Curious...need opinion
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: plattsburgh ny
Curious...need opinion
What do you think is the most milage to purchase a C5, reasonably speakings, with out having to worry about major repairs...ie,timing , water pumps, clutches and the like. I understand it depends on the previous owner/s, but just an overall average. People tell me at 60 k you should start worrying, other say 100k and still going strong. What are some of your personal experiences.
Thanx in advance from a newbie to the C5 scene.
Thanx in advance from a newbie to the C5 scene.
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Boy its like you said it depends alot on the previous owner and how well it was maintained, and at 36,000 the warranty runs out unless there is a transferable one.
If you can stay with a low mile car, if not see if you can get maint rec's, i prefer to deal with private owned cars and have a mechanic give it a onceover, you can then judge the owner to, at a dealer it could have come from a auction and not be able to get records on it, you really have to use your best judgment on it, Good Luck.
If you can stay with a low mile car, if not see if you can get maint rec's, i prefer to deal with private owned cars and have a mechanic give it a onceover, you can then judge the owner to, at a dealer it could have come from a auction and not be able to get records on it, you really have to use your best judgment on it, Good Luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
Personally if I had the car checked out I would probably draw the line in the 75K-80K range but if I bought it right (enough financial room to do major repairs) then I'd go higher. Everyone has to judge their own mechanical abilities and comfort levels. Good Luck! 
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I would start thinking about these things at probably the 50K mark. Car may be fine, but issues with clutches, etc would be on my mind.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Celina ohio
Vozin maybe the reason for the 3/36k warr vs 7/75k is that quite often Vette owners autocross, drag race, power break, and just basicly drive the car "real hard". While owners of lux cars drive 64 miles an hour and slowly pump the brakes to come to a slow and gentle stop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,071
Likes: 317
From: Central Florida
This is a tough one to answer, as peoples driving habits, type of roads, type of driving and even the part of the country the car is in all plays a part in the lasting of parts. Was the car garage kept? Was the car used in city driving, or highway driving.
Again going back to the driver, was it driver by one person on several different folks? All of this has to be taken into consideration. However the best sign is to get it on a lift and look for wear and tear on the car, look especially in the rear wheel sections...look for remnants of burnt rubber on the suspension...of this car was abused run away.
Look for leaks, excessive grim or grease build up around the transmission and oil pan area, check the ends and fitting of the hoses do you see leakage.
Best thing is hire a person to check out the car, check the parts you can't see.
I don't think milage is as important then how the car was maintained and used.
Again going back to the driver, was it driver by one person on several different folks? All of this has to be taken into consideration. However the best sign is to get it on a lift and look for wear and tear on the car, look especially in the rear wheel sections...look for remnants of burnt rubber on the suspension...of this car was abused run away.
Look for leaks, excessive grim or grease build up around the transmission and oil pan area, check the ends and fitting of the hoses do you see leakage.
Best thing is hire a person to check out the car, check the parts you can't see.
I don't think milage is as important then how the car was maintained and used.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Nesconset NY
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Originally Posted by Vozin
How come the Vette comes with a 36,000 warrenty - while another (unammed luxo brand) comes with a 5yr 50k bumper to bumper and a 7yr 70k drivetrain warrenty -
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
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From: plattsburgh ny
thanx for the replies.....has anyone had any experiences, though, say timing, clutch you know , anything unexpected...obviously I should look for a 20- 30k car, but finances dictate, If it was up to my wife she would say" that 1988 vette is cheap, buy that one"....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,599
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From: Texas
Or one that you are familiar with the history on. I was lucky enough to get a great Corvette at a great price from a friend. The car had 50k miles when I bought it but you wanna talk highway miles, he lives in Texas but has a vacation house in southern Florida that he went to at least twice a year in the Vette. I still might have problems with it (I hope not!!!) but I know the vehicle was maintaned religiously and that is all I could ask for.PS. and good luck!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by mike herhold
50K
door control module, headlight motor, oil sending unit, water pump, seat rail motor assembly, alternator with tensioner and idler pulley all one claim. these added up to 3,000 dollars. I have a 7 yr 100,000 mile extended warranty with zero deductable from Warranty Direct.. All these issues were fixed without any problems buy my local performance automotive independant mechanic, without a penny out of my pocket. I still have 4 years and 50,000 miles left on this warranty.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Aug 27, 2004 at 03:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by vetterlatethannever
Wow, what did that warranty cost you!!! 
just pickin on you!!
(it should be mile right?)
By the way, when did he
get here???
just pickin on you!!(it should be mile right?)
By the way, when did he
get here???
