Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Newbe needs advice

Old Sep 28, 2013 | 09:24 AM
  #1  
jtw17's Avatar
jtw17
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan NJ
Default Newbe needs advice

Been searching for a C5 vert for about 6 months. Am i crazy to overlook a good deal on a 98-2000 because of the near impossibility of replacing the dreaded EBCM, if it should fail. Hold out and spend more cash for a 2001-2004,or go for it ?? Thanks for your advice.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2013 | 09:41 AM
  #2  
f6john's Avatar
f6john
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Default

Originally Posted by jtw17
Been searching for a C5 vert for about 6 months. Am i crazy to overlook a good deal on a 98-2000 because of the near impossibility of replacing the dreaded EBCM, if it should fail. Hold out and spend more cash for a 2001-2004,or go for it ?? Thanks for your advice.

Not crazy, but overly cautious? Maybe. To be sure someone will buy the 98-2000 models that are out there at some price. I bought my 99 3 years ago and no problems and I would still consider an early model if the car and the deal were what I wanted.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2013 | 11:43 AM
  #3  
lwise4's Avatar
lwise4
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 18
From: Thompsons Station Tennessee
Default Older C5

Originally Posted by jtw17
Been searching for a C5 vert for about 6 months. Am i crazy to overlook a good deal on a 98-2000 because of the near impossibility of replacing the dreaded EBCM, if it should fail. Hold out and spend more cash for a 2001-2004,or go for it ?? Thanks for your advice.
I would determine how much you want to spend first of all. I would then try to find the newest car with the lowest miles that matches my color preference etc. I have had 13 Vettes and the only one that I was dissatisfied with was because was not keen on the color. I bought it because it was a 02 Z06 with 8500 miles on it and was owned by a older lady "no kidding".

Beware, a "good deal" is not always the best way to go!
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2013 | 10:57 PM
  #4  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,823
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

You may or may not have any problems with a pre-01 car in those areas, but if you can swing a higher purchase price, there were a lot of upgrades to the C5 platform in the '01-04 model years.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2013 | 11:07 PM
  #5  
tbrent's Avatar
tbrent
Melting Slicks
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
Default

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
It's not just the EBCM. The Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS) for 97 -2000 C5's are also not available.

If you can be happy with a car that potentially has no repair alternative, buy what you want.

No guarantee that the problem will occur on an early year car. But no guarantee that it won't happen once you own it. When it does, the resale value goes down the flusher. You pay your money and take your chances.
Not to hi-jack but Chuck, you have any information on the possibility of deleting the traction control bs on the C5 and the air system? Both are so annoying to me. If so please drop a line maybe some links..

To the OP, the steering wheel position sensor alone would be worth trying to hold out for a newer model. It's an unsettling feeling to be driving on the highway and have your car decide to pull to the left at 70mph.

So I think Chuck made a great point

I hope you hold out but when you do be sure to share pics of your new ride
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2013 | 11:12 PM
  #6  
racebum's Avatar
racebum
Race Director
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Default

all depends on deals and condition

all else equal the 01 has a lot of perks including the ls6 intake manifold, easier to get parts for and better resale

unless you can find a nice 97-00 car for 10 grand or so i'd spend more on the later cars
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2013 | 11:56 PM
  #7  
duramaxsky's Avatar
duramaxsky
Safety Car
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
Default

97 and early 98s do not have the dreaded system. Thankfully mine does not have AH.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2013 | 12:15 AM
  #8  
Camjamsdad's Avatar
Camjamsdad
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
Default

On the bright side if the parts work you can part the car out for a profit
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Sep 29, 2013 | 12:11 PM
  #9  
jtw17's Avatar
jtw17
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan NJ
Default newbe advice

Thanks so much for all the feedback on the possible issues with the 97-2000 c5. I'll have to let all the info soak in and then make a decision. I appreciate your help.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Newbe needs advice



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:59 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE