General 1997 question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: St. George Utah
General 1997 question
Hello everyone,
I'm new to the Forum, but not new to Corvettes. But I do not know all that much about the C5s'....other than they are supposed to be fantastic.
My question is, I plan on buying a 97 6-spd with under 3,000 miles on the odometer. It's a beautiful car. Since it was the first year of the new body style, are there any reasons I should stay away from it and go with a 98 to 00? I know that every year has its quirks. Does anyone know exactly what problems the 97 has?
I really appreciate the help and I value everyones opinion, especially when it comes down to a big purchase.
Thanks Everyone,
Craig Jung
I'm new to the Forum, but not new to Corvettes. But I do not know all that much about the C5s'....other than they are supposed to be fantastic.
My question is, I plan on buying a 97 6-spd with under 3,000 miles on the odometer. It's a beautiful car. Since it was the first year of the new body style, are there any reasons I should stay away from it and go with a 98 to 00? I know that every year has its quirks. Does anyone know exactly what problems the 97 has?
I really appreciate the help and I value everyones opinion, especially when it comes down to a big purchase.
Thanks Everyone,
Craig Jung
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Welcome to the Forum. 
GM got it right the first time around.
There were only a few very minor issues with the C5 right out the door like fuel pump noise, etc.....so don't shy away from one.
GM got it right the first time around.
There were only a few very minor issues with the C5 right out the door like fuel pump noise, etc.....so don't shy away from one.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: You want HOW much for that Corvette part??? Atlanta GA
a '97 with <3k on the odometer? nice find. i have a '97 with almost 90k and i've been very happy with it. you'll find it may have the same problems associated with all c5's (column lock - seat rocking - leaky diff. - broken headlite gears) but the car has been very dependable. i can recommend the '97 C5 without hesitation. if you don't mind me asking - how much is the owner asking for such a low mileage '97?
with c5envy, got it right the first time....except for the 2.73 gears in the A4.
with c5envy, got it right the first time....except for the 2.73 gears in the A4.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: St. George Utah
Price
I'm paying $22,000. Any opinions on that. It's black/black with all the options except memory, CD changer, and two tops. It has the see thru top. I was thinking that it may be a bit too high.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Seabrook Texas
Originally Posted by cajung
I'm paying $22,000. Any opinions on that. It's black/black with all the options except memory, CD changer, and two tops. It has the see thru top. I was thinking that it may be a bit too high.
If you haven't already, be sure to get a Car Fax report.
Just my $.02
Good luck making your decision.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: St. George Utah
Carfax
Thanks for the help. I would appreciate it if someone could please run a carfax report for me on this Vette. The VIN is 1G1YY22G6V5104867
Thanks Much,
Craig
my email is cmjung@infowest.com
Thanks Much,
Craig
my email is cmjung@infowest.com
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
If you feel like it is a good deal, get it. Someone will always tell you that they got a better deal.
I paid 27k for my mostly loaded, exe, sus. 00' with 6400miles 6 months ago.
I paid 27k for my mostly loaded, exe, sus. 00' with 6400miles 6 months ago.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,789
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The only problem with a car like that is the very thing you are looking at it for. The low mileage. With that low of a mileage it is doubtful if any of the so called common C5 problems ever showed up and were fixed under warranty. If you start to put miles on the car things like the rocking seat will start to show up. The original fuel pump was noisy from the day the car was built. GM came out with a quiet replacement about a year and a half later. The previous owner may not have bothered to get it changed since they didn't spend enough time in the car to notice the noise. If its an automatic you could start to see leakage around the tranny seals since they didn't get lubricated well due to lack of use.
Bill
Bill
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
I got my '97 MN6 3 yrs ago w/24k miles on it. By far the biggest problem I've had is the fuel gage gremlins. Finally got it fixed after MANY trips to dealer and quite a bit of money. Also had rocking seats, but fixed myself thanks to the tech tip section that KenRobb put together. Be sure to gas up the car and see that it reads 'full', drive a while and look for erratic fluctuations (like dropping to empty then back up to correct reading). This is the most expensive 'common problem' I'm aware of (of course no recall when there should have been......) I have loved my 97, quantum leap from my old C4.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: St. George Utah
Fuel Guage Problem
Thanks a lot.
You won't believe this but as we speak, the current owner of the 97 Vette that I plan on purchasing has it at the dealership for exactly what you mentioned....the fuel guage. They plan on looking at it tomorrow or Monday.
You said you had it in the shop a few times before they were able to fix the problem. To get it right the first time, could you please tell me what they finally did to fix the problem.
I'd sure like to get the problem fixed right the first time so if I buy it, it will be fixed right.
Thanks,
Craig
You won't believe this but as we speak, the current owner of the 97 Vette that I plan on purchasing has it at the dealership for exactly what you mentioned....the fuel guage. They plan on looking at it tomorrow or Monday.
You said you had it in the shop a few times before they were able to fix the problem. To get it right the first time, could you please tell me what they finally did to fix the problem.
I'd sure like to get the problem fixed right the first time so if I buy it, it will be fixed right.
Thanks,
Craig
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 805
Likes: 2
From: Granbury TX
Originally Posted by cajung
Hello everyone,
I'm new to the Forum, but not new to Corvettes. But I do not know all that much about the C5s'....other than they are supposed to be fantastic.
My question is, I plan on buying a 97 6-spd with under 3,000 miles on the odometer. It's a beautiful car. Since it was the first year of the new body style, are there any reasons I should stay away from it and go with a 98 to 00? I know that every year has its quirks. Does anyone know exactly what problems the 97 has?
I really appreciate the help and I value everyones opinion, especially when it comes down to a big purchase.
Thanks Everyone,
Craig Jung
I'm new to the Forum, but not new to Corvettes. But I do not know all that much about the C5s'....other than they are supposed to be fantastic.
My question is, I plan on buying a 97 6-spd with under 3,000 miles on the odometer. It's a beautiful car. Since it was the first year of the new body style, are there any reasons I should stay away from it and go with a 98 to 00? I know that every year has its quirks. Does anyone know exactly what problems the 97 has?
I really appreciate the help and I value everyones opinion, especially when it comes down to a big purchase.
Thanks Everyone,
Craig Jung
Go for it--and I hope you have good luck with yours too.
