C 5 Quality Issues
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Joined: Apr 2012
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C 5 Quality Issues
Seems like I waited most of my life for a Corvette raising kids & putting them threw college. I always had these great visions of the great American sports car. The first one I bought was a 1973 manual coupe. great car very little matianence issues. Then I bought a 1999 coupe for a daily driver. The quality of that car is so poor it amazes me. 60,000k miles & the tranny grinds in fourth. the A/C blows out of the defrost holes. Door locks dont work. Ebrakes dont work. Seat backs loose. On & On. Shoot my 1999 Dodge diesel has 500K miles without any of these issues. It never has had the manual transmission fluid changed.Just checked.
Dont get me wrong. I love driving the Corvettes, but if I would have read the sticky before I bought the 99. I wouldnt be driving it now.
Is the quality of the 2014 any better. Or is it crap?
Dont get me wrong. I love driving the Corvettes, but if I would have read the sticky before I bought the 99. I wouldnt be driving it now.
Is the quality of the 2014 any better. Or is it crap?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
The C7 is almost certainly better overall: pretty much every 2014 car is better than its 1998-2004 ancestor. (IMHO)
But that doesn't mean a similar list of chronic C7 issues won't arise over the years, and they probably won't be as well-documented as the C5 'problems' until the first couple of production years fall out of warranty and/or build up some serious miles. It will also depend on how fast and hard GM attacks defects when they first appear.
But that doesn't mean a similar list of chronic C7 issues won't arise over the years, and they probably won't be as well-documented as the C5 'problems' until the first couple of production years fall out of warranty and/or build up some serious miles. It will also depend on how fast and hard GM attacks defects when they first appear.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
You can have problems with any brand vehicle. Chevrolet just replaced the oil pan gasket and a front axle seal on my 2013 Chevrolet Cruze with only 6,000 miles on it. I have a friend who's a Dodge guy and he's had problems with his wife's car. We just traded in a 2008 Ford Escape that had rust over both rear wheel openings. I haven't had any problems with my '98 Corvette. Personally, I think some of it is how well the car has been maintained, and the other part is just luck. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 28
From: Oviedo Florida
here we go.... well, All I can say is I have a 98 with 60,000 on it and love it. Need to do some minor little things like replace the lumbar cushion, got a pass window reg starting to go and prob going to replace the drivers seat foam soon. But the car is 16 years old things are going to wear out and over all the car looks and drives like it was 16 months old.
Funny thing is that you flat out admit to not doing any research before your purchase and want to compare a 15 year old cars reliability to a brand new 2014 I am pretty sure that there are going to be common things that fail on the 2014 vette or any 2014 vehicle come the year 2029. Who in their right mind goes out and buys a 15 year old car and doesn't expect to have to fix a few things here and there on it? Honestly it sounds like your issues are all very minor things except for the tranny which well who knows how it was maintained before you purchased the car. question though did you by the car with all these IMO little issues? I totally get the idea of not wanting to ever mess with or do anything more than change the fluids on a vehicle and if thats the case all you gotta do is sell off that thing you hate so much and go plop down $50-$60k minimum and gettcha a new one
Funny thing is that you flat out admit to not doing any research before your purchase and want to compare a 15 year old cars reliability to a brand new 2014 I am pretty sure that there are going to be common things that fail on the 2014 vette or any 2014 vehicle come the year 2029. Who in their right mind goes out and buys a 15 year old car and doesn't expect to have to fix a few things here and there on it? Honestly it sounds like your issues are all very minor things except for the tranny which well who knows how it was maintained before you purchased the car. question though did you by the car with all these IMO little issues? I totally get the idea of not wanting to ever mess with or do anything more than change the fluids on a vehicle and if thats the case all you gotta do is sell off that thing you hate so much and go plop down $50-$60k minimum and gettcha a new one
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 54
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From: Sandy Springs
I think I get what he's saying guys. I'm not going to jump down his throat because I kind of felt the same way. I've got an 03 50th ann Z51 and IMHO it is a little bit of a step down from the BMW 330 I had of the same year. There's a lot more plastic, a lot more rattles and squeaks, and the fit and finish just isnt where it I thought it would be. How much was this car new back then? 40k? I think my Bimmer was 30k or less. The only step up that I can see is the speed and handling. And my car had 150k when I sold it! Right now, I'm getting a nice jingling in my exhaust and of course that weird sound you get when you launch in first.
Last edited by CycledeLex; Jan 23, 2014 at 01:53 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Wow, a lot of C5 bashing of late....
As others have said, a 15 year old car will have issues. My daily driver of 7 years has had issues, but nothing a backyard mechanic cannot fix.
I have heard horror stories of 2003/2004 Mercedes S600 owners with a myriad of problems. Those things were $100k+ off the lot. So, the issues with these cars are quite minor.
As others have said, a 15 year old car will have issues. My daily driver of 7 years has had issues, but nothing a backyard mechanic cannot fix.
I have heard horror stories of 2003/2004 Mercedes S600 owners with a myriad of problems. Those things were $100k+ off the lot. So, the issues with these cars are quite minor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
Just because this is considered a sports car doesn't mean you can rag the **** out of it and expect it to run like new. I don't know if the OP bought his 99 new or used, but 15 cars will have issues.
I had a Dodge 1500 once. The tranny went in 30000 miles, so.......
I had a Dodge 1500 once. The tranny went in 30000 miles, so.......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Anaheim CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,281
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From: Pittsburgh PA
A used corvette is like any used car a crap shoot. Im pretty sure in 1999 it was a great car but between then and now god knows what that car has been thru. 1998 with 43000 miles, bought it new. still a great car. Knock on wood.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: Moorhead MN
76k miles ive put on 18k of those and had to replace a key ignition other then that only had to do routine maintenance and did the column lock bypass just for good measure. $150 in repairs over 18k miles i cant say I can complain
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
You can have problems with any brand vehicle. Chevrolet just replaced the oil pan gasket and a front axle seal on my 2013 Chevrolet Cruze with only 6,000 miles on it. I have a friend who's a Dodge guy and he's had problems with his wife's car. We just traded in a 2008 Ford Escape that had rust over both rear wheel openings. I haven't had any problems with my '98 Corvette. Personally, I think some of it is how well the car has been maintained, and the other part is just luck.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Hills AZ
I inspect vehicles with all kinds of mechanical failures and I'm in and out of all of the dealers and shops. I see failures with all of them. As stated, some if them you can tell could have been maintained better, some just had bad luck. Just left a Dodge dealer after having to inspect and replace just about all of the steering linkage and a list of other items. As for the C7, just wait, I'm sure we will see its share of problems in time.
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A car that is 15+ years old - not unusual to have some problems with it. I assume you bought it used so you may not know just how it was treated by the former owner. Most of the problems you mention are relatively minor. Don't give up on it yet - see what it will take to get it back in shape, fix what you can and see how you like it then.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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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
My 99 has issues. I still drive it. Fix stuff when I feel like it. Just glad I didn't pay $40,000. plus for it. The 2013 altima had a leaking back glass at 4,000 miles and probably at 0 miles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
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I know what you mean! It just seems to me that lately, if I want to read negative comments on the C5, I just need to log onto this forum. I don't get why some feel so compelled to rag on this car but yet will not move on to something else. I hear that you can get a great deal on early 2000's Porsche 911's..........
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Mine is 12 years old now and I wouldn't have a prob putting it up against any 12 year old car, I think for being 12 years old it has held up dam well, But I have taken care of it.
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