Jason B.

I have an opportunity to pick this car up for $8,200. The wife has green lighted it with the condition that I not spend a lot of time working on it.


2000 Corvette, 96,000 miles, auto


Pros:
New tires on C6 wheels
Cold A/C
Looks - Black on black w/ tinted windows. A clean daily driver.


Cons:
ABS/TCS light on
TPMS light on


Also, it has a crossover pipe with cats deleted. I'm not really sure if that is a pro or con.


The car is located about 3 hours from me, so I haven't seen it in person or been able to pull the codes.


Let's hear your advice.

knewblewkorvette

$8200? It would be hard to pass up.
As far as the ABS/TCS Could be a cheap fix.
http://www.absfixer.com/catalog/prod...m060mdlt08gm34

TPMS shouldn't be too expensive either

JR-01

It might take a few thousand to get the problems fixed. Figure that in your decision. Pull the codes and post them if you can.

Proletariat designs

Do you have a link? And what does your wife consider a lot of time? If this is going to be your DD, how important are the driving assists? Go worst case scenario and assume it will not work. The cats being deleted are not not that big of a deal unless you have to pass emissions. Personally I'm not an automatic fan, but if its what YOU want its a plus.

Personally I'd take the trip to look at it. Find some interesting date and bring your wife. If it ends up not being the right c5, all was not lost in a 6 hour drive. Heck pull out the cash and see how my bank account feels, sleep on it, then make a decision.

Rob 02

It depends on what the wife considers a "lot of time". You will be working on it but I'm sure she will like the car.

No cats. Depends on how the inspections work in your area and personal preference.

ABS/TCS. Be prepared to replace the EBCM module (worst case) but that isn't always necessary. It may be related to the TPMS. It could be a simple problem like a bad ground.

TPMS. The little batteries in the pressure sensors are probably dead. Be prepared to buy and install sensors.

You will have to read the codes and check out the overall condition. If I see someone trying to sell something with one problem I always wonder what else has been neglected. It sounds under-priced too. I would check everything and It isn't a bad idea to Car-fax it. It may have been recovered from salvage.

Repairs can be more expensive than if you buy one in excellent condition but at that price there is a lot of wiggle room.



If you haven't done so read the sticky on the common problems.

Corvette#2

Seems reasonable if there are no other major issues and the paint and interior are decent.

If it needs one, beware the EBCM is discontinued, I think a used example can cost about $1000.

But I probably wouldn't worry about. I've had my car a couple years and the ABS has only activated once. I wouldn't miss it if the ABS was inoperative. Cat delete is only a negative if you have to pass emissions. Otherwise, it's a small gain in hp.

Rob 02

It probably has headers.

cv67

one would guess...if not what kind of owner deletes stuff and drives around with codes on and would you want to own it?

Look it over real thoroughly

JR-01

I would not buy it.

Jason B.

Thanks for the replies. I know a lot of it is subjective. No emissions testing here. Automatic is my personal preference.

I think this may be a situation that I will regret either way. I'm trying to get the codes.

001pewter

Price seems right, as long as it's not salvaged or something like that. Test drive it see, check it over real well. The ebcm could be be a problem though. Just based off what you described id take a shot at it.

Rob 02

You could buy a $20,000 C5 that has problems too, though it is less likely to have issues.

I would plan on spending some money on it (a few thousand). If I'm wrong then it's a win.

mike48750

I just converted my TPMS over to the latter model receiver and sensors, it cost me a few hundred dollars when all was said and done. Be prepared to live with the ABS/TCS problem as the EBCM are not well supported on the 2K year model. Mike

3sACROWD

Confirm it doesn't have a salvage title. When talking to the owner, ask "If you were going to keep the car, what three things would you do to it?" You will get more candid feedback than asking "what is wrong with it?"

As suggested, make the trip fun for you and your wife. If the deal works out great. If not, great. Trust your gut when making the purchase. If it doesn't feel right, walk away.

friou

I'm a PIA about this stuff, but any time I see unresolved maintenance issues it sends up a huge red flag, as in what else is there thats not right on the surface to see. Just for me, I'd walk away just on that. There are plenty of fussed over and pampered C5's out there to be had with a little patience and looking around. Please keep in mind that a inexpensive problem C5 can be very costly to get straightened out. In the end I've found its usually better, and safer, to find a good clean well cared for car. Sometimes paying more can be cheaper in the end. Just my opinion. Good luck!

Weck86

With over 60 years and over 40 vehicles thru my existence, I will tell you the above advice is golden. That is if you have the $. If not you go cheap (been there, done that) and pay and pay and pay (in my case for parts as my labor was and is dirt cheap). But pay you will to fix the 'cheaper' vehicle, it's just spread out over time, which could be a plus. But in the end will cost you more than if you just bought the better one up front. Hope your search results in the right car for YOU.

Vetteman Jack

Can't argue with any of this. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

JR-01

Better to buy an unmolested, well maintained car for a little more money.

Rob 02

The '01 was only molested in the diferential.

342 gears are awesome in a A4 if you like A4's.

Bruce Wayne

What kind of owner indeed. Red Flag