The wife and I are retiring and looking at buying a used C5 or C6 Coupe. We want to tour the country. Are there any model years to avoid due to problems?

 

C6 (all) has an ongoing roof top delamination problem, not yet solved. I wouldn't tour with a painted top. Maybe opt for clear top, or even paint the clear top to color match with aftermarket headliner if heat is an issue.

 

Where does one get this headliner for a glass top?

 

You'd have to do a search here on the forum or Google. I know that one forum vendor is revising his headliner due to warpage problems.

 

Yes, all of them.

From 1997-present, Corvettes have had a laundry list of problems.

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/category.php?catId=6

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/c....php?catId=111

If you are at all concerned about potential problems, then avoid all model years of C5 and C6 Corvettes and stick with the Toyota Corolla.

 

With regard to the C5, I would avoid the '97s, which was the first year of production and thus had some "teething" problems. Noisey fuel pump, seat belt retractors, wind noise issues. I suggest that perhaps a '02 or later - in the C5s - would be a safe bet. However, if you can swing it, shop for an '05 coupe without the painted roof because of the ongoing delamination issues.
Good Luck!

 

What about the oil consumption issues with some of the model years of C5s? And the fuel sending unit and leaky battery issues they had with them as well? What about the piston slap and the rocking seats?

No, if he is concerned about issues, then he should avoid Corvettes all together and stick to the Nissan Sentra.

 

CONSUMERS rated the 2003 best year with least amount of probs. Had one and can support that claim..Good Luck

 

I had an '03 too and never had a problem. Maybe I was just lucky.

 

You will find good and bad in all years. I owned and drove a nearly problem free 1997 C5. It had 59,000 miles on it when I traded it in. That's not to say it didn't have it's issues. It had the rocking seat, it had the noisy fuel pump and the weak emergency brake which I fixed.

There are much newer C5's with leaking differentials, Oil consumption issues, rocking seats, column lock issues, bad batteries, etc. My point is it isn't the year so much as it is the particular car. You'll probably get a good one, you might not. I love (and always have) Corvettes and I will forgive a lot more than a typical car buyer.

The C6 is no exception. It too has had it's issues. Dead battery syndrome, crank pulleys, roof creaks, delaminating roofs. Like DSOM said. If you want issue free, you probably ought to look somewhere else. Not knowing what your "threshold for pain" is, I'm not sure what to recommend to you. Maybe give us a little more detail as to what you expect and want from a car and I'll be happy to provide you with more information from my experiences as an owner.

To get you started you should read this thread about the C5:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927

and perhaps this one about the C6:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=927981


Paul

 

C5'S -00-01 OIL consumption issues with the # 2 ring(especially the 01 z06.)05-C6- some have DBS issues,(dead batteries)for no apparent reason.If you go 05 find a late vin sequence,not early.i.e.5136xxx...mine is one of the last (887) built in 05 and i've avoided ALL the recalls and DBS(SO far).
OH YES,The oil issues are with 6spd's only,i believe

 

I have an '01 C5 coupe with 16,250 miles and zero problems (except the passenger door auto lock mechanism had to be replaced under warranty). I do not have any oil useage issues, or excessive valve tapping noises, leaks, etc. I was about to order an '07 ZO6, but after thinking about it hard, I've decided to stick with my '01 because I know it doesn't have problems.

 

I know that Vette will not be as trouble free as my Honda Accord, but want to avoid big dollar issues. I have wanted a Vette all my life. We want to have a convertible but will have to settle for a coupe because of the luggage space. I want to be able to go from coast to coast and enjoy the country. Lots I have not seen. We would take a small tent and camp some and hotel some. Just wonder and enjoy the open road and scenery. I just sold my sport touring motorcycle. I love to put my foot in it at times when it is appropriate.

 

As a rule the first model year has some kinks to work out. I am a multiple first model year buyer and have been lucky to have very few problems. Brand new or used, problems can occur. Buy what you want and don't worry about it. Had my 05 for 15 months and have had NO problems.Enjoy

 

If history repeats itself you are at the mileage where the problems begin. Not only the items you mentioned but the steering wheel column lock and active handling brake engagement. After 15,000 miles the 01
C6 was the scariest and worse Corvette I ever owned. Advise...get the 07 quick !!