keeping a C5 (simple) forever
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Sauk Prairie Wisconsin
keeping a C5 (simple) forever
I believe my corvette's engine, transmission, body and chassis have a lot of life left in them. It is everything I want in a car so I bought it with the intention of fixing anything that went wrong. If the engine blew, I would buy a new crate engine and keep on driving.
My worries are with the electronics, especially the more I read this forum. I have a 98, so it sounds like I'm already pretty much screwed if my abs and traction control go out. I don't care if I don't have those, they're nice but i've driven other vehicles years without either and I know how to drive without them. They even taught it in drivers ed.
Same goes for tpms. Its nice to have but its kinda made for people who just don't care to regularily check their tire pressure. It sounds like if this goes I can still fix it but I think I'd be happier without it.
So what I'm asking is, can I have a C5 that's as technically advanced as a C1-C3? Or should I keep upgrading to newer cars that parts are still manufactured for? My 98 is going to lose a lot of resale value when the ABS and traction control go, but I don't care about that as long as I can keep driving it. Does what I'm saying make sense or am I just being dumb?
My worries are with the electronics, especially the more I read this forum. I have a 98, so it sounds like I'm already pretty much screwed if my abs and traction control go out. I don't care if I don't have those, they're nice but i've driven other vehicles years without either and I know how to drive without them. They even taught it in drivers ed.
Same goes for tpms. Its nice to have but its kinda made for people who just don't care to regularily check their tire pressure. It sounds like if this goes I can still fix it but I think I'd be happier without it.
So what I'm asking is, can I have a C5 that's as technically advanced as a C1-C3? Or should I keep upgrading to newer cars that parts are still manufactured for? My 98 is going to lose a lot of resale value when the ABS and traction control go, but I don't care about that as long as I can keep driving it. Does what I'm saying make sense or am I just being dumb?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
I understand, I only have room for 1 hobby car. I sold the 72 Camaro and decided the keep my 02 Z06. I got tired of the car show thing and I don't think I will ever get tired of driving my Z06. My wife told me I was crazy because the Camaro would hold it's value and the Z06 would not. She's right but I don't care. After building a few Hot Rods I can tell you that anything is fixable, it's my choice that it's a 02 Z06.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
I feel ya, I'm extremely pleased with my 98 and couldn't sell it even if offered twice it's retail value. As much as I love C6Z's I don't think I could trade or whatever. If and when something goes south, I'll fix it and motor on. But unlike most C5 owners who keep their rides stock, I'm like others on here who have my C5 way beyond stock engine wise or body wise. Once I got to the level of customization it's at, I've reached the point of no return...literally there is no way I'd ever get the amount of money in it, back out of it. And no way am I gonna buy another and spend as much on it as I have on this one.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 2
From: Alexandria Northern Virginia
MAKE your ABS come on and you won't EVER have to worry with it going out. Think about it, an electric motor NEEDS to run and if you don't exercise it, it WILL seize. Stab those killer C5 brakes and make em squeal from time to time. My 2000 street car has had issues; the track car? No problem!
I think you'll find these cars are amazingly reliable long term. We are now 15 years from first model and most of the major issues have been sorted. The TPMS repairs take time but you could theoretically repair those forever. Nothing is unusable, like say the 2005 OnStar system...? (I think that was the one year that used a weird frequency and no longer works? Correct me if I am wrong).
Cassidy
I think you'll find these cars are amazingly reliable long term. We are now 15 years from first model and most of the major issues have been sorted. The TPMS repairs take time but you could theoretically repair those forever. Nothing is unusable, like say the 2005 OnStar system...? (I think that was the one year that used a weird frequency and no longer works? Correct me if I am wrong).
Cassidy
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I am planning on selling my C5 this spring. I don't want to have to deal with all the computers and other electrical problems when they come up.
With the money I get I am going to find the cleanest C3 I can get.
With the money I get I am going to find the cleanest C3 I can get.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 15
From: Loxahatchee Florida
My ECBM on my 2000 FRC went out 4 or 5 years ago. No Traction Control, ABS, Comp mode, etc etc. Never fixed it. I actually like the car a lot better now. Just car. Throttle control keeps it stepping out, sideways, or straight. Will never sell it. Still love driving it everyday more than the day I bought it brand new. Don't worry, have fun!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Sauk Prairie Wisconsin
My ECBM on my 2000 FRC went out 4 or 5 years ago. No Traction Control, ABS, Comp mode, etc etc. Never fixed it. I actually like the car a lot better now. Just car. Throttle control keeps it stepping out, sideways, or straight. Will never sell it. Still love driving it everyday more than the day I bought it brand new. Don't worry, have fun!!!
So what shows up on the DIC? Do you have to clear a bunch of error codes or does it keep reminding you no matter what?
Any other electronic issues that you just ignore?
Thanks for the replies everybody, glad I'm not alone on the issue. I guess I'lll start excercising my abs. I don't think I've ever activated it. I've used traction control more than enough times though.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
One of the nice things about owning a Corvette is that you can usually obtain just about any part for it, forever. Eventually someone will come along and provide repairs/replacements for the ABS BPMV/EBTCM. Its just a matter of time and need.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Keep an eye out for an EBCM and put one on the shelf for the future. I just picked one up here for $200 and it had been for sale for a couple weeks. As far as the TPMS go, they are readily available and only need to be replaced every 7-10 years. The reason we have them has nothing to do with how often you check your pressure. It's because your car came with run flats and you could get a flat and be driving around without even knowing it. Now, if you have dumped the run flats, then it's not as big a deal. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
It's going to get harder and harder to keep modern cars for many years, the electronics are generally very proprietary and almost impossible to get after a certain point. It's not like old dristributor/carb days.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I've had my '99 since new and though I had some teething problems early on, the car has been quite reliable the last five years. I had to replace 2 AC compressors and both window regulators but most everything else has been general maintenance.
My ABS throws codes now and then when the car is cold but clears up if I restart it. I agree that exercising the motor is good for it. I would also include regular brake fluid changes - it seems to be especially important on the C5. Do the clutch too while you're about it.
My electronics have been quite reliable but I haven't modified things in any way. The relays and tpms will eventually start to go but I can replace them with inexpensive parts from Digikey.
Relax, enjoy your car.
My ABS throws codes now and then when the car is cold but clears up if I restart it. I agree that exercising the motor is good for it. I would also include regular brake fluid changes - it seems to be especially important on the C5. Do the clutch too while you're about it.
My electronics have been quite reliable but I haven't modified things in any way. The relays and tpms will eventually start to go but I can replace them with inexpensive parts from Digikey.
Relax, enjoy your car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 3
From: Amherstburg Ontario
I wish we could go back to the old way and order what you want in your car.
I prefer to have just power and air. For me all the rest that comes on automatically when ordered is unnessesary, unwanted, etc. More parts and functions to brake and need repair. For those who want the extras, they can order.
I prefer to have just power and air. For me all the rest that comes on automatically when ordered is unnessesary, unwanted, etc. More parts and functions to brake and need repair. For those who want the extras, they can order.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I wish we could go back to the old way and order what you want in your car.
I prefer to have just power and air. For me all the rest that comes on automatically when ordered is unnessesary, unwanted, etc. More parts and functions to brake and need repair. For those who want the extras, they can order.
I prefer to have just power and air. For me all the rest that comes on automatically when ordered is unnessesary, unwanted, etc. More parts and functions to brake and need repair. For those who want the extras, they can order.
When I ordered my '99 I was shocked at all the electronic gadgetry that came "standard". I'm the only person that drives my car and yet I have a driver seat with 6-way electric adjustment that was used exactly once!While I admit the tire pressure monitoring has been more useful than I thought it would be, every time I crack the window to let in some fresh air the thing rockets to the bottom of the track in anticipation of the toll I'm surely about to pay. I'm sure I look silly unlatching my hardtop's trunk trying to hold the keyfob just right for good reception (the key fob is attached to a perfectly useful "old-tech" metal key).
I like to buy quality products and keep them for decades so having all that added stuff just makes them more expensive to operate and maintain.
Unfortunately what is complicated and wasteful to me is required by the majority. Manufacturing processes hate variation and doing them all the same way helps improve quality and reduce the pricing a bit for all.