How do Vettes Age
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 921
Likes: 146
From: Fairfax VA
How do Vettes Age
All, I was wondering if I could get some feedback on how Vettes Age. Do they start to make lots of rattles squeaks. Does the engine start getting rough? I had a 95 Z-28 and although it always ran great, the engine got louder and the back end started groaning. I sold it with 95K on it to get my new C6. My cars a Vert so any inputs from Vert owners would be great. Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
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From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
IMO it's gonna be hard to say with the c6 model line. The consensus is that the c6 is a much tighter, better built, higher quality than what has previously been offered. With this in mind, it will be very difficult to judge how well or poorly the c6 will age.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Aging C6
Curious if the C5 ever starts to develope body sweaks or leaks as the miles pile on. Would expect the C6 to be even better. Of course my old C4 coupe sweaked and leaked a good bit. It didn't really bother me though, just thought it was part of owning a vette. Corvette mechanical components have always been known to be very strong, durable and relatively (compared to foreign sports cars) inexpensive to replace.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
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From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by resmith23
Curious if the C5 ever starts to develope body sweaks or leaks as the miles pile on. Would expect the C6 to be even better. Of course my old C4 coupe sweaked and leaked a good bit. It didn't really bother me though, just thought it was part of owning a vette. Corvette mechanical components have always been known to be very strong, durable and relatively (compared to foreign sports cars) inexpensive to replace.
If you take care of it, it should last a life time. Any car will have problem's from time to time. The trick is to fix this thing's and continue to enjoy the car. It is almost always cheaper to repair than to buy another new one.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,158
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From: Henderson Nevada
Originally Posted by Need 4 Speed
If you take care of it and fix things as they happen then the car should be good for as long as you want it.
My C5s all remained relatively tight as time passed, and the C6 is better built than the C5. That said, regular maintenance is needed for both the mechanicals and the appearance items. Dashboard plastics will dry out and crack if not looked after, for example.
Also, all high performance tires get noisier as they wear. Every new set will seem like getting a new car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 921
Likes: 146
From: Fairfax VA
Originally Posted by Scissors
Depends.
Garage queens get leaky seals first.
Daily drivers get paint issues, a few rattles, and rubber parts start to degrade.
Garage queens get leaky seals first.
Daily drivers get paint issues, a few rattles, and rubber parts start to degrade.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by Miaugi
Just like we do....one day at a time! 
Again like us, it mostly depends on what you do with it...a rough life usually causes early aging!
Again like us, it mostly depends on what you do with it...a rough life usually causes early aging!
Regular maintenance and staying on top of repairs should make an enjoyable ownership experience for many years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
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With normal driving and proper care/maintenance, they age quite well, actually. My unrestored, mostly-original '72 Stingray with 140K on the odometer is in better shape than most 5 year-old vehicles on the road...with minor prep, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country.
Team Owner
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From: Ormond Beach FL
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All I can say it so far so good with teh C6.... actually its broke in now and feels great.... with everything there is daily wear and tear... but preventive maint is always a key... take care of it and it will take care of you....
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 646
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From: Cocoa, FL
Originally Posted by masihman
I had a 95 Z-28 and although it always ran great, the engine got louder and the back end started groaning.
I think my point is that every car is different, even when they are the same. It all depends on factors like; what day it was built on, who owned it, how was it driven, where it was driven, and how well it was taken car of.
Just my $.02.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 53
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From: Brookings, Oregon
C% and C6 aging
Originally Posted by masihman
All, I was wondering if I could get some feedback on how Vettes Age. Do they start to make lots of rattles squeaks. Does the engine start getting rough? I had a 95 Z-28 and although it always ran great, the engine got louder and the back end started groaning. I sold it with 95K on it to get my new C6. My cars a Vert so any inputs from Vert owners would be great. Thanks.
Spent three days driving the C5Zo6 and C6 coupes at Spring Mountain Racing Course. Was impressed with how tight both models were. Can imagine that those cars had a lot of tough miles, a lot of high engine speed driving, transmission 'experiments' with driveline stress higher greater than normal, suspension 'exercise' , body flex, and so on. After driving the C6, I decided to buy a C6. THe c5's were just as tight.
