Get the details
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 437
Likes: 253
From: Barnegat NJ
Get the details
I pulled the trigger and I am purchasing the 2004 C5 for a reputable dealer in Pipersville, PA. Picking it up next Saturday! 
VIN#: 1G1YY22G545103238
Transmission: Automatic
Year: 2004
Engine: 5.7L V8 OHV 16V
Mileage: 41,900
Trim: Coupe
Interior: Select
Vehicle Type: Coupe
Since I am a new Corvette owner I followed the great advice from this forum. Some of the questions I asked were:
Thanks
VIN#: 1G1YY22G545103238
Transmission: Automatic
Year: 2004
Engine: 5.7L V8 OHV 16V
Mileage: 41,900
Trim: Coupe
Interior: Select
Vehicle Type: Coupe
Since I am a new Corvette owner I followed the great advice from this forum. Some of the questions I asked were:
- Is the battery the gel-type that originally came with the car? If not;
- Is there any battery leakage evidence, the leaking battery acid would have dripped down the side of the battery, down the funnel-like battery support, straight down onto the PCM and the wiring loom?
- How many keys fabs are there?
- Is there an Original owner’s manual with the car?
- Is the lug nut key there?
Thanks
Last edited by CPO Rob; Jul 29, 2017 at 07:42 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Most importantly... is there any documentation.. ? maintenance documentation..
How old are the tires.. ? tires have a manufacturers date stamp on the side wall.. I would negotiate new tires if these are over 8 years old..
Are the tires, run flats?
Do the tire pressure sensor still work? Original sensors can last longer than 10 years on a rare occasion, but they should be replaced If original if in that 8 to ten year range.
Good luck with the car and welcome to the forum
Bill aka ET
I know a few things because I have seen a few things
How old are the tires.. ? tires have a manufacturers date stamp on the side wall.. I would negotiate new tires if these are over 8 years old..
Are the tires, run flats?
Do the tire pressure sensor still work? Original sensors can last longer than 10 years on a rare occasion, but they should be replaced If original if in that 8 to ten year range.
Good luck with the car and welcome to the forum
Bill aka ET
I know a few things because I have seen a few things
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
My thoughts. Pull the codes from the DIC.
Drive the car and before shutting it off, pull the codes again.
Here is a list of codes:
http://www.vetteparts.se/nyheter/C5_DTC.pdf
Any codes with C are current and cannot be deleted. Codes with H can be but may reappear.
Good luck with your purchase.
Drive the car and before shutting it off, pull the codes again.
Here is a list of codes:
http://www.vetteparts.se/nyheter/C5_DTC.pdf
Any codes with C are current and cannot be deleted. Codes with H can be but may reappear.
Good luck with your purchase.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,338
Likes: 24,779
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Congrats on your pending delivery of the car. Sounds like you have done a good job on your homework and with the added questions posted here, hopefully you will have a great ownership experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
Sure looks like a nice clean C5. Never the less, insist on a thorough end to end inspection by a shop/tech who knows these cars (not theirs). Maintenance records? Accident history? My experience tells me not to believe anything a dealer tells me. They could be standing on their head while whistling dixie and swearing to God, I still wouldn't believe them. Verify everything yourself! Hopefully all will turn out well and you will join the C5 community. They are great and fun cars as long as you purchase carefully and wisely. Best wishes and good luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 437
Likes: 253
From: Barnegat NJ
Bill, Thanks for the info. I have all the documents going back to when it was sold. CarFax and service docs.
It has new Bridgestone tires which was a welcome addition, however there is no spare, but I heard that many do not and they carry a can of fix flat and AAA
Not sure of the tire pressure sensors, but I got a bumper to bumper 100% warranty
Thanks again
It has new Bridgestone tires which was a welcome addition, however there is no spare, but I heard that many do not and they carry a can of fix flat and AAA
Not sure of the tire pressure sensors, but I got a bumper to bumper 100% warranty
Thanks again
Most importantly... is there any documentation.. ? maintenance documentation..
How old are the tires.. ? tires have a manufacturers date stamp on the side wall.. I would negotiate new tires if these are over 8 years old..
Are the tires, run flats?
Do the tire pressure sensor still work? Original sensors can last longer than 10 years on a rare occasion, but they should be replaced If original if in that 8 to ten year range.
Good luck with the car and welcome to the forum
Bill aka ET
I know a few things because I have seen a few things
How old are the tires.. ? tires have a manufacturers date stamp on the side wall.. I would negotiate new tires if these are over 8 years old..
Are the tires, run flats?
Do the tire pressure sensor still work? Original sensors can last longer than 10 years on a rare occasion, but they should be replaced If original if in that 8 to ten year range.
Good luck with the car and welcome to the forum
Bill aka ET
I know a few things because I have seen a few things
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
The car does not have a spare because it came with run flats..Do not try to put a spare in the car... its dangerous, if you get into an accident.. It is of the utmost importance to have tire pressure sensors.. but dealships will sometime remove them or turn them off so they don't have to put new ones in..
Tire pressure sensors are an early warning system for a tire that is going flat, long before that leak becomes an unsafe driving hazard. especially at high speeds.. The tire monitors will tell you when your tire pressure reaches 25 PSI.. that's enough time and with enough air to safely pull off the road and using a 12V compressor, pump that tire up until you can get home , or to a safe haven to have the tire repaired. You should be able to access the tire pressure via the DIC Digital information center.
Tire pressure sensors are an early warning system for a tire that is going flat, long before that leak becomes an unsafe driving hazard. especially at high speeds.. The tire monitors will tell you when your tire pressure reaches 25 PSI.. that's enough time and with enough air to safely pull off the road and using a 12V compressor, pump that tire up until you can get home , or to a safe haven to have the tire repaired. You should be able to access the tire pressure via the DIC Digital information center.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Original battery was NOT GEL type from the factory. 2004 marked the first year of the return to a top post battery from the numerous years of the side post battery in Corvettes. While not impervious to acid leaks they were far less problematic than the side post units especially in the early year cars.
You can pull the battery easily and then the shelf it sits on (3 bolts) to check for acid damage. If it has occurred it will be plainly evident......
As already stated there were 2 FOB's from the factory. One had a large 1 on the back and the other had a large 2 on the back so that humans could tell which was which if you have the memory system option. Other than the case markings the FOB's are identical in function.
Owners manual did come with the car. If yours is MIA then you can either find a replacement on the big auction site or down this PDF:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...04corvette.pdf
My 04 CE vert did not come with wheel locks so I cannot speak to the lug nut key.
Lots of great questions and advise from E-T above so heed them. Rumor has it he really does now thing or two.
You can pull the battery easily and then the shelf it sits on (3 bolts) to check for acid damage. If it has occurred it will be plainly evident......
As already stated there were 2 FOB's from the factory. One had a large 1 on the back and the other had a large 2 on the back so that humans could tell which was which if you have the memory system option. Other than the case markings the FOB's are identical in function.
Owners manual did come with the car. If yours is MIA then you can either find a replacement on the big auction site or down this PDF:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...04corvette.pdf
My 04 CE vert did not come with wheel locks so I cannot speak to the lug nut key.
Lots of great questions and advise from E-T above so heed them. Rumor has it he really does now thing or two.
I probably should have said that four or five years ago.. it has crossed my mind several times..
Bill aka ET
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Jul 29, 2017 at 11:56 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,587
Likes: 4,617
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Good advise above. You can remove the plastic lug nut covers by hand and see if there is one locking nut per wheel which would mean that there should be a lug nut key in a rear compartment or possibly the glove box. If not you can order one with your VIN or buy a lug nut key remover and remove the 4 locking nuts and replace them with a new aftermarket set. Check under the battery try for damage and get a gel battery. I bought a gel battery from Advance Auto last year for around $140 with their online coupon. Looks like a nice Corvette from the pictures. It's hard to tell from the picture but it may have an aftermarket air intake.
