Now that these cars are all 12+ years old now, what's the likelihood of finding one that hasn't had most, if not all of the common C5 problems fixed? What are the chances that the steering lock issue hasn't been addressed, or the EBCM issue hasn't been taken care of? I would think over this much time the chances of finding one that hasn't had the many common problems rear their ugly heads to the previous owners would be slim to none. Sure, there are still probably some that haven't had the problems, but it seems to me it would be very rare after this much time. What's your take?

 

I am amazed how many still have the column lock issue, you going to go crazy trying to find the perfect car (if there is one). I bought a one owner 99 from a Dealer with all the records, turns out I bought a real good one still had some issues. As we have all been saying these cars are not spring chickens !!!!

 

You asked for our take....its a lot like buying a 12 year old house. If you have no abilities, its going to get very expensive. If you know how to wrench and are handy, a 12 year old house or car is no problem. jmho.

Also...fully agree with the above post....Pounders

 

I think you and I may be talking about two different things. I think you're saying these cars are now getting up there in age and things are bound to go wrong with them because of their age. That is very true and expected. However, what I'm talking about are the common issues, most of which are because of manufacturer defects/design problems that came from the factory. Things like the steering lock, EBCM, etc are design flaws and should've been fixed with recalls. Design flaws not covered by recalls by this time should have presented a problem which should have been addressed by the previous owners in their 12+ years of existence. These are separate issues...I expect to have issues due to age and the wearing out of parts, but the known issues that were included with the car when it was new should be resolved by now in most cases...at least in theory anyway...and I'm actually pretty handy when it comes to turning wrenches!

 

If you say the chances of finding a car that still has many of the original problems not fixed are good, then let me ask you this. How many of these original problems can just be ignored? Obviously, the steering lock problem can't be ignored as it completely disables the vehicle when it occurs. I don't know that much about the EBCM problem, but doesn't it affect the anti-lock braking system and handling? Seems like that would also be something that the owner would have to fix when the problem occurs. I'm sure there are some defects that could just be ignored, but it seems to me that most are either disabling, or so annoying if left unfixed that it would be too annoying to live with. The early model C5s are approaching 20 years old now and the likelihood of these problems not occurring to their previous owners after all these years just seems remote to me...

 

FWIW, I had to install the LMC5 myself to address the steering lockup issue, but otherwise have no ability, time or talent to wrench. 2+ years and 30k miles later, I've brought my car to the dealership for a single $300 repair. That doesn't seem expensive to me. I bought a garage queen and am the fourth owner. Maybe I've been lucky but for me the car has been rock solid.

 

One reason I wanted something with SOME miles (50k-75k was my range) was just that, some of the bugs would have been shaken out, I hoped. But almost a year after buying it, the blinkers got crazy, so I put the harness in. Then I decided to do the LMC5 just for cheap insurance. Both fixes are less than $100 and took about an hour total. The 1-4 skip was already in the car. Right now I am just doing routine stuff I've put off. I just had the LS7 clutch with LS6 hydros installed, the torque tube rebuilt, now I am replacing the wheel hubs (ZR1), ball joints, sway bar end links (replacing the plastic with metal).

This is all at 140k, but I drive my car the way god intended, so I wear stuff out. I hope once it's all done I'll have another 3+ years and 100k miles out of it. I love this car.

<edit> Breakdown:
Purchase price: $14,250
Clutch: $2500 ($1000 parts and $1500 labor)
Wheel hubs: $350
Ball Joints: $200
End links: $100
Tires: $600
Misc: $250 (LMC5, bulbs, flasher)
Brakes: $300 for slotted rotors and new pads


That's what my car has cost me over 2 years and 70K miles. Besides a LOT of gas and a ton of oil changes, I would say that is nothing compared to my friends with older BMW's. And I've averaged 26mpg

<edit2> I still need to fix my oil pressure sender, I've been lazy and I don't want to pull the intake off.

 

The ECBM is not a design flaw, it is a part that wasn't designed to be serviced and didn't last forever. Some seem to last, but others not so much. The later design just happens to be serviceable, but it too MIGHT fail. Electronics fail based on environment and other factors.

Any car a decade old is bound to have electrical issues eventually.

 

I put electrical tape over the "service traction control" light on my C4.

 

I guess the LMC5 is an inexpensive fix, but there are some of the common problems that aren't so inexpensive, I'm sure... doesn't sound like you've had many problems, I hope that trend continues for you!

 

Either way, it would be better to find a car that's had the problem come up, and had it fixed, than the other way around...

 

That's one way to deal with it! Lol!

 

So if the EBCM goes bad you get a warning light, and the ABS, TC, and AH cease to function, but the car is still drivable without having to bypass, or reset anything to do so?

 

Yes, it is like turning ALL the nannies off. You can turn the traction control off or put it in competition mode manually.

<edit> on the '01+ you unplug it and mail it in for repair and you can drive your car around without it if you'd like.

 

I have a 2003 A4 car that I have owned since 2009. Bought the car with 8500 miles on it. I have not had any problems at all with the car in the 7 years I have owned it. Will there be problems in the future - probably, but for now I'm enjoying a trouble free car.

 

Buy an automatic 2004. GM worked out most of the problems by then. I know of a great one for sale

 

I bought my car (a 2000) with 67,000 miles on the clock. It had most of the common minor C5 problems and had not been fixed, including: wobbling balancer, broken hazard/turn signal switch, worn out head light gear, rocking seat, leaking axle shaft seal, intermittent fuel gauge failure.

I've fixed all these things except for the axle seal and the seat. I have yet to encounter the column lock issue or EBCM failure, but I keep an LMC5 in the glove box just in case.

 

I think you will find that most individuals are not excessively pre-emptive in the servicing of their cars. That is, other than oil changes, parts changes at regular intervals, that sort of thing, there really isn't any need to replace parts or anticipate problems that could arise because it's unnecessary money spent, i.e., people aren't just going to start trying to replace their EBCMs in hope of stymieing any future problems if they haven't actually experienced EBCM issues.

However, this...

... I do agree with. It's pretty much universally accepted that C5s susceptible to column lock issues should immediately have a CLB or LMC5 installed if they do not, regardless of their current status. Considering the issues this causes there's no reason for it not to be present. I've come across a tremendous amount of C5s that have not have CLBs installed and in conversing with some owners some who aren't forum savvy don't even know it's a potential issue.

But for sure, yeah, in your look for a car if you're expecting to find a car that is well sorted out with pre-emptive items serviced you're not going to find it. At best you'll find a car with well detailed service records, which would be ideal.

 

Let's see your car for sale!

 

Being patient, insisting on service records, receipts, and a thorough inspection by someone who really knows C5's is mandatory to minimize risk of buying into a problem C5. While minimizing risk, I don't believe you can eliminate it, especially in cars as old as C5's. At some point, if you're serious about a C5, you are just going to have to find the cleanest, best maintained car that fits into your wants category and pull the trigger. You could wait forever trying to find a "perfect" C5 with a guarantee of no future problems or issues. They just don't exist. If the prospect of possible problems rearing their heads is that worrisome then perhaps a new(er) vette under warranty would be more suitable. As an example I'll relate the following: Looked for an extended period of time to find exactly what I was looking for, very specific, and was being pretty fussy about maintenance etc. Bought the C5, great purchase, only a defective from the factory battery to replace. Perfect, no issues at all for a fair while. Then developed a fuel leak from the drivers side tank. Ok, annoying, really annoying, and somewhat expensive ($1300.00), but these things happen on a 17 year old car. I don't think any amount of fretting and checking could have foreseen that problem. Paid the bill and moved along, very happily, a little lighter in the wallet, but still very pleased with my C5. I've owned a lot of performance cars of widely varied descriptions in my life and my C5 ranks at the very top in bang for the buck purchases that I've made. I hope you find what you are looking for so you can get in on the fun. Good luck and best wishes!