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I suppose many of us C4 owners have thougt about owning or even purchased a C5. I have been reading and hearing some very nightmare stories about the C5. I know it probably does most everything better the the C4, but the stories I am hearing have left me giving up buying one no matter how low the prices becomes. I have headr stories about the electronics going bad and not be able to get replacement parts. Especially concerning the ride control option. I can testify to that became a friend of mine had to have his ride control shocks replaced at the tune of 4 grand. I have heard dealer repairs run into the thousands, and that some special tools are needed that only dealers have. Problems can be expected with cars even under 70K, of which most early C5 have long passed. These story's if true have put off any second thoughts I may have had about owning one. I will stick with my C4. At least I know much of what needs replacing can be fixed at home or at the local service station.
I've heard the same thing. The guy a bought my 92 from, had an ABS fail driving his C5 home from the dealer (and being used it was an AS-IS sale). The module is available used only and over $1000. It is not repairable.
He now has it for sale "AS-IS" and is disclosing the ABS/traction control issue.
Last edited by belairbrian; 10-21-2017 at 12:10 PM.
Like the C4 they had thier issues out the gate..nice cars but the electronic systems suck so gonna pass. Too bad Icould get a real clean silver 02 for peanuts with all the good rearend stuff just needs a motor.
Whole different ballgame than a C4
Buddy just sold his 00...Dad bought it new. Very nice interior paint, 97k but every friggin light in the dash was on.
Sold it for 6k ran great but needed thousands thrown at it.
parts car
edit:had the same ABS issue with my02 1500. Under warranty part was NLA. light still on to this day lol
Car guy told me they quit making C4's because they were too expensive to manufacture. I don't know, he's been in the car business since the 1960's, so I tend to believe him ?
I've had a C5 since 2005 (bought it from a CF member) and never had one bit of trouble with it. Not even the dreaded column lock issue. There are always going to be some cars that will have problems and that's not limited to GM products.
I have owned 3 C4's and never had any real issues with them either. Sure, some people wind up with Corvettes that do have problems and some C4's take time and money to get fixed right. But the same goes for C5's and even C6's and new C7 cars.
I understand why you feel the way you feel. But it seems your feelings are based on what you have seen and heard. There is no substitute for experience, and even with all the horror stories we've heard about the C5 -- remember there are plenty about the C4 too -- I still would like to own a C5 someday. Maybe not a long-term keeper but I still want to have the ownership experience.
Nearly all enthusiast forums are filled with problem threads: a few design elements less than perfect, 20/20 hindsight engineering, poor build quality/fit & finish, "this part broke-what a piece of crap" etc. We do hear positive stories of praise and happy ownership, but they are relatively rare compared to all the issues threads. So it's easy to read all this stuff and think buying a C5 is a big risk, just don't need the trouble... or we think we are likely to have a generally bad experience if we pull the trigger.
Not arguing with your feelings or beliefs, just trying to keep a little perspective...
Even the “mighty” C7 Z06 has failed and it is the latest and “greatest.” It is embarrassing in this day and age and competitive market that GM did not resolve this MUCH sooner. Read up on the class action lawsuit regarding the C7 Z06. My question is, if you purchased a Z06, what does this do to the perceived value of your C7Z?
Even the “mighty” C7 Z06 has failed and it is the latest and “greatest.” It is embarrassing in this day and age and competitive market that GM did not resolve this MUCH sooner. Read up on the class action lawsuit regarding the C7 Z06. My question is, if you purchased a Z06, what does this do to the perceived value of your C7Z?
10-21-2017, 11:55 AM
C5 Think twice
