Advice Needed on potential C5 Purchase
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Advice Needed on potential C5 Purchase
Hey everyone,
I'm looking at a 2004 C5 coupe.
It is exactly what I'm looking for in that it has the 1SC preferred equipment group, and is black on black, and MN6.
It only has 60,000 miles and I would be paying $15,500.
The interior is in great shape and the paint is great.
The bad:
Two minor accidents - don't show up on Carfax. They happened prior to owning it.
The Traction Control service light is on.
The Service Ride Control light is on.
The ABS system light is on.
The owner has been driving it with these issues for the last year with "no apparent" issues.
What am I looking at getting into here?
I've done some light research and know that if it ABS module they are pricey. If the Magnetic Ride Control shocks are shot, I will replace them with regulars and have the BCM reprogrammed.
What do you all think of this overall?
I realize it is a ten year old car, but I'm looking for a driver, so getting these issues sorted is more urgent to me than if it were just a "toy."
Thanks
I'm looking at a 2004 C5 coupe.
It is exactly what I'm looking for in that it has the 1SC preferred equipment group, and is black on black, and MN6.
It only has 60,000 miles and I would be paying $15,500.
The interior is in great shape and the paint is great.
The bad:
Two minor accidents - don't show up on Carfax. They happened prior to owning it.
The Traction Control service light is on.
The Service Ride Control light is on.
The ABS system light is on.
The owner has been driving it with these issues for the last year with "no apparent" issues.
What am I looking at getting into here?
I've done some light research and know that if it ABS module they are pricey. If the Magnetic Ride Control shocks are shot, I will replace them with regulars and have the BCM reprogrammed.
What do you all think of this overall?
I realize it is a ten year old car, but I'm looking for a driver, so getting these issues sorted is more urgent to me than if it were just a "toy."
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 5
From: Central FL
Sounds like you have the c1214 code like me, and probably the ebcm relay. I just reset it every time I start the car sometimes the abs and tcs lights go out but most of the they stay on and my abs and tcs doesn't work I've lived with it for the past 1.5 years since I got my 01, but I know absfixer.com can PROBABLY fix it for $150
Last edited by F&Yb0dluvr; May 20, 2014 at 03:26 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
At least the 2004 cars parts are still available, and that seems like a good price. You should be able to get it fixed and not be over head price wise. Ya have to be able to post the codes so you cane be helped.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 11
From: Burnsville Minnesota
Sounds like you have the c1214 code like me, and probably the ebcm relay. I just reset it every time I start the car sometimes the abs and tcs lights go out but most of the they stay on and my abs and tcs doesn't work I've lived with it for the past 1.5 years since I got my 01, but I know absfixer.com can PROBABLY fix it for $150
Here is my original post on the issue and all of the help I received.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-bad-news.html
Best to you!
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,491
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
I thought that too - - maybe by at least two grand or more.
But I'm thinking the owner took it someplace to get the dash warning lights fixed and was quoted an outrageous figure-- so he got spooked and just wants to dump it and let the lights be someone else's problem.
I'd take it to a dealer and get a quote for repair and use that a leverage if you need it. I think you'll find the actual repairs should cost you far less and the car is priced well.
But I'm thinking the owner took it someplace to get the dash warning lights fixed and was quoted an outrageous figure-- so he got spooked and just wants to dump it and let the lights be someone else's problem.
I'd take it to a dealer and get a quote for repair and use that a leverage if you need it. I think you'll find the actual repairs should cost you far less and the car is priced well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 940
Likes: 81
From: Lake Villa IL
Pull the codes on the dic. I bet you will get a C1287 and/or C1288. That will be the SWPS (steering wheel positioning sensor) going out. Had that problem on my 04 coupe. Same symptoms. Costs about $65 and takes 2.5 to 3 hrs to replace. Seems to be a common problem on the 03s and 04s. Good luck with it if you decide to purchase it. Love mine.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 5
From: Central FL
If you decide on getting it which from what you're saying I wouldn't hesitate..pull the codes and post them. You also might clear if for a whole by disconnecting your battery, when I first bought mine the llights wouldn't pop on for about every tank of gas it got worse and it comes on pretty much every time I turn the key now and sometimes it goes out automatically while I'm driving.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I have a car that is 16 years old, it has 100,000 miles on it... there is absolutely nothing wrong with my car... no codes. nothing. Its not true that all cars have problems. IM not saying I never had any problems. but a couple of o2 sensors a water pump , headlight gear, is hardly what I would call problems. the problems exhibited in this car are not conducive to someone who took care of their car. If my son asked me What I though about him buying this car , I would tell him to pass on it. If these were simple fixes, the owner would fix them and get the 19/20K this car should bring.
I've turned down 20 K two years in a row from the same guy who wants my car. I have offers to buy my car everyday.. My point is not about my car , but the fact that there are many nice cars out there that are flawless with no problem. I would rather pay 20K for a car with no issues than pay 15K for a car with issues.
Back to one of my idioms... " I can't afford to buy anything too cheap "
Bill aka ET
These photos are less than a month old. Again the point here is there are cars around like this.... there are guys on this forum that make my car look dirty. Again, there are nice cars out there.
I've turned down 20 K two years in a row from the same guy who wants my car. I have offers to buy my car everyday.. My point is not about my car , but the fact that there are many nice cars out there that are flawless with no problem. I would rather pay 20K for a car with no issues than pay 15K for a car with issues.
Back to one of my idioms... " I can't afford to buy anything too cheap "
Bill aka ET
These photos are less than a month old. Again the point here is there are cars around like this.... there are guys on this forum that make my car look dirty. Again, there are nice cars out there.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; May 20, 2014 at 10:00 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 5
From: Central FL
the problems exhibited in this car are not conducive to someone who took care of their car. If my son asked me What I though about him buying this car , I would tell him to pass on it. If these were simple fixes, the owner would fix them and get the 19/20K this car should bring.
Last edited by F&Yb0dluvr; May 20, 2014 at 10:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Well just because a C5 has a "service traction control" doesn't mean in the slightest the car wasnt taken care of..it's an EXTREMELY common problem regardless how often you change the oil, clean and baby it. It's an electrical part inside a hot engine. Like was said it's not a cheap fix IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALER and that's usually what scares most people from fixing it. I don't even feel like removing mine and paying the about $160 to send it in to get fixed because it's not that big a deal.
160 dollars scares most people off? I spend that at a bed and breakfast over the weekend.. You see this forum has degraded to people looking for cheap everything. People who think putting 160 dollars in their car is scary, is sad. next time you try to tell me something about a C5, Don't ! You are not qualified.
I'm offering my experience and educated advice to the OP of this thread, He can take it or leave it.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; May 20, 2014 at 10:24 PM.