Higher Mileage C5 Concerns
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 220
Likes: 36
From: NH
Higher Mileage C5 Concerns
Okay guys need your expertise advise.
Found a beautiful 2000 C5 with 75000 miles on her what can we expect for maintenance issues with the car over the next 30k miles?
We’re looking for a low mileage C5 because in our retirement we’re planning to see a lot of this beautiful country. Concerned starting our adventure with a car with 75k.
Thanks.....
Found a beautiful 2000 C5 with 75000 miles on her what can we expect for maintenance issues with the car over the next 30k miles?
We’re looking for a low mileage C5 because in our retirement we’re planning to see a lot of this beautiful country. Concerned starting our adventure with a car with 75k.
Thanks.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
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.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
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.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,775
Likes: 585
From: Texas
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.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
High Mileage Concerns
Okay guys need your expertise advise.
Found a beautiful 2000 C5 with 75000 miles on her what can we expect for maintenance issues with the car over the next 30k miles?
We’re looking for a low mileage C5 because in our retirement we’re planning to see a lot of this beautiful country. Concerned starting our adventure with a car with 75k.
Thanks.....
Found a beautiful 2000 C5 with 75000 miles on her what can we expect for maintenance issues with the car over the next 30k miles?
We’re looking for a low mileage C5 because in our retirement we’re planning to see a lot of this beautiful country. Concerned starting our adventure with a car with 75k.
Thanks.....
Last edited by My1stONE; Jul 17, 2018 at 08:59 AM. Reason: Missed word
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 106
From: The Natures Coast/Caribbean
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
EBCM repair IS available for early C5s as well as later models.
http://www.automotivemodules.com/Corvette-ABS.html
http://www.automotivemodules.com/Corvette-ABS.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
EBCM repair IS available for early C5s as well as later models.
http://www.automotivemodules.com/Corvette-ABS.html
http://www.automotivemodules.com/Corvette-ABS.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 343
From: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
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.
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.
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The C5 is a pretty reliable car and if maintenance has been kept up, you shouldn’t have anything to do to the car for a long time other than the normal stuff. Obviously parts can fail, but that happens with any car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
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.
Last edited by o2bnkc; Jul 17, 2018 at 03:48 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 355
From: Little Rock Arkansas
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.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
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
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
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,175
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From: Louisiana
St.. Jude Donor '17-'18
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 800
Likes: 45
From: San Diego CA
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!
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!