So I bought my C5 16 years ago.
​​​
Over 16 years of ownership I've put 22k mile on my car. Beyond general maintenance, I've only had to fix a broken shift cable (tires, brakes, fluid etc. not included). This year I replaced the balancer, and a new water pump is being ordered. Truth be told I enjoy wrenching on this car, as it doesn't require a torch to remove bolt like my daily driver ( due to salt spread during winters ).

Starting in 2004, for a couple years I was addicted to this forum. It was very different then, with the C6 headlights being the biggest topic. Regardless, it wasn't until just recently that I've become more involved again. I've been reading most of the posts in the general section, and have just found my way over to the tech group the last couple days. After reading through a couple pages I have to admit that I'm a little concerned.

Maybe I've been lucky so far, or maybe I just take good care of my car and it has paid off. Regardless, my eyes are open now to some of the issues that these cars see. Top of the list being the electric gremlins or the ECMB module and the associated replacement part (or lack thereof). I'll take a stab at fixing anything, but electrical issue are outside of my comfort zone.

The whole point of this thread is my wondering how much longer I should keep the car. I planned on keeping it forever, and just fixing things as they come up, but when parts can't be purchased what am I to do.

I love the car. I think the C5 is one of the best generation ever released, but I can fill the void easily with an early gen Camaro.

End rant.

 

Seventeen years in, I am in the "forever" camp too. Let's see how long it lasts

 

To be honest, the C5s aren't worth that much at this point, so it almost seems silly to get rid of a C5 in good shape. I even think the EBCM is not that big of a deal. Most of us can still drive a car reasonably well without ABS or electronic handling. You certainly can't buy anything else even close to a C5 in looks or performance for 10 to 15K. Hang on to your hot rod.

 

Your wallet must be fatter than mine.


OP, sounds like you know your car well. If it's been reliable then keep it. If you are tired of it and want to make a change, don't makes excuses, just do it.

 

I'd say you're doing pretty well at the 16-year mark, and it probably has a lot to do with how you've taken care of the car. You yourself say that you love it and you enjoy working on it. I think you should keep it.

 

I've had mine for 12 years literally very minor issues. The defrost wires pulled off the rear window and the HVAC doesn't light up. That's literally it. It had only 20k on it when I got it and I put 60k on it since. It's literally the best car I've ever owned. I've added tons of minor mods and it all works like it came from the factory. That's why when I ordered the C8 I decided to keep it. So much value in the c5 imo.

 

No matter what car, things eventually go wrong as the car ages/mileage gets piled on. Sounds like your car has done very well over 16 years and you know it well based on how you maintain it.

If the car still puts a smile on your face, just keep it and drive it. The vast majority of parts are available, if not new then through the used parts market.

 

You'll be fine. I always say that forums tend to go through a bit of a cycle...


Car is brand new - you'll get people who join that are proud of their rides. And those first few EARLY adopters that want to test mods and don't care about warranties.
3-5 years old - second owners come up. The aftermarket is usually either already in full swing or starting to get there. See more guys building their cars and getting into mild upgrades is very common now that warranties are out.
5-10 years - some of those original owners are modifying their cars a little because they aren't as fast or advanced as they were. Regular people by this point are going nuts.
10+ years old - two distinct crowds exist. The perfectionists and those who have already changed a little, so why not change a lot? And as the entry price for the car gets cheaper, the modifications get wilder, and people get more angry about it.

We are currently in stage 4. lol


But realistically, these cars are perfectly serviceable daily drivers. As of my commute this morning, my car has 273,467 miles on it - and I only looked because I have a dead TPMS so I'm getting it replaced and needed the mileage to write up my repair order. You will be fine.

 

So your total mileage is 22k - or higher?

 

Keep her. The C5 is a great car IMO and I've own 5 of them in the past 19 years. The ECBM is no big deal if it goes bad. Replacements can still be had (though big bucks) on eBay and it's really not needed. It's not like the car will explode when it goes bad, you just no longer have ABS or active handling. I'm sure all the cars you drove growing up did not have those anyways. 3 of my 6 current vehicles does not have active handling.

 

75k

 

Still a baby. Go for a road trip and enjoy it.

 

I've done rocker trunions, valve springs, SWPS, oil pressure sender, shocks, EBCM repair and a lot of little stuff. Cosmetically, starting to collect a few items that need attention.

The C5 Z06 is one of the best Corvettes ever, and I have no plans for it to go anywhere. Parts availability worries me for sure - but until it's completely dead, it's mine.

 

17 years in for me. I started modding less than a month after buying. 21k total miles.

 

Hey, you can drive! Who needs all the gizmo's.
I turn off, active handling ,when, I crank her up.
I don't need ABS, either.

 

I'm in the 13 year forever club as the next three gens are not styled to my liking. Driving my '02 six speed is still therapeutic and fun. And in that 13 years and at 143K miles, it has NEVER been a "no-start". Sure, some things have broken (and are still broken but driveable) but nothing to break the bank or be too difficult. Since EBCM was mentioned, I got mine fixed for $150 and some postage through ABS Fixer and getting my hands only slightly dirty. So, for me, I'd rather spend a few thousand fixing than 50,60, or 90 thousand for a new one. Plus, it is one tough cookie having lived outside its entire life, rolled out of a driveway backwards across two curbs through some heavy brush and still took us to a car cruise with only a minor scratch. Driven hard and doesn't complain. LOL...

I know I have some major work in the future with clutch and engine etc but the chassis is still sound, it looks great, and as said, is still a blast to drive = Keeper

 

The only issue with things like AH and ABS not working if they are supposed to be there, is that those features are both part of the insurer's risk equation. If they ever got picky after a claim, they would be within their rights to refuse to pay, as "essential safety equipment was not working". And I am pretty sure that if you told them, that would be the end of your insurance.

 

I've done all the repairs myself with help from the tech section of this forum. EBCM, Climate Control Module, Door Modules all electrical issues. I am a retired electrician and have owned my 2002 vert since new. Most of the problems popped up in the first 10yrs. No other problems since and love the looks and ride of my Vette

 

I fully understand the OP's sentiments. I'm the original owner of my '01 C-5, and I put about 14-1500 miles a year on it. I enjoy driving it, but since it's not my only vehicle, it's not driven daily. What concerns me, and I think it's the same as the OP, is that as the car gets older, some of the "wear out" items, most of which are electrical in nature, have been discontinued by GM's parts channel. And due to the relative "limited production" nature of Corvettes, there isn't a big market that would entice the aftermarket to get involved with reproducing these parts.

Therefore, in the future, we could potentially be dealing with "small parts" that could render the car useless. These cars, as well as most newer cars, aren't like the much simpler 1950-1960 Jeeps, or 1964-1969 Mustangs, or 1967-1969 Camaros, where the aftermarket makes enough reproduction parts to the point that you could build a "brand new" version of one of those vehicles, today.

 

Aftermarket parts can keep most cars running until you hit the "computer explosion" that started happening in the '90's. My '88 5.0 Mustang had an engine control computer and that was it. And once the let's-put everything-on-a-databus technology came into play, long term viability headed out of the window. No-one is ever going to gear up to produce ECBM's or even steering wheel positioning sensors for our cars because the upfront investment is too great for a small business, and the stuff may well still be under patent protection - either by GM or by their OEM supplier. And of course there is no mass market to absorb that investment cost. And let's face it, I don't see GM ever doing a Benz and guaranteeing parts supplies for all their cars for ever. Mind you,M-B's prices are astronomic - some of them more than our C5's are worth.