Jumped a median
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 85
From: Elverson, PA
Sorry that happened to you. Every C5 I looked at needed new tires. Every single one. The tires had great tread but were old. Even the C6's I looked at needed new tires.
My 2004 had the original tires that looked brand new. I made sure the vette came with new tires.
My 2004 had the original tires that looked brand new. I made sure the vette came with new tires.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
I definitely understand how you feel. When you are a Vette enthusiast and you finally get one….anything happening… even a scratch can make you sick. One thing I learned quickly about Corvettes is that you have to constantly have the low profile/clearance in mind while driving. Be vigilant especially in parking lots, around curbs, speed bumps, steep inclines etc. There is a learning curve if you have only driven non-performance vehicles. For the wheel/pulling issues I recommend to take it to a independent wheel/tire/alignment shop…not a dealer. Wheel shops specialize in wheel and alignment problems. Everything will work out. Keep us posted on your situation.
Also, tires are from 2014. I can’t believe I missed that. I feel so stupid. I hope he can get everything situated. He said he’ll do everything including new tires
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,153
Likes: 859
From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Try to stay as positive as you can. Bad things happen to the best of us. Roll with the punches and make her better than before. Also, be sure to respect the power of these cars, especially when coming out of a turn. Even with new rubber! 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 1,040
So Kay... You've added "character" to the C5 and learned at the same time!... Could have been a lot worse!.. Ask me how I know.. It's sickening... how old tires can distroy ones day, week, month, and future. Tires are The most important part of a Corvette, don't screw around!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 40
Likes: 19
From: Northern Nevada
My guess is a rear control arm bent. It wouldnt take much at the right angle to bend one. Very easy to replace. The body work doesnt look terrible either. For tires I recommend you search this forum and buy based on how you plan to use the car. She'll be better than new when you get it back.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
So Kay... You've added "character" to the C5 and learned at the same time!... Could have been a lot worse!.. Ask me how I know.. It's sickening... how old tires can distroy ones day, week, month, and future. Tires are The most important part of a Corvette, don't screw around!
My guess is a rear control arm bent. It wouldnt take much at the right angle to bend one. Very easy to replace. The body work doesnt look terrible either. For tires I recommend you search this forum and buy based on how you plan to use the car. She'll be better than new when you get it back.
I will definitely heed the advice make no mistake. Although I am no stranger to driving fast vehicles, and driving them well for the most part, this is my first vette.. just goes to show that on top of the foul tires that I somehow missed, I need to respect the machine and take more caution in all situations.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
you’re right, I just took it to the closest spot that was still open instead of driving it 30 minutes back to my house in that condition. I’m really hoping it’s not frame damage, my buddies are saying no way. They are not exactly body or mechanic experts, they’re good, but not experts. I hit it pretty hard, dead on but the left wheel seems fine. Plus I bought it with a blue title. If that makes any difference. Hopefully it just bent something in the rear axle at most. I couldn’t be more devastated right now. I wasn’t doing anything crazy, it just kinda happened and I feel like an idiot. Hoping it doesn’t cost like $6k or anything of the sort. I can do small things regarding repairs, but this is over my head. My first thought was body shop, but I felt it pulling so I just went straight to the dealer who was like 30 minutes from closing time. Couldn’t be more discouraged. Can a frame even be fixed on these? God forbid
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
I'd like to add 1 thing. Sure, the tires were old(er). But I'm willing to wager there's more to this than you may know. I've driven on 8 year old tires before, and while it may not be the best idea to do so, it wasn't like driving on icy, snow covered roads, either. I'm thinking there may have been some sort of spill on the pavement there. You'd never have a problem just scooting straight over it. But add a bit of side loaf g-force, and you end up like you did. I once fell over in the middle of an intersection while turning left on my motorcycle!!! Couldn't have been going 5mph!!! I picked the bike up, and, while standing there, I fell again!!! The guy at the corner gas station told me there had been an accident at that intersection about 2 or 3 weeks before I fell. He said his stations wrecker had cleaned up the intersection, and towed the vehicles. He also said there was a lot of transmission fluid that was cleaned up. Apparently, the oily residue was still there, invisible to the naked eye!! You couldn't see any sheen on the pavement, or dark looking oil spot, either. But my tires, then my own 2 feet, found it was still slick!!! Old tires suck, but I feel there's more involved here than old tires. I'm sure your car will be fine. Lucky nobody was hurt. Best of luck to you and your car..........
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
I'd like to add 1 thing. Sure, the tires were old(er). But I'm willing to wager there's more to this than you may know. I've driven on 8 year old tires before, and while it may not be the best idea to do so, it wasn't like driving on icy, snow covered roads, either. I'm thinking there may have been some sort of spill on the pavement there. You'd never have a problem just scooting straight over it. But add a bit of side loaf g-force, and you end up like you did. I once fell over in the middle of an intersection while turning left on my motorcycle!!! Couldn't have been going 5mph!!! I picked the bike up, and, while standing there, I fell again!!! The guy at the corner gas station told me there had been an accident at that intersection about 2 or 3 weeks before I fell. He said his stations wrecker had cleaned up the intersection, and towed the vehicles. He also said there was a lot of transmission fluid that was cleaned up. Apparently, the oily residue was still there, invisible to the naked eye!! You couldn't see any sheen on the pavement, or dark looking oil spot, either. But my tires, then my own 2 feet, found it was still slick!!! Old tires suck, but I feel there's more involved here than old tires. I'm sure your car will be fine. Lucky nobody was hurt. Best of luck to you and your car..........
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
Nice, I would certainly prefer GM only as well. I’m in Leander, about 30 minutes from Austin. It seems the only Corvette shop around here is the one I took it too. I will verify if he uses only OEM or not. I imagine he does but I’ll check
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16,042
Likes: 2,719
From: Frisco, TX
Was driving like an ***, sped up to get in front of a car to jump on the hwy. The car in front of them hit brakes like they were trying to decide if they were getting on freeway or stay on access road. When I saw them I cut hard right and barely clipped them. Thank God it wasn't more in the middle of them because they had a trailer hitch
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
lspowah - Stuff happens - and as many others have said - this is completely fixable. Neither you or anyone else was hurt.
So - as you probably know - the C5 is not a "Fiberglass Body" car - the body panels are made from something called SMC (Sheet Molding Compound). I'm betting that somewhere on the order of 2/3 to 3/4 of the repair Bill is bodywork & paint. But if a couple of control arms or brackets are bent (likely) - there is nothing wrong with getting used C5 parts - check the For Sale threads here for people parting out a C5, and try to get a list of the actual parts needed from the repair guy. Sometimes you can save a few $$$ that way.
GOOD LUCK !!!
So - as you probably know - the C5 is not a "Fiberglass Body" car - the body panels are made from something called SMC (Sheet Molding Compound). I'm betting that somewhere on the order of 2/3 to 3/4 of the repair Bill is bodywork & paint. But if a couple of control arms or brackets are bent (likely) - there is nothing wrong with getting used C5 parts - check the For Sale threads here for people parting out a C5, and try to get a list of the actual parts needed from the repair guy. Sometimes you can save a few $$$ that way.
GOOD LUCK !!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
Was driving like an ***, sped up to get in front of a car to jump on the hwy. The car in front of them hit brakes like they were trying to decide if they were getting on freeway or stay on access road. When I saw them I cut hard right and barely clipped them. Thank God it wasn't more in the middle of them because they had a trailer hitch