ive had C3s for years but about to retire and really don't enjoy laying under a car anymore. Seriously thinking about a hatch roof C5. Any abvice, good years, things to avoid????? I'm thinking electric blue 0r dark gray. Probably automatic. The hatch just looks like more room and easier to get in and out. Thanks for any info and advice.

 

Read these:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ion-files.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...must-read.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ngths-etc.html

 

what Jack and Chuck said....

 

Another common problem is the oem harmonic balancer delaminates and wobbles .it's a huge job to replace ...Don't ask me how I know

 

Besides what has already been said I'd suggest you avoid vehicles with extensive modifications. The base 350 HP performs well. Many engine power adders lead to clutch and transmission failure as well as reducing the vehicle reliability. Amateur mechanics adding bolt on parts frequently encounter problems with emission testing required in many states. Even simple mods like wheels and tires can affect the traction control and active handling if the sizes are not properly calculated. There are many unmolested C5's out there so take your time and determine what you really want. Good Luck!

 

Before you get scared off with all the things that MIGHT go wrong with a C5. Just like any used car and for that matter any car in general. You never know what you'll get. I for one bought my car new, it is a 1998 and has been a great car. Yes it is not perfect, But for a car that is going on 20 years old every time i get in my car it proves to me how good of a car it really is. I like to say that things are never as good or as bad as people say. Yes take heed of what you hear and read but you'll know for your self what car is right for you.

 

When I ordered my Harley,a few years back, I read up on all the things that can go wrong with them and braced myself for the problems. It turned out that after 20 years it was one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. The corvette so far has been the same. Just because they have a lot of things that can go wrong, that doesn't mean that you will experience them, and you will know what to do if these problems do come up.

 

Same here , 69 with a 2002 . I've been underneath some changed bulbs , not terrible but it's not something I look forward to . Anything major going to Vette Doctors

 

My '01 has been so damn reliable, I love my car. 3.5 years and 70k+ miles of nothing but smiles. Just had the clutch (ls7 with ls6 hydros) and all 4 wheel bearings replaced. Did both belts and tensioners a couple weekends ago, and it just keeps rolling.

Currently at 145k miles, bought it with 70k. Not many used cars out there as clean and well cared for as most Corvettes.

 

The one thing vettes have going for them is it's a special class of vehicle and your probably not going to find abused beat on c5s . Most owners are middle aged guys and tend to baby their cars because they dropped 40-50 grand on it new . 16 year old kids don't drive these cars so they are usually pampered and garage kept by the original owners or kept in the family. Even a high mileage one likely has been maintained properly serviced and well cared for by its owner

 

I fit Lexys description.

Bought my 01 new. Like any other car, has had it issues. All scheduled maintenance on time, very few mods (CAGS defeat the first month, C6 shifter last summer, and bi-xenons a few months ago) , but 17 years and 117k miles later, I still enjoy driving it.

Not to say I don't exercise it occasionally, but I only live a few miles from where I work, and it all left turns to get there. The running joke is sure, I have 6 gears and 200 on the speedo, but I rarely get out of 3rd, and my average on any given tank of gas is 24.2 mph.

 

Wow, thanks for the great replies. Those are all great and good points. At 63 yrs old and about to retire I just can't handle any more C3 models. My 74 big block (factory NO AC) roadster is at streetside classics to be sold. I look forward to a comfy, more modern Corvette with a good AC and the C5 is the last model I really like. I am leaning to the hatch roof. Appears the interior is more roomy for a roadtrip and just a better all year car.

 

I also am 63 and bought my 2002 coupe with 87000 miles on her 4 years ago. So far I've bought new tires and wheels(18/19 C6) - Brakemotive rotors and ceramic pads - new shocks (again C6) and updated the sway bars. Nothing wrong with the originals , just wanted to make it mine/better.
Things I actually had to fix was squeaky belts/tensioners, sticking thermostat, ECBM repair, oil sending unit, new battery, replaced both the coolant and gas caps and the dying TPMS(tire pressure monitor sensors). I also just had the 100K maint. done with all fluid changes including tranny along with plugs/wires. I'm 700 miles from hitting 100K and I think I may have FINALLY hit most all the issues that the car thru at me but it's all worth it in the end.
Bear in mind that regardless of what you find the car will still have a lot of years on it and things do wear out. Personally, I try and keep a "Corvette fund" of around 5000.00 in the bank just for the "what if's" and the peace of mind.
Oh, one other thing I might mention is the Mod Fever that can & will hit you at some point in time. Just the little add-ons like a nose bra, do-dads to dress up the engine bay or the interior along with a stereo/speaker upgrade etc... will add to the "investment"--but that's half the fun--the other half is DRIVING IT

 

I love my 02. It is comfortable, smooth and fast and fun. Also because of the long doors my 72 year old dad with a new hip gets in and out without much trouble. I do a lot of road tripping in it and it is a roomy comfortable touring car as well as a kick in the pants at the track a couple times a year.

 

Compared to my 81, getting in and out of the 2k is safer... That 81 nearly beheads me sometimes if I forget to open the driver door ALL the way.

My 2000 has been fairly trouble-free with 137k miles since new. It had design issues like the rocking driver seat, bad oil pressure sender location and leaky water pumps that made the serpentine belts squeak. Less problems than my Honda at 130k, and nearly twice the MPG... I'll just throw that out there.

I never had the steering wheel lock problem and I wish I never had GM fix it under the recall, the Chevy dealer broke the original column shroud and nobody sells a 2000 w/ telescoping shroud that includes the rubber surround like the stock one. All the parts houses carry some kind of generic cover that isn't worth installing.

The brakes were terrible from day 1, grabby and pulsing for years. The dealer replaced the rotors a handful of times before I got fed up and replaced the stock rotors myself with slotted and all the problems went away.

Now the biggest problem I have is the silly GM oil pressure sender is just crap. That darn thing has pop'd its lid twice and sprayed oil everywhere. Its not exactly easy to replace and GM still ONLY sells the crappy aluminum sender that dies. Next itch I get to remove the intake I'll install something that relocates it permanently. For now, oil pressure is 130 all the time :p

The only other issue I have is the LS1 eats oil by inhaling it.

 

On my 5th...all have been rock solid.

 

I'm another C3 guy ('71 454 4spd) and I really love that car. That being said I will tell you that my C5 ('99 6m vert), bought with 30K on the clock, is a better and more enjoyable drivers car in every way. Only real issue I've had was a gas tank leak at the fitting/seal. If you take your time and choose carefully from among the many very well kept and fussed over C5's that are out there you will truly find them to be a very satisfying performance bargain. I have to echo another posters remark above and say that, in my opinion, stay away from heavily modded cars. Find a nice clean stocker and go from there. If you haven't already done it read the stickies at the top of the page, lots of great info for the aspiring or new C5 owner. Best wishes and good luck!