Poor Quality
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
I just haven't seen the quality issues that are brought forth from time to time in this forum. Outside of a fuel cross over leak my '99 6m vert has been pretty much problem free. Juat a rather low maintenance, very dependable, performance car that puts to shame, in every respect, earlier versions of the Corvette I have owned. I am an unabashed fan of the C5 and still consider it to be the performance car bargain of the century. The only area of my C5 showing wear are the leather seats which are to be recovered soon. Other than that the car looks new and I receive positive comments on it on a regular basis. Best wishes to all!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 819
Likes: 645
From: Beautiful Springboro, OH
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
AS a Gm engineer I can tell you the C5 is head and shoulders above any c2 or C3... the drive train was primitive and designed to last 60,000 miles.. at least that was the certification standard back then... The C5 LSX motor was certified to 200,000 miles...they also were lucky to get 15 mpg. The C5 gets 28 to 30... Body panels used fiberglass fibers and gel coat. the C2 were loaded with stress cracks, ( because of too much gel coat ) ( 60% gel coat 40 % fibers ) much like peanut brittle ...after a few years... the C3 were better
( 60% fibers 40 % gel... more flexable with less stress cracking) ( but they are poor quality compared to SMC. C5 are seeing 300K and 400 K miles… there is even one with the original unmolested engine at the museum with 775,000
Dave put a larger percentage of the budget into the revolutionary. Drive train... the plastic parts are all less than 1:1 specific gravity.. meaning they are light enough to float... in a specific gravity test panel...Hydroformed Chassis,,400% stronger than a C4... No more open the doors to lift the car. there is so much flex in a C2 and C3, the bodies did not survive the flex. bodies were seamed together... Lots of LSX motors being built to 700 and 800 Hp without issue... there is nothing better about a C2 or C3 when it comes to design. If all the plastic was metal you could not afford the car. and it would not pass the gas guzzler tax which was a primary motivator in designing the C5. Make it lighter and make it with in budget were the two daily design stimulators, by Dave Hill. A C3 is like an 8 track tape player, compared to C5 where streaming audio and video.is the norm.
Just insight from and insider to Corvette design...
Bill
( 60% fibers 40 % gel... more flexable with less stress cracking) ( but they are poor quality compared to SMC. C5 are seeing 300K and 400 K miles… there is even one with the original unmolested engine at the museum with 775,000
Dave put a larger percentage of the budget into the revolutionary. Drive train... the plastic parts are all less than 1:1 specific gravity.. meaning they are light enough to float... in a specific gravity test panel...Hydroformed Chassis,,400% stronger than a C4... No more open the doors to lift the car. there is so much flex in a C2 and C3, the bodies did not survive the flex. bodies were seamed together... Lots of LSX motors being built to 700 and 800 Hp without issue... there is nothing better about a C2 or C3 when it comes to design. If all the plastic was metal you could not afford the car. and it would not pass the gas guzzler tax which was a primary motivator in designing the C5. Make it lighter and make it with in budget were the two daily design stimulators, by Dave Hill. A C3 is like an 8 track tape player, compared to C5 where streaming audio and video.is the norm.
Just insight from and insider to Corvette design...
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
I understand your frustrations but things get old and die. Back in the day the plastic used on the cable ends was top quality stuff.
How do I know you ask? Well, I owned a plastics manufacturing company and machined and molded the very stuff the bushings were made of. It was good stuff and met the requirements. Now there is better stuff.
One question, you had to know this is a C5 lovers forum and you had to know you would stir up some crap by posting your complaints, are you happy with the results?
I think you did a great job!
Good luck on getting you C5 repaired!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 387
From: Port Charlotte Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96,209
Likes: 75
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Your car is 16 years old, come on man....
Last edited by Dave1; Jan 31, 2020 at 06:04 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
One telling observation I've made:
I see a lot of C5 Corvettes on the road, and I mean, a lot. Many in stellar condition, Many with excellent original paint.
I do not see so many 1997-2004 foreign cars on the road. And virtually none that don't look like a complete pos.
I'll be the first to admit my C5 had issues with some cheap plastic stuff. That didn't really bother me, what bothered me was I was unable to buy new. THAT pissed me off. So, I'll concede there are/were some shortcomings. But, all things considered, if you're willing to overlook the positively horrifying rust issues of the C3, the fledgling electronic issues of the C4, then surely you can't bitch too much about the interior issues of the C5.
I went from a 98 Corvette to a 13. To my surprise, the 13 is nicer.
I see a lot of C5 Corvettes on the road, and I mean, a lot. Many in stellar condition, Many with excellent original paint.
I do not see so many 1997-2004 foreign cars on the road. And virtually none that don't look like a complete pos.
I'll be the first to admit my C5 had issues with some cheap plastic stuff. That didn't really bother me, what bothered me was I was unable to buy new. THAT pissed me off. So, I'll concede there are/were some shortcomings. But, all things considered, if you're willing to overlook the positively horrifying rust issues of the C3, the fledgling electronic issues of the C4, then surely you can't bitch too much about the interior issues of the C5.
I went from a 98 Corvette to a 13. To my surprise, the 13 is nicer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 357
From: Northville, MI
I have owned a 64 FI Convertible and a 65 FI Coupe, the emblems were pot metal and I went through 3 of them on the FI unit of the 64 and one on the nose of the 65. One was a show car (65) and the other had a 5 pt roll bar and was autocrossed heavily and HPDE'd. On 24 years of the 64 I went through 4 engines (solid lifter and no rev limiter) because it was easy to spin bearings when you could wind it to 7200 rpm. Don't even talk about the quality of the body seams, frames breaking, etc. My 00 C5 has18 years of autocross and HPDE and is still going strong. Ride comfort there is no comparison. More than likely the problem with the OP's car is lack of driving, long periods of sitting in a dry garage and plastic parts dry rotting. My original shifters on the C2's were crappy, that is why we all bought Hurst to replace them and then had to get the reverse lockout. For the last 40 years I have averaged about 220 autocross runs a years and 2 HPDE's a year. The C5 is still holding up. Also my tires never get old, every year a new set (since I quit using Hoosiers) and twice a year new rotors and brake pads, and I have the discolored wheels to prove it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 741
Likes: 80
There not as good as they used to be, there are some old 400's running around with over 1 million miles on them with original motor. The Lexus's are to expensive to fix when they do have problems but are probably about as good as it got in Auto quality at their peak. The C5 is no where near that quality but I like them more anyhow....
I was looking into buying a used Lexus but then when I saw how much they are to repair I decided against it and glad I did. My Acura RL is much cheaper to fix even though it's not a Lexus. Some things about the Honda Acura stuff was better than the Toyota/ Lexus for a long term keeper...
I was looking into buying a used Lexus but then when I saw how much they are to repair I decided against it and glad I did. My Acura RL is much cheaper to fix even though it's not a Lexus. Some things about the Honda Acura stuff was better than the Toyota/ Lexus for a long term keeper...
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,094
Likes: 7,395
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Jerry, Hate to say it bro...BUT... The newer Corvettes are faster, safer, better handling, more fuel efficient, quicker stopping, more comfortable, more creature comforts...... and...….well you get the message ( And I am old enough to remember Woodstock )
Last edited by 449er; Jan 31, 2020 at 02:49 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I seriously doubt he was trolling, just stating an opinion that many don't appreciate. It doesn't bother me one bit. What probably bothers most people is that there's an element of truth in what he said, though, I'd argue it's not as big a deal as some took his comments to be.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
You forgot to mention not as good looking and a lot more expensive...
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,094
Likes: 7,395
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
More expensive? Watch the episode on Jay Leno's Garage with his 57 Corvette, the original owner paid $4,600 for that car, so adjusted for inflation, that would be over $41,000 in todays money...so the new cars are not "a lot" more expensive. As far as looks go, that's totally a individual opinion, I think that a wide body C6 is the best looking Vette ever
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
More expensive? Watch the episode on Jay Leno's Garage with his 57 Corvette, the original owner paid $4,600 for that car, so adjusted for inflation, that would be over $41,000 in todays money...so the new cars are not "a lot" more expensive. As far as looks go, that's totally a individual opinion, I think that a wide body C6 is the best looking Vette ever
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
Likes: 383
From: southern rural MI
Better
My current 2000 C5 Convertible more than impresses me in terms of build quality AND performance.
I've ridden in plenty of older Vette's, and although stylish, fast, I wouldn't equate build quality being high in their description.