Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

why did Chevrolet do these things?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26, 2020 | 06:29 PM
  #1  
FOGeologist's Avatar
FOGeologist
Thread Starter
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 456
Likes: 144
From: Frederick Colorado
Default why did Chevrolet do these things?

1. Use a lube that dissolves rubber bumpers in the seat tracks... they must have known by 2001 that they had a problem.
2. Have such a weird grounding system with no dielectric grease.
3. Make the sunvisors out of warm spit and twigs.
4. Construct everything from the worst plastic known to men, that would shatter like Tiffany glass whenever you touched it or spoke harshly to it.

Can someone please explain why our $50k boutique sportscars were built like Cavaliers?

Last edited by FOGeologist; May 26, 2020 at 06:30 PM.
Reply

Popular Reply

May 26, 2020, 08:20 PM
C7ZO6's Avatar
C7ZO6
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I am new in corvette world, only 2 years,

can you pleae name a vehicle that is 1997 and was better made ?

I have owned over 8 BMWs 4 of them M3,
e36, e46,
terrible quality.
why did my Ferrari f430 broke a transmission at 9000 miles ? Because it’s piece of S....

if I list the problems with other automakers, you will start to warship the corvette.

corvette is by far the most reliable true sports car I have seen so far.
Old May 26, 2020 | 06:33 PM
  #2  
JALLEN4's Avatar
JALLEN4
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 2,506
Default

So they wouldn't be $75,000 and sale proof?
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 06:35 PM
  #3  
Mr. Black's Avatar
Mr. Black
No Hostility Be Happy
Supporting Lifetime
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 7,398
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

It's right in your thread title. Starts with C.

While they may be beloved Corvettes, in the end they are still just a Chevy.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 06:37 PM
  #4  
919cw313's Avatar
919cw313
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 2,694
From: New Mexico
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
Default

Junk it.

Nothing should ever break on 20 year old cars with 100k miles that are worth half a new Civic.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 06:46 PM
  #5  
FOGeologist's Avatar
FOGeologist
Thread Starter
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 456
Likes: 144
From: Frederick Colorado
Default

Cars made by other manufacturers that weren't 50k in 1997 have better quality plastics and better engineering for durability.

Riddle me this: why do the M6 cars strip out their reverse gears? Why did Chevy design a manual transmission that shifts like a tractor, grinds gears and is slower to shift that an automatic of the same period? My M6 routinely embarrasses me by popping out of gear in reverse and grinding. Lots of folks fixed the problem by installing a washer on one of the shift linkages... why didn't Chevy fix this problem the first or second year the car came out?
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 06:52 PM
  #6  
bc6152's Avatar
bc6152
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 471
From: S.E. Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by Mr. Black
It's right in your thread title. Starts with C.

While they may be beloved Corvettes, in the end they are still just a Chevy.
I have to respectfully disagree with you. The first initial would be "G". However:
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 07:06 PM
  #7  
Mr. Black's Avatar
Mr. Black
No Hostility Be Happy
Supporting Lifetime
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 7,398
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by bc6152
I have to respectfully disagree with you. The first initial would be "G". However:

lol I use the term loosly. Kinda like modern Jeeps. I call them Dodges even though they aren't technically.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 07:06 PM
  #8  
~Josh's Avatar
~Josh
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Default

Originally Posted by FOGeologist
Cars made by other manufacturers that weren't 50k in 1997 have better quality plastics and better engineering for durability.

Riddle me this: why do the M6 cars strip out their reverse gears? Why did Chevy design a manual transmission that shifts like a tractor, grinds gears and is slower to shift that an automatic of the same period? My M6 routinely embarrasses me by popping out of gear in reverse and grinding. Lots of folks fixed the problem by installing a washer on one of the shift linkages... why didn't Chevy fix this problem the first or second year the car came out?
Reverse gear doesn’t have a proper synchro assembly like the forward gears.

See that brass ring? That’s your reverse syncro.



Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 26, 2020 | 07:50 PM
  #9  
Pounder's Avatar
Pounder
1/4 mile/AutoX
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Default

for what it's worth BMW used the exact same setup in their seat tracks and have the same issue ????
four C 5's and have had few issues for the most part, all manuals and with a MGW shifter, NO ISSUES with shifting ????

Last edited by Pounder; May 26, 2020 at 07:52 PM.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 07:50 PM
  #10  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

the transmissions are also from Tremec, not GM... I get where you're coming from but that doesn't stop me from liking my car
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 07:51 PM
  #11  
dbgoodwin's Avatar
dbgoodwin
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Default

Wow, sounds like you bought a piece of junk.

Or just didnt take care of it properly.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 08:18 PM
  #12  
Old School's Avatar
Old School
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 427
From: LI NY
Default


Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 08:20 PM
  #13  
C7ZO6's Avatar
C7ZO6
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I am new in corvette world, only 2 years,

can you pleae name a vehicle that is 1997 and was better made ?

I have owned over 8 BMWs 4 of them M3,
e36, e46,
terrible quality.
why did my Ferrari f430 broke a transmission at 9000 miles ? Because it’s piece of S....

if I list the problems with other automakers, you will start to warship the corvette.

corvette is by far the most reliable true sports car I have seen so far.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 08:20 PM
  #14  
MetalMan2's Avatar
MetalMan2
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 1,389
From: Orange County, CA
Default

Originally Posted by FOGeologist
My M6 routinely embarrasses me by popping out of gear in reverse and grinding. Lots of folks fixed the problem by installing a washer on one of the shift linkages... why didn't Chevy fix this problem the first or second year the car came out?
That is my current predicament. It seems to be a general T56 issue that the reverse synchro has too-little engagement and exhibits the popping out problem (mine certainly did).
Even better, my Z06 has 70k miles and after disassembling the T56, it turns out the reverse synchro slider had already been flipped! That means this transmission was opened up, and had the reverse issue fixed previously.
It's amazing that Chevy allowed this...
In any case I totally understand that we shouldn't have to be the ones fixing glaring design flaws.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 08:33 PM
  #15  
Jim_ZO6's Avatar
Jim_ZO6
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 454
Likes: 200
From: Chicago
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
C5 of Year Winner (stock) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by C7ZO6
I am new in corvette world, only 2 years,

can you pleae name a vehicle that is 1997 and was better made ?

I have owned over 8 BMWs 4 of them M3,
e36, e46,
terrible quality.
why did my Ferrari f430 broke a transmission at 9000 miles ? Because it’s piece of S....

if I list the problems with other automakers, you will start to warship the corvette.

corvette is by far the most reliable true sports car I have seen so far.
Yeah, but the interiors are much nicer in the cars you mention. Never mind that they cost way more than a Vette, and cost twice as much to repair.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 08:44 PM
  #16  
jackthelad's Avatar
jackthelad
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Default

I have an early build '98. Had it from new. It will be 23 years old in July. I've had none of the problems the OP refers to. Chevy did make a mistake in not setting oil change intervals for the M6. When I changed the fluid in mine at about 60k, two surprises - what came out was way, way less than should have been in there, despite zero oil leaks - never ever had a drop under the car on my garage floor. And when I put new oil in - just regular Valvoline, nothing overpriced or "boutique", I was rewarded with much lighter shifts, even with the shorter throws of a modded shifter (cut down Chevy, not aftermarket). Having the proper amount of fluid in there is a good idea.

No problems with sun visors, no shattering plastic, etc.

Were C5's built to a price? Of course. They had to hit a price point GM thought they could sell them at - that's how the industry works. If they had ben any more expensive (including being ripped off for the "extra cost" M6 tranny), I for one would not have bought one.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 08:59 PM
  #17  
jackthelad's Avatar
jackthelad
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by C7ZO6
I am new in corvette world, only 2 years,

can you pleae name a vehicle that is 1997 and was better made ?

I have owned over 8 BMWs 4 of them M3,
e36, e46,
terrible quality.
why did my Ferrari f430 broke a transmission at 9000 miles ? Because it’s piece of S....

if I list the problems with other automakers, you will start to warship the corvette.

corvette is by far the most reliable true sports car I have seen so far.
The car I nearly bought was much better made I suspect - the Toyota Supra Turbo. They also hold a high resale price, but that's another story. In fact almost any Japanese car of that era was extremely well made. My wife for years had a '95 Subaru Legacy. It NEVER had to go back to the dealer all the time (10 years) she had it. Nor did her turbo'd 2005 Legacy GT which she kept for 12 years. Regular oil changes, new tires and wipers as needed and the occasional new battery. And it is still in the family and running just fine.

p.s. Ferraris are not exactly known for Japanese levels of reliability. Never buy one unless you have very deep pockets. If you want the full effect, buy one with the belt driven cams - belt changing is often and incredibly expensive - an engine out job..
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To why did Chevrolet do these things?

Old May 26, 2020 | 09:51 PM
  #18  
Pounder's Avatar
Pounder
1/4 mile/AutoX
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Default

tell me what other car has a reverse synchro ??? I consider it a plus ???
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 09:52 PM
  #19  
C7ZO6's Avatar
C7ZO6
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Jim_ZO6
Yeah, but the interiors are much nicer in the cars you mention. Never mind that they cost way more than a Vette, and cost twice as much to repair.
i disagree,
dashboard cracking on bmw is called quality?
headliner sagging is quality?
Seats 90% of them fail is that better interior ?
all the switches discolor Within the first 3 years.

Honesly as much as people complain about c5 interior, it’s still better in many ways.

I am happy with my c5 interior.
Reply
Old May 26, 2020 | 10:39 PM
  #20  
Fastbird's Avatar
Fastbird
Race Director
20 Year Member
Pro Mechanic
Liked
Community Favorite
 
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
Default

I had to LOL at the T56 comment. GM didn't develop the T56 transmission. It was brought out by Borg Warner and initially debited in the 1992 Viper. GM cheaper out on shift forks and other things, but they didn't develop the trans. The T56 is a great transmission too, and just FYI, no gated manual is going to shift after than an automatic.

Anything listed here? Cost effectiveness. Plain and simple. Corners cut to keep a world class sports car in the working class budget, plain and simple.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:24 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE