Looking For A Recent C-5

[Valeria H.]

I am wanting to buy a recent C-5 corvette and have come up with a possibility. What items should I specifically request. What should I want in this car. They are asking $22,700 with a little over 33,700 miles.
It sounds like a great deal to me but I have not viewed the car.
I've asked this before but would like to poise the question one more time. What questions should I be asking to the seller?
Thanks for your input.
Bella is back in the shop for a generator rebuild along with the fluid pump rebuild. At some point in time "Bella's Parts" will all have been rebuilt, and hopefully she will not have to be flatbedded all over North Carolinia.
Valeria

[Tom H.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

The usual questions are the rule on C5's just like any other car. Prior damage, or paintwork ? Look at the condition of the tires. If they are original, with those miles, they will be nearly shot. Drop me the VIN and I can run a service history for you. Run a CARFAX too if you don't know the owner. You will enjoy the C5, they are great cars.

Just check it out well. Make sure all features and options work as they should. Make sure damage history is clear and I'll get you a warranty summary on it. Should be good to go if all checks out.

[Richard M.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Valeria, C5's are nice. What year is it? Not sure on C5 prices these days but that is low mileage. I see many around $20k and under but C5's are from 97 to 04. Is it the "Bella" color?

I've worked on a friends 97 quite a bit and here are a few things to check.

1- Oil pressure sender. If the oil pressure reads a constant 80 psi that means the sender is bad. The sender is located behind the injection plenum and is a bear to replace. Not to mention the replacements have had a high infant mortality rate. Ask if it was ever replaced. I found a easier way to replace them but requires a bit of cutting.

2- Seat tracks. They may be loose due to plastic shims breaking. There is a repair kit using metal shims to fix it. Ask if that was ever done.

3- DIC (Driver Information Center) switches and operation. The bank of switches to the right of steering wheel to check mileage, oil %, etc. These have a tendency to quit with either the switch or the controller going bad.

There is a wealth of information on the CF in the C5 section with a great FAQ list. I recommend it to give you a better edge on your purchase.

Good luck on your search, I've owned my '59 24 years and 2 years ago got my 07 C6. I can't seem to NOT drive the C6 all the time as my daily. I love it. You will love the C5 too with all of the "newer" comforts.

Rich

[Jim W.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

$23.000 sould be about a 2002 model, but no matter what year, If it's a really spotless and low mileage and it has to be perfect in paint and overall condition it could worth that amount. It would help if it were a one owner or rarely used has had all the recommended service history to boot. And some things to look out for are :1 If it is a six speed transmission, ( The had terrible problem with the ignition key lock out in which your car would have the column lock up) and since you can't steer it, it has to go home on a flatbed. So make sure it's A4 4 speed automatic 2. Is to make sur the diffintial fluid is up to the mark and the the differntial isn't leaking. 3 as mentioned run a carfax and someone here said they'd run a shop or warranty service check for you, Do it. 4. Make sure the DexCool colant has been flushed and refilled. I know it sound stupid, but the warranty on Dexcool is to be changed every five years and they mean it. If it hasn't been done, Do it! But other than that the C5 is a pretty soild car. Their sturdy and run for a longtime, I belong to another websight where many members ha over 2000.000 miles or more on their C5's 5. I'd go and register at www.corvetteactioncenter.com there is a endless tools over there that you can use to enjoy your new purchase like the owners manual on Pfd file, every year starting with 1997 and up and I personally have really enjoied mine. To me it's the high water mark for a Corvette.

[Carl N.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Valeria,

If it is a 2004 you need to check the cross over tube for the fuel tanks - all C5's have two tanks. There is a recall out for a leak issue on 04's.

Most '97, '98, & '99 had a problem with fuel gage readings. When tanks are less than 1/2 full gage works fine - on 3/4 to full tank can give some bad codes. This can be expensive to fix $500 if you DIY or about $2,200 at the local stealership.

IMO buy one with standard suspension - not active suspension feature - the active suspension is really neat but $$$ to service - replacement shocks run about $500 each.

Steering column locks were recalled on most of the early 97-00 manual transmission cars.

On any of the C-5's this old the TPS - tire pressure monitor system - can malfunction as batteries in sensors are over 10 years old - easy fix but about $250 at Discount Tires or Firestone.

Prior thread covers other issues.

C-5's are great cars and at good value now - try to buy the newest model you can for your budget. IMO the 2003 models are best with fewest recalls and owner compalints. If you can find a nice 03 with less than 50k miles you should be able to get another 50K with minimal $$$$.

check out the "Corvette Forum" C-5 section under cars for sale, and general discussions - lot of good info on the site. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-general-103/

Carl

[Peter M.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Hey Val:

As you most likely know by now, C5 market values are in free fall. This is unfortunate if one is selling a C5, but good news for folks like you who are looking to pick up a great Corvette. Attached is the very recent C5 Corvette Market Value summary currently on newstands in the upcoming October issue of Corvette Magazine. (click image to enlarge)

Also, it is important to recognize that the early C5 LS1 engines (97-04 MY) had some significant problems with defective piston rings. This defect caused many LS1 cars, especially manual transmission equipped Corvettes, to consume and burn oil; some significantly. GM denied culpability in this matter for a number of years, but finally relented under withering consumer attacks and began to repair some cars under the factory warrantee program. Accordingly, my recommendation would be to be very careful in considering an LS1 equipped C5 Corvette.

Good luck with your purchase and, of course, let us know what you decide.

[Peter M.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Pete - you mention concern on LS1 for C5 engine rings. Is this same issue with the C5 ls6 Z06 in your opinion? Do you believe the LS2 and LS3 in C6's have or do not have this ring problem?

Thanks

Pete

[Clem Z.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Hey Val:

As you most likely know by now, C5 market values are in free fall. This is unfortunate if one is selling a C5, but good news for folks like you who are looking to pick up a great Corvette. Attached is the very recent C5 Corvette Market Value summary currently on newstands in the upcoming October issue of Corvette Magazine. (click image to enlarge)

Also, it is important to recognize that the early C5 LS1 engines (97-04 MY) had some significant problems with defective piston rings. This defect caused many LS1 cars, especially manual transmission equipped Corvettes, to consume and burn oil; some significantly. GM denied culpability in this matter for a number of years, but finally relented under withering consumer attacks and began to repair some cars under the factory warrantee program. Accordingly, my recommendation would be to be very careful in considering an LS1 equipped C5 Corvette.

Good luck with your purchase and, of course, let us know what you decide.

that was the 01 ZO-6 engine and the early 02 std engines as they used the same short block. i owned a 97 and a 99 and neither used oil. my 02 used about a quart in 3000 miles. GM changed the second scraper ring design to fix this. GM went to a lighter tension oil ring expander to get better MPG and it bit them.

[Peter M.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Pete - you mention concern on LS1 for C5 engine rings. Is this same issue with the C5 ls6 Z06 in your opinion? Do you believe the LS2 and LS3 in C6's have or do not have this ring problem?

Thanks

Pete

As Clem mentioned below, the C5 piston ring problem seems to have been limited to the early LS1 and Z06 engines. Again, as Clem indicates, GM finally resolved the problem with the early LS1 engines. I am not sure what the exact date was for the production line fix. Some of the fellows here might be able to provide that data.

I have not heard of any similar problems with the LS2 and LS3 engines.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

I am wanting to buy a recent C-5 corvette and have come up with a possibility. What items should I specifically request. What should I want in this car. They are asking $22,700 with a little over 33,700 miles.
It sounds like a great deal to me but I have not viewed the car.
I've asked this before but would like to poise the question one more time. What questions should I be asking to the seller?
Thanks for your input.
Bella is back in the shop for a generator rebuild along with the fluid pump rebuild. At some point in time "Bella's Parts" will all have been rebuilt, and hopefully she will not have to be flatbedded all over North Carolinia.
Valeria

buy the latest model you can afford because as a owner of a new 97,99 and a 02 i have found as the years went on GM made lots of upgrades and improvements

[Valeria H.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Thanks to all for your comments and concerns! The auto in question is a 2004. I am going to see the car next week with a corvette club member (non NCRS).
How do I access the car as to prior damage if the dealer is not forthcoming. I already decided to ask to see the car up under a lift.

What items should I be expecting to be included with the purchase of the car which would have been delivered new? Warranty, owner's manual etc?
I was not knowledgeable about the purchase of my first corvette 30 years ago, my beloved Bella, but any new purchases that I make will be totally knowlegable about what I am buying.
Valeria

[Chuck G.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Thanks to all for your comments and concerns! The auto in question is a 2004. I am going to see the car next week with a corvette club member (non NCRS).
How do I access the car as to prior damage if the dealer is not forthcoming. I already decided to ask to see the car up under a lift.

What items should I be expecting to be included with the purchase of the car which would have been delivered new? Warranty, owner's manual etc?
I was not knowledgeable about the purchase of my first corvette 30 years ago, my beloved Bella, but any new purchases that I make will be totally knowlegable about what I am buying.
Valeria

Any reputable dealer should provide you with a CarFax report. That'll give you any damage history/insurance claims.

If you contact Tom privately and give him the VIN, sounds like he can run it through GM's service records.

I've done this with 2 C5's that I owned, my previous 2000, and my current 2001.

The C5's are great cars. Just be aware that there can be "electrical/computer" issues with them. The driver's seats can be an issue too, especially the cheesy plastic trim which constantly pops out or breaks.

See if you can buy the GMPP service plan for the car too.

Chuck

[Tom H.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

I will be glad to run it for ya. I can also advise you of any recalls. Don't hesitate to drop me a line. I have bought, sold and driven hundreds of C5's. I will be glad to help any way I can. I will be happy to give you my number too if you need to discuss it.

[Paul J.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Any reputable dealer should provide you with a CarFax report. That'll give you any damage history/insurance claims.

Chuck

Maybe. Very, very, very, big maybe. Most damage claims are not reported to CarFax, especially if the damage was the fault of someone other then the owner and thier insurance company paid for it.

Sure, it has the potential to give you some information, but I've checked several and did not find prior body and frame damage listed that I knew was there. This included damage to a vehicle that should have been totalled.

The best way to assess prior damage is still the old fashioned way...look carefully at body lines, panel alignment, and paint variations. Spend some time under the car looking at frame and bracing alignment, and study the backs of the panels that you can see or feel.

When we were looking for #2 son's truck last year, the first thing I did was go under the truck, with my legs hanging out. I called my son to look at something and then he was under the truck. Right about then number one son (the mechanic) showed up with two of his buddies and they were under the truck with us. They must have rolling on the floor in the office laughing at us, but the joke was on them...the driveshaft was bent. That due diligence prevented the joke from being on us.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Looking For A Recent C-5

Great advice as always! I'll try to paste the link to the car on this post. The car's color is yellow. I am looking for either a red or yellow C5. There were 3 previous owners on this 2004 already. That seems like a bad omen.

The engine is a LS1 V8 with a 4 speed automatic.

Thanks for all your comments and concerns!!!
Ya'll are the BEST.
Valeria
http://paramountauto.com/search_pre_owned.html