Should I buy it?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 76
From: Atlantic Pa
Well you got three strikes on this one
higher miles
automatic transmission
has brake electronic issues with codes
so He drove it around with codes everyday and didn't fix the issues .. That should tell you everything you need to know about how well the owner cared for it ! Besides it's an automatic which is a huge disappointment in performance and resale on a c5. You can be sure If the repairs weren't a big deal he would have already fixed them before trying his luck at selling it . Run ,don't walk
higher miles
automatic transmission
has brake electronic issues with codes
so He drove it around with codes everyday and didn't fix the issues .. That should tell you everything you need to know about how well the owner cared for it ! Besides it's an automatic which is a huge disappointment in performance and resale on a c5. You can be sure If the repairs weren't a big deal he would have already fixed them before trying his luck at selling it . Run ,don't walk
Last edited by Lexybird; Jun 17, 2017 at 02:45 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
It's an 8,000 dollar C5.
96k miles is really not that high.
Someone on here paid like 7k for one with over 200k miles.
If my EBCM died tomorrow, and the only consequence was the loss of ABS. I really would have to think twice about spending 1k + to fix it.
I haven't heard anything that's a show stopper. I'd give it a thorough test drive and inspection. But for the price, it doesn't sound bad. He's not going to find a mint low mileage 6 speed for anywhere near this price range. I paid 16k for mine.
96k miles is really not that high.
Someone on here paid like 7k for one with over 200k miles.
If my EBCM died tomorrow, and the only consequence was the loss of ABS. I really would have to think twice about spending 1k + to fix it.
I haven't heard anything that's a show stopper. I'd give it a thorough test drive and inspection. But for the price, it doesn't sound bad. He's not going to find a mint low mileage 6 speed for anywhere near this price range. I paid 16k for mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Well you got three strikes on this one
higher miles
automatic transmission
has brake electronic issues with codes
so He drove it around with codes everyday and didn't fix the issues .. That should tell you everything you need to know about how well the owner cared for it ! Besides it's an automatic which is a huge disappointment in performance and resale on a c5. You can be sure If the repairs weren't a big deal he would have already fixed them before trying his luck at selling it . Run ,don't walk
higher miles
automatic transmission
has brake electronic issues with codes
so He drove it around with codes everyday and didn't fix the issues .. That should tell you everything you need to know about how well the owner cared for it ! Besides it's an automatic which is a huge disappointment in performance and resale on a c5. You can be sure If the repairs weren't a big deal he would have already fixed them before trying his luck at selling it . Run ,don't walk
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
It's an 8,000 dollar C5.
96k miles is really not that high.
Someone on here paid like 7k for one with over 200k miles.
If my EBCM died tomorrow, and the only consequence was the loss of ABS. I really would have to think twice about spending 1k + to fix it.
I haven't heard anything that's a show stopper. I'd give it a thorough test drive and inspection. But for the price, it doesn't sound bad. He's not going to find a mint low mileage 6 speed for anywhere near this price range. I paid 16k for mine.
96k miles is really not that high.
Someone on here paid like 7k for one with over 200k miles.
If my EBCM died tomorrow, and the only consequence was the loss of ABS. I really would have to think twice about spending 1k + to fix it.
I haven't heard anything that's a show stopper. I'd give it a thorough test drive and inspection. But for the price, it doesn't sound bad. He's not going to find a mint low mileage 6 speed for anywhere near this price range. I paid 16k for mine.
Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,175
Likes: 129
From: Louisiana
St.. Jude Donor '17-'18
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,175
Likes: 129
From: Louisiana
St.. Jude Donor '17-'18
For 8k there's more than likely gonna be odds and ends that may need fixed. We don't really know ops budget. Itd be better if he got pics, test drove it, and chimed back in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
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Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,175
Likes: 129
From: Louisiana
St.. Jude Donor '17-'18
I can say mine had about the same mileage and the swps was broke, needed a couple new dash pieces but really other than that was fine. Only thing that ever really gave me a problem was the hole in the fender well that allowed the pcm to get wet causing the car not to crank. I've taken a four hour trip with with no worries.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2,082
From: Lehigh Valley PA
I know my fellow C5 brothers are going to be mad at me for saying so...but if you have a sub $9000 budget, you should not be looking at a C5...however, you can get yourself a SWEET C4 with absolutely nothing wrong with it for that kind of money...
Just something to think about if you want to be in a Vette...unless you only want a C5.
Just something to think about if you want to be in a Vette...unless you only want a C5.
Last edited by Mayor111; Jun 17, 2017 at 05:55 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
If it looks good and drives good $8200 sounds like a good price. You see all M6 vs A4 babble, that's a personal preference. I love my A4 and wouldn't have an M6. As far a A4 performance, it's good enough to get you in a world of trouble. 96k miles is not a concern. I have 110k and I think it runs better now than when new. TPMS? Tire pressure gauge at local parts store couple of bucks, problem solved. EBCM repair may cost as little as $300 or as much as $1200. If you intend to drive and enjoy it don't pay too much attention to the purists that think a 17 year old car needs to be as if it just rolled off the assembly line. Let us know what you do. Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
I'm waiting for codes from the owner. I'm leaning toward buying it. Is can live without ABS. The TPMS may be from the wheel swap. Whatever else I might find, I can fix along the way. This isn't a lot of miles for an LS1. This is half the miles of the '07 Suburban I bought last year and I gave twice as much for it.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
Not sure where people get this. If they were undesirable then they would be rare. They are excellent for straight line performance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 827
Likes: 285
Bought a 2001 for 10K. Paint and interior are near mint. Has 87K miles. Needed the typical repairs. ECBM repaired for 27 cents. Wiper motor $55 and installed myself. OP sensor and new gaskets $75 plus cleaning off the grey RTV someone put on the o rings on the intake manifold. Key FOB $16. No more codes no more problems. If you are handy and know the codes are minor then go for it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
I found the diy swap to the later ebcm today. It looks like something I can handle. I'm going to Chevrolet tomorrow to see if I can get the options. If it has handling assist I'm almost certain I will get it regardless of codes because that's the last thing I wasn't confident I could fix.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Huntsville AL
We drove down to look at the car this weekend and after looking it over I decided to buy it. It has the C1217H, & C1243H codes, as well as C2120HC and C1234H. I'll live without the ABS, Active Handling, and TPMS for now. Eventually I will swap to C6 brake and body modules and (hopefully) get rid of all the errors. The car was really better looking than I expected.
The main problem I have right now is that the drivers seat is DESTROYED! The guy was very large. There is nothing left of the seat. It is like sitting on a board and there are no controls. It certainly detracted some from the experience of driving the car 200 miles back home.
I'll try to post some pictures.
The main problem I have right now is that the drivers seat is DESTROYED! The guy was very large. There is nothing left of the seat. It is like sitting on a board and there are no controls. It certainly detracted some from the experience of driving the car 200 miles back home.
I'll try to post some pictures.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
You can put new foam in the seat. The seat bottom foam is prone to collapsing because the springs in the bottom are wires that cut into the foam. The general consensus is to add a layer of something tough between the foam and springs (like ballistic nylon or jute).
This is a repair that you can do yourself in a few hours. The seats come out easily. I have done it.
It's not necessarily an overweight driver that causes this.
This is a repair that you can do yourself in a few hours. The seats come out easily. I have done it.
It's not necessarily an overweight driver that causes this.
Last edited by Rob 02; Jun 26, 2017 at 04:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 423
Congrats on your new car!
Get new seat foams and possibly new skins. It's like getting a new car! While the seat is out see if you need to fix the "rocking" seat. It's only another $.25.
The TPMS can be bought rebuilt or OEM or Chinese or aftermarket. Just depends on the $.
ABS/AH may take some engineering but as you say, you can live without it for now.
Good luck!
Get new seat foams and possibly new skins. It's like getting a new car! While the seat is out see if you need to fix the "rocking" seat. It's only another $.25.
The TPMS can be bought rebuilt or OEM or Chinese or aftermarket. Just depends on the $.
ABS/AH may take some engineering but as you say, you can live without it for now.
Good luck!