C5's Too Old
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 424
Likes: 194
From: Colorado Springs
That’s funny, very rarely do I take mine (a 97) to a dealership and have yet to be turned away! You are better off finding a good home grown mechanic in your area that can be trusted to do quality work.
Oh, yeah. That dealership service department is an ***!
Oh, yeah. That dealership service department is an ***!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,086
Likes: 80
From: Los Angeles CA
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
A business can deny service for virtually any reason. If they don't have a tech that is familiar with the systems, it's probably in everybody's best interest to not take it on.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 124
Likes: 93
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 515
Likes: 279
From: Carol Stream (Chicago suburbs) IL
I'd be curious to know what kind of service was involved. The mechanicals of the C5 are not particularly exotic, thanks largely to the omnipresent LS engine. On the other hand if someone was having trouble with a'98 Corvette's ECBM, that's another matter altogether.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,049
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
I had 4 tires mounted and balanced back in July.
Service Manager said to me "we can do the mount and balance but we wouldn't be able to work on your car, because it's too old." I started laughing and said...dude no worries there. I wouldn't let any of your guys touch it other than the tires. He agreed (which cracked me up).
To the OP...just find yourself a good shop if you aren't able to perform service yourself. The C5 is a really easy car to work on. A reputable mechanic can easily handle the basics.
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They may have saved you a lot of problems down the road if they are not all that familiar with the C5. Find a shop that has experience with C5s and let them tackle the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,363
Likes: 4,583
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
In 43 years of owning Corvettes I have never taken any of my Corvettes to a dealership for anything. I do most work myself but have gone to trusted Corvette Shops where there were extremely qualified Corvette specialists who shared the passion.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,049
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 86
From: Erie PA
The great part of having an older, popular car, is that there are very many resources (like this forum) that can help you do most of the things that need done, and almost every procedure has a video posted somewhere (youtube) about how to do it.
The worst thing is that some parts have been discontinued, but there are nos, and used parts available, as well as workarounds for most things.
And, I agree with avoiding dealers! New car warranty work, yes, EVERYTNING else will be done better, and cheaper, by an independent shop.
The worst thing is that some parts have been discontinued, but there are nos, and used parts available, as well as workarounds for most things.
And, I agree with avoiding dealers! New car warranty work, yes, EVERYTNING else will be done better, and cheaper, by an independent shop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,004
Likes: 723
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 702
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
I agree with everything posted above. I will add it is not just Corvettes.
My wife has a 2006 Beetle Convertible as a fun-driver. I needed a second spare key fob, because, well, my wife is all-woman. You understand.
With VW, only dealers can get key-fobs with the cut key from the factory. While I was in route to the stealership to pickup the key and get it programmed, the EPM light came on and the engine stumbled. I asked them to check it for me since I was there. Their response, “ We don’t usually work on anything that old, but I will ask a mechanic if he can check it.” This is a 2006 model. Too old?
Anyway. I just got my own computer for the car. Determined it was the crankshaft position sensor. Changed it myself. The car runs fine.
So. This issue is not just with our Vettes.
My wife has a 2006 Beetle Convertible as a fun-driver. I needed a second spare key fob, because, well, my wife is all-woman. You understand.
With VW, only dealers can get key-fobs with the cut key from the factory. While I was in route to the stealership to pickup the key and get it programmed, the EPM light came on and the engine stumbled. I asked them to check it for me since I was there. Their response, “ We don’t usually work on anything that old, but I will ask a mechanic if he can check it.” This is a 2006 model. Too old?
Anyway. I just got my own computer for the car. Determined it was the crankshaft position sensor. Changed it myself. The car runs fine.
So. This issue is not just with our Vettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
If you aren't comfortable working on the car, just ask around for a local performance shop which I'm sure will be glad to help. Just expect to pay about $100(on the cheap side) an hour in labor
