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If you had to write a review about your Corvette experience to the General (motors) what would you write. Were your expectations achieved or was there something lacking and what would be the fix. As for myself I feel it fulfilled all my exceptions and more, being reliable, fun and very reasonable to operate. Nothing lacking in my Corvette ownership. The General would get 5 stars. What are your feelings? Cheers, Rob
I need more than one catagory to rate. Overall is high, but some design 'features' are so lame as to warrant some serious rethinking -- and some of which would keep me from ever considering a new GM in the future. Seat tracks with reversion prone bumpers. Electronic components that are unavailable and unrepairable. Don't get me wrong, this is quite likely my favorite car ever -- but, in many, many ways it's a pile of junk.
was going to do a thread of my own, so I love my 99 coupe and always will, but the real story is our 02 Z 06 !!!!!! WHAT A CAR !!!!!!! took a 1500 mile trip to Texas, then came home and Auto X'ed it, (it's stock, A street) then drove to the Grand Canyon, 2500 plus miles) came home, Auto X'ed again !!!! This car was bought off the wholesale row for a song, wife and I spent some time and money on it !!! it now has 121K on it, still needs some things but to drive it anywhere and be super competitive in Auto X all the time without any issues to speak of !!!!!
I'd have to give it 4.5 stars if I was rating it. I never really liked the "big butt" when it first came out and it took me until 2007 and a lot of convincing from co-workers to even consider the C5 at all let alone go look at one. Bought the one I've had since 2007 site unseen and haven't looked back. It's been very reliable and super fun. Most of it is fairly easy to work on too. I docked it a half star because some parts aren't being produced anymore for my year and a few of the designs I'm not so sure of why they did what they did. Overall a great car though.
I've had mine for 5+ years and 60k+ miles and it still gives me a smile every time. When I park it I still look back at it. It's been dependable and a blast to drive. Not sure I could ask for more.
I owned C5+Z06 when they were the newest thing on the street. I also experienced most of the issues, like leaking rear end. The issues were addressed by GM. That was a positive experience.
I own a 22 year old C5 now, it is pretty well sorted and very enjoyable car. I like it.
Well, I'd be a hypocrite if I gave it nothing less than a 4.5 star rating as I've owned 5 of them and currently own 3 of them. I gave .5 stars off because of the EBCM fails and prior to 2001, non-repairable. This worries me as I have 2 1999's and sometimes on the one it rears it's ugly head though I'm pretty sure it's a sensor, not the EBCM (fingers crossed). A lot of people bitch about the stereo sucking. I'm a stereo nut job and all I did was add a 13.5" JL Audio subwoofer and 500 watt rms amplifier to the stock system and now I'm actually happy with the sound. Does it sound as good as my complete aftermarket system I have in my 2002, hell no, but it sure cost less. I have to address the crappy system in my other 1999. All in all, I would thank the General for making a great car.
It's been OK. Mine was a very early build and was in the dealer almost every month while under warranty. All electrical problems. Dash lights going out, pull key and wait issues, gas gauge going to zero, seat memory failures (twice), turn signal failures, split battery, engine being put into "limp" mode - while overtaking on a 2 lane highway - a bit scary, that was. Oh, and the early brake rotors were rubbish - I went through two sets due to constant judder, then gave up and bought Baer Eradispeeds - still on the car, still fine. I did look into my state's lemon law, but because every problem was classified as "different", it did not qualify. Otherwise I would have been after a replacement.
Luckily, at about 3 years it settled down and has been fairly reliable ever since -- not Japanese reliable by any means, but OK reliable. In contrast, my wife's Japanese car bought new in 2004 never needed to go back to the dealer in all the time we owned it (12 years). Apart from needing a new battery at about 9 years, nothing failed. That's how cars should be. She now has a Korean car. Coming up on 3 years old. Again, has never needed to go back to the dealer, apart from the free servicing they provide. And I do like the 5-10 year warranty.
My takeaway? never buy a GM car in it's first year or production. The word "Beta" comes to mind.
Last edited by jackthelad; Aug 31, 2019 at 02:12 PM.
I love my C5! Very very happy with her since day one. I’d give her a 4.5 overall rating. She’s never let me down but GM could have done a couple better design or build considerations. I’ve had the leaking differential fixed and never been a problem again. I’ve had 6 different head units for the stereo... finally got fed up and upgraded to a Kenwood double din. Much better. The cup holder is a joke and the fact there’s only one.
As for parts availability, you can’t fault GM for not having parts available for 20 something year old cars. No manufacturers keep parts on hand for older cars. The electronics in cars now a days are going to make it harder and harder to keep these beauties going forever. GM has offered up all the C5 designs to be made by aftermarket suppliers but unfortunately you have to get someone willing to spend the capital to manufacture our electronics.
4/5. No storage, cup holder is a bad joke, roof leaks on a hard top car wtf, T56 is notchy, and I could bake a small cake with the heat in my center console.
However, the engine is a beast, modding is cheap, MPG is decent, HUD is sweet, the sounds of a cammed LS6 is amazing, and giving current day sports cars a run for their money for under 20K is awesomesauce.
It's been OK. Mine was a very early build and was in the dealer almost every month while under warranty. All electrical problems. Dash lights going out, pull key and wait issues, gas gauge going to zero, seat memory failures (twice), turn signal failures, split battery, engine being put into "limp" mode - while overtaking on a 2 lane highway - a bit scary, that was. Oh, and the early brake rotors were rubbish - I went through two sets due to constant judder, then gave up and bought Baer Eradispeeds - still on the car, still fine. I did look into my state's lemon law, but because every problem was classified as "different", it did not qualify. Otherwise I would have been after a replacement.
Luckily, at about 3 years it settled down and has been fairly reliable ever since -- not Japanese reliable by any means, but OK reliable. In contrast, my wife's Japanese car bought new in 2004 never needed to go back to the dealer in all the time we owned it (12 years). Apart from needing a new battery at about 9 years, nothing failed. That's how cars should be. She now has a Korean car. Coming up on 3 years old. Again, has never needed to go back to the dealer, apart from the free servicing they provide. And I do like the 5-10 year warranty.
My takeaway? never buy a GM car in it's first year or production. The word "Beta" comes to mind.
My 98 was built in December of 97. I did not have the problems that you spoke of. Yes the rotors were junk, I also went with the Baer Eradispeed. Also the blinker switch. That was it. This car has been a great car. The only money I spend on it is basic maintenance or upgrades.
I bought a stock 2000. Changed just about everything on the car and made it a one of a kind C5.
I feel that my C5 is the greatest Corvette ever made (including the C8).
You asked.
Later
I would give my 2002 MN6 coupe (179,000 miles) 3.5 or 4 stars: Pluses:
Fun to drive
Good performance for the build time period
Amazing gas mileage for the performance
Great for road trips, especially luggage capacity
Ability to read codes, tire pressures, oil temp on DIC Minuses
Too many problem areas (EBCM, BPMV, hazard flasher, column lock, radiator fans, fuel senders, etc), some safety related, with no or inadequate corrective action and excessive cost.
Parts availability, both major and two bit plastic parts, some safety related.
No way to check MN6 fluid level without pit or lift, likely contributing to transmission failure Neutral Interior not luxurious, but doesn't both me nearly as much as seems to bother the magazines
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I agree with a few above, 4/5.
My personal feeling is they addressed most of the shortcomings of the C5 with the C6. Noted above, interior lack of insulation, leaking roof on ANY model, especially verts. Clutch is the worst clutch I have ever owned. I despise the "Compound Bow" effect they built into the pedal. It's infuriating. I've had an LS7 clutch in my last two cars, the clutch is fine, the operation of the pedal is shameful.
I'll give (and this will surprise many) a 5/5 to the serviceability guys. Folks can complain all they want about the difficulty of working on certain aspects of this car. But if you're really honest (and you've worked on a lot of cars), you'll admit this is easily one of the easiest cars to work on you'll ever find. Surely for it's era. It gets a bonus point 6/5 because of the DIC that gives you virtually every code that can ever come up on the car. Oh, AND you can pull them while driving down the highway. Show me another car on the planet with OBD that are truly 'On Board'.
Of the shortcomings of the cars, you can almost always point to a cost saving measure at fault for what they did wrong. Trying to keep the cost out of the stratosphere, so normal folks could afford one. There's tradeoffs. Simple as that.
The worst thing I can say so far is it just doesn't have the payload that my silverado has.
I am the 2nd owner and the original owner took care of some of the c-5 issues, I did have to replace my IPC and the ac compressor is out
I had a problem with the clear coat peeling when it rained so I had the car wrapped
I like the car , I like driving it, looking at it and the looks I get driving it
I love that is has no room for more than 1 passenger ( my dog)
My personal feeling is they addressed most of the shortcomings of the C5 with the C6. Noted above, interior lack of insulation, leaking roof on ANY model, especially verts. Clutch is the worst clutch I have ever owned. I despise the "Compound Bow" effect they built into the pedal. It's infuriating. I've had an LS7 clutch in my last two cars, the clutch is fine, the operation of the pedal is shameful.
I'll give (and this will surprise many) a 5/5 to the serviceability guys. Folks can complain all they want about the difficulty of working on certain aspects of this car. But if you're really honest (and you've worked on a lot of cars), you'll admit this is easily one of the easiest cars to work on you'll ever find. Surely for it's era. It gets a bonus point 6/5 because of the DIC that gives you virtually every code that can ever come up on the car. Oh, AND you can pull them while driving down the highway. Show me another car on the planet with OBD that are truly 'On Board'.
Of the shortcomings of the cars, you can almost always point to a cost saving measure at fault for what they did wrong. Trying to keep the cost out of the stratosphere, so normal folks could afford one. There's tradeoffs. Simple as that.
As an original owner, owning every mile. I got my money’s Worth. Best bang for the buck in 1998. 
Your Corvette review.
