Pre purchase advice wanted. 1999
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 519
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From: South Salem NY
Pre purchase advice wanted. 1999
Just looked at my first ever C5 at a dealer. A 1999 coupe. 80K. Made a deal contingent on further inspection. I think it is a good price. Needs tires and rear rotors. As of now that is all i can see. $13k is the price. Down from asking of $14800.
Here are a few questions. On the drivers side in the engine bay there is what looks like a sealant in a few spots on the frame rail Just under the large tank. I think the tank is the washer fluid tank. It is seen from above not underneath. It is shiny and hard and not on the other side. No idea if this is normal or indicates a repair. Frame rail looks intact with no signs of being bent or straightened. Auto Check report shows no accidents.
The removable roof panel is the glass type. It creaks a good amount over bumps. quiet on smooth roads. Dealer says this is normal, they all do it. Do they?
Having never driven a C5 i do not know how much of the exhaust is normal to hear. Hard to describe but I hear quite a bit under acceleration. Guessing this is normal. After all it is a sports car. Also get some burbling when letting off the gas. Normal?
Ok.......that's all for now. Hoping some of you experienced folk can lend a hand.
Graham
Here are a few questions. On the drivers side in the engine bay there is what looks like a sealant in a few spots on the frame rail Just under the large tank. I think the tank is the washer fluid tank. It is seen from above not underneath. It is shiny and hard and not on the other side. No idea if this is normal or indicates a repair. Frame rail looks intact with no signs of being bent or straightened. Auto Check report shows no accidents.
The removable roof panel is the glass type. It creaks a good amount over bumps. quiet on smooth roads. Dealer says this is normal, they all do it. Do they?
Having never driven a C5 i do not know how much of the exhaust is normal to hear. Hard to describe but I hear quite a bit under acceleration. Guessing this is normal. After all it is a sports car. Also get some burbling when letting off the gas. Normal?
Ok.......that's all for now. Hoping some of you experienced folk can lend a hand.
Graham
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The glass top should not creak when going over bumps - mine doesn't. There are adjustments that can be made to tighten it down and help eliminate the creaks and rattles. I have some files on the adjustment procedure and if you'd like a copy, just PM me your e-mail address.
A stock exhaust should not burble when you let off the gas and is actually pretty quiet. Pics of what you have on the car now would help in identifying if it is a stock system or aftermarket.
Pics of the sealant would help too.
A stock exhaust should not burble when you let off the gas and is actually pretty quiet. Pics of what you have on the car now would help in identifying if it is a stock system or aftermarket.
Pics of the sealant would help too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 198
From: Stoneham, MA
I have a 99 C5 with both tops and neither creak. Is the top aftermarket or original GM? I also have a factory exhaust and it cannot be heard inside during acceleration or back off. I would assume it's an aftermarket exhaust if you can hear it. I just looked at my engine bay around the windshield washer tank and do not see any sealant of any type.
Have the dealer check for you if the recalls for the steering wheel & seat belts were done back in 2001. If not, the steering wheel lock could be a problem down the road.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words
Have the dealer check for you if the recalls for the steering wheel & seat belts were done back in 2001. If not, the steering wheel lock could be a problem down the road.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 519
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From: South Salem NY
The glass top should not creak when going over bumps - mine doesn't. There are adjustments that can be made to tighten it down and help eliminate the creaks and rattles. I have some files on the adjustment procedure and if you'd like a copy, just PM me your e-mail address.
A stock exhaust should not burble when you let off the gas and is actually pretty quiet. Pics of what you have on the car now would help in identifying if it is a stock system or aftermarket.
Pics of the sealant would help too.
A stock exhaust should not burble when you let off the gas and is actually pretty quiet. Pics of what you have on the car now would help in identifying if it is a stock system or aftermarket.
Pics of the sealant would help too.
If you could send along the tightening info that would be helpful. 3wolves@optonline.net
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 519
Likes: 66
From: South Salem NY
I have a 99 C5 with both tops and neither creak. Is the top aftermarket or original GM? I also have a factory exhaust and it cannot be heard inside during acceleration or back off. I would assume it's an aftermarket exhaust if you can hear it. I just looked at my engine bay around the windshield washer tank and do not see any sealant of any type.
Have the dealer check for you if the recalls for the steering wheel & seat belts were done back in 2001. If not, the steering wheel lock could be a problem down the road.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words
Have the dealer check for you if the recalls for the steering wheel & seat belts were done back in 2001. If not, the steering wheel lock could be a problem down the road.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words
Will ask the dealer to get me some photos of the sealant.
Thanks. Big help.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Surprise AZ
Both my tops have no squeaks or rattles. My exhaust has a good amount of back snap when deceleration but I have borla exhaust. The stock exhaust sounded like a family sedan. Not aggressive at all. Get a pic of the exhaust.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
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From: Little Rock Arkansas
I feel it's good you got the price down where you got it. $14,800 for what you have specified the car initially needs is a bit high and what you have worked it down to is reasonable with that mileage and initial needs.
In addition to the top latch adjustment procedure I would also check if the car needs new window seals. You will want to price these now if it does need them. Replacing the entire set of seals on a C5 is by no means cheap and cars can experience issues with weather stripping within relatively low mileage, especially if the top is frequently removed.
I still have stock exhaust on my car. It does produce a relatively louder sound than initially expected from this sort of car. Keep in mind that there is virtually no sound deadening in the rear; you have a large piece of glass and below that is a tub structure hovering directly above the transaxle and the exhaust routing. You should be able to hear some of the back pressure and gurgle to a small degree under deceleration but it should not be excessive.
In addition to the top latch adjustment procedure I would also check if the car needs new window seals. You will want to price these now if it does need them. Replacing the entire set of seals on a C5 is by no means cheap and cars can experience issues with weather stripping within relatively low mileage, especially if the top is frequently removed.
I still have stock exhaust on my car. It does produce a relatively louder sound than initially expected from this sort of car. Keep in mind that there is virtually no sound deadening in the rear; you have a large piece of glass and below that is a tub structure hovering directly above the transaxle and the exhaust routing. You should be able to hear some of the back pressure and gurgle to a small degree under deceleration but it should not be excessive.
Burning Brakes
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Pittsburgh PA
One thing you can check for on the creaking top. With the top removed, there are little rollers that are in the latch holder on top of the windshield, They should roll freely, I had that problem. Do not over tighten those latches, Especially the lexan top, may over stress it.
Last edited by Fcar 98; Feb 14, 2016 at 11:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: West Virginia
And make sure the computer update for the gas gauge problem has been done.
Mind you, even as an owner of a '98, personally if buying now, I would not buy an early car - too many non available spares like the EBCM (anti-lock module) and the steering wheel position sensor for starters.
Mind you, even as an owner of a '98, personally if buying now, I would not buy an early car - too many non available spares like the EBCM (anti-lock module) and the steering wheel position sensor for starters.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,443
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From: Buffalo Texas
I have a 99 C5 with both tops and neither creak. Is the top aftermarket or original GM? I also have a factory exhaust and it cannot be heard inside during acceleration or back off. I would assume it's an aftermarket exhaust if you can hear it. I just looked at my engine bay around the windshield washer tank and do not see any sealant of any type.
Have the dealer check for you if the recalls for the steering wheel & seat belts were done back in 2001. If not, the steering wheel lock could be a problem down the road.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words
Have the dealer check for you if the recalls for the steering wheel & seat belts were done back in 2001. If not, the steering wheel lock could be a problem down the road.
Pictures are worth 1,000 words
BTW I love my 99 Coupe !!!!!!!
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Joined: Jan 2016
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From: South Salem NY
an update on newly obtained info about my potential purchase.
the 'sealant' appears to be I believe this is the product....http://www.eastwood.com/rust-encapsulator-27490.html . It stops the rust dead in it's tracks and prevent it for continuing. Have been told it is used a lot by people restoring old cars to stop rust on floor boards and other areas.
Th exhaust is after market ....http://shop.bbexhaust.com/C5-Bullet-...-FCOR-0100.htm
Any and all comments on either or both of these would be appreciated.
the 'sealant' appears to be I believe this is the product....http://www.eastwood.com/rust-encapsulator-27490.html . It stops the rust dead in it's tracks and prevent it for continuing. Have been told it is used a lot by people restoring old cars to stop rust on floor boards and other areas.
Th exhaust is after market ....http://shop.bbexhaust.com/C5-Bullet-...-FCOR-0100.htm
Any and all comments on either or both of these would be appreciated.