Corvette C5 Buying advice
Discussion
Since buying my 383 stroker el camino i have got the bug for American cars in a big way. I'm thinking of adding a second to the fold. Due to my lack of gargage space i will have to part with my other toy, a 2001 TVR Tuscan. I have had the Tuscan for 9 years so i feel a change is due.
I have looked at many classic yanks but i class my el camino as my classic . So i'm thinking something a little newer.
I'm thinking about a corvette C5, they appear to be very well priced. Any advice on buying one would be handy, things to look out for etc.
Thanks in advance
I have looked at many classic yanks but i class my el camino as my classic . So i'm thinking something a little newer.
I'm thinking about a corvette C5, they appear to be very well priced. Any advice on buying one would be handy, things to look out for etc.
Thanks in advance
Pretty solid cars, mechanically, though it is worth looking at the Wheeler Dealers episode if you're thinking of a manual as changing the clutch is a bugger. That also shows the seat runner issue they are prone to.
Z06 is the fast one, manual only and the gearchange quality is agricultural at best.
The 345-350hp LS1s are fine, though but look for the Z51 suspension code.
Z06 is the fast one, manual only and the gearchange quality is agricultural at best.
The 345-350hp LS1s are fine, though but look for the Z51 suspension code.
LuS1fer said:
Pretty solid cars, mechanically, though it is worth looking at the Wheeler Dealers episode if you're thinking of a manual as changing the clutch is a bugger. That also shows the seat runner issue they are prone to.
Z06 is the fast one, manual only and the gearchange quality is agricultural at best.
The 345-350hp LS1s are fine, though but look for the Z51 suspension code.
I cant imagine any are slow, not expecting it to be tuscan fast mindZ06 is the fast one, manual only and the gearchange quality is agricultural at best.
The 345-350hp LS1s are fine, though but look for the Z51 suspension code.
If you head over to the CCUK website they have extensive buying guides in every make. Well worth starting there, they're generally very reliable with only a few issues.
Harmonic balancers will fail so check if it's already been done and if not check for any wobble, not as bad as the gearbox but probably the other "big" job because of the labour involved.
Electrical gremlins can be due to bad earth's so check those. Or a battery that needs replacing, they're very sensitive to batteries so may start the car fine but still cause issues.
Early ones (pre 2001) cannot have the EBCM repaired, which isn't a "common" issue but does happen. You'd need to buy a second hand one as they're discontinued and now quite pricey (£900 ish). 2001 on can be repaired if needed as they changed the circuit board type.
Seat rock as mentioned is common but a cheap fix.
Overall have to say mine (1999 manual non Z06 with Z51 and all the options) has been very reliable. About to do the clutch but have been working up to this for a while and once done it's won't need doing again. At least while I own it!
Harmonic balancers will fail so check if it's already been done and if not check for any wobble, not as bad as the gearbox but probably the other "big" job because of the labour involved.
Electrical gremlins can be due to bad earth's so check those. Or a battery that needs replacing, they're very sensitive to batteries so may start the car fine but still cause issues.
Early ones (pre 2001) cannot have the EBCM repaired, which isn't a "common" issue but does happen. You'd need to buy a second hand one as they're discontinued and now quite pricey (£900 ish). 2001 on can be repaired if needed as they changed the circuit board type.
Seat rock as mentioned is common but a cheap fix.
Overall have to say mine (1999 manual non Z06 with Z51 and all the options) has been very reliable. About to do the clutch but have been working up to this for a while and once done it's won't need doing again. At least while I own it!
Ph300zx said:
If you head over to the CCUK website they have extensive buying guides in every make. Well worth starting there, they're generally very reliable with only a few issues.
Harmonic balancers will fail so check if it's already been done and if not check for any wobble, not as bad as the gearbox but probably the other "big" job because of the labour involved.
Electrical gremlins can be due to bad earth's so check those. Or a battery that needs replacing, they're very sensitive to batteries so may start the car fine but still cause issues.
Early ones (pre 2001) cannot have the EBCM repaired, which isn't a "common" issue but does happen. You'd need to buy a second hand one as they're discontinued and now quite pricey (£900 ish). 2001 on can be repaired if needed as they changed the circuit board type.
Seat rock as mentioned is common but a cheap fix.
Overall have to say mine (1999 manual non Z06 with Z51 and all the options) has been very reliable. About to do the clutch but have been working up to this for a while and once done it's won't need doing again. At least while I own it!
Thanks a lotHarmonic balancers will fail so check if it's already been done and if not check for any wobble, not as bad as the gearbox but probably the other "big" job because of the labour involved.
Electrical gremlins can be due to bad earth's so check those. Or a battery that needs replacing, they're very sensitive to batteries so may start the car fine but still cause issues.
Early ones (pre 2001) cannot have the EBCM repaired, which isn't a "common" issue but does happen. You'd need to buy a second hand one as they're discontinued and now quite pricey (£900 ish). 2001 on can be repaired if needed as they changed the circuit board type.
Seat rock as mentioned is common but a cheap fix.
Overall have to say mine (1999 manual non Z06 with Z51 and all the options) has been very reliable. About to do the clutch but have been working up to this for a while and once done it's won't need doing again. At least while I own it!
Bear with my here, over imports and exports.
Imported C5s were built to order, with the spec defined by the first customer, so can be a bit random about what is and isn't fitted.
Euro C5s (which are easily identifiable by the 2 big, and not particularly attractive, fog lights in the rear bumper) were batch built for export, where almost every conceivable option was fitted (inc HUD and Z51) with the exception of power tilt steering (it's manual). Both manual and autos were built, but most tend to be the latter (80%?)
So my personal recommendation would be aim at a Euro and live with the rear bumper....
BTW, there are no "Euro" Z06s
As a word of warning, whilst imported C5s will probably have been here for some time, it's always worth doing a US history check (via CARFAX, as there are stories about write offs being repaired and sent over here. They're not necessarily worthless, but selling will be a pai and probably costly.
Imported C5s were built to order, with the spec defined by the first customer, so can be a bit random about what is and isn't fitted.
Euro C5s (which are easily identifiable by the 2 big, and not particularly attractive, fog lights in the rear bumper) were batch built for export, where almost every conceivable option was fitted (inc HUD and Z51) with the exception of power tilt steering (it's manual). Both manual and autos were built, but most tend to be the latter (80%?)
So my personal recommendation would be aim at a Euro and live with the rear bumper....
BTW, there are no "Euro" Z06s
As a word of warning, whilst imported C5s will probably have been here for some time, it's always worth doing a US history check (via CARFAX, as there are stories about write offs being repaired and sent over here. They're not necessarily worthless, but selling will be a pai and probably costly.
I bought a C5 Z06 new in the US and imported to the UK later. After 18 years and 48k miles it’s not missed a beat with only repairs being to door lock actuators and consumables. Still one of my favorite cars (and I’ve had a few - but this is a keeper). Easy to service and parts plentiful and easy to source; forums in US have so many experts to help. I also think it’ll be as fast as your TVR and a whole lot more economical!!
Bowler said:
As a word of warning, whilst imported C5s will probably have been here for some time, it's always worth doing a US history check (via CARFAX, as there are stories about write offs being repaired and sent over here. They're not necessarily worthless, but selling will be a pai and probably costly.
Above advice is a fact - during my tenure as CCCUK Chairman a couple of these ex-USA write-offs appeared for sale (with no mention of history) - one was a yellow Z06. Often just running the vin number through Google will flag-up an American write-off.One of my buddies sold a Procharged LeMans edition C5Z06 a couple of years ago. It had been converted from nearly new by a Surrey or Kent CCCUK member. Despite what was probably at least a 30 or 40% increase in power output it was reliable as stock and despite being driven really hard never broke.
Wasn't an easy sale - too many potential buyers seem frightened of buying a 'huffed' car.......
Wasn't an easy sale - too many potential buyers seem frightened of buying a 'huffed' car.......
roscobbc said:
One of my buddies sold a Procharged LeMans edition C5Z06 a couple of years ago. It had been converted from nearly new by a Surrey or Kent CCCUK member. Despite what was probably at least a 30 or 40% increase in power output it was reliable as stock and despite being driven really hard never broke.
Wasn't an easy sale - too many potential buyers seem frightened of buying a 'huffed' car.......
Essex based? If so saw that one a few times. Z16 edition to be nerdy. Wasn't an easy sale - too many potential buyers seem frightened of buying a 'huffed' car.......
I had the same minus the charger for a few years while in the states. Cracking, fast, reliable and hugely entertaining.
Swapped it for a less nice version that came back to uk with me as my track car. GT3 RS fast.
Brilliant cars.
Edited by Sub8 on Wednesday 16th March 18:32
Edited by Sub8 on Wednesday 16th March 18:33
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