Slightly Concerned...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
From: Roseville California
Slightly Concerned...
I test drove a very clean '99 A4 Couple yesterday. Relatively low miles, already had a few of the standard mods (Corsa Exhaust, K&N intake filter, upgraded brake kit, aftermarket '00 style polished wheels, brass headlight gears, etc.). Thankfully, the same dealership has been doing the maintenance on the car since it was new.
I've been reading through the forum for a couple of weeks now, knowing that most of the threads are going to be questions about "issues" or "mechanical problems", but holy crap
there seem to be A LOT of problems with C5's (this coming from a former C3 ('82) owner!). Are there really that many things I need to worry about? I mean, I read through the sticky at the top of the page for "Things for Newbies..", some do seem pretty serious...
I printed out the "Things for Newbies.." and used it as a checklist yesterday, thankfully either items were already addressed or were non-apparent (that I could physically see), but it was a little concerning...
Am I just over-thinking this?
Thanks!
I've been reading through the forum for a couple of weeks now, knowing that most of the threads are going to be questions about "issues" or "mechanical problems", but holy crap
there seem to be A LOT of problems with C5's (this coming from a former C3 ('82) owner!). Are there really that many things I need to worry about? I mean, I read through the sticky at the top of the page for "Things for Newbies..", some do seem pretty serious...I printed out the "Things for Newbies.." and used it as a checklist yesterday, thankfully either items were already addressed or were non-apparent (that I could physically see), but it was a little concerning...
Am I just over-thinking this?
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
This is going to be with any C5 you look at, and quite honestly I would argue that a lot of vehicles from the 90s are the type of cars that will be very risky to purchase due to how old they are, whether they're a Ford Probe or a Ferrari F355.
Personally an automatic would immediately drive me away; a personal preference towards rowing my own gears regardless of any expert that tells you a modern automatic is faster.
You're going to read/hear to buy "the newest car you can afford" and tacked on to that buy an '01-'04 C5. Considering a lot of parts are getting hard to find for '97-'00 cars it may be a wise choice.
I own an '99 and other than one column lock issue that I resolved on my own and some on-going EBCM issues it's had 20,000 trouble-free miles under ownership. I've enjoyed it much in the near four years I've had it now.
Personally an automatic would immediately drive me away; a personal preference towards rowing my own gears regardless of any expert that tells you a modern automatic is faster.
You're going to read/hear to buy "the newest car you can afford" and tacked on to that buy an '01-'04 C5. Considering a lot of parts are getting hard to find for '97-'00 cars it may be a wise choice.
I own an '99 and other than one column lock issue that I resolved on my own and some on-going EBCM issues it's had 20,000 trouble-free miles under ownership. I've enjoyed it much in the near four years I've had it now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
Not every car has every issue. You also have access to an extremely thorough resource which is this forum. You've done you due diligence in learning about the C5. Now apply that knowledge to a purchase.
Know what you want before you look and don't settle. Find the one that meets your wants and desires. Lastly trust your gut. If everything feels right, buy it. If not, walk away. This is a car you want and don't need.
I looked at over 30 Vettes. I bought one with 167k miles. It now has more than 270k miles and it still makes me proud to tell people it is mine and I trust it enough that I drove from Michigan to North Carolina this summer (1500 miles) and only needed gas for the car. It has been very reliable.
Know what you want before you look and don't settle. Find the one that meets your wants and desires. Lastly trust your gut. If everything feels right, buy it. If not, walk away. This is a car you want and don't need.
I looked at over 30 Vettes. I bought one with 167k miles. It now has more than 270k miles and it still makes me proud to tell people it is mine and I trust it enough that I drove from Michigan to North Carolina this summer (1500 miles) and only needed gas for the car. It has been very reliable.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 88
From: Ohio (Go Bucks)
I have owned my C5 for 11 years and have not had any problems at all. My car is a 98 and when I purchased it it had 20,000 miles now has 40,000 miles. From your description of the 99 that you are looking at it sounds like it has been well maintained. In my opinion I wouldn’t be worried about that car at all. There are a lot of C5’s out there with high mileage that seem to be performing quite well. In my opinion the C5 Corvette is still the best bang for buck in the sports car market. Good luck with your decision. 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
From: Roseville California
Last edited by CaPilotMark; Nov 2, 2017 at 06:22 PM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
after I bought my 99 I came here and started reading the horror stories, and thought oh crap !!!!!!!!! Have had very very few issues with mine, goes down the road smooth and quiet (except the exhaust) for a 18 year old car extremely good car !!!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 494
Likes: 76
From: Beverly MA
St. Jude Donor '20
I bought a 00 in June and had the same reaction you had after reading some of these posts. After 4k miles this summer I need the rear seals relaced, so $500 next spring and back on the road.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
As mentioned above, the EBCM and the SWPS are today's big issues. But, remember "average" sparing from the auto manufacturers as a whole is for about 10 years (certain manufacturers spare for much longer, but the parts get very expensive). After that, it's the aftermarket or the junkyards. BUT any "tricky" electronic components (like the EBCM) won't be supplied by the aftermarket due to proprietary designs, and/or patents by the original supplier or GM. The EBCM for example is a Bosch/Delphi product - Bosch being an anti-lock and Active Handling pioneer.
So, if I were in the market for a late model Vette today, it really would be a case of buying the newest one I could afford. An older car is OK, but it had better be cheap enough that if you do need some part made of "unobtainium", it's not a financial disaster for you - says the guy who still owns the C5 he bought in 1997.......
So, if I were in the market for a late model Vette today, it really would be a case of buying the newest one I could afford. An older car is OK, but it had better be cheap enough that if you do need some part made of "unobtainium", it's not a financial disaster for you - says the guy who still owns the C5 he bought in 1997.......
Last edited by jackthelad; Nov 2, 2017 at 07:43 PM.
Administrator
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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I’ve had my C5 for over 8 years and have not had any problems at all. You tend to hear about the problems a lot more than the no problems of ownership. I’m not saying there won’t be any issues with a car, but not all C5s will have the common problems.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I've owned four C5s so I'm aware of the problems they can have but that didn't prevent me from buying a well used 99 just a couple of months ago (currently own two C5s). I would guess any car that's 13-20 years old will have issues.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 47
Likes: 4
From: Roseville California
Okay, so based on everything you guys have said here, and the rest of the stuff I've read, my only real concern with C5's should be the electrical stuff (due to the potential lack of replacement parts)? In my opinion, mechanical stuff is just that, and can be rebuilt or upgraded/ replaced with aftermarket parts... Does that sound about right?
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Okay, so based on everything you guys have said here, and the rest of the stuff I've read, my only real concern with C5's should be the electrical stuff (due to the potential lack of replacement parts)? In my opinion, mechanical stuff is just that, and can be rebuilt or upgraded/ replaced with aftermarket parts... Does that sound about right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 100
From: IOWA!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,578
Likes: 4,610
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have a '99 6 speed Coupe for nearly 12 years now and mine has not had any of the problems you are reading about.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Before I bought my 03 vert I read all the sticky's just like you. Scary stuff. I bought a C5 anyway.
The way I figured it the C5 was just going to be a toy for me and my wife to tool around in. I did decide on a newer one than you are looking at for a couple of reasons,
1. It was close to home.
2. The seller was the original owner.
3. The vert only had 28,000 miles on it with all the service docs.
However, if I had found an older one with all these things I would have bought it.
I lucked out and hope you do too!
The way I figured it the C5 was just going to be a toy for me and my wife to tool around in. I did decide on a newer one than you are looking at for a couple of reasons,
1. It was close to home.
2. The seller was the original owner.
3. The vert only had 28,000 miles on it with all the service docs.
However, if I had found an older one with all these things I would have bought it.
I lucked out and hope you do too!
Last edited by Grandpa1; Nov 3, 2017 at 04:08 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 29
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
I am planning on a C5 purchase in the near future too and have been reading everything I can get my hands on. It can be a bit overwhelming.
However, I work in the motorcycle industry and I see all the different things that one can have go wrong and that needs repaired outside normal maintenance. I see one bike needing something done in one area and another needing something else.. I never see one needing a bunch of repairs and many needing little or none at a all. Even recalls are rare that we find a failure, usually it's just a replacement process.
If we find a bike that needs a lot of repair its because bubba got there first.��
However, I work in the motorcycle industry and I see all the different things that one can have go wrong and that needs repaired outside normal maintenance. I see one bike needing something done in one area and another needing something else.. I never see one needing a bunch of repairs and many needing little or none at a all. Even recalls are rare that we find a failure, usually it's just a replacement process.
If we find a bike that needs a lot of repair its because bubba got there first.��
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
Lots of issues with c5s yes. I urge you to browse the Honda Forums and Toyota forums. Widely regarded as the best cars for wear and tear. Anything mechanical will fail. These cars are generally driven hard on occasion and 13-19 years old now. Quit stressing and pull the trigger.
Last edited by Robrote; Nov 3, 2017 at 11:43 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 667
Likes: 162
From: Jennings LA
Been having my C5 for 7 months and have added over 5000 miles to the 109,423 it came with. Only thing I've changed due to leaking is the High Pressure Power Steering line. Then took the ECBM out and resoldiered the pins for the relay and that stopped the ABS, Traction Control 1214 problem. This car is way way less troubles than the C4 with 56,000 miles I bought over a year ago. Much more fun to drive. Would I pay the 13,500 for it again? In a heart beat.
I have done other things to it but wanted to do it, not needed to do.
I have done other things to it but wanted to do it, not needed to do.
Last edited by awches; Nov 3, 2017 at 12:50 PM.
