Enlightenment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
Enlightenment
I own a C4 but looking to buy a C5. I would like some info on the C5 as far as what problems I may run into and what was the best years for this model. Thanks in advance for any input.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
The C 5 is light years ahead of the C 4 in many areas. What year is a very hot topic here, and I would suggest reading all the Stickies in the Tech section. I love my 99 Coupe !!
Last edited by Pounder; Dec 13, 2016 at 04:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
Enlightenment
I am considering a 2002, 1 owner, 36k miles. priced at 16,990. It appears to be a stock coupe. Worried because if I buy a money pit the bride will bury me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
The biggest issues with these cars are electrical. Most of this is due to moisture, corrosion, and rust. If that car was garaged kept and had all regular maintenance applied (plus a clean car fax), it should last you well up to 150,000 -200,000 miles with regular maintenance items to be taken into account (oil, tires, gas, clutch at around 75K, brakes, etc.).
One more thing. You may want to look at replacing the following (since they go at about 70K miles in my experience). Not right away, since you should be OK until about 60 K.
1. Hidden headlamp gears (swap the plastic junk for metal ones).
2. HVAC lighting (mostly due to weak soldering points). Do a lookup on this forum. Several people tell you how to make it better on the cheap.
3. A/C actuators : These are located in the door and behind the dash. There are two in the dash and one each in the doors.
Other than this and making sure all the grounding straps are clean and have some electrical lube applied, you should be good to go.
Of course do the column lock by-pass if that has not been done previously.
Last edited by bikeriderga; Dec 13, 2016 at 05:23 PM.
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The stickies and some time spent with the search function will be time well spent. Of course, questions are always welcomed.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: P-town Baby! Virginia
Spend a lot of time here researching. You will learn a lot. Make sure you test drive a few C5's and make a plan for finding what you like. You will really enjoy a C5. Many of us came from C4's and have had other vettes and still love our C5's. 
