Very Low Mileage C5
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Oklahoma City OK
Very Low Mileage C5
I found a 2000 Corvette - that only has 3500 miles on it. It is one of those cars you read about in magazines. The owner bought it new and got sick a short time after he bought it and it has sit in his garage ever since. This is just the standard coupe car. from what I can tell it is in perfect condition except tons of dust on it and the original tires will probally need to be replaced from sitting so many years. What else needs to be done to a car that has been sitting so many years before taking it out for a test drive. they are waiting on me to give them a offer on the car but didn't really know what to do.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 400
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From: St. Paul (smokey!) MN
My 97 Tahoe, on the other hand, has seen constant use, seems like I am constantly fixing leaks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
For roadworthiness change battery, all fluids and tires and check brakes. You may want to get a pre-oiler to circulate new oil through the block and turn the crank over by hand to ensure the engine is mechanically free. Gasoline could definitely be a major issue if it has sat dormant in the fuel system for all those years - the entire system would need to be flushed and possibly some component replacement may be necessary including the pump, filter and injectors. Tire pressure sensor batteries will probably be dead and wiring harnesses may have been the victim of mouse appetites. Exhaust system could be a rodent residence. As mentioned above, many of the critical seals could be compromised so you'd need to assess and address as needed.
My '02 C5 has only 7700 miles on it and I'm the original owner. Long stretches have transpired with no road time and it's never leaked a drop, although, I suspect the infrequent re-oilings the engine received from my occasional drives have been enough to keep everything freshened.
Best of luck.
My '02 C5 has only 7700 miles on it and I'm the original owner. Long stretches have transpired with no road time and it's never leaked a drop, although, I suspect the infrequent re-oilings the engine received from my occasional drives have been enough to keep everything freshened.
Best of luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 964
Likes: 124
From: Chesapeake Va
Not necessarily. I have my dads 98, due to circumstances I only get to use it about 2 weeks per year, it sits on a battery tender the rest of the time. It has been going 6 months sitting idle followed by a week or 2 of use for years, it has no leaks. Last time I got the oil changed, they did their 100-whatever point inspection, no leaks and everything was fine.
My 97 Tahoe, on the other hand, has seen constant use, seems like I am constantly fixing leaks.
My 97 Tahoe, on the other hand, has seen constant use, seems like I am constantly fixing leaks.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 42
From: Pewaukee WI
For roadworthiness change battery, all fluids and tires and check brakes. You may want to get a pre-oiler to circulate new oil through the block and turn the crank over by hand to ensure the engine is mechanically free. Gasoline could definitely be a major issue if it has sat dormant in the fuel system for all those years - the entire system would need to be flushed and possibly some component replacement may be necessary including the pump, filter and injectors. Tire pressure sensor batteries will probably be dead and wiring harnesses may have been the victim of mouse appetites. Exhaust system could be a rodent residence. As mentioned above, many of the critical seals could be compromised so you'd need to assess and address as needed.
My '02 C5 has only 7700 miles on it and I'm the original owner. Long stretches have transpired with no road time and it's never leaked a drop, although, I suspect the infrequent re-oilings the engine received from my occasional drives have been enough to keep everything freshened.
Best of luck.
My '02 C5 has only 7700 miles on it and I'm the original owner. Long stretches have transpired with no road time and it's never leaked a drop, although, I suspect the infrequent re-oilings the engine received from my occasional drives have been enough to keep everything freshened.
Best of luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 769
From: jefferson texas
Hello! Well, besides the obvious tire issue. A 16 year old vette that has been sitting with 3500 miles on it and not being started or driven or given proper maintaince (if thats the case) since god knows when, is not the best scenario. While the incredibly low mileage is always fascinating, it brings along with it a ton of possible issues. Just quickly, if you did acquire that car, you will probably need all fluids changed, belt, battery, probably looking at seals, bad fuel in tank, and the list goes on. If you do decide to consider that vette, I would suggest you get it checked by someone/shop very familiar with C5's and get an estimate written up for necessary repairs/replacement. If you can work out a satisfactory price considering the expenses you will incur, well, then I wish you good luck. If you do work it out I'm sure all forum members would love to see pics of it dust covered in its original place parked and then revived to hit the roads again! Best wishes!
Last edited by friou; Jul 12, 2016 at 08:42 PM. Reason: info
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 945
Likes: 226
Originally Posted by Patches
For roadworthiness change battery, all fluids and tires and check brakes. You may want to get a pre-oiler to circulate new oil through the block and turn the crank over by hand to ensure the engine is mechanically free. Gasoline could definitely be a major issue if it has sat dormant in the fuel system for all those years - the entire system would need to be flushed and possibly some component replacement may be necessary including the pump, filter and injectors. Tire pressure sensor batteries will probably be dead and wiring harnesses may have been the victim of mouse appetites. Exhaust system could be a rodent residence. As mentioned above, many of the critical seals could be compromised so you'd need to assess and address as needed.
My '02 C5 has only 7700 miles on it and I'm the original owner. Long stretches have transpired with no road time and it's never leaked a drop, although, I suspect the infrequent re-oilings the engine received from my occasional drives have been enough to keep everything freshened.
Best of luck.
My '02 C5 has only 7700 miles on it and I'm the original owner. Long stretches have transpired with no road time and it's never leaked a drop, although, I suspect the infrequent re-oilings the engine received from my occasional drives have been enough to keep everything freshened.
Best of luck.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: OK
I found a 2000 Corvette - that only has 3500 miles on it. It is one of those cars you read about in magazines. The owner bought it new and got sick a short time after he bought it and it has sit in his garage ever since. This is just the standard coupe car. from what I can tell it is in perfect condition except tons of dust on it and the original tires will probally need to be replaced from sitting so many years. What else needs to be done to a car that has been sitting so many years before taking it out for a test drive. they are waiting on me to give them a offer on the car but didn't really know what to do.
LOTS of really cheap cars near you I check the Tulsa, Okc, and NW Oklahoma, and Wichita... Craigslist ads about twice a week...
Based on the prices I see for our area that car is worth about ... 15 to 17 ish... but, like others have said you have a LOT of expense and labor to get that car road worthy...and that's just what you KNOW will need to be done, not any of the UNEXPECTED issues...
I'm up by Enid I'll send you my Cell if you want to visit about your possible purchase....sent you PM...
Last edited by 73Corvette; Jul 12, 2016 at 08:51 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 400
Likes: 28
From: St. Paul (smokey!) MN
I appreciate your feed back,but the 98 is probably payed for.and would be able to be fixed if something came up.hes looking to buy a car with no history except its been sitting for xxx years.to buy the car for xxx and then have the potential for issues could be a money pit.JMO
Also make sure the battery hasn't leaked its innards all over the computer.
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Good advice by Patches and others on what to look for. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Western NY
Yeah, I, too, would definitely have the owners give me an idea where they are, pricewise, before I'd begin dreaming about ownership. If they aren't "car people", and understanding of the potential issues that might come up, they may think they have a "six figure museum piece" on their hands.
I also understand the other practical concerns about bad gas, no oil circulation in the engine for a long time, etc. However, where the car presently is, you're probably going to have to start it up, to get it out in the open, and for that to occur, and a new battery will be required.....
One thing I'd be really careful about is the wiring in the car......in other words, has some "critter" gotten into the car and chewed up one of the harnesses, or had the battery begun to leak, and dripped acid all over the wiring that's directly beneath it.
I also understand the other practical concerns about bad gas, no oil circulation in the engine for a long time, etc. However, where the car presently is, you're probably going to have to start it up, to get it out in the open, and for that to occur, and a new battery will be required.....
One thing I'd be really careful about is the wiring in the car......in other words, has some "critter" gotten into the car and chewed up one of the harnesses, or had the battery begun to leak, and dripped acid all over the wiring that's directly beneath it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 765
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From: Columbus Indiana
I bought an arctic white 99 FRC with 7100 miles on it over the 4th of July.
Drove it back from Missouri to Indiana, and have been driving it all week with no issues
(other than a rats nest under the wiper cowl that led to some drivers floor flooding)
My view on the matter, even if the car was driven 2 miles every other week, or something just enough to keep things loose, every wear item on the car is still 16 years old!
That's enough in my book to warrant replacement
Drove it back from Missouri to Indiana, and have been driving it all week with no issues
(other than a rats nest under the wiper cowl that led to some drivers floor flooding)
My view on the matter, even if the car was driven 2 miles every other week, or something just enough to keep things loose, every wear item on the car is still 16 years old!
That's enough in my book to warrant replacement
Last edited by work_truck; Jul 13, 2016 at 07:32 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,804
Likes: 323
From: Fort Worth Texas
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year
I bought an arctic white 99 FRC with 7100 miles on it over the 4th of July.
Drove it back from Missouri to Indiana, and have been driving it all week with no issues
(other than a rats nest under the wiper cowl that led to some drivers floor flooding)
My view on the matter, even if the car was driven 2 miles every other week, or something just enough to keep things loose, every wear item on the car is still 16 years old!
That's enough in my book to warrant replacement
Drove it back from Missouri to Indiana, and have been driving it all week with no issues
(other than a rats nest under the wiper cowl that led to some drivers floor flooding)
My view on the matter, even if the car was driven 2 miles every other week, or something just enough to keep things loose, every wear item on the car is still 16 years old!
That's enough in my book to warrant replacement
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2016/...ured-jalopnik/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Grand Rapids Michigan West Michigan Crew
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When I bought my Z 3 years ago it had 4700 miles on it and hadn't seen the road in 5 years. First thing I did was replace every fluid and belt and drained as much gas as possible. once that was all done I never had any problems with it. weatherstripping was still like new. With your case I definately think you need to get some oil in the cylinders and crank it by hand before you just hit the key.