Apology accepted.

 

My 99 coupe has been really good so far (knock on wood); I have only experienced a slight rocking seat so far.

 

i think no matter what vehicle you look at, if you go to a forum of enthusiasts (ok,fanatical nutz!) of the car, you will hear all kinds of bad things.

i believe the most important point is to try to know the car you're buying. all the issues listed are valid, but most that are critical have probably already been dealt with on the age of cars being talked about here, namely the 97-01.

we have a 97 we absolutely run like a dog. dragrace and autocross. it's had the fuel gauge issue and rocking seat and probably some of the others and still runs like a champ. strong and fast and handles great!

so.......good luck in your search!

 

Most serious problem with my '04 has been finding more time to drive it; otherwise a bad relay on the passenger side power window, and a mysterious split (not cut) that developed in the console cover have been the only problems to date.

By the way, I have three other GM vehicles in the driveway that were purchased new - a '98 4x4 CK2500, an '02 4x4 Tahoe and an '04 Cadillac SLS - other than a battery and a A/C relay on the pickup - zero problems. GM is building great vehicles!

 

I had a 99 vert that I put 36,000 miles on and no major problems. 6 speed, vert.

 

Very well put Liz. Our 97 just turned 50,000 miles. Despite what some forum Xperts might indicate our car was built in the first 45 days of C5 production and it is fantastic (knocks wood). We have the noisy fuel pump and the rocking seat. Our car has made two trips to Bowling Green from Massachusetts in the last two years. If you get the right car...it doesn't matter how old it is. Buy the newest you can afford....don't rule out any year. If you find a clean car (forum members will surely check one out for you if it's out of state) buy it, don't shy away from any just based on age.

Paul

 

I had a black 98 MN6 Coupe and EB 02 ZO6. I loved both cars! Both were a blast to drive and were very dependable! I had some problems with the 98 but most of them were repaired under the origional warrenty.

The only serious issue I had with the 98 was electrical. For 6 months or so, I was afraid to drive it, in fear of being stranded. The car would cut off and frequently not start. If it did start it would only run in "LIMP HOME MODE" On a very positive note, I was very successful in solving the problem and the cost was only a few hours work. Cause was bad chassis grounds!!!

Here are the things that were problems on the 98. (Note! Problems with * in front of them can happen to any C5!

* AC/Heater box drain clog
* Windshield Cowl drains clogged
* Wet BCM from clogged AC/Heater box drains
* Windshield wiper motor controler failure. cause, clogged cowl drains.
* Theth deterrent relay failure. Cause, condensation from AC sys.
* Differential seal leak. (warrenty)
*Fuel gauge drops to empty (warrenty) and out of warrenty
* Column Locked
Excessive Seat cover wear on side bolster. (warrenty)
*Poor dash benzel fitment. (warrenty)
*BAD Chassis ground
Rear deck carpet was poorly sized. (warrenty)
* Rocking seat
* Reverse light switch failure


The 02 ZO6 has been wonderful! I have only been to the dealer for very minor problems!

Bad spark plug wires. (warrenty)
* Poor dash benzel fitment. (warrenty)
Dry rotted PCV rubber fitting. (warrenty)
Bad rear deck hatch struts (warrenty X3 )
Read deck lid fails to open fully. (warrenty X3)
Head liner around rear window droops (warrenty)
*Poor dash benzel fitment. (warrenty)

There are other things that can happen to C5's, Here are some things that I have seen on the forum.

Exhaust flange welds break
Idler pully failure
Harmonic Balancer wobble/failure
Emergency flasher switch failure
Door control module failure.

BC

 

I've had my '98 since May, 1998. Have had some small minor problems (I've also had the same kind of problems w/ any new car I've bought), but, nothing serious. This car has been one of the best cars I have ever owned. It runs absolutely great. It's as if I just picked it up at the dealer for the first time. Good luck w/ your selection.

 

I think there is probably less of a chance of oil consumption problems with an earlier LS1, such as 97-99. I've got a 98 and just finished up a 5000 mile oil change interval and my oil level did not change. I've got no problems at all with piston slap either.

I also used to own a 98 Firebird Formula with the LS1 engine in it too and it used no oil between changes and had no piston slap as well. I know a lot of people with LS1 f-bodies and it seems that most of them with earlier models have no problems with oil consumption while the ones I know with 01s and 02s seem to have more problems.