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I have read 2001 cars tend to use oil due to the ring spec. How common is this issue ? Looking at buying a higher mileage car 100k+. Did most problem cars get taken care of in warranty ? Can I check this out with the VIN at a dealer ?
The oil use itself might not cause problems but I'd be worried a previous owner let it get too low.
Should I try and find a 2002 or early 2003 instead ? I know the newer the better (except 2004 with gas tank issues) but would I regret buying an 01 priced right instead of waiting for a good 02/03 ?
I purchased a higher milage 2001 in may of 2014. it has an oil leak at the corners of the oil pan, but it appears not to use oil as you described. it was not repaired under warranty for oil consumtion per my local dealer. I would try and get a car that has service records with it if possible. my car had every receipt from the day it was new. one of the reasons I purchased it. the PVC systems seem to put a lot of oil into the intakes on these cars also. my intake had a lot of oil residue in it when I pulled it to change the oil pressure sensor. hope this helps you. with the leak I only have to add a quart at about 3000 miles.
From my understanding, some of the early 2001's had that issue. I bought my early 2001 new, but it has never had an oil usage problem (picked mine up Sept 23rd, 2000).
I change my oil every 6 months (about 1500 miles) - major maintenance overkill, but it never shows any noticeable usage. I did add a catch can for the PCV oil issue, but I only get a few spoonfuls per year.
A 2002/2003 might be a safer bet for that one possible issue, but I don't think most of the 2001s exhibited that problem. I would listen for the piston rattle (which mine never displayed) as that might be one clue?
I would think that most original owners that identified that as a problem would have had it fixed under warranty. Surely by 100,000 miles it would have been taken care of since it did not take long to present itself.
In fact "oil" is the only thing that has never leaked on my 2001 (except for the two failed Oil Pressure Sensors)... transmission, differential, steering rack,, "yes" but no leaks with piston rings or oil pan (yet).
Although my serial number was in the range for the ring issue, I did not have it replaced. (R8C Aug 18, 2000)
I was not experiencing oil consumption at the time, and the logic that (eventually, maybe) needing to add a bit of oil once in a while was "better" than tearing down the engine for one ring to fix a problem I wasn't having.
Biggest problem on my 01 were the fuel senders.
Recently repaired the ECBM, and now need to replace all the weatherstriping.
I would look at all your options and buy the best vette you can for the money. That being said...i wouldn't count out an '01. I had an '01 and it was great. It had Not been rewrung and it did Not use extra oil. Happy vette shopping!
My 2001 which I bought new had piston slap. When started cold, it sounded like a diesel for the first few minutes. As I understood it, some have this and some don't. In any event, it bother me and I sold the car after a few years.
I have a 2001 that I bought new and in 14 years it has NEVER used oil to the extent that I would have had to add oil between oil changes(every year). It is my understanding that oil using is caused by running the engine at high RPM and low load. My engine does have piston slap when it is cold but almost goes away when it is at operating temperature.
Although my serial number was in the range for the ring issue, I did not have it replaced. (R8C Aug 18, 2000)
I was not experiencing oil consumption at the time, and the logic that (eventually, maybe) needing to add a bit of oil once in a while was "better" than tearing down the engine for one ring to fix a problem I wasn't having.
Biggest problem on my 01 were the fuel senders.
Recently repaired the ECBM, and now need to replace all the weatherstriping.
As far as the gas tank crossover issue on the 04's or for that matter any C5 or C6 you can test for the problem easily. Just fill up the gas tank (do not overfill, when the pump clicks off, stop filling) before you buy the car, then take it for a ride. If it has the leak it won't hide, you'll know it in a few miles with noticeable gasoline odor. Also, you can see it when you have the car inspected for leaks. Like I said, it won't hide, it's visable and you can smell it. BTW if you search these forums, you'll find the C6 has the same problem.
I have read 2001 cars tend to use oil due to the ring spec. How common is this issue ? Looking at buying a higher mileage car 100k+. Did most problem cars get taken care of in warranty ? Can I check this out with the VIN at a dealer ?
The oil use itself might not cause problems but I'd be worried a previous owner let it get too low.
Should I try and find a 2002 or early 2003 instead ? I know the newer the better (except 2004 with gas tank issues) but would I regret buying an 01 priced right instead of waiting for a good 02/03 ?
From the research I've done here and on other sites this seems to be the consensus. The 04 cars that fall in this production period are the ones at risk...2004 model year vehicles were manufactured in 2003/2004.
It was determined that the defective tanks were manufactured on
09-30-2003 and 01-07-2004 affecting vehicles produced 10-22-2003 through 03-19-2004 affecting VIN range 45110258-45125500. The other vehicles outside of this range were manufactured with new tanks from a different vender which hopefully are not defective as well.
...and now need to replace all the weatherstriping.
The weatherstripping is very reasonably priced, you can replace all of it for about the same price as my first special order Ford 2+2 Mustang cost in 1968. I drove that Mustang all over the U.S.A. and had over 100,000 miles on it when I traded it in. It never went in the shop once and now a few strips of rubber for the C5 cost the same as my first entire car!
01 Vert 95000 miles. I've put 25000 on it over the last 18 months. I have not added oil after a change. During the change I fill to the upper end of the band on the dipstick and no issues. I don't pamper the car but I don't beat it either. Entrance ramps to the highway are a lot of fun.
Like frsr06,,,,my favorite spot to play!!!! On ramps.. Put a catch can on my 01 coupe,,
run it about 3k mls and checked it,,, Maybe a soup spoon full drained out...No problems..
Couple of gremlins,, wouldn't trade it for anything else.
Have a 2001 also. 130K, minimal oil use between changes. Nothing you would need to top off unless the OCD kicks in.
When researching C-5s, 2001 was my stopping point. Read ugly things about early ECBMs.
I also was aware of the 2001 piston slap. This unit (Car-fax) got a complete new GM installed LS1 motor at 65K. selling point 1. It does slap slightly at start up then goes away near immediately.
I have most of the same C-5 issues as everyone else on this forum. Embrace them or you will be miserable.
Ok thanks for all the comments. Seems like there are plenty of 01s with modest consumption. I can handle a quart every 3-4k miles. I just didn't want to be adding oil after every fill up.
So I will keep an open mind on 2001s. I had already ruled out the 97-00 due to the difficulty of sorting faulty electronics. And the 01+ 6speeds got the upgraded torque tube etc.
I see a lot of good deals on 99/00/01s
but newer 6 speeds are all in the upper teens. Don't know if I want to spend that much on a C5.
Last edited by Corvette#2; Feb 11, 2015 at 02:57 PM.
2001 buying advice
Mine is at 115k and uses about that and has since I got it last year (30k miles ago)