super low mile c5 concerns?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
super low mile c5 concerns?
I think I have finally found the C5 I am going to get but I have a few questions for you guys.
The car is a 2001 with 16,300 miles on it. Should I expect some things to go wrong when I make it my daily driver since it probably isn't run too frequently? I will be driving it 1200 miles from NY to FL as soon as I fly up there. Should I worry about anything? The LS1 is an amazing engine so idk whether it will handle the infrequent miles well or not.
Also, do I not need to take it in for a maintenance check until around 30,000 miles like most cars these days?
Thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to joining the C5 club
The car is a 2001 with 16,300 miles on it. Should I expect some things to go wrong when I make it my daily driver since it probably isn't run too frequently? I will be driving it 1200 miles from NY to FL as soon as I fly up there. Should I worry about anything? The LS1 is an amazing engine so idk whether it will handle the infrequent miles well or not.
Also, do I not need to take it in for a maintenance check until around 30,000 miles like most cars these days?
Thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to joining the C5 club
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,615
Likes: 142
From: Lake Simcoe..... Back in Black baby!!!
Toronto Events Coordinator
I would expect that there should be 0 problems, based on the fact the car checks out and everything works. 16 k isn't that low a mileage, so I wouldn't worry about it from that point of view.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 344
Likes: 167
From: Sugar Land Tx
I bought a 2003 AE in November....18000+ miles. Drove it to Houston from Lincoln NE, 900 miles. Not a problem then, not a problem since. You read alot of bitching on here, but when you consider how many cars are out there, the complaints are relatively few. The C5 is the most awesome car on the road for the money....performance, features, reliability, and just damned cool!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Turbopower87 -
Sounds like you got a good one - 16k miles in 7 years....just enough to keep it "exercised", but still in the weekend-driver realm.
Make sure the battery is good, and that the car has a column lock bypass if it is a newer manual trans car.
Maintenance? Engine oil and anti-freeze are the only things that I would take care of before a long trip; the engine oil just because, and the coolant because it has a 5 year/100k mile service interval.
I would not be especially concerned with things like transmission, differential or brake/clutch fluids before the trip, but if you are like me, you will want to "level-set" and perform those maintenance items at some point just "so 'ya know".
These cars are really very reliable, with battery/electrical problems seeming to top the list of frequent issues.
I have over 50k miles on each of two C5's, one a Z06 that I run hard, and the other a 99 A4 coupe that rarely gets driven in a way that cannot be reported on the forum
. Neither of these cars have had any serious issues to date.
Enjoy a great car and have a great trip!
best regards -
mqqn
Sounds like you got a good one - 16k miles in 7 years....just enough to keep it "exercised", but still in the weekend-driver realm.
Make sure the battery is good, and that the car has a column lock bypass if it is a newer manual trans car.
Maintenance? Engine oil and anti-freeze are the only things that I would take care of before a long trip; the engine oil just because, and the coolant because it has a 5 year/100k mile service interval.
I would not be especially concerned with things like transmission, differential or brake/clutch fluids before the trip, but if you are like me, you will want to "level-set" and perform those maintenance items at some point just "so 'ya know".
These cars are really very reliable, with battery/electrical problems seeming to top the list of frequent issues.
I have over 50k miles on each of two C5's, one a Z06 that I run hard, and the other a 99 A4 coupe that rarely gets driven in a way that cannot be reported on the forum
. Neither of these cars have had any serious issues to date. Enjoy a great car and have a great trip!
best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
Thanks guys. I'll ask him to get the oil changed before I get up there and they should top off the coolant while that is done. My cousin lives about 45min from where the car is so he's gunna check it out for me in person early next week and hopefully I'll be driving it home the week after 
I can't wait. It's a huge step up from my current Mazda3 lol
I can't wait. It's a huge step up from my current Mazda3 lol
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Low millage could also mean dried out seals in the trans and diff.
Run your finger over the lower edges of each. Feel for any fluid.
This CAN be the big problem for low millage cars. Seals have dried out from non use.
Tires, may be OK for normal street driving but not any performance driving.
Remember tread depth has nothing to do with traction, but moving water out from under the tire.
See if you can put your finger nail into the rubber of the tire. If the rubber is hard, time for new tires also.
Also ask if the battery has been on a tender? If not time for new battery too.
Good Luck
Run your finger over the lower edges of each. Feel for any fluid.
This CAN be the big problem for low millage cars. Seals have dried out from non use.
Tires, may be OK for normal street driving but not any performance driving.
Remember tread depth has nothing to do with traction, but moving water out from under the tire.
See if you can put your finger nail into the rubber of the tire. If the rubber is hard, time for new tires also.
Also ask if the battery has been on a tender? If not time for new battery too.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
YES in back.
Look underneath in front of and behind the rear wheels.
You will need to get on the ground and get dirty.
there you will see the trans and diff.
it is a stretch to reach under there but you need to do it.
Look underneath in front of and behind the rear wheels.
You will need to get on the ground and get dirty.
there you will see the trans and diff.
it is a stretch to reach under there but you need to do it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
Buy it ! My '03 has just turned 7K. no leaks no issues...nothing. Dried out seals on that car or mine is BS. Someof these things leak from the factory at the rear differential when they Are new for G..ds sake ! My old GTO leaked from sitting yes, that was a hand built motor.
There isnt one drop or even a damp gasket under my car.
There isnt one drop or even a damp gasket under my car.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Just go look under neath.
In most cases you will be fine.
It is that first 500 / 1000 miles with in a two months of purchase that are important. These first few hundred miles heat of the seals for a tight fit.
in short low millage cars dont bring extra value, so dont let any one tell you low millage cars are worth more. They are not.
In most cases you will be fine.
It is that first 500 / 1000 miles with in a two months of purchase that are important. These first few hundred miles heat of the seals for a tight fit.
in short low millage cars dont bring extra value, so dont let any one tell you low millage cars are worth more. They are not.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
Just go look under neath.
In most cases you will be fine.
It is that first 500 / 1000 miles with in a two months of purchase that are important. These first few hundred miles heat of the seals for a tight fit.
in short low millage cars dont bring extra value, so dont let any one tell you low millage cars are worth more. They are not.
In most cases you will be fine.
It is that first 500 / 1000 miles with in a two months of purchase that are important. These first few hundred miles heat of the seals for a tight fit.
in short low millage cars dont bring extra value, so dont let any one tell you low millage cars are worth more. They are not.
I was amazed when I was on kbb that the difference between an 01 with 17k mi and 50k mi was only a couple hundred bucks. I'm getting it below book value so I can't complain. I did run in to people asking for $28k for 98s with 60k miles just because they weren't red or black lol. I understand people thinking they are worth a lot simply because they are such an amazing car. I can't wait to join the club lol
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
Thanks very much for your inputs AU N EGL and 8vette7
He also said there is a few more years left on the extended warranty so maybe I wouldn't even have to worry about it if there was a problem.
I'm actually going to the local monthly vette meeting in my area tonight so I can meet the others around here. Hopefully they'll take a 20 year old under their wings lol
He also said there is a few more years left on the extended warranty so maybe I wouldn't even have to worry about it if there was a problem.
I'm actually going to the local monthly vette meeting in my area tonight so I can meet the others around here. Hopefully they'll take a 20 year old under their wings lol
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
I have an '01 coupe, I'm the original owner. It's stored winters, and it currently has just over 15,000 miles. I currently have a problem with the door lock system, one of the relays has gone bad. I doubt that this has anything to do with low miles. Drivetrain wise, it's A#1, no leaks of any kind.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
'01 coupe here as well, I am the second owner. Bought it with 29K miles now has 75K. Here are the "repair" type things it's needed in 3 1/2 years:
- AIR pump failed at 33K, covered by warranty
- Leaky rear at 35K & again at 74K (normal), covered by warranty
- Dim climate control display (normal), fixed myself using forum vendor $42 was cheaper than $100 deductible
- Passenger side headlight motor failed (normal), fixed myself using forum vendor $43 was again cheaper than deducitible
- Water pump at 60K (I consider normal), covered by warranty
- Alternator at 60K (clutch at front had split making lots of noise), covered by warranty. While I don't consider this normal, other forum members have reported the same thing so who knows.
Bottom line, nothing to fear.........if you read the forum you will see that none of this is out of the ordinary.
Enjoy the new car and respect the power.........it's pretty awesome!
- AIR pump failed at 33K, covered by warranty
- Leaky rear at 35K & again at 74K (normal), covered by warranty
- Dim climate control display (normal), fixed myself using forum vendor $42 was cheaper than $100 deductible
- Passenger side headlight motor failed (normal), fixed myself using forum vendor $43 was again cheaper than deducitible
- Water pump at 60K (I consider normal), covered by warranty
- Alternator at 60K (clutch at front had split making lots of noise), covered by warranty. While I don't consider this normal, other forum members have reported the same thing so who knows.
Bottom line, nothing to fear.........if you read the forum you will see that none of this is out of the ordinary.
Enjoy the new car and respect the power.........it's pretty awesome!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 864
Likes: 2
From: Jax FL
We purchased our 02 coupe which had 8300 miles on it last June when we picked it up in Denver and drove to home in Fl.. It had no leaks or issues before we left Denver and has not devloped a single issue or problem in the almost 18,000 miles we have put on it in the last 13 months 
great car we loved the trip 
enjoy your purchase and trip 
great car we loved the trip enjoy your purchase and trip
