Ruouthere

Phanni

75,000 is insignificant on an LS1 engine. The early C-5s (1997-2000) do have some issues finding replacement parts. The Electronic brake controller module (EBCM) is no longer available from GM, and the ones in the car are not repairable, if they break,(as of yet). Make sure you check the codes before buying. If you have no codes referencing the traction control or braking, you're probably good to go. The steering wheel sensor is also not available. The carcan be driven, even if these parts are non functional, you'll simply lose some 'nanny' benefits. In the case of the EBCM< you'll not have traction control and anti lock braking. Both of these are pretty important, driving on a rain soaked road can get pretty hairy, quickly, in a C-5.

ArtClassShank

Only in the Corvette world is an 18 year old car with 75K considered high mileage.

Honestly there isn't much around 100K that needs attention, given that it's not having any problems. Belts, Spark Plugs, Fluids. Pretty much just normal car stuff. A lot of the little C5 gremlins don't seem to care about your mileage that much. Inspect the harmonic balancer, that can be a pricey fix, but once again, no guarantee when it will become a problem. Electrical stuff like the EBCM, SWPS, and oil pressure sensor are all a guess when it comes to failure.

Bob in Elliot Lake

75,000 miles isn’t really high mileage for a 19 y.o. car. Hopefully it just means it’s been driven fairly regularly

sstonebreaker

It's more the little stuff than anything big. Like most GM products, the powertrain in these cars is about as reliable as anything you can buy - honda and toyota included. The rest of the car has been mostly electrical gremlins (grounding issues, mostly) and the interior wearing out. Nothing big. On 90% of the electrical issues, the cure is to find the closest ground and clean the contacts. On the interior, any time something shows a little wear, that's an excuse to upgrade.

My1stONE

I recently purchased a 2003 C5 convertible with 160,000 miles. I too was wondering if I'd have issues because of the high Mileage. First off I had all the service receipts from the original owner who I purchased the car from and it was all just regular maintenance with the exception of a new transmission at 95,000. Like any other car if it's properly maintained you shouldn't expect any serious issues. Of course you never know what will happen with any mechanical thing. You can have a certified mechanic do an inspection, compression test ect to lessen your worries but again it's a machine and machines break down. So far mine is running smoothly with lots of power and no issues. You can tell a lot about a car just by the condition of it. Is the paint in good shape? Do the rims have lots of curb rashes? Is the interior in good condition or is there excess wear and tear? Anyone who takes care of the outside and inside most likely took good care of mechanical works of the car. After looking at all these things you can make a decision if this is the car for you. After all the Corvette is just a car like any other car with high mileage.

BRKLYN

I say go for it, get the car thoroughly checked out like any used car purchase. One thing i can say for sure, owning a C-5 and cruising USA with the top off, your life will never be the same.

Robrote

EBCM repair IS available for early C5s as well as later models.

http://www.automotivemodules.com/Corvette-ABS.html

Phanni

Do you know of anyone that has had this done? There has been many failed attempts.

Robrote

I do not, but they do have a 2 year warranty. The risk reward is pretty low I would say.

bobs77vet

just normal belts, pulleys, hoses for an 18 year old car...mechanically you are just getting broken in....

mrlmd

While there are hundreds of possible things that can wear out or break, in a well maintained car your biggest problem will be constantly running out of gas every 300 hundred+ miles of driving it.
I bought my 2000 A4 5 yrs ago with 76,000 miles on it, have 102,000 now, and have had to do what I would consider routine maintenance repair and replacements, no major problems. It is my DD and I have made 2 uneventful trips from FL to NJ (2500 mile round trip} at 75-80 mph (don't tell anybody) averaging 30 mpg, and would not hesitate to make any other long road trips. The car is extremely reliable and if you are even a little bit mechanically inclined, this forum can help you with just about everything you want to tackle, or at least inform you if you want someone else to fix something.
Buy it, you'll like it.

Vetteman Jack

o2bnkc

I'm on my fourth one (c5) and it has 117,000 miles with no major problems yet. I've driven this one and my previous ones all over the country and always had confidence they would get me there. They never failed me, plus it was always a blast.

Velocity_Vette

When did 75K become "high mileage?"

I'd be more worried about items that should be replaced simply due to time; tires, coolant hoses, probably need a really good going over of fluids and such, etc. 18 years is an absolute eternity for modern car ownership when most own a car 5 to 10 years at most.

grampi50

Why? Don't these cars come with a fuel gauge?

SilverC54me

Getting ready for a 6+K mile cross country run at the end of August. Taking 6 cars on the drive. There are 2 1999s going that are at 230-240k miles. Both are mechanically solid. Have a 166k mile 2002 that I would not hesitate to take anywhere.
The other cars going are newer and under 80K miles.

All of the cars are getting fluid changes and basic service before heading out. The 2 1999s and 2002 just had the AC systems rebuilt due to failing compressors (the 1999s both had failed completely).

Gary

cv67

This!

The LS motors are good
Have an 02 5.3 that I drove super hard for the first 60k, brutally so. Has 180k now and the valve covers have never been off.
Gotta say overall more reliable than the old Gen 1 they can take a beating.

001pewter

I drove mine with I think around 140k from Louisiana to Michigan and the only problem I had was the tensioner pulley started going out. It's been a pretty reliable car.

EVLGTO

75k miles high mileage????? I worked at a chevy dealership for a long time. I use to see the old C4 LT1 cars with over 300k all the time. Saw many C5's with over 200k. Did anyone see that C5 that one dude donated to the corvette museum?? Over 700k miles!!! And it was a damn 2000!!!!! Lt & LS engines especially are damn near bulletproof!!! Just change the oil and drive the damn thing!