c5 buying advice
Discussion
hi there,in the market for a new car, and the c5 seems to tick all the boxes, just a few concerns, looked around alot, all seems to say that there quite reliable, but i will be in the market for the lowest price range( about 13k) is this a good idea? also would be be doing mostly mway miles ( 140m both ways) about 5 days a week, will also be using bike in between to save on money( fuel servicing ect) so would a high mile'r bean issue, had an xk8 before which was a good car but was old (96) and was starting to have alot of small issues, was quick too but felt abit laboured somtimes when pushed to me, anyideas how the c5 would compare to this? couldent get any more than 25 mpg (4.0L) no matter how rediculisly frugal i tried to be( barely touching the throttle and coasting down hills ect lol) is the c5 realisticly better than this, ALSO WOULD LOOK TO DO THE MOST SIMPLE OF MODS, decat and airfilter ect, any ideas on the return on hp from this? thanks in advance
Having owned both then i can say that the C5 is a quicker car over the XK8. I have had my C5 2 years now, Completed a trip over europe last year and some time on the Nurbergring and it never missed a beat. Only had one problem with the car in that time. Which was a duff lambda sensor,
One of the best cars ai have had. I will be parting with my one next year.
One of the best cars ai have had. I will be parting with my one next year.
I also owned an XK8 in the late nineties and C5. The C5 is a much more individual car and whilst showing its age inside the cabin, I would much prefer to have one as my daily drive over an XK.
Not too sure you are going to see a massive improvement in motorway MPG but it will certainly put more of a smile on your face!
Shown with the horrible star alloys which I changed with the first service!
followed by:
That's better!
Not too sure you are going to see a massive improvement in motorway MPG but it will certainly put more of a smile on your face!
Shown with the horrible star alloys which I changed with the first service!
followed by:
That's better!
C5 is an astounding car and value for money in the used market is second to none. In 1997 C5 was the first ever "clean sheet" design of a new Corvette and luckily for us GM got it right first time. The basic design (C6 being an update of C5) now looks to stay in production through 2012, exceeding even the C4 (1984-1996).
Bomb-proof reliability and low running costs are in a different league from other specialist sports cars.
Run-flat tyres? Now there's a subject....
Bomb-proof reliability and low running costs are in a different league from other specialist sports cars.
Run-flat tyres? Now there's a subject....
I had a 99 C5 convertible which I ran in UK and then repatriated to the US.
The late 90's cars did have a few glitches. Most notable was a problem with the battery that caused some of them to leak, which in turn buggered the ECU (mounted underneath the batt).
There was also the dreaded steering column lock fiasco.
Other stuff was pretty minor. The outside edge seam of the drivers seat started to fray and the roof rubbed the paint on the deck lid.
Early ones had a relatively (345bhp) soft LS1 and the stock exhaust looks horrible on any C5 (bar Z06).
Mine had a Magnaflow cat-back system that was OK but 'droned' horribly under slight load with 1500-1800 rpm. That was really annoying. I also installed a 'Blackwing' air cleaner and air-bridge. The air cleaner is mounted ahead of the radiator and consequently the air intake tract has to be pinched in the space between the rad top tank and the hood. Blackwing mitigates this by being wider than the stock, naff plastic item and shaped so that it flows more efficiently. Penalty is a little more intake roar than stock.
By far the most effective mod I made was to install a TransGo shift kit. This made a massive difference - much more positive up-shifts, harder launches and less 'hunting' which my auto seemed a little prone to.
Finally, get it off the wooden F1 EMT tyres. I put Goodyear GSD-3's on mine and it transformed it. More grip, better turn-in and a massive amount more water displacement. Trade-off is a softer compound, so they don't last as long, of course. Getting a flat is more of an issue, naturally.
Good car though. Made me grin.
The late 90's cars did have a few glitches. Most notable was a problem with the battery that caused some of them to leak, which in turn buggered the ECU (mounted underneath the batt).
There was also the dreaded steering column lock fiasco.
Other stuff was pretty minor. The outside edge seam of the drivers seat started to fray and the roof rubbed the paint on the deck lid.
Early ones had a relatively (345bhp) soft LS1 and the stock exhaust looks horrible on any C5 (bar Z06).
Mine had a Magnaflow cat-back system that was OK but 'droned' horribly under slight load with 1500-1800 rpm. That was really annoying. I also installed a 'Blackwing' air cleaner and air-bridge. The air cleaner is mounted ahead of the radiator and consequently the air intake tract has to be pinched in the space between the rad top tank and the hood. Blackwing mitigates this by being wider than the stock, naff plastic item and shaped so that it flows more efficiently. Penalty is a little more intake roar than stock.
By far the most effective mod I made was to install a TransGo shift kit. This made a massive difference - much more positive up-shifts, harder launches and less 'hunting' which my auto seemed a little prone to.
Finally, get it off the wooden F1 EMT tyres. I put Goodyear GSD-3's on mine and it transformed it. More grip, better turn-in and a massive amount more water displacement. Trade-off is a softer compound, so they don't last as long, of course. Getting a flat is more of an issue, naturally.
Good car though. Made me grin.
jonboy07 said:
so would i be right in saying that by now then most of these probs should be sorted out by now? any ideas what kind of gain i could expect from a remap + is this a good idea( i here this can make some cars worse) thanks again
Some people love modifyinhg their cars but IMO there's not a lot of point tinkering with the engine in a C5 - it's actually the best bit of the car! And how fast do you want to go anyway? C5 is very, very fast.So if the engine's the best bit, where are the limitations? Answer: brakes and chassis. Both are absolutely fine for normal road driving but you can fry the brakes in pretty short order if you belt the car around. The most effective enhancement you can make to a C5 is IMO changing the runflat tyres to good conventional ones. Michelin Pilot Sports give a significant improvement in both handling and ride.
As for your question about glitches, there really aren't any. Such gremlins as have existed are all well understood at this stage.
Buy one - you'll never look back!
ye think ur probebly right, but i always insist on puting on my own air filter and exhaust just because they always come aout the factory slightly restricive on all cars, cant belive these cars arent more popular, cant seem to think of anything for that money thats as good, well an xkr prob as good as but not as good on fuel or reliability though,
I fitted a "Blackwing" air filter to my C5 Z06 and their are a whole host of other makes which offer better air induction over the standard factory air filter. Ram air, Vararam, Vortex air rammer etc. etc. check out some of the US after market sites for details
www.corvettegarage.com
www.westcoastcorvette.com
you can also try breathless performance, xms engineering, Ecklers, Mid America to name just a few who do both exhausts and air boxes.....and deliver to the UK (at a cost!!)
Go for a Cat back exhaust system as a starter as you don't want to have to start messing with te O2 sensor on the car unless you are particularly brave. LG Motorsports do a full set of long tube headers for the C5 which will involve moving the O2 sensors if you do feel brave!
Servicing is simple on a C5 i.e. an oil change every 10,000 miles ( or every couple of months looking at your proposed mileage
) major service i.e. changing plugs etc. is done at 100,000 so if the proposed car has more than this mileage check it has been done. Other fluids should also be changed regularly and there are a few recommended service places for the C5.
Bauer Miller in Manchester still service Corvettes (I think), Whitequay in Reading and Southampton definitely do and Stratstones should too. Plus there are a number of specialist Corvette servicing places for example Ian Goss.
You might consider checking out the US sites like the Corvette Forum for details of prices in the US if you fancy importing one yourself......but that is a whole different thread.....whatever you do you won't regret the choice of car as they are brilliant for motorway driving. I drove one of my C5's for about 8 months of non-stop commuting 160 miles a day round trip over the winter and the car never missed a beat.
www.corvettegarage.com
www.westcoastcorvette.com
you can also try breathless performance, xms engineering, Ecklers, Mid America to name just a few who do both exhausts and air boxes.....and deliver to the UK (at a cost!!)
Go for a Cat back exhaust system as a starter as you don't want to have to start messing with te O2 sensor on the car unless you are particularly brave. LG Motorsports do a full set of long tube headers for the C5 which will involve moving the O2 sensors if you do feel brave!
Servicing is simple on a C5 i.e. an oil change every 10,000 miles ( or every couple of months looking at your proposed mileage
) major service i.e. changing plugs etc. is done at 100,000 so if the proposed car has more than this mileage check it has been done. Other fluids should also be changed regularly and there are a few recommended service places for the C5.Bauer Miller in Manchester still service Corvettes (I think), Whitequay in Reading and Southampton definitely do and Stratstones should too. Plus there are a number of specialist Corvette servicing places for example Ian Goss.
You might consider checking out the US sites like the Corvette Forum for details of prices in the US if you fancy importing one yourself......but that is a whole different thread.....whatever you do you won't regret the choice of car as they are brilliant for motorway driving. I drove one of my C5's for about 8 months of non-stop commuting 160 miles a day round trip over the winter and the car never missed a beat.
Edited by vetteheadracer on Monday 14th September 16:24
Sorry to bore you all again. I've had my 2000 C5 for nearly 5 yeas now, and covered 125,000+ miles and the engine is still as solid as a rock. The projected rebuild time is around 150,000 miles and greater, but mine seems far away from that with mostly motorway miles (about <1400 revs at 70mph - probably mid 30's mpg) and some fairly spirited track work (probably 4-6mpg).
It's 6 speed manual, Z51 suspension and goes fairly well with minimal modifications. It's not on runflats. This combination means that I have never experienced the notorious "corvette hop" even at track speeds, amd the mechanical grip is really good. Even when it lets go (which is either at very high speed, or if I do something deliberate or stupid), it gives good warning and it's quite progressive and manageable - probably due to the longish wheelbase.
I reckon that non-diy servicing costs me about £3-400 a year max - just oil and filters and occasional brake consumables. The car has never let me down and the only major components I have changed are the left fron hub (ABS sensor failure) and gearbox (synchro wear and 5th gear eventually hid itself - my fault).
I can't imagine running a car with similar performance and comfort for less money.
I must say that after having some fairly serious cars in the past, this is the only one that I never want to sell. It's different, and plenty good enough for 400 mile journeys in comfort, or in manual form, some pretty decent track fun whilst remaining cheap to own.
One bad thing. The headlights are crap. Buy some tealight candles to replace them. The previously mentioned recall for steering column lock was done on mine, but I found out recently from hooking mine up to the factory computer that a further recall has been issued since that just in case anyone on here is feeling ultra safe....
By one now (but as I always say, make sure it's a manual and improve your right arm strength).
Ignore the plums that whinge that they can't get used to LHD, it'll take you 5 minutes. You should get a very good car for your budget.
It's 6 speed manual, Z51 suspension and goes fairly well with minimal modifications. It's not on runflats. This combination means that I have never experienced the notorious "corvette hop" even at track speeds, amd the mechanical grip is really good. Even when it lets go (which is either at very high speed, or if I do something deliberate or stupid), it gives good warning and it's quite progressive and manageable - probably due to the longish wheelbase.
I reckon that non-diy servicing costs me about £3-400 a year max - just oil and filters and occasional brake consumables. The car has never let me down and the only major components I have changed are the left fron hub (ABS sensor failure) and gearbox (synchro wear and 5th gear eventually hid itself - my fault).
I can't imagine running a car with similar performance and comfort for less money.
I must say that after having some fairly serious cars in the past, this is the only one that I never want to sell. It's different, and plenty good enough for 400 mile journeys in comfort, or in manual form, some pretty decent track fun whilst remaining cheap to own.
One bad thing. The headlights are crap. Buy some tealight candles to replace them. The previously mentioned recall for steering column lock was done on mine, but I found out recently from hooking mine up to the factory computer that a further recall has been issued since that just in case anyone on here is feeling ultra safe....
By one now (but as I always say, make sure it's a manual and improve your right arm strength).
Ignore the plums that whinge that they can't get used to LHD, it'll take you 5 minutes. You should get a very good car for your budget.
Give Steve a call at Xero Competition 01925 766603, he's an expert on making LS engines go faster, from mild upgrades to all out engine re-builds, he's your man!
Meanwhile, i could never find an product better than the Vararam for an aftermarket C5 induction system. It collects the air from the best high pressure zone on the nose, and ducts it through the optimum route through the car, into the engine. Just wrap it in aluminium tape, or some other insulating material to keep it cool.
Meanwhile, i could never find an product better than the Vararam for an aftermarket C5 induction system. It collects the air from the best high pressure zone on the nose, and ducts it through the optimum route through the car, into the engine. Just wrap it in aluminium tape, or some other insulating material to keep it cool.
jonboy07 said:
really, i was thinking i was going to be told "ye you can get one for that but you'll be sorry" and such but £13k is about as far as i could go, but im sure it sould be ok, im thinking the people with these cars genrally will look after them, thanks
I think you will be surprised. Most of the Corvette owners I know look after their cars better than I do, and I am reasonably fastidious because I need to use it every day. I just tend to "use" for things other than shopping trips it if you get what I mean.I seriously think that 13k should buy a decent C5. It might have a few miles on it, but then again that doesn't really seem to be a huge problem.
It's worth remembering that what people think their car is worth when they advertise it is probably quite different to what they will actually realise for it in a reasonable timeframe. Someone looking to sell a Vette is typically trying to get into another newer one, or sometimes something else. So it's all about how you negotiate. There are of course others that will simply keep the car instead of taking a more realistic offer than their "love driven price tag".
Sure, you will not get a 2004 Anniversary model, pristine, 5000 miler for 13k. But late 90's cooking C5's are about for that kind of money. Add another 10k to it and you are at the entry of 2005 C6 prices, so 13k is quite realistic I would say.
And that sir, is why I will never sell mine. What I could get for it just isn't worth having given the fun I get out of it.
vetteheadracer said:
There's a red 1999 C5 Coupe on autotrader at the moment for £12,995 with 60,000 miles and Z06 wheels..........
Owned by someone with an attitude problem - I enquired about the car via text as I was in a mobile free carrage on a train, asking whether 'fully loaded' meant UK spec B pack, auto, manual etc. and the response was basically agressively telling me 'you're a time waster because you've texted'. I responded with my reasons, and his reply was without apology and told me to 'read the advert, it says fully loaded'... On the third text I did manage to find out that it was a Euro spec auto, but am still none the wiser about HUD etc. I lost interest after that.
Wow, looks like he must have taken an honours degree in "How to totally wind up a prospective buyer and lose the sale"
Still it's comforting to know that the other infamous mota-trada Tom Hartley has really got to grips with the typical selling price of a used ZR1, also listed on AutoTrader:
2009 09 Reg CORVETTE Z06 ZR1
Price: £999,999
Features: 60 miles Manual Cyber Grey Metallic Petrol Coupe 7011cc Full Description: Glossary of Terms
2 Doors, Manual, Coupe, Petrol, 60 miles, Cyber Grey Metallic. Satellite Navigation, Brembo Ceramic Brakes, HeadUp Display, DualZone Electronic Climate Controls, Cabin Air Filtration, Steering WheelMounted Audio and Cruise Controls, Keyless Access with PushButton Start, 20 Spoke Sterling Silver Alloys, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Visible CarbonFibre Roof, Roof Bow, Rocker Extensions and Front Air Splitter, UK Supplied, Very Rare! SAVING ON LIST, £999,999
Hmmm, looks pretty standard spec to me, bar the LARGER engine size, maybe that's why its so expensive? Still at least he's changed the original listing informing us it was an auto...
Autotrader page:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/CORV...
Still it's comforting to know that the other infamous mota-trada Tom Hartley has really got to grips with the typical selling price of a used ZR1, also listed on AutoTrader:
2009 09 Reg CORVETTE Z06 ZR1
Price: £999,999
Features: 60 miles Manual Cyber Grey Metallic Petrol Coupe 7011cc Full Description: Glossary of Terms
2 Doors, Manual, Coupe, Petrol, 60 miles, Cyber Grey Metallic. Satellite Navigation, Brembo Ceramic Brakes, HeadUp Display, DualZone Electronic Climate Controls, Cabin Air Filtration, Steering WheelMounted Audio and Cruise Controls, Keyless Access with PushButton Start, 20 Spoke Sterling Silver Alloys, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Visible CarbonFibre Roof, Roof Bow, Rocker Extensions and Front Air Splitter, UK Supplied, Very Rare! SAVING ON LIST, £999,999
Hmmm, looks pretty standard spec to me, bar the LARGER engine size, maybe that's why its so expensive? Still at least he's changed the original listing informing us it was an auto...
Autotrader page:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/CORV...
Edited by G4HKS on Tuesday 15th September 22:41
I have a Yellow 2001 auto coupe on Pistonheads classifieds.Yes I am a dealer but it is a reasonably priced car (ask The Stig) Best colour (in my opinion) I may be a dealer but I try to make a living from these cars 'cause I love em.I will have good deal with someone who can demonstrate they REALLY want a Corvette.God knows how many years I wished I could afford one.
Just bought an'01 manual 'vert in yellow and you can't have it ! IT'S MINE
Just bought an'01 manual 'vert in yellow and you can't have it ! IT'S MINE
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