevitable happens... but for the most part, the vette would be in the garage (with the exception of weekends, the occasional drive to work, car shows, etc.). Although, with it being my first one, I'm sure it will most likely get driven a little more than expected.

I'm sure there are plenty of other C5's out there, but this is one of the best deals that I have found. Im 26 years old, and this is my first 'large' purchase out of college, and that's why I'm putting so much into the decision. I did account for tires in the price of the car, the current owner did say that they will need to be replaced.

As far as plans? Maybe wheels, tires, exhaust, intake, some tame visual enhancements.... nothing crazy. I was planning on replacing all fluids in the near future.

 

The car is being sold as in working order. Its your job to poke holes in that theory. I you like the car (and it sounds like you have made up your mind); go armed to the hilt with knowledge and challenge the price and or make them fix KNOWN issues that you find. Don't be afraid to ask us any questions prior to the sale. Hell call me. PM Sent,, Don't let them snow you with a BS answer for problems that you find or have concerns about. Get what ever resolutions that you agree to IN WRITING!!!

Good Luck!

Bill

 

Truthfully, I think I know more about the car than the current owner does. I don't think he had a carfax when he bought it. I also don't think he knows about the ebcm issues, because he doesn't use a computer... which tells me he probably did not do a lot of research before buying it.

 

Eh, I may have done this.

Thankfully it checked out. Just kept me from talking him down on price any more.

 

Yes, I love Corvettes in general. So that makes it kinda hard not to fall in love with it.

However, I believe that if it has any current EBCM codes, it's probably going to be a no-go.

 

Take heart, if you pass, there WILL be another!

 

It is extremely hard to NOT fall in love with it. But like all the others said, check everything!!!! And you should try and talk him down a little for the tires that need to be replaced. For a full set of brand new decent tires, your looking at about roughly $1,200-$1,400 easy.

But you do have it all set-up perfect though! You have the perfect father sports car for the kids and then your weekend car also!

 

I did get the cost of the tires off of the price, so I am not too worried about that...(it's just that damn ebcm that has me worried).

No kids here, though. The vette could probably help with that.