C5 Decision
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 196
Likes: 10
From: Marietta Ga
C5 Decision
Have received great advice and learned a lot of information (possibly TMI) in my quest to find a C5. I found several year 2000's I like but am now concerned about the EBCM replacement should it be needed and also the 6 speed with baffle plate issues with age ( I think). Looks like the 2001 and later might be a better option. Just wanted my first purchase to be best. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Golfingbob
Thanks,
Golfingbob
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 76
From: Atlantic Pa
Don't be scared off from a cream puff over some alarmists .Just a matter of time before the other later years aren't available either . You can buy them used all day if it ever happens .the parts are readily available they made hundreds of thousands of these cars and later ones had their own problems like magnetic control and gas tank problems . Every car has its quirks ,every year had its problems .
Last edited by Lexybird; Aug 21, 2017 at 04:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
There is more than just that, but I'm sure it is only a matter of time before what Lexybird says comes true. Like he said, there are many out there , so also many to choose from, including 01 and up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
The gas tank issue, like the HVAC dim were incredibly simple: Techron every month of two and a quick resolder of surface mounts resistors; all remedies found on these pages.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 76
From: Atlantic Pa
You going to pour Techron on the magnetic shocks too how bout on the harmonic balancer or the electronics once gm runs out of ones on the shelf in the next few years . At that point you won't be any further off than any other year c5 . My point was no one should be passing up a great low mileage car for dire fears of something that - might - happen in the future when the reality is a later year model is in the same boat eventually here soon . The good news is hundreds of thousands were made and there's no lack of parts for -any- year. If owners are terrified of the prospect of potentially replacing a 800$ part then they probably should have bought a mustang instead of a corvette
Last edited by Lexybird; Aug 22, 2017 at 01:51 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I bought an '01 and a year later the EBCM went out. I had a choice of getting mine fixed for $150 or getting a new one. I bought a new unit on Amazon for $500. Had I bought an older C5 and the EBCM failed, my options were limited. The prices of '01 C5s were about the same as older models so I am glad I did buy an '01.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Having EBCM issues doesn't make the car un-driveable. If anything all it'll do if malfunctioning is negate use of Active Handling (if equipped. It became standard later on in production but was an option early on), turn TC off, and if severe throw an ABS code. The car will still start, run, drive, turn, slow, stop, just as it had prior.
Eventually EBCM issues will be moot as it's been figured out how to retro-fit earlier proprietary cars with the more serviceable 2001-2004 units; there's a nice sticky in the Tech section. Once a vendor makes out a retro-fit kit they're going to make a tremendous amount of money.
Eventually EBCM issues will be moot as it's been figured out how to retro-fit earlier proprietary cars with the more serviceable 2001-2004 units; there's a nice sticky in the Tech section. Once a vendor makes out a retro-fit kit they're going to make a tremendous amount of money.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 76
From: Atlantic Pa
I bought an '01 and a year later the EBCM went out. I had a choice of getting mine fixed for $150 or getting a new one. I bought a new unit on Amazon for $500. Had I bought an older C5 and the EBCM failed, my options were limited. The prices of '01 C5s were about the same as older models so I am glad I did buy an '01.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 76
From: Atlantic Pa
Well that can be said for any used item can't it .even one that is new old stock one that sat on a gm parts shelf for the last 15 years may not function due to corrosion or condensation over the years . That's why there is PayPal for the buyers protection and that's why there is feedback ratings .personally I would rather put a good used American gm part off a low mile vette on my car then play with a soldering gun on a busted one in hopes it works .Another option is purchase the part through our classified section from one of the many trusted long time members on here . But that's just my opinion .
Last edited by Lexybird; Aug 22, 2017 at 09:48 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Well that can be said for any used item can't it .even one that is new old stock one that sat on a gm parts shelf for the last 15 years may not function due to corrosion or condensation over the years . That's why there is PayPal for the buyers protection and that's why there is feedback ratings .personally I would rather put a good used American gm part off a low mile vette on my car then play with a soldering gun on a busted one in hopes it works .Another option is purchase the part through our classified section from one of the many trusted long time members on here . But that's just my opinion .
No reason to be scared off by an early car, but definitely a better option to go 01+ if you can.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Well that can be said for any used item can't it .even one that is new old stock one that sat on a gm parts shelf for the last 15 years may not function due to corrosion or condensation over the years . That's why there is PayPal for the buyers protection and that's why there is feedback ratings .personally I would rather put a good used American gm part off a low mile vette on my car then play with a soldering gun on a busted one in hopes it works .Another option is purchase the part through our classified section from one of the many trusted long time members on here . But that's just my opinion .
I would rather have new old stock than any used electronics no matter who is selling it, as long as it was a genuine GM part. No one knows how long a used one will last. JMHO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
the problem is those early ebcm's and swps's are so expensive by comparison. I agree, it's not like early cars are garbage, but the benefits of an 01+ car are numerous and well worth it unless it's a great deal on the exact car you want.
No reason to be scared off by an early car, but definitely a better option to go 01+ if you can.
No reason to be scared off by an early car, but definitely a better option to go 01+ if you can.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
I have made this statement many times in the past. To me the people that are afraid of the early cars and what might go wrong. Are the same people that own an 01-04 that have had problems with their cars. I have been on this site for some time now and it seems to me that there is a higher percentage of failure of EBCM in the later models. I know of 3 98s that have not had this problem. Man am I glad I own a 98!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I have made this statement many times in the past. To me the people that are afraid of the early cars and what might go wrong. Are the same people that own an 01-04 that have had problems with their cars. I have been on this site for some time now and it seems to me that there is a higher percentage of failure of EBCM in the later models. I know of 3 98s that have not had this problem. Man am I glad I own a 98!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If owners are terrified of the prospect of potentially replacing a 800$ part then they probably should have bought a mustang instead of a corvette
these cars can cost $ to keep up they arent Hondas...if that is an issue dont buy a vette of any year its always been that way. Look at the new ones holy cow. Pass