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

C5 or C7

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 03:02 AM
  #81  
1Willy1's Avatar
1Willy1
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 386
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by Black 02
They are known for their reliability, especially compared to exotics. I've never heard of them being called money pits, so that's new to me. The cost of entry is definitely high though.



The 997 is typically well loved. The 996 is typically "hated" due to the fried egg headlights and low rent interior. Not to mention, it was the first water cooled 911. Cosmetically, the 997 is way closer to the 993 in overall looks. Are you sure you didn't mix up the generations some in your statement?

I personally like the C6 GS and C6Z and don't understand why C5 guys give them such a hard time.
I don't know man, I was into Porsches for a brief while and then I started doing research, originally I was into the boxters and quickly jumped ship after hearing about their "CEF's" ( catastrophic engine failures) brought on by some bearing or something.

Even if your engine blows and they replace it for you (which most times they don't), you then once again roll the dice on your new engine, which also has the same chance of the CEF, as it was never rectified.

Then I found out this problem is not only limited to the boxters but other models as well.

Many Porsche owners are very unhappy, especially with the way they are treated by Porsche, who seems to own up to nothing and dump all costs back on the owner.

Its the typical german b.s all over again.

(edit) link below

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...e-911-996-3-4/

Last edited by 1Willy1; Aug 26, 2015 at 03:10 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 07:53 AM
  #82  
Black 02's Avatar
Black 02
Safety Car
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
Default

Originally Posted by 1Willy1
I don't know man, I was into Porsches for a brief while and then I started doing research, originally I was into the boxters and quickly jumped ship after hearing about their "CEF's" ( catastrophic engine failures) brought on by some bearing or something.

Even if your engine blows and they replace it for you (which most times they don't), you then once again roll the dice on your new engine, which also has the same chance of the CEF, as it was never rectified.

Then I found out this problem is not only limited to the boxters but other models as well.

Many Porsche owners are very unhappy, especially with the way they are treated by Porsche, who seems to own up to nothing and dump all costs back on the owner.

Its the typical german b.s all over again.

(edit) link below

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...e-911-996-3-4/
You're referring to the IMS bearing. There are aftermarket companies making better replacements now and Porsche went through three designs themselves. Yes, it was a bad design and the way they handled it wasn't the best. There is actually a class action lawsuit out there that covers a certain vin range. The affected year model range cars can also be had for absolutely nothing because of the stigma. You can either pick a year that isn't affected or pick one up cheap and put a LN bearing in and enjoy your frugal Porsche. If you don't like the brand, or German cars in general, it's no big deal. No reason to go spewing BS around about how they are all junk though, especially when it's not the case.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 08:51 AM
  #83  
rjwz28's Avatar
rjwz28
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 21
From: Sunniest city on Earth
Default C5 or C7

Originally Posted by Black 02
You're referring to the IMS bearing. There are aftermarket companies making better replacements now and Porsche went through three designs themselves. Yes, it was a bad design and the way they handled it wasn't the best. There is actually a class action lawsuit out there that covers a certain vin range. The affected year model range cars can also be had for absolutely nothing because of the stigma. You can either pick a year that isn't affected or pick one up cheap and put a LN bearing in and enjoy your frugal Porsche. If you don't like the brand, or German cars in general, it's no big deal. No reason to go spewing BS around about how they are all junk though, especially when it's not the case.
Exactly

We've had our share of issues as well...LS6 valve springs and LS7 valve guides, anyone?
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 04:56 PM
  #84  
jol's Avatar
jol
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 38
From: Westchester County, NY
Default

I'm on my 9th Vette= a C5 (2004) torch red vert. I have tons of interior and exterior mods and a Chuck CoW tune. I debated months about getting a new Vette or a new dd. I love my 04 and decided that it was better to keep it and get a new dd- a BMW 650i Xdrive vert. They look awesome in the garage next to each other and the Vette is still a stunning car and I can manage it even with a lousy back. I think the C7 is awesome but went a little too far in the design. Just my 0.2
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 07:54 PM
  #85  
1Willy1's Avatar
1Willy1
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 386
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by Black 02
You're referring to the IMS bearing. There are aftermarket companies making better replacements now and Porsche went through three designs themselves. Yes, it was a bad design and the way they handled it wasn't the best. There is actually a class action lawsuit out there that covers a certain vin range. The affected year model range cars can also be had for absolutely nothing because of the stigma. You can either pick a year that isn't affected or pick one up cheap and put a LN bearing in and enjoy your frugal Porsche. If you don't like the brand, or German cars in general, it's no big deal. No reason to go spewing BS around about how they are all junk though, especially when it's not the case.
Yes the IMS bearing was the one, but theres also head issues and quite a few less serious but costly bugs as well.

I tried to base my post on facts so I don't see how its b.s, my first original post was also a compliment to their styling.

I don't hate German cars, If I had extra money to waste you can be sure id be back on the AMG forums now. ( was there and got banned for voicing complaints about their reliability), But until then I have to be very smart and stick with Lexus.




Originally Posted by rjwz28
Exactly

We've had our share of issues as well...LS6 valve springs and LS7 valve guides, anyone?
That's really not saying much man, Porsche is supposed to be on a much higher class then Chevrolet, their window sticker and replacement parts costs reflect that.

I don't have any bias here, I just try to call it like it is .

The C5 probably has the cheapest build quality and interior ive ever seen in any car, but at least the cheap replacement parts , styling and drivetrain make up for it.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 08:21 PM
  #86  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

Originally Posted by StevieB
In my opinion that shape will never GO OUT OF STYLE, it’s timeless.


I own a C5 and C3, and I feel that way about both of them. They will always look good. Now that's not to say I don't like the look of the C7. I absolutely do. But I can't help but think that design will not age well.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 08:26 PM
  #87  
T5Mika's Avatar
T5Mika
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Default

The C7 is a pretty car, no doubt.

But I already have a "new Corvette", at least that's what my colleague said this morning...
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 08:28 PM
  #88  
1Willy1's Avatar
1Willy1
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 386
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by wcsinx


I own a C5 and C3, and I feel that way about both of them. They will always look good. Now that's not to say I don't like the look of the C7. I absolutely do. But I can't help but think that design will not age well.
The C3 is another amazing design, seeing one on the road still turns my head.

Actually they are even nicer then the C5's , only problem is they are very dated and lack all of the C5's up to date features.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 26, 2015 | 09:02 PM
  #89  
sfc rick's Avatar
sfc rick
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Default

The number of times I've gotten the comment "Is that the new Vette?" Or "Someday if I win the Lotto I'm getting one like yours!"

Tells me I already have a new Vette.....every year I drive it....LOL!
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2015 | 04:21 PM
  #90  
StevieB's Avatar
StevieB
Thread Starter
Race Director
20 Year Member
Community Builder
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,242
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
Default

Originally Posted by sfc rick
The number of times I've gotten the comment "Is that the new Vette?" Or "Someday if I win the Lotto I'm getting one like yours!"

Tells me I already have a new Vette.....every year I drive it....LOL!
Last summer I was at the grocery store with my 98.
Maybe 5 parking spaces away from the closest car,
as always.

This guy that had to be at least 75-80 years old went walking up to it. He said something like "That is one beautiful piece of machinery"

We spoke a little and I left.

Now that wasn't the GRUMPY OLD MAN.

A young at heart cool guy that didn't forget what having fun is all about. Not somebody that retires and dies 1 year later.


to him
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2015 | 04:26 PM
  #91  
73Corvette's Avatar
73Corvette
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Default

Reply
Old Sep 1, 2015 | 06:00 PM
  #92  
Lee DeRaud's Avatar
Lee DeRaud
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Originally Posted by StevieB
This guy that had to be at least 75-80 years old went walking up to it. He said something like "That is one beautiful piece of machinery"

We spoke a little and I left.

Now that wasn't the GRUMPY OLD MAN.

A young at heart cool guy that didn't forget what having fun is all about. Not somebody that retires and dies 1 year later.


to him

I'm reminded of meeting Sam Maloof, the woodworker, not long before his death at 90+. His only admitted vice was his Porsche 911: he bought a new one every couple of years, and was well known for driving it around the local roads in a somewhat, um, spirited fashion.
The cool bit was how the local cops all knew his car and left him alone.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2015 | 11:21 PM
  #93  
rado63's Avatar
rado63
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 289
Likes: 13
From: San Jose CA
Default

I am coming from the perspective as a C6 owner. Over the years I have always appreciated the performance offered by each generation of Corvette. Each generation is timeless.

When you compare each generation Corvette to other two seat sport cars from similar production years, the Corvette is always near the top. Often Corvette was at the top of many magazine comparisons.

Go look at some old Road and Track or Car and Driver magazines to see the test results. Especially on a race track, Corvettes over the years have outperformed many Porsches.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 01:31 AM
  #94  
StevieB's Avatar
StevieB
Thread Starter
Race Director
20 Year Member
Community Builder
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,242
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
Default

I can't find the picture somebody posted here showing the interior of the C5. I was reminded of just how ugly the steering wheel is. Just a big flat slab with nothing on it. I think it may be the ugliest one I have ever seen on a modern car.
A C5 indented logo in the center, but nothing else. In my opinion the guy that came up with that design is a tasteless idiot. I love understated, but that is going WAY too far.
One of the first things I did was to use a colored C5 logo that fit over the indented one. I don’t have a pic, but it makes a WORLD OF IMPROVEMENT. It actually makes it look good, very good.
Why didn’t anybody notice that huge mistake before they started to sell the car?

I think they were all kicked back, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer as the thing rolled off of the assembly line, BURP………….
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 05:23 AM
  #95  
Koufax's Avatar
Koufax
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 195
From: Boxford Massachusetts
Default

The C5 is more beautiful IMO. If someone offered to swap a C7 for my C5, I'd jump at the chance. More power, modern electronics, better interior, etc. etc.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 09:07 AM
  #96  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

Originally Posted by StevieB
One of the first things I did was to use a colored C5 logo that fit over the indented one. I don’t have a pic, but it makes a WORLD OF IMPROVEMENT. It actually makes it look good, very good.
I just hope it doesn't end up embedded in your face if your airbag ever pops.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 04:08 PM
  #97  
StevieB's Avatar
StevieB
Thread Starter
Race Director
20 Year Member
Community Builder
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,242
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
Default

Originally Posted by wcsinx
I just hope it doesn't end up embedded in your face if your airbag ever pops.
I never thought about that, I think it would look cool. I'm going to get another one and stick it to my forehead. I think it would look the best there. Better yet, maybe have it tattooed on.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C5 or C7

Old Sep 2, 2015 | 06:25 PM
  #98  
djmlax89's Avatar
djmlax89
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
Default

It's a hard call to make given that the C7 is the shiny new toy, but in the end I would choose my C5Z. To me it is the perfect compromise - it has just enough technology to be comfortable, but is still raw and enjoyable to drive. I also prefer the smooth curves of the C5 over the sharp lines of the C6/C7.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2015 | 01:50 AM
  #99  
1Willy1's Avatar
1Willy1
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 386
From: Toronto Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by StevieB
I can't find the picture somebody posted here showing the interior of the C5. I was reminded of just how ugly the steering wheel is. Just a big flat slab with nothing on it. I think it may be the ugliest one I have ever seen on a modern car.
A C5 indented logo in the center, but nothing else. In my opinion the guy that came up with that design is a tasteless idiot. I love understated, but that is going WAY too far.
One of the first things I did was to use a colored C5 logo that fit over the indented one. I don’t have a pic, but it makes a WORLD OF IMPROVEMENT. It actually makes it look good, very good.
Why didn’t anybody notice that huge mistake before they started to sell the car?

I think they were all kicked back, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer as the thing rolled off of the assembly line, BURP………….
The corvette is a GREAT platform but nearly everything needs upgrading.

The interior in general is just atrociously made, id bet a Pontiac sunfire or dodge stratus have a better interior trim then the C5.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2015 | 08:34 AM
  #100  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default

Originally Posted by 1Willy1
The interior in general is just atrociously made, id bet a Pontiac sunfire or dodge stratus have a better interior trim then the C5.
You'd win that bet. The interior of my wife's last car (2004 Grand Prix) was heads and shoulders above the crapgasm interior of my 2002 C5.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:43 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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
story-3
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-4
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE