Newbie question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: LIttleton Colorado
Newbie question
We are picking up our first Corvette today 
...a 2001 convertible, and are pumped. As a new owner, what are some of the things we should be aware of, concerned about, watchful over. The car has 20,000 miles, is in great shape (I hope). Oil change is being done as well as general overall inspection. We want to get off on the right foot with this car so any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks,
Jan55
...a 2001 convertible, and are pumped. As a new owner, what are some of the things we should be aware of, concerned about, watchful over. The car has 20,000 miles, is in great shape (I hope). Oil change is being done as well as general overall inspection. We want to get off on the right foot with this car so any ideas would be helpful.Thanks,
Jan55
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Welcome, and enjoy. Almost all the fluids should have been changed or will need to be changed, I always do it anyway, never know what the prior owner did.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
Don't forget to check under the battery and make sure any acid that has spilled under it has been neutralized, then put an Optima Red Top in and never worry again. Do a search on the forum @ batteries for the rest of the story. Welcome to the Forum 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I agree with SCREW99 
!!
I have had two C5's (98 MN6 coupe and 02 ZO6) and an UP-GRADE to premimun fluids will significantly improvement the expierence!
I changed my 6 speed tranny fluid to synthetic (MOBILE 1 synthetic ATF) and synthetic rear end fluid with additional additative and saw a significant improvement in tranny shift feel and improved rearend clutch smoothness.
Brake fluid will need to be changed every 2 years of if it is getting dark.
Clutck master Cyl fluid must be changed if you have a manual
Check the radiator air inlet for leaves and trash!
Get the car up on jack stands or a lift and give it a good look. Look for any thing out of the ordinary (leaks, rust, bent or loose things and any missing items.)
The miles are low and if the car has been taken care of, looks like you should be all set.
There are a few things that will get you into trouble if you dont keep after them.
On the drivers side of the windshield cowl there are some drains that drain the water from the windshield cowl.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
THREE DRAIN UTTERS!
[IMG]
[/IMG]
reach your hand into the hole (it's easy if you have an automatic) and work any trach out of the drain tubes that may be in there. If they stop up it will destroy your wiper motor! READ $$$$$!
Yhere is a 90 deg rubber elbow on the passengers side fire wall area that is it AC/Heater box drain.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
If this drain clogs up, water/condensation will back up in the box and overflow in to the passengers foot well and wet your Body Control Module causing all sorts of weird electrical problems (every warning light in the book will come on
)
Most people cut off the crimped end on the fitting to eliminate this problem
If it isnt already installed and you have a manual car, GET a Column Lock Bypass module and install it! Sooner or later the column lock will BITE YOU if you have a manual trans car! If you have not had the recall done and your car is effected, GET IT DONE!
Welcome aboard and ENJOY YOUR CAR! (DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!
)
!! I have had two C5's (98 MN6 coupe and 02 ZO6) and an UP-GRADE to premimun fluids will significantly improvement the expierence!
I changed my 6 speed tranny fluid to synthetic (MOBILE 1 synthetic ATF) and synthetic rear end fluid with additional additative and saw a significant improvement in tranny shift feel and improved rearend clutch smoothness.
Brake fluid will need to be changed every 2 years of if it is getting dark.
Clutck master Cyl fluid must be changed if you have a manual
Check the radiator air inlet for leaves and trash!
Get the car up on jack stands or a lift and give it a good look. Look for any thing out of the ordinary (leaks, rust, bent or loose things and any missing items.)
The miles are low and if the car has been taken care of, looks like you should be all set.
There are a few things that will get you into trouble if you dont keep after them.
On the drivers side of the windshield cowl there are some drains that drain the water from the windshield cowl.
[IMG]
[/IMG] THREE DRAIN UTTERS!
[IMG]
[/IMG] reach your hand into the hole (it's easy if you have an automatic) and work any trach out of the drain tubes that may be in there. If they stop up it will destroy your wiper motor! READ $$$$$!
Yhere is a 90 deg rubber elbow on the passengers side fire wall area that is it AC/Heater box drain.
[IMG]
[/IMG] If this drain clogs up, water/condensation will back up in the box and overflow in to the passengers foot well and wet your Body Control Module causing all sorts of weird electrical problems (every warning light in the book will come on
)Most people cut off the crimped end on the fitting to eliminate this problem
If it isnt already installed and you have a manual car, GET a Column Lock Bypass module and install it! Sooner or later the column lock will BITE YOU if you have a manual trans car! If you have not had the recall done and your car is effected, GET IT DONE!
Welcome aboard and ENJOY YOUR CAR! (DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!
)
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Nov 15, 2004 at 01:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington Ca.
vert
I reciently purchased my first corvette and it was a 04 vert. A4. I live in california so the top is down 90% of the time. I contacted mod fever. Installed Borla twin tip stinger exhaust Z06 sway bars Bilstine sport shocks and couldn't be happier. Nothing like looking up at the stars crusing along at 70 mph on a open road with 350 hp + at the right foot.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 1
From: hamilton nj "Life's tough......It's even tougher if you're stupid."-John Wayne
Originally Posted by TopCat
Don't forget to check under the battery and make sure any acid that has spilled under it has been neutralized, then put an Optima Red Top in and never worry again. Do a search on the forum @ batteries for the rest of the story. Welcome to the Forum
