Traveling the country in a C5
11-20-2017, 08:10 AM
#81
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
The only year model C5 I wouldn't buy is a '97, and that's only because it's the first year of a new model...they tend to have more bugs...
11-20-2017, 04:08 PM
#82
Instructor
You better pack light, get a AAA card, or some means to repair a flat. They do happen at the most inconvenient times. Personally, I take my DTS on long trips. Lots off room for all the gear. A few hours in a Vette is OK but a long trip, not for me.
11-20-2017, 04:36 PM
#83
Le Mans Master
Lots of room in these trunks. Two week trip to a wedding in Connecticut. Dress clothes, Wedding gift, Camping gear and everything we needed. No problem.
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11-20-2017, 04:39 PM
#84
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
11-20-2017, 04:56 PM
#85
Safety Car
11-20-2017, 05:37 PM
#86
Melting Slicks
11-21-2017, 07:56 AM
#87
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
11-23-2017, 09:05 AM
#88
Melting Slicks
I would not be afraid to drive an "imaginary" C5 anywhere (since you don't have one).......
just kiddingReally though as long as you get one that has had the known issues checked out/fixed it seems like it would be fine. Just keep in mind if something does break it could take a bit of extra time and money on the road, as not everyone works on vettes. Plus you are not going to get these tires just anywhere right when you might need one.
Plenty of money and time.....no problem
Good luck
11-23-2017, 09:56 AM
#90
Burning Brakes
I will be retiring in 2.5 years and I plan on traveling the country in a C5. I want to revisit all of the Air Force bases where I was stationed, and visit with old friends I made while I was in the military.
I'm a little concerned about the reliability of the C5 for long distance travel. From what I've read in this site, it sounds like the C5 is fairly reliable, but we are talking about a 20 year old sports car now, and I'm used to the reliability of my Toyota daily drivers. I know I'm probably not going to get Toyota-like reliability from a C5, but do you guys think a C5 would be okay for touring the country? Have any of you done it in a C5?
I'm a little concerned about the reliability of the C5 for long distance travel. From what I've read in this site, it sounds like the C5 is fairly reliable, but we are talking about a 20 year old sports car now, and I'm used to the reliability of my Toyota daily drivers. I know I'm probably not going to get Toyota-like reliability from a C5, but do you guys think a C5 would be okay for touring the country? Have any of you done it in a C5?
We live in the midwest ... have driven our C5 on RT 66 [4,000 mi round trip], have driven to the Smokies, have driven down to Louisiana and many other shorter trips. Had 1 problem .. called GM's 800# on the drivers window .. great assistance ... directed us to nearest dealer ... called the dealer, told them we were coming. Got there, right in to a mechanic, loaner car to go eat lunch, done when we got back back. New Mexico was very friendly. Just go and enjoy!
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11-23-2017, 12:07 PM
#91
Safety Car
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chevyorange (01-20-2021)
11-23-2017, 12:45 PM
#92
Melting Slicks
I'm disappointed that I got in on this post so late. I was in Peru. But not in my 1999 Corvette Convertible.
I bought the car in 2013 with 130,000 miles on it in San Rafael, CA, and immediately drove it 3600 miles back to Akron, OH, visiting lots of National Parks and interesting towns on the the way. We survived a deer attack and a flat tire (Non run-flats. What are flat-bed tow trucks for after all). Last fall (2016) we drove to to Santa Barbara, CA, to meet my in-laws and then took Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. The only issue on that trip was one headlight not going down which I learned later I could have fixed by turning a bump stop around. In between the were trips to New England, Florida and other places. My car now has 175,000 miles on it.
My opinion is that all American cars from the nineties had reliability issues when they came out of the factory. However, if a car survives long enough, all of those issues are likely to have been sorted out by a previous owner. This is not always the case, of course. I was fortunate to buy a car from the original owner and with complete service history. That is the ideal case to strive for but I realize it is not always possible.
My suggestions are:
1. Read all the sticky posts on this forum And check any car you look at for the issues discussed. If you buy the car fix them before a long trip. I didn't do this but I was lucky.
2. Try for the ideal case of one-owner and complete service history.
3. Have tow insurance if $200 is going to break you. Actually if $200 is going to break you, don't go.
4. Don't worry about high mileage. A car that has been driven a lot is more likely to have experienced issues and had them fixed. If a problem tends to crop up when a car has 50,000 miles on it and you buy a 20,000 mile garage queen...I'm sure you get the picture. Plus you're going to be putting miles on on the car. You'll be depreciating a low mileage car way more than a high mileage car. And that's your money, not the previous owner's. The paint? By driving it you're going to be beating up the paint. Get a car with flaws and you won't worry about it.
Buy a car, drive it and have fun.
I bought the car in 2013 with 130,000 miles on it in San Rafael, CA, and immediately drove it 3600 miles back to Akron, OH, visiting lots of National Parks and interesting towns on the the way. We survived a deer attack and a flat tire (Non run-flats. What are flat-bed tow trucks for after all). Last fall (2016) we drove to to Santa Barbara, CA, to meet my in-laws and then took Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. The only issue on that trip was one headlight not going down which I learned later I could have fixed by turning a bump stop around. In between the were trips to New England, Florida and other places. My car now has 175,000 miles on it.
My opinion is that all American cars from the nineties had reliability issues when they came out of the factory. However, if a car survives long enough, all of those issues are likely to have been sorted out by a previous owner. This is not always the case, of course. I was fortunate to buy a car from the original owner and with complete service history. That is the ideal case to strive for but I realize it is not always possible.
My suggestions are:
1. Read all the sticky posts on this forum And check any car you look at for the issues discussed. If you buy the car fix them before a long trip. I didn't do this but I was lucky.
2. Try for the ideal case of one-owner and complete service history.
3. Have tow insurance if $200 is going to break you. Actually if $200 is going to break you, don't go.
4. Don't worry about high mileage. A car that has been driven a lot is more likely to have experienced issues and had them fixed. If a problem tends to crop up when a car has 50,000 miles on it and you buy a 20,000 mile garage queen...I'm sure you get the picture. Plus you're going to be putting miles on on the car. You'll be depreciating a low mileage car way more than a high mileage car. And that's your money, not the previous owner's. The paint? By driving it you're going to be beating up the paint. Get a car with flaws and you won't worry about it.
Buy a car, drive it and have fun.
Last edited by Cjunkie; 11-23-2017 at 12:50 PM.
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11-23-2017, 12:58 PM
#93
Le Mans Master
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11-23-2017, 01:09 PM
#95
Le Mans Master
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11-23-2017, 01:50 PM
#96
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Lemon? What is that? A car is put together with many separate parts, I never understood this lemon theory. Most of what he mentioned are well known problems, not that big of deal after they have been replaced, all mechanical stuff fails hear and there.
I would not be afraid to drive an "imaginary" C5 anywhere (since you don't have one)....... just kidding
Really though as long as you get one that has had the known issues checked out/fixed it seems like it would be fine. Just keep in mind if something does break it could take a bit of extra time and money on the road, as not everyone works on vettes. Plus you are not going to get these tires just anywhere right when you might need one.
Plenty of money and time.....no problem
Good luck
I would not be afraid to drive an "imaginary" C5 anywhere (since you don't have one).......
just kiddingReally though as long as you get one that has had the known issues checked out/fixed it seems like it would be fine. Just keep in mind if something does break it could take a bit of extra time and money on the road, as not everyone works on vettes. Plus you are not going to get these tires just anywhere right when you might need one.
Plenty of money and time.....no problem
Good luck
Most of what he mentioned was way more problems than most C5 owners have, according to what I've seen in this site over the last year or so. I agree many of the problems he had were common C5 problems, but for one car to have that many problems, I think that would certainly qualify as a lemon under the guidelines of the law.
11-23-2017, 03:10 PM
#98
Melting Slicks
Most of what he mentioned was way more problems than most C5 owners have, according to what I've seen in this site over the last year or so. I agree many of the problems he had were common C5 problems, but for one car to have that many problems, I think that would certainly qualify as a lemon under the guidelines of the law.
Good luck, I hope you have a safe trip when the time comes
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Westy R (01-10-2021)
11-23-2017, 04:58 PM
#99
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Wasn't really trying to sidetrack your thread, sorry. I just don't believe in such a thing on a new car. Maybe a used car with things intentionally hidden from a buyer but not for a bunch of seperate stuff that has nothing to do with one another on a new car over several years.
Good luck, I hope you have a safe trip when the time comes
Good luck, I hope you have a safe trip when the time comes
I could be wrong on this, but I think the lemon law only applies to new vehicles...And I don't think you sidetracked my thread...thanks for the well wishes!
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11-24-2017, 05:23 AM
#100
Instructor
Well, you have access to some, not all. Example where I'm at right now, we had two retired Colonels demand access. The gate guards sent them away. There are no tours given here. When I have deliveries here for me, I have to submit paperwork to security days in advance and then when they show up, I escort them from the gate to my location and then back to the gate. I know for a fact you will be sent away if you were to show up here with no cause to enter.
