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Just bought my first vette, I always loved the looks and lines of this year. After reading reviews about this year it sounds like I may have made a bad decision.
Are the parts that hard to find? I need a windshield and am worried about the gaskets.
Just enjoy your car. If it breaks, it breaks - it's 20 years old for crying out loud. People seem to get so caught up in what CAN happen that they forget to enjoy the car.
Just bought my first vette, I always loved the looks and lines of this year. After reading reviews about this year it sounds like I may have made a bad decision.
Are the parts that hard to find? I need a windshield and am worried about the gaskets.
You may have, then again you may not have. I have owned a 98 for 23 years and it has been a great car.
Most windshields are just glued now a days. Installation success rides on the installer more than the age of the car.
I have a 98 also. You have the best year.
Last edited by johnson-rod; Mar 26, 2021 at 11:58 AM.
The C5 is a GREAT car! I don't think you made a mistake buying a C5 at all. Personally, I would have gotten a newer one. However, that doesn't mean you made a mistake. As others have said, they can reuse your existing gaskets if they're careful. My advice, since you already own it is just to take the best care of it as you can. If you do, it will likely give you MANY miles of smiles. Congrats on your new Corvette!
Don't forget to SAVE THE WAVE!
Just enjoy your car. If it breaks, it breaks - it's 20 years old for crying out loud. People seem to get so caught up in what CAN happen that they forget to enjoy the car.
Just enjoy your car. If it breaks, it breaks - it's 20 years old for crying out loud. People seem to get so caught up in what CAN happen that they forget to enjoy the car.
Welcome to the forums
I have owned my '97 for over a decade. Other than maintenance and mods, this car has required almost no work. And I have yet to have an issue with parts availability.
I've had mine since 2007 and have loved every minute of it. I agree with what Stingroo and othesr have said, enjoy the car and don't worry about it, or you won't be able to enjoy it.
I bought a 1997 which is the worst of the worst. I too felt like I made a bad decision initially. The car in the last 2.5 years has given me no grief that wasn't of my own doing.
I wish at times that Stingroos quote could be scrolled across the top of the C5 forum page all day long.
Last edited by Mr. Black; Mar 27, 2021 at 10:28 AM.
Thanks fellas! I feel better. It's almost a spiritual feeling to finally have it. It's so cool driving it ! I've wanted one since I was 19 and a buddy of mine had a 76' and he let me borrow it to take a girl out, this was in 78'. I've been eat up with wanting one ever since. I figured that it better happen pretty soon or I wouldn't be able to get in and out of it. Tickled to be in the club!
Thanks fellas! I feel better. It's almost a spiritual feeling to finally have it. It's so cool driving it ! I've wanted one since I was 19 and a buddy of mine had a 76' and he let me borrow it to take a girl out, this was in 78'. I've been eat up with wanting one ever since. I figured that it better happen pretty soon or I wouldn't be able to get in and out of it. Tickled to be in the club!
I have owned several C5’s with no issues. I had a 1999 6spd Coupe for nearly 14 years and it was completely trouble free aside from 2 window regulators and a clutch master cylinder, common with any make or model car. As long as you drive them and maintain them they run forever. I would by my ‘99 back in a minute.
Congrats on your purchase! The LS1 motor in the C5's were legendary, still hold their own, they can be easily and suggestingly modified for very decent amounts of power.
The C5 chassis ('97-'04) was a breakthrough relatively speaking, significantly good platform. The C5 is also lighter than the C6 or C7.
Remember to run some searches for your questions to research your car, as well.
Thanks fellas! I feel better. It's almost a spiritual feeling to finally have it. It's so cool driving it ! I've wanted one since I was 19 and a buddy of mine had a 76' and he let me borrow it to take a girl out, this was in 78'. I've been eat up with wanting one ever since. I figured that it better happen pretty soon or I wouldn't be able to get in and out of it. Tickled to be in the club!
As you are now discovering, Corvette = more smiles per mile than just about anything else.
At this stage, all years of the C5 Corvettes experience mechanical and electronic issues. The trick is just not to worry about what MIGHT happen, but as the other members say, enjoy the ride, the handling, the look, and the Corvette experience. Just yesterday here in Pennsylvania we had a bright sunny day and it was about 72F. I took the cover off, unhooked the battery tender, dropped the top, and took it out first time since last November to get gas at Costco. On the way it wasn't 10 minutes when another driver in a Range Rover said " nice car, what year?". Told him a '98 and he said looks great... This is just one thing you enjoy owning a Corvette, America's sports car...
The upper shift cable bushing crumbled last week,of course I broke the plastic guide when I pulled the cable into drive to get it home. Got the new shift cable Thursday,
didn’t look like a tough job to fix. That son of a gun is so low that I couldn’t jack it high enough to get underneath and fix it. Did not feel safe going any higher.
Towed to my mechanic today , hopefully won’t hurt too bad. Wife already giving me grief ! I don’t care. She’ll either get over it or under it !
Had my 98 for 6 years not a problem yet except battery gas and tires. Drive it and fix it IF it breaks. Have driven them for over 50 years never mattered what others said might happen to them just enjoyed every one that I have had.
Last edited by TinkersVet; Mar 29, 2021 at 11:12 PM.
Reason: spelling
98 C5 gamble !
