In too deep...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Nothing on that list is really outside your normal maintenance stuff save for maybe the balancer. It's a 21 year old car at this point. You cannot expect everything to remain perfect, regardless of the mileage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
I agree with the majority. Go down to the local bowtie dealer and pick you out a new one. They have a nice warranty and you'll have plenty of worry free driving. 20 year old car=high probability of needed repairs. If you're not mechanically inclined and don't have deep pockets, you need to move on..
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,848
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
It is a 20 year old car; it will have problems that will need to be fixed.
Most of what you paid for could have been taken care of by you for a fraction of the cost. These are EASY cars to work on.
But if these are the only problems you have had and if they are addressed correctly, your Corvette will outlive you.
Most of what you paid for could have been taken care of by you for a fraction of the cost. These are EASY cars to work on.
But if these are the only problems you have had and if they are addressed correctly, your Corvette will outlive you.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 30
If I was from Alberta Canada, I might have waited a few thousand miles before sinking money into the a/c. The harmonic balancer should have been noted on the inspection.
As mentioned, if you are inclined, you can save a bundle doing your own work using this website as a resource.
Here’s hoping you’ve got everything fixed for the next few years and can enjoy the ride.
As mentioned, if you are inclined, you can save a bundle doing your own work using this website as a resource.
Here’s hoping you’ve got everything fixed for the next few years and can enjoy the ride.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 10
From: Northville MI
Well at least you came to the right place. There is no better "shop manual" than this forum. I thoroughly enjoy working on my 98' (93,000 mi). I've spent about seven grand on mods and repairs. Sometimes I totally mess things up or I'm completely stumped by a code or procedure, but not to worry, just connect to the forum. Somebody has experienced the situation that you are going thru and the best part is they share their advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Learn to use YouTube....you can watch most any fix done. Go to Harbor Freight and purchase some starter tools.
(on your 21 year old car). Or as said above and before....sell the car and move on.
(on your 21 year old car). Or as said above and before....sell the car and move on.
Last edited by runner140*; Jul 26, 2018 at 07:51 AM. Reason: add
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Well at least you came to the right place. There is no better "shop manual" than this forum. I thoroughly enjoy working on my 98' (93,000 mi). I've spent about seven grand on mods and repairs. Sometimes I totally mess things up or I'm completely stumped by a code or procedure, but not to worry, just connect to the forum. Somebody has experienced the situation that you are going thru and the best part is they share their advice.
I have the three volume set, but find many shortcuts or "also consider this" through CF! And several forum members have either included tons of pics with their narrative on how to repair or have made Youtube videos. I'm a much better "show me how" over "tell me how."
get over it
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Youtube has saved me a ton of $...for example programming a lousy key fob.
You may get some bad info, but keep looking and your anwer exists.
Big difference between say, a 1 yr old 20k mi car and a 15 yr old 20k mi car.age takes its toll even if its never driven.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 230
Likes: 38
From: Fort Gordon, Ga
I hate to hear about your bad luck, coming from bmw communities this is nothing new to read
You have to ask yourself if you could afford maintenance on any 50k car, just because you payed 10k for a 15/20 year old car doesnt mean the maintenance is gonna be 1/5th of the price (and labor costs damn sure wont even be cut in half) of a new one like the price you paid vs msrp (and yes i know they were in the 30s, but be realistic and account for inflation, 30k in 98 was alot closer to 50 today)
I have had good luck so far (knock on wood)but Im absolutely willing to work on my car and afford it to be down for small chunks of time, which is why i bought my corvette
You have to ask yourself if you could afford maintenance on any 50k car, just because you payed 10k for a 15/20 year old car doesnt mean the maintenance is gonna be 1/5th of the price (and labor costs damn sure wont even be cut in half) of a new one like the price you paid vs msrp (and yes i know they were in the 30s, but be realistic and account for inflation, 30k in 98 was alot closer to 50 today)
I have had good luck so far (knock on wood)but Im absolutely willing to work on my car and afford it to be down for small chunks of time, which is why i bought my corvette
Last edited by BuzC5; Jul 26, 2018 at 02:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
<rant>
Afternoon!
Bought my '97 Silver C5 back in June and since then - it has done nothing but cost me money...
- Oil Change
- Brake Fluid Change
- New AC compressor, pulley, belt and tensioner
- AC repair (performance shop over charged the system and didn't add oil)
- New O2 Heat Sensor
- Harmonic Balancer
- Adjust parking brake, etc. - minor maintenance.
So far, in to the Corvette for about $4000.00 and to the point where if it's not going to run right and properly, I am going to sell it! Ever since I took it to the "Performance shop" to have some stuff looked at and to get an overall opinion of the car, it's just problem after problem and code after code...
At what point do you just give up and call it a day?!
I'd like to enjoy the car, but it appears she doesn't want to cooperate.
</rant>
Afternoon!
Bought my '97 Silver C5 back in June and since then - it has done nothing but cost me money...
- Oil Change
- Brake Fluid Change
- New AC compressor, pulley, belt and tensioner
- AC repair (performance shop over charged the system and didn't add oil)
- New O2 Heat Sensor
- Harmonic Balancer
- Adjust parking brake, etc. - minor maintenance.
So far, in to the Corvette for about $4000.00 and to the point where if it's not going to run right and properly, I am going to sell it! Ever since I took it to the "Performance shop" to have some stuff looked at and to get an overall opinion of the car, it's just problem after problem and code after code...
At what point do you just give up and call it a day?!
I'd like to enjoy the car, but it appears she doesn't want to cooperate.
</rant>
Good luck to you.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 285
Likes: 66
From: Marshall Il
Everything said is true, except most problems I'm seeing are electrical. That seems to be a whole new ball game when some parts are not even available and chasing down these issues are far above my skill level even with the easy method of extracting the codes on the C5. The thing is that electrical problems seem to be tied more with age than mileage. We have all seen mechanics that excel with mechanical issues but fall short when trying to chase electrical gremlins. Just my 02 cents.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
on a side note.....you may like the computer based service manuals....they are pretty awesome and really fast with great visuals, trouble shooting and narratives. I am really impressed with the Mitchell on line manuals
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 470
Likes: 58
I would never own mine if I had to pay (and rely on) shops for all the work. Sounds like you're not inclined to do your own work. Join the local Corvette club, and get some help. Watch the videos about a job, even if you're paying a shop so you know what they are doing. I did the balancer, and found "Froggy's" you-tube very helpful--even though I have the factory shop manuals. Corvettes are pretty tough, so once you get caught up, there should be more driving than maintenance. Best, and cheaper, if you do your own work and know thy own car better than anyone else though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 800
Likes: 45
From: San Diego CA
I know how you feel. I have a mint 2000 frc with only 28k at the current moment. My passenger side window regulator went out a month ago and now my driver side one is going out. My hazard switch is starting to act funny because sometimes my turn signals don't work. But I can care less, because I work on my own cars and these are super easy things to fix. Also, even though the car is mint, it's almost 20 damn years old!! Stuff will break. But let me tell you this, the drivetrain on these cars is almost bulletproof!! I've seen C4's and C5's exceed 300k miles many times!!! I saw this with my own eyes after working 10 years at Chevrolet. And on top of it all, THESE CARS ARE A BLAST DRIVE!!!!!!!!!! I am a former C4 owner with a car that had 165k miles and the car now has over 200k with the new owner!!! Fix it and have fun!!!