C5 to DD
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 207
From: Sumter SC
C5 to DD
How many of you DD your C5? Tossing the idea around of selling my Busa and grabbing a higher mileage auto Base C5 with a Targa. Maybe throw on my 6Z's street setup on and CAI from my Z as well. I do not care to do anything wild like my C6Z, just look good and drive lol. I hardly ride my bike as it is and do not really have time to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,205
Likes: 282
From: NoVA
I did/do.
It makes me want to go to the office even when I don't have to.
Don't buy into the "I need an auto for the commute" bullshit. LS1 has gobs of low end torque that negates that argument, assuming you know how to properly drive a manual and you actually pay attention to what you are doing when you drive. So 2 caveats
.
I found one with a new master/slave, under 60K, 4 figures. I get 23mpg average on a car that is not depreciating and makes me smile. How good is that?
It makes me want to go to the office even when I don't have to.
Don't buy into the "I need an auto for the commute" bullshit. LS1 has gobs of low end torque that negates that argument, assuming you know how to properly drive a manual and you actually pay attention to what you are doing when you drive. So 2 caveats
.I found one with a new master/slave, under 60K, 4 figures. I get 23mpg average on a car that is not depreciating and makes me smile. How good is that?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 222
Likes: 73
From: Kansas
I daily drive - unless there's severe weather coming, or it's snowed. Reliable, comfortable, great gas mileage. I get a little PO'd at the road rash you can accumulate - but, that's part of the bargain.
Last edited by RXTbone; Sep 19, 2019 at 10:21 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 345
Likes: 86
From: Goodlettsville Tennessee
C5Z is daily for me. I specifically bought it to daily. 126K and smiles so far.
It will not stay "pristine" from the daily grind. Expect lots of rock ships from sitting so low.
I would shoot for an 01+ to save yourself from the ABS EBCM and SWPS availability.
Keep in mind C5's have their annoyances, and mine has been par the course on those issues.
The Heads up falls, It leaks under heavy rain. Balancer can start to wobble. Head lights suck.
Lots of fixes out there, but I've run into every one of these issues.
Love the C5, and love this forum. If yours has an issue, good chance someone's else has had the same thing and they have a fix.
It will not stay "pristine" from the daily grind. Expect lots of rock ships from sitting so low.
I would shoot for an 01+ to save yourself from the ABS EBCM and SWPS availability.
Keep in mind C5's have their annoyances, and mine has been par the course on those issues.
The Heads up falls, It leaks under heavy rain. Balancer can start to wobble. Head lights suck.
Lots of fixes out there, but I've run into every one of these issues.
Love the C5, and love this forum. If yours has an issue, good chance someone's else has had the same thing and they have a fix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
I would like to hear more from the guys who have 200K+ on their C5s. How reliable have they been? What has been replaced/repaired? Are you still on the original drive train? Do they use oil or leak fluids? I love hearing about high mileage vehicles and how well, or bad they've been...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 1,386
From: Orange County, CA
C5Z daily here. I'm putting on 250-300 miles a week, but it's only @ 66k miles.
Here in SoCal we don't really get inclement weather. But when it rains enough I do get a slight leak between the top of the driver's window and seal (but it rarely rains).
Keep in mind I can hit a ton of traffic at times, and I still don't mind driving manual. Though traffic REALLY causes MPG to plummet. If it weren't for that, I'd probably get 25mpg (current average ~21mpg).
Normally I'd mix in DD'ing my 2001 Audi S4 Avant, also in manual, but it's been down for some work for 2 months now. Too many projects means too little time to work on it.
Here in SoCal we don't really get inclement weather. But when it rains enough I do get a slight leak between the top of the driver's window and seal (but it rarely rains).
Keep in mind I can hit a ton of traffic at times, and I still don't mind driving manual. Though traffic REALLY causes MPG to plummet. If it weren't for that, I'd probably get 25mpg (current average ~21mpg).
Normally I'd mix in DD'ing my 2001 Audi S4 Avant, also in manual, but it's been down for some work for 2 months now. Too many projects means too little time to work on it.
Last edited by MetalMan2; Sep 19, 2019 at 12:52 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 454
Likes: 200
From: Chicago
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
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If I didn't have three kids, I buy a cheap C5 and use it as a DD. But the reality is, I have to have an SUV, so my Z gets driven on nice days for 8 months a year.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 222
Likes: 73
From: Kansas
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 345
Likes: 86
From: Goodlettsville Tennessee
I would like to hear more from the guys who have 200K+ on their C5s. How reliable have they been? What has been replaced/repaired? Are you still on the original drive train? Do they use oil or leak fluids? I love hearing about high mileage vehicles and how well, or bad they've been...
Had to rebuild the T56 in the Viper at 86K also. Not sure if it was my cars, or that's normal for a T56.
Valve springs for piece of mind, Balancer at a little over 100k. It needs a clutch (assuming it's original) so that is the next project.
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The C5 makes a great DD provided you do not have snow/ice in the winter. With prices what they are today, you may be able to find one with low mileage and in great shape.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 65
Likes: 30
I semi-regularly commute in mine. The commute is 100 miles total both ways through every type of traffic from dense city to open highway. I agree with the poster above that don't consider an automatic to be a necessity. The lightweight car and high torque make it a pretty easy manual car to live with.
My observations:
My observations:
- Crazy good fuel mileage on the highway. I can average 30mpg with a light foot
- No C5 is quiet. Its a semi-loud ride, but what you'd expect from a sportscar of its age. Not a Buick plush ride.
- I'm glad I added a newer infotainment system. Navigation, various music source options, Waze for traffic, back up camera, etc. It really makes the commute more pleasurable
- The center tunnel gets hot. I've added the heat reflecting material and additional insulation, but it still gets hot on long heavy traffic grinds. Your leg will be hotter than you may like at times.
- Tires may be a concern. You'll go through them faster than the normal weekend warrior. That can get expensive.
- Aftermarket exhausts will add drone and extra noise, although I'd argue it's "good noise"
Last edited by Deke Keyes; Sep 19, 2019 at 04:02 PM.
