Hey everyone,

I have been lurking around here for a bit during my search for a C5. This site has been a valuable resource in helping me to gain a bit of knowledge before my purchase, so thanks to everyone that posts.

After much searching, I found a Torch Red 2001 Coupe A4 Z51 with low miles, good options and in great condition. The car is stock with the exception of Borla cat back exhaust. The owner of the car was a local 78 year old guy who was moving on to something more practical. He was having his 84 year old buddy help him sell the car. The 84 year old friend was a total car nut with a matching red C5 and a Viper tucked in his garage. I spent hours just talking cars with those two guys and would have walked away happy even if I didn't get the Corvette because their combined knowledge and stories were so amazing. As it was, the owner accepted by (reasonable) offer and I had to explain to my wife why a Corvette followed me home.

I was really looking for a M6 coupe, but nothing decent had popped up locally for months. I do miss a manual in the twisties, but I have been surprised how enjoyable the A4 has been just for cruising in traffic. Which seems to be most of the time since Idaho has been "discovered" and everyone who moved here constantly clogs the roads.

I have owned an BMW E36 M3 for the past 20 years and have enjoyed wrenching on that car, but it feels slow (still incredibly well balanced) compared to my daily driver F150 3.5tt. Weird that a truck is faster than a sporty car. Enter the C5. Totally different personality than the M3. The C5 is loud, low, fast and attracts attention wherever I go. Nobody even noticed the M3 except for the occasional car nerd.

I had to replace 12 year old tires (new Nitto 555 G2's), but plan to keep the C5 mostly stock. I feel like I am a little late to the party for aftermarket C5 parts anyway as it seems lots of cool upgrades are no longer available. It's probably not profitable to continue making parts for a relatively low production car.

I will be driving the C5 to Mesquite, NV for the winter months as I spend about 1 week a month working there. Boise is close enough to a Northern town that it's not particularly sports-car-friendly in the winter. This way I should get year round enjoyment from the C5.

Anyway, that's me. I probably won't post too much as most every possible question I have has been answered and there are plenty of people with way more c5 knowledge and experience than me.

 

Welcome and congratulations on your car. Its never too late to do some modifications.

 

the n73 (?) wheels look so nice on yours

 

Enjoyed your intro. Congrats on a very nice C5, and welcome to the forum.

Don’t fret…there’s plenty of cool “look good” and “go fast” mod’s to be had if you get the itch.

Cheers!

 

Nice Mags! Good looking car! Welcome!

 

Looks like you found a really nice C5. Congrats and there are plenty of opportunities to make some upgrades on the car to make the car reflect your own personal tastes.

 

Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on your nice C5!

 

Welcome to the asylum...

 

Congrats on the car!

My bet is you wont be able to keep the car completely stock. There's always something that needs to be modded.

 

There is no doubt my car won't stay stock. I can't seem to leave anything stock. Let see, modded guitars, chainsaws, mountain bikes, guns, motorcycles...

I would love to find a couple of 18" magnesium wheels to put on the front. Even things out a bit. Other than that, time will tell.

 

stock is boring

 

I dig the magnesium wheels. Good score.

C5s were not too low production. In fact, someone can correct me but seeing as they were being sold during the bubble and were quite a leap forward from the C4 I believe the C5 sold in significant numbers compared to later and more recent years of production. LOTS of them out there lurking. And still a VERY highly active aftermarket for them. There is a ton which is directly swappable between C5 / C6 especially.

Re newer trucks being fast..... Yeah, my best friend just got an F150 with the ecotec twin turbo 6cyl 10-speed..... that thing rides softer than my S600 and faster than most cars I have known that were stock. Absolutely faster than anything from the 90s I'd say! 20-30 years of technology and cad design have played out well for us all.

First advice - just sort the car out and enjoy it for a while

Second advice - do not get suckered into giving any business to C*rvette Mods vendor out there. They sell chinese junk products mostly. That's fine for small parts, not cool for others.

Third - don't kid yourself. You'll get bitten and start modding soon. BTW.... simply adding 8psi with a bolt-on blower kit puts these cars JUUUUUUUUUST about right. Calm and sedate around town like stock with great mpg. But power is there in demand and it will wake you up vs your truck.

Welcome

 

Welcome! Great looking car with the magnesium wheels!

 

I see it coming...a New guy.. One mod'd, ruined, perfectly good C5...please no white walled 20 inch tyres!...

 

Welcome and congrats on C5. I love driving mine!

 

Welcome and congratulations! I’m in the Boise area so I’ll look for your car around town!

 

Great welcome and information everyone, thanks! Since I posted one highbeam stopped working (not the bulb). Coincidence? Just the beginning, I am sure.

 

And found the bad fuse. I didn't think there would be separate fuses for each headlight. That's what I get for posting before searching!

 

Welcome to the forum. Congrats on the car! I'm glad you figured out the issue with your headlight. There are some really great headlight upgrade options out there. I agree with TUSC that an A&A supercharger is a fantastic upgrade to the C5. I love your Mag wheels. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Don't forget to SAVE THE WAVE!!