C5’s are great cars, and I have owned my 2001 6 speed convertible for over a decade. First use an AGM battery, not lead acid. Common sense. Secondly, do not put headers on C5 LS motor. The gains are minimal and not worth the extra heat generated in the engine bay. Thirdly, the seat track issue is a known problem and very minor. Super easy to repair with an upgrade kit. So if you’re selling your C5 because you bought a trashed car, or can’t wrap your head around technology, go ahead. Lots of C5 owners love their cars and have a relatively problem free ownership experience.
roger 92 I agree! Overall I love the C5 and this particular car! But I have to be a little dramatic for TH-cam lol. Selling to pickup a lotus. Want to try something different! Thanks for watching
No wonder GM doesn't make any improvements. Cause they got people like you willing to always fix their problems they shouldn't even have. As long as they got your money they don't care lol
My 2003 C5 is stock, including the exhaust. Never had any issues with burnt wires. Fixed my EBCM at no cost. Just re-soldered some components inside the module. Fixed my HVAC display at no cost. Just re-soldered some components. Replaced my oil pressure sending unit for about $25. I recently replaced the factory original spark plugs and wires at 155,000 miles. No Check Engine Light. The engine was running fine, I just knew I was pushing my luck. For a 20 year old car, it's been very reliable. It has never left me stranded.
"Because of all the electrical problems with this car -- I'm literally selling it." 5 minutes in: I melted all my wiring because of my open headers..... C5 Corvettes are literally one of the most reliable performance cars out there -- which is why LS1 swaps are so common. My C5 has never had any of those problems because I didn't ghetto rig things in the engine bay.
@@brenbuchler94 Idiot status: confirmed. If you hadn't noticed -- literally everyone else in the world swaps Corvette powertrains into their performance cars. LS engines are the fucking gold standard, dumbass. They also don't rust to pieces like most imports do over the long-term.
@@LakeHowellDigitalVideo people do LS swaps because the amount of power they can take... Not reliability. ANYONE AND EVERYONE who does a LS swap is willing to deal with fixes and repairs it needs but to a standard person it can be too much and expensive. So just to say "everyone does LS so it's better" doesn't really make sense if you also apply who readily they are around the world.
I agree with Mister G here. If you want a reliable nice car like a Vette Z06, you gotta pay to play. If all you can afford is a 100,000+ mile modified and fucked with Z06, you're gonna have a bad time. If you want a nice one you can count on every day, get out 25 racks.
So I actually had an over charging issue with my c5. It happened before replacing my alternator and after. So I replaced the battery and ended up finding about 4 or 5 ground points, taking them off and cleaning them, and re attaching them. Happy to say that I've no longer had the over charging issue lol
The electrical issues were mostly remedied on the 04 models, and the other issues are mostly wear issues so depends on how long and hard you've driven the car
Have a 2002 convertible and just love it. Have driven cross country 5 times and the seats are very comfortable. The only problems I had were antenna not retracting and passenger getting stuck last year [ fixed by thumping on door near speaker]. Just love my C5.
I clicked it👍 I got a 1987 c4..I like it because it still a normal car without the problems of the newer styles..Yes there not near as fast..But I still get and move when I want too.
I love my ‘03 Z06! No issues yet with only 4 years of ownership and 42K miles of my driving and another 40K from previous owner(s). Had a ‘02 coupe and convertible! My only issues I can recall was the wiper motor in the coupe. Shorted out because of leaves accumulated inside the rubber boot where the motor sits, not allowing water to drain. $200.00 fix. On the vert, the headlight motor stripped the plastic gear inside making my headlight stay up. Had to manually lowered it. $25.00 kit and 24hrs for glue to cure and about 4-5 labor for removal,repair and reinstall. Love Vettes especially C5’s!
I bought a beat up modified (big mistake) new edge mustang GT full of problems. Literally couldn’t drive it a week without something coming up. I recently picked up a c5 & man, even though there’s a chirping sound when the car is cold, I have more piece of mind with this car lol
A few of the items are simply maintenance issues every car owner should know...the headlight issue-did you change the oil in it? It takes 75w-90. Best thing to understand is you should probably know how to wrench your own car. If you are going to buy something and expect little issues...maybe a Honda or Toyota ijs. Whoever had that car before...upgraded alot of stuff on it..the radiator...intake system..plug wires...
Guess I am lucky! Bought a bright red ‘show room condition’ 2000 C5 convertible with 41,000 miles on it three years ago for $18,000. I had to replace the clutch ($2,600) and the steering column lock module went bad, so I replaced it with a bypass module. With 51,000 on the odometer, I have had no problems. It has a tuned exhaust, upgraded brakes and I don’t know what else. Sounds great, looks great (the tan convertible top was replaced by previous owner) and can move out quite smartly. Gets good gas mileage as well. My wife and I drove it to a State Park near Lynchburg, TN yesterday with the top down with my son and his wife following in a Civic SI. Had a great time driving the curvy, rolling back roads.
my 98 corvette has all the normal c5 problems like oil pressure sending unit that goes out every 3-4 weeks after replacng it, the rocking seats, the sway bar links, the wiper motor udders that get plugged, the a/c compressor, the harmonic balancer, the service vehicle soon always coming on for no apparent reason, fixed them all except the oil pressure sending unit and im tired of replacing it, and yes I use the brass one, and the car only has 52000 miles on it, other than that I love it.
Most common oil leaks: valve cover gaskets, oil sending unit, Intake manifold gaskets. Places you don't want an oil leak: rear main seal, front seal, oil pan gaskets (upper and lower), timing chain cover gaskets. Spend as much time, brake cleaner, ultra violet oil dye as needed to pinpoint the leak before you tear anything apart.
agree.........c5s are cool but junk............do not buy one if you cannot do your own work on it!........ i brought my c5 from a guy who showed me 4,000 worth of reciepts but i am still making repairs on it continously!
Mike Oz the car wasn’t a show car for sure but a drivers car. Pulled hard and ran great! Good cheap sports car to drive hard in and not worry about damages!
R F I buy used cars touch up my self professional job( I worked form 13 to 22 while going to school at a gm dealership detailing , doing body work , assisting mechanics doing rebuilds later on painting and touch ups better education than college )buff and clay bar wax paint all trim ,dye any scuffed interior parts , paint all suspension steel parts clean prep paint chassis and engine bay paint engine bay polish and or refinish valve covers oil pan . Change all fluids I do all including brake fluid clean all connections ,de carbon intake throttle body , valves upper combustion chamber then clean mass air sensors new Pcv valve ,change plugs clean egr change oil reset all codes change air filter . Car usually Looking like new by this time , pride in ownership and cost fraction of a new vette .
its a great car especially for what you can pick these up for. I had a C5Z briefly till someone cut me off and she was totaled. This was back in 2012 and I loved that car would have most likely still had it. Some of the stuff you mentioned is normal for an older car, it sucks but expected.
I think it looks pretty cheap compared to its competition, but it WAS REALLY cheap compared to its competition. They outperformed stuff that cost twice what they did, GM had to save that money somewhere. They’re fast, inexpensive, great-handling, and kinda ridiculously affordable all things considered. If I’m getting into a C5 Corvette, I’m not suddenly shocked not to find myself in a Jaguar, BMW, etc.; I know what it is, what it cost, and what to expect from it.
I LOVE my 2003 C5 Base. The problem with the seats is the fiberglass frame. The sharp edges cut through the foam then the leather. I bought new covers and foam from Al Knoch Interiors then trimmed the edge of the frame with polyethylene tubing and used spray adhesive to put 2 lavers of headliner material over that where the bolsters are, that's where the problem comes up from getting in and out of the car. No more sharp edge, problem solved. Got rid of the den and a half radio and put in a double den Pioneer with a back up camera. Vette Nuts has the console cover with the double den opening that looks just like the factory interior finish. There are 4 rivets holding a brace that has to be removed to make room for it. Get a right angle drill and some GOOD 5/16" drill bits. GM put a pig tail power source in the top left corner of the passenger floor board that you will need for power (1- accessory hot, 1- continues hot, 1- ground). This is a modern upgrade that is well worth it, I love having a back up camera. A few upgrades and a little loving maintenance and the C5 is a great car to have.
Not really sure right now. Since cars are going for stupid prices. I paid roughly 15.8K before tax for this car 2-3 years ago. This was for a low mile but heavily modified car. I think clean low mile z06 we’re going for 23-25k at the time. would imagine they would be that or likely higher
The only problem I’ve had with mine in 100,000 miles over 15 years is the Svc column lock message which comes and goes. Oh yeah, I had to do the hazard warning switch as well. She has been a wonderful machine and I’m very attached to her. ❤
Find all the ground points, take them apart, clean everything really well, use some Copper Shield or Noalox between ALL contact points, put them back together, shoot a little CRC corrosion inhibitor over them. Done. The other problems are caused by mileage and abuse and are normal maintenance. Wrap your headers if it’s close to wiring. Use aftermarket suspension stuff if the active ride stuff starts getting funky. This is all pretty simple stuff, haha!
The only problem I had with my C5 was, the first time I put gas into it, I noticed gasoline leaking out onto the ground- which was very concerning. The Chevy dealer I took it to fixed it for a relatively modest charge.
I have 145000 on my 2000 roadster and other than the occasional pull key thing it’s been great ! I’ll drive mine anywhere! I learned a long time ago if you enjoy the car stock it will give you years of good service. Modify it and all bets are off. 🇺🇸👍🙋♂️🖖🏻
First vet I owned was a 06 Z, pick one up, 40k of smiles for miles, got a 19 Z now, last year of the manual. Put a little money into her, she will be a beauty for years to come
I love my 2000 c5 and my biggest complaint is the “pull key wait 10 seconds” . Yes I put all the mods they have to fix it but nothing worked. Chevy dealers have no idea🤷♂️. Other than that, I have 118000 on mine and going for 200000!
That issue PISSED me off !!! Ironically it is EASILY fixed with the steering lock bypass.... HIGHLY recommend!!!!!! Also I'm at 110,000 but need an engine. #1 lifter came out of tray and scored the bore hole.... toast gonna go 408.
I have a c6 gs centennial edition. Only issue is when its cold outside the shocks squeak for about 10 mins u till warm. The transmission wont let me check the fluid via dip stick. The interior is cheap and makes noise. My head light is diming on one side ill have to crack the seal on the head light 🤦🏾♂️ the dark paint is hard to maintain.. rims are subject to cracking and it rides like a skateboard. The quality of the corvette are honestly bad but i love the performance. Best of luck man.
Honestly my first course of action once getting a vette is to change out the lights for LEDs, and the paint issue is just something anyone with a black car will attest to having problems with lol Honestly though if you're in it for the fun and you can put aside the interior, most of these issues aren't that big a deal 👍
Most the issues seem to have to do with corrosion, I live in central california in the valley where rain is rare and snow is never. So I assume most of these corrosion issues shouldn't be an issue for me.
Ok, so sealed Optima battery. Heat temperature coated headers and wrap the nearby wires. Interior is cheap? So were all other cars of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Brass gears for the headlights. The ecbm is the big deal, but not too bad. And keep an eye on the grounds. Common stuff for a car that’s almost 20 yrs old. C5 Z06 is my next car. 💪👍🇺🇸🦅
maybe you got a vette that was messed with but ive had three C5 z06's never had the problems you had. There was a steering issue but that was a simple fix. Easy to build , stock i ran easy 12.3-12.5 at carlsbad and terminal island (before they closed) Tire puts you into the high elevens or close to it, bolts easily in the 11's and that is not touching the long block at all. Sorry to hear you got a car that had issues.
I owned a 2003 50th Anniversary edition. Right side pop up headlight stuck in up position Dealer said $2,000 to repair. Window seals went and it leaked like. crazy. Right side window won't roll down. Never used it. That's it so I traded it in. I owned an '88 35th Anniversary before headlights worked well all the time.
Gotta put the LMC5 mod in those things too. I had an 04 C5 Z06 and I cleaned the ground points and started having problems with the EBCM. The fuel gauge was going bad and I tried the Techron hack and it didn’t work. Loved my C5 Z06 but you are correct about the electrical issues. They are the worst. Picked up a brand new 2019 C7 Stingray and never looked back. Good video man.
I just bought my first corvette and honestly I couldn’t be happier.. it’s a 2001 corvette with 38k miles! Bought it for 10,500 not sure if I overpaid or not but I don’t regret it
813RiC maybe it depends where you located bro I’m in Texas and there’s a good amount of c5s with low miles.... I’ve been searching for 6 months for a steal price and I got lucky....scooped it up 40 minutes after he posted 😂
The hint here is don’t buy a used C5 Z06 that’s been beat to hell with unnecessary Mods. Leaving a C5 stock is the best bet for longevity. Bought my C5 4 yrs ago now being second owner and car was cared for with no Mods. Oil change once a year and plan on buying new tires once they age out. Buy a car that has had a garage life and regular maintenance records.👍😀 I owned a C3 for 25 yrs. previously doing reg maintenance selling with 93,000 miles still looking good and performing fine. Great car if treated with love and respect.😀👍
Try driving a 20 year old Vette in the rust belt! To be fair any twenty-year-old car in the rust belt's going to give you green boogers in your electrical system.
99 FRC, 110k miles, 20 years of open road races. Changed the oil regularly, check the tire pressure and RUN it. NO PROBLEMS. If you start dicking around with stuff, changing things and beating on it then things may act up. C5s are my favorite late model Vettes.
I bought a C5 two weeks ago. I got a false "check engine" warning light after only 3 hours of ownership. Within a day, the fog lights and gauge lights also stopped working. 😅
the starter issue was installed with the headers, the ebcm is a bad solder joint in the circuit board that can be fixed if you know how to solder and the other unlisted common problem with the climate control can also be repaired with soldering. So if you're selling it i'll do you the solid and buy that junker off ya for $50.00
My favorite is a '69 convertible I have owned 1 a few c3's over the years but was thinking about a 98-02 convertible but don't want the headaches after your video. Lol
Good vid. But as RARenfield mentioned below, the crank pulley wobble. I have a 1998 C5 that I've had since March 2018. I was quoted $460 labor at Colony Tires plus the price of the pulley,bolt and gasket. This can run from GM $100 to $2000 depending on what you want to spend and your driving habits. I'm planning $150/200 which seems to be what a lot of guys on the forums are spending . Mine had 95k when I bought it and I have 108k on it now. It's a auto with the stock 2.73 rear end...not fast till around 20/25 mph, but no tire spin and in my rural setting I am on the highway in ahalf mile and towns are small here, so my "in town " mileage is 22/23 and highway is 28.5...not bad for what it is. Well, sorry you're having trouble with yours, but I would think all of them are not bad...I know I LOVE mine.
I'm thinking about buying a '98 c5 targa vette. Why a Targa? Well...I love topless sports car and I love hard tops and for a first car it has more than enough horse power haha. This particular targa has had its pop-up lights switched for a pair of angle eyes lights which look really cool. The owner also took out the radio and switched it with a touch screen infotainment system with cameras and satelite. This one is going for 29.000€. That is a LOT for a 20yr old car, even with the updates it has. Corvettes are a really, REALLY rare sight here so it will turn a few heads. You mainly see Mercedes everywhere, Porche, a couple of Ferrari and Jaguars. However, my country has one of the highest car impor taxes in EU so even if I wanted to import one I would have to pay a similar or higher price. People told me to buy a Miata but it only has 140hp and no trunk space. The Mercedes SLK200 AMG (hard top convertible) from 2014 is 27.500€ so maybe it's a better more modern choice? It does have 150 less horse power. I can't really find many good hard top convertible sporty cars for less than 30.000€ :/
I was kicked in the butt by buying a 2000 Corvette (35 K mi) while the transmission fluid seepage from the rear diff had metal shavings in it. I got my $17 K back, and the dealer flat bed his 2000 Corvette back 100 miles to Illinois. So, I still want a Corvette, and am looking at a 2003 50th Anniversary edition.(49 K mi) Ready to pull the trigger so I have it inspected. ($107.49) Fluid seepage from Trans pan, fluid coming from rear diff (different car) same problem, oil seepage from timing cover, and all 4 shocks leaking Hydraulic fluid. Dealer says - no PROBLEM! and will NOT fix anything. I RAN, and kept running away from a "Corvette". I am SO, SO HAPPY with my new 2007 SATURN SKY convertible with 4000 miles.... C-YA!
I loved this model but the biggest issue.....IT IS OLD! Parts were expensive when it was new. So if you get a C5, you will also need a few extra things.....a pile of money and a good mechanic who can find parts
My father had an ‘04 Z06 and never had any of these issues however there was a problem with the transmission going into reverse. It supposedly costs about $7K to fix - I’m surprised this trans issue wasn’t addressed as it was a common problem in these years
For not even half that money u can buy a low milage one or even a performance one n install it ur self..i replaced mine, filled it w royal purple n installed it my self, and monter clutch n diff (i destroyed my old diff or I wouldn't had to lol)
Last Vette I had was a 71 454 4 spd. Great car and easy to fix. There is less room to work under the hood in the C5 it seems and much more complicated. Probably would not spend more fixing that I did with an 05 Honda S2000. The C5 is a bargain particularly since it seems that the mileage on most I have seen for is very low. I would have to have a manual although automatics I have driven are decent.
my C5 turn signals quit on me, and no-one not even the dealership or my personal mechanic could figure out why. I fixed it for a couple months by using a relay I plugged in under the dash, but it blew and that was that. Never fixed it.
Yep, that EBCM is the only thing I’d be wary of because there are no OEM replacements for the. There are people who can fix them but you have to send them out for the work to be done. Hopefully at some point someone will manufacturer and aftermarket module. Hopefully....
Sounds like the car has headers, probably no cats or high flow cats, a cam, aftermarket intake manifold, aftermarket radiator, missing covers, black headlights etc. What I'm saying is the car has been fucked with a bunch so what do you expect? If you want your car to be reliable and nice, leave it 100% alone/don't purchase modified cars. A C5Z is a 12.3 @ 114 mph car bone stock on stock tires and it handles excellent as well so why modify? Buy a clean, stock, garage kept, low-mile car that lived in a dry region and then leave it alone and you'll be good. They are almost 20 years old now so if you want a reliable one that's what you need to do.
Yes the car has a fully built 408, ported 243s, Cam, fast 90, kooks headers, high flow cats, and a corsa catback. Made 503 rwhp to the tire. the point of the video was to show what potential issues vet owners could run into. I knew going into it that the car would likely have problems thats why I only paid 16k. Its not a show car at all lol its a drivers car and previous track car. have you been in a stock c5z? its a pretty underwhelming HP wise. If I were to spend 25k on a cleaner car i would just step up and get a C6Z or something else. here is a video of it on the dyno when the previous owner had it built: th-cam.com/video/JUG3QFIPnYw/w-d-xo.html
C5s are really great cars, and I'm a Ford guy. For a car that is 20 years old, it will have some issues. It's not a new car.. The issues you have are quirks and most can be fixed rather cheap and permanently, like the headlight motors. C5s are also somewhat easy to work on. You think your car is complex? Don't even think about getting a newer car, let alone an EV. Those cars are nightmares. I ain't against an EV, but I am against being forced to get one.
Remember your Vette is 17 years old. I had a boxster Porsche, now you talk about expensive repairs and parts. I switched back to a C6. Don’t give up on your C5. The next owner will probably drive it 2 or 3 years with no problems
Thanks for the kind words Woody! C6 are great values. Thought about getting a c6Z but think i want to change it up! every car I have owned has been a chevy, daily or second/weekend cars! I bet any foreign car can beat you up on repair costs!
Look at the Car before you buy it. Who is the Owner you buy it from? Did he Maintain the Car well, or did he kicked it when the Engine was still cold? Read a lot about those Cars, or take someone with you who know those Cars well. I have a 2000 Model, all Black. And it had never any Issue. Not only one. Nothing. Also my Tipp, buy a Z06, and you are know that it was beaten out for 100% Buy an Corvette with a Automatic Transmission, you know that it was Criused.
The leaky diff is for real. Actually it's the transmission that leaks (it's in two pieces) and the diff will leak out the half shafts. I replaced EVERYTHING and one year later the trans is leaking again.
Expecting a car that was raced to be reliable is kinda like hoping a Hooker will make a good Housewife!
GOD'S SERVENT good comparison!
If you abuse a car , dont blame the car. Corv
Or a virgin. 😆
That's funny shit 🤣
Has Loma 😂, tht was a good one an true facts! 🤙😉
For a car that's nearly 2 decades old, those problems are (in my opinion) expected.
Super sexy car.
Agreed. If the veicle was cared for appropriately and not "rednecked" around low gearing, burning out, and skimping on maint.....should be tennable.
C5’s are great cars, and I have owned my 2001 6 speed convertible for over a decade. First use an AGM battery, not lead acid. Common sense. Secondly, do not put headers on C5 LS motor. The gains are minimal and not worth the extra heat generated in the engine bay. Thirdly, the seat track issue is a known problem and very minor. Super easy to repair with an upgrade kit. So if you’re selling your C5 because you bought a trashed car, or can’t wrap your head around technology, go ahead. Lots of C5 owners love their cars and have a relatively problem free ownership experience.
No, def do headers but have them htc coated and wrap the nearby wires.
@@crodrc51able or relocate the battery to the trunk
Mine has a messed up ebcm. I just pulled the fuses and have been driving it like that for awhile
Don't fix things that are not broke keep the car stock mine is great
@@davyhendrix Agreed. I like my C5 and enjoy the driving experience. Wait I think it's time for a romp?
I don't care what problems you have had with yours. I'm keeping my c5. Absolutely love it. C5 FOR LIFE. SALUTE. ✌🏾💯
youngestson 65 haha! They are good cars! Still love them! Favorite vette by far!
@Chicago 773 . That's what I'm talking about. Chi town is in the house.
@CHIRAQ 773 700k miles?! 😱😱😱 Geeze. I'm thinking about a C5. Found one for $11,700 with 6m with 65k miles
MotorNation i hope you got it, thats a good deal for 65k miles
Plan on buying me one for a fun weekend car. Can pick one up pretty cheap and there are endless amounts of mods for it. So should be fun
Most of These problems can be easily fixed . I m keeping mine. Love it.
roger 92 I agree! Overall I love the C5 and this particular car! But I have to be a little dramatic for TH-cam lol. Selling to pickup a lotus. Want to try something different! Thanks for watching
@@brenbuchler94 Oh my, yeah that will solve all of your reliability issues ;
@@brenbuchler94 you go from a C5 to a lotus? If your trying to avoid car problems don't go for a Lotus.
No wonder GM doesn't make any improvements. Cause they got people like you willing to always fix their problems they shouldn't even have. As long as they got your money they don't care lol
Jusbert Meza oh you have a lotus?
My 2003 C5 is stock, including the exhaust. Never had any issues with burnt wires. Fixed my EBCM at no cost. Just re-soldered some components inside the module. Fixed my HVAC display at no cost. Just re-soldered some components. Replaced my oil pressure sending unit for about $25. I recently replaced the factory original spark plugs and wires at 155,000 miles. No Check Engine Light. The engine was running fine, I just knew I was pushing my luck. For a 20 year old car, it's been very reliable. It has never left me stranded.
Hell yeah!!!! Good cars this one was messed with quiet a bit.
"Because of all the electrical problems with this car -- I'm literally selling it." 5 minutes in: I melted all my wiring because of my open headers..... C5 Corvettes are literally one of the most reliable performance cars out there -- which is why LS1 swaps are so common. My C5 has never had any of those problems because I didn't ghetto rig things in the engine bay.
Mister G lol
Mister G vettes are trash dude
@@brenbuchler94 Idiot status: confirmed. If you hadn't noticed -- literally everyone else in the world swaps Corvette powertrains into their performance cars. LS engines are the fucking gold standard, dumbass. They also don't rust to pieces like most imports do over the long-term.
@@LakeHowellDigitalVideo people do LS swaps because the amount of power they can take... Not reliability. ANYONE AND EVERYONE who does a LS swap is willing to deal with fixes and repairs it needs but to a standard person it can be too much and expensive. So just to say "everyone does LS so it's better" doesn't really make sense if you also apply who readily they are around the world.
I agree with Mister G here. If you want a reliable nice car like a Vette Z06, you gotta pay to play. If all you can afford is a 100,000+ mile modified and fucked with Z06, you're gonna have a bad time. If you want a nice one you can count on every day, get out 25 racks.
Should always use an AGM battery in a C-5
Drove off with the hood open... but the car's the problem.
Don’t slide in and out of the seat. Sit and turn. Turn and stand.
So I actually had an over charging issue with my c5. It happened before replacing my alternator and after. So I replaced the battery and ended up finding about 4 or 5 ground points, taking them off and cleaning them, and re attaching them. Happy to say that I've no longer had the over charging issue lol
Edward Kosmela nice! A lot of issues can be fixed by cleaning grounds!
I had a 2004 corvette and I had none of these problems.
martin sledge great!
The electrical issues were mostly remedied on the 04 models, and the other issues are mostly wear issues so depends on how long and hard you've driven the car
I sold it and brought a 2013 C6 grand sport..And next year I will be selling that one for a newer corvette
OMG this youtuber millenials make a problem from just a common maintenance😂😂
That brake module is 1700 to be replaced and they dont make them anymore like at all so not so trivial bro
Riiight?
And the EBCM thing. Its a Corvette, you gotta pay to play.
HAHAHA thats exactly what I thought lol sure sounds like a whiny ass too. He should go buy a Civic and put and big fart can on it and be done.
Have a 2002 convertible and just love it. Have driven cross country 5 times and the seats are very comfortable. The only problems I had were antenna not retracting and passenger getting stuck last year [ fixed by thumping on door near speaker]. Just love my C5.
I clicked it👍 I got a 1987 c4..I like it because it still a normal car without the problems of the newer styles..Yes there not near as fast..But I still get and move when I want too.
I love my ‘03 Z06! No issues yet with only 4 years of ownership and 42K miles of my driving and another 40K from previous owner(s).
Had a ‘02 coupe and convertible!
My only issues I can recall was the wiper motor in the coupe. Shorted out because of leaves accumulated inside the rubber boot where the motor sits, not allowing water to drain. $200.00 fix.
On the vert, the headlight motor stripped the plastic gear inside making my headlight stay up. Had to manually lowered it. $25.00 kit and 24hrs for glue to cure and about 4-5 labor for removal,repair and reinstall.
Love Vettes especially C5’s!
JAVIER QUINTERO thanks for watching! The C5 is definitely my favorite generation!
I don't think you're crazy carrying the gopro. I think you're crazy for running that stop sign, and speeding in a residential.
And without insurance or current registration
@@thollingsworth4910 LMAO, getting total tool vibes from this guy.
I bought a beat up modified (big mistake) new edge mustang GT full of problems. Literally couldn’t drive it a week without something coming up. I recently picked up a c5 & man, even though there’s a chirping sound when the car is cold, I have more piece of mind with this car lol
Look at your harmonic balancer.
gtdrummerdude ended up being a bad serpentine belt thankfully
A few of the items are simply maintenance issues every car owner should know...the headlight issue-did you change the oil in it? It takes 75w-90. Best thing to understand is you should probably know how to wrench your own car. If you are going to buy something and expect little issues...maybe a Honda or Toyota ijs. Whoever had that car before...upgraded alot of stuff on it..the radiator...intake system..plug wires...
Guess I am lucky! Bought a bright red ‘show room condition’ 2000 C5 convertible with 41,000 miles on it three years ago for $18,000. I had to replace the clutch ($2,600) and the steering column lock module went bad, so I replaced it with a bypass module. With 51,000 on the odometer, I have had no problems. It has a tuned exhaust, upgraded brakes and I don’t know what else. Sounds great, looks great (the tan convertible top was replaced by previous owner) and can move out quite smartly. Gets good gas mileage as well. My wife and I drove it to a State Park near Lynchburg, TN yesterday with the top down with my son and his wife following in a Civic SI. Had a great time driving the curvy, rolling back roads.
Great! I am glad you love your C5! Enjoy it in good health!
No wonder problems ! You got a sticker 00:33 "tow" on this car that puts instantenously a "bad juju" on the car
Lol this is true! never had to use them fortunately!
my 98 corvette has all the normal c5 problems like oil pressure sending unit that goes out every 3-4 weeks after replacng it, the rocking seats, the sway bar links, the wiper motor udders that get plugged, the a/c compressor, the harmonic balancer, the service vehicle soon always coming on for no apparent reason, fixed them all except the oil pressure sending unit and im tired of replacing it, and yes I use the brass one, and the car only has 52000 miles on it, other than that I love it.
It adds up!!!!!
Love hate relationship
I've got a 2002 C5, with 86k miles and absolutely no electrical problems. I do have a small oil leak and have been unable to trace it....
Most common oil leaks: valve cover gaskets, oil sending unit, Intake manifold gaskets. Places you don't want an oil leak: rear main seal, front seal, oil pan gaskets (upper and lower), timing chain cover gaskets. Spend as much time, brake cleaner, ultra violet oil dye as needed to pinpoint the leak before you tear anything apart.
@KING ROTCEH Autozone and probably other auto parts stores sell a kit that includes a florescent dye that you put in your engine oil and a UV light.
agree.........c5s are cool but junk............do not buy one if you cannot do your own work on it!........ i brought my c5 from a guy who showed me 4,000 worth of reciepts but i am still making repairs on it continously!
It sounds like the previous owner beat this corvette up
Mike Oz the car wasn’t a show car for sure but a drivers car. Pulled hard and ran great! Good cheap sports car to drive hard in and not worry about damages!
Yep....that's what I was thinking.
R F I buy used cars touch up my self professional job( I worked form 13 to 22 while going to school at a gm dealership detailing , doing body work , assisting mechanics doing rebuilds later on painting and touch ups better education than college )buff and clay bar wax paint all trim ,dye any scuffed interior parts , paint all suspension steel parts clean prep paint chassis and engine bay paint engine bay polish and or refinish valve covers oil pan . Change all fluids I do all including brake fluid clean all connections ,de carbon intake throttle body , valves upper combustion chamber then clean mass air sensors new Pcv valve ,change plugs clean egr change oil reset all codes change air filter . Car usually Looking like new by this time , pride in ownership and cost fraction of a new vette .
its a great car especially for what you can pick these up for. I had a C5Z briefly till someone cut me off and she was totaled. This was back in 2012 and I loved that car would have most likely still had it. Some of the stuff you mentioned is normal for an older car, it sucks but expected.
I like the interior...I never thought it looked cheap...maybe it’s just me
I agree. For a 20 year old car it looks great, minus the junky late 90s gm radio that they put in everything.
Same here. I actually like the interior. I thought I was the only one! 😂
I think it looks pretty cheap compared to its competition, but it WAS REALLY cheap compared to its competition. They outperformed stuff that cost twice what they did, GM had to save that money somewhere. They’re fast, inexpensive, great-handling, and kinda ridiculously affordable all things considered. If I’m getting into a C5 Corvette, I’m not suddenly shocked not to find myself in a Jaguar, BMW, etc.; I know what it is, what it cost, and what to expect from it.
Love the interior
@@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney exactly
I LOVE my 2003 C5 Base. The problem with the seats is the fiberglass frame. The sharp edges cut through the foam then the leather. I bought new covers and foam from Al Knoch Interiors then trimmed the edge of the frame with polyethylene tubing and used spray adhesive to put 2 lavers of headliner material over that where the bolsters are, that's where the problem comes up from getting in and out of the car. No more sharp edge, problem solved.
Got rid of the den and a half radio and put in a double den Pioneer with a back up camera. Vette Nuts has the console cover with the double den opening that looks just like the factory interior finish. There are 4 rivets holding a brace that has to be removed to make room for it. Get a right angle drill and some GOOD 5/16" drill bits. GM put a pig tail power source in the top left corner of the passenger floor board that you will need for power (1- accessory hot, 1- continues hot, 1- ground). This is a modern upgrade that is well worth it, I love having a back up camera.
A few upgrades and a little loving maintenance and the C5 is a great car to have.
Wow! thanks for the info. I bet the backup camera is nice!
I love these videos because it keeps people from buying them..... leaves more for me 😎
Its a C5 corvette they are everywhere lol
whats a good price for a c5?
Not really sure right now. Since cars are going for stupid prices. I paid roughly 15.8K before tax for this car 2-3 years ago. This was for a low mile but heavily modified car. I think clean low mile z06 we’re going for 23-25k at the time. would imagine they would be that or likely higher
lol I have a problem with my c5 because I have to sit on my seat and when I do lather get cracked because its 15 year old leather
The only problem I’ve had with mine in 100,000 miles over 15 years is the Svc column lock message which comes and goes. Oh yeah, I had to do the hazard warning switch as well. She has been a wonderful machine and I’m very attached to her. ❤
0:31 is that a trailer hitch between the exhaust? 🤣🤣🤣 the only thing a corvette needs to haul is ASS!
Lol. I agree. The previous owner towed a small trailer with tires tools fuel. To the track! Thanks
Find all the ground points, take them apart, clean everything really well, use some Copper Shield or Noalox between ALL contact points, put them back together, shoot a little CRC corrosion inhibitor over them. Done. The other problems are caused by mileage and abuse and are normal maintenance. Wrap your headers if it’s close to wiring. Use aftermarket suspension stuff if the active ride stuff starts getting funky. This is all pretty simple stuff, haha!
The only problem I had with my C5 was, the first time I put gas into it, I noticed gasoline leaking out onto the ground- which was very concerning. The Chevy dealer I took it to fixed it for a relatively modest charge.
paulrichard10 glad you were about to fix the problem!!
I have a C5 no issues at all
Me to. 2000 Car. Never had any Problem. Not only one.
Looks to me, most your problem could be from the modification of your zo6. Good luck.
Brian Vaughn only issue that came from mods was melting the starter. Thanks
I suspect it was in a flood...
I have 145000 on my 2000 roadster and other than the occasional pull key thing it’s been great ! I’ll drive mine anywhere! I learned a long time ago if you enjoy the car stock it will give you years of good service. Modify it and all bets are off. 🇺🇸👍🙋♂️🖖🏻
I fixed the brake ecm on my 03 following a u tube video, worked like a charm.the defective valve springs cost me an engine at 30,000mi.
Did you get a brand new engine?How much is a brand new ls1?
First vet I owned was a 06 Z, pick one up, 40k of smiles for miles, got a 19 Z now, last year of the manual. Put a little money into her, she will be a beauty for years to come
I didn’t even know of these issues and I’ve owned 2 c5 z
I love my 2000 c5 and my biggest complaint is the “pull key wait 10 seconds” . Yes I put all the mods they have to fix it but nothing worked. Chevy dealers have no idea🤷♂️. Other than that, I have 118000 on mine and going for 200000!
That issue PISSED me off !!! Ironically it is EASILY fixed with the steering lock bypass.... HIGHLY recommend!!!!!!
Also I'm at 110,000 but need an engine. #1 lifter came out of tray and scored the bore hole.... toast gonna go 408.
LMC5 bypass kit fixes all
I appreciate the video. I just purchased one today and I have almost ever one of these problems >..
Why must you rev engine as soon as you start up? Because of a thing called gravity the oil is in the pan causing premature wear
I have a c6 gs centennial edition. Only issue is when its cold outside the shocks squeak for about 10 mins u till warm. The transmission wont let me check the fluid via dip stick. The interior is cheap and makes noise. My head light is diming on one side ill have to crack the seal on the head light 🤦🏾♂️ the dark paint is hard to maintain.. rims are subject to cracking and it rides like a skateboard. The quality of the corvette are honestly bad but i love the performance. Best of luck man.
Honestly my first course of action once getting a vette is to change out the lights for LEDs, and the paint issue is just something anyone with a black car will attest to having problems with lol
Honestly though if you're in it for the fun and you can put aside the interior, most of these issues aren't that big a deal 👍
Most the issues seem to have to do with corrosion, I live in central california in the valley where rain is rare and snow is never. So I assume most of these corrosion issues shouldn't be an issue for me.
Ok, so sealed Optima battery. Heat temperature coated headers and wrap the nearby wires. Interior is cheap? So were all other cars of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Brass gears for the headlights. The ecbm is the big deal, but not too bad. And keep an eye on the grounds. Common stuff for a car that’s almost 20 yrs old.
C5 Z06 is my next car.
💪👍🇺🇸🦅
Good cars overall. Sold this one for what I paid.
Thank you for the video! How many miles are on your corvette?
maybe you got a vette that was messed with but ive had three C5 z06's never had the problems you had. There was a steering issue but that was a simple fix. Easy to build , stock i ran easy 12.3-12.5 at carlsbad and terminal island (before they closed) Tire puts you into the high elevens or close to it, bolts easily in the 11's and that is not touching the long block at all. Sorry to hear you got a car that had issues.
I love my c5. Replaced oil sending unit and harmonic balancer. The car is 20 years old. Best bang for the buck
I owned a 2003 50th Anniversary edition. Right side pop up headlight stuck in up position Dealer said $2,000 to repair. Window seals went and it leaked like. crazy. Right side window won't roll down. Never used it. That's it so I traded it in. I owned an '88 35th Anniversary before headlights worked well all the time.
Barry,
Thanks for watching. Bummer on the 03! What did you trade it in for?
I have a Charger now. I felt like I was in an SUV compared to the Corvette
So YOU put Custom Headers on the car, blew out your starter as a result and somehow that is the vehicles problem?
Gotta put the LMC5 mod in those things too. I had an 04 C5 Z06 and I cleaned the ground points and started having problems with the EBCM. The fuel gauge was going bad and I tried the Techron hack and it didn’t work. Loved my C5 Z06 but you are correct about the electrical issues. They are the worst. Picked up a brand new 2019 C7 Stingray and never looked back. Good video man.
Not all of us can "pick up" a 2019 C7 or 2020 C8
I just bought my first corvette and honestly I couldn’t be happier.. it’s a 2001 corvette with 38k miles! Bought it for 10,500 not sure if I overpaid or not but I don’t regret it
thats a good price for the little mileage you have on it..
Earl Thomas cool! It just has the notorious ebcm problem and the headlight gear but that will be fixed next week!
Damnit I bought mines for 12k with 98k miles
My 99 have 85.. i
813RiC maybe it depends where you located bro I’m in Texas and there’s a good amount of c5s with low miles.... I’ve been searching for 6 months for a steal price and I got lucky....scooped it up 40 minutes after he posted 😂
The hint here is don’t buy a used C5 Z06 that’s been beat to hell with unnecessary Mods. Leaving a C5 stock is the best bet for longevity. Bought my C5 4 yrs ago now being second owner and car was cared for with no Mods. Oil change once a year and plan on buying new tires once they age out. Buy a car that has had a garage life and regular maintenance records.👍😀 I owned a C3 for 25 yrs. previously doing reg maintenance selling with 93,000 miles still looking good and performing fine. Great car if treated with love and respect.😀👍
That high pitch shroom noise is curing my tinnitus
If you change the stock exhaust to aftermarket headers, the battery cables corrode?
Try driving a 20 year old Vette in the rust belt! To be fair any twenty-year-old car in the rust belt's going to give you green boogers in your electrical system.
99 FRC, 110k miles, 20 years of open road races. Changed the oil regularly, check the tire pressure and RUN it. NO PROBLEMS.
If you start dicking around with stuff, changing things and beating on it then things may act up.
C5s are my favorite late model Vettes.
I had no troubles with my C4 convertible. 35 mpg at 70 mph. 25 mpg avg. 6 speed
I got 26 on the highway in both my 94 and 95, both with auto's.
The cheap paint under the hood is the coolest part of this c5 example 😂
I bought a C5 two weeks ago. I got a false "check engine" warning light after only 3 hours of ownership. Within a day, the fog lights and gauge lights also stopped working. 😅
Hm u pay for it?
the starter issue was installed with the headers, the ebcm is a bad solder joint in the circuit board that can be fixed if you know how to solder and the other unlisted common problem with the climate control can also be repaired with soldering. So if you're selling it i'll do you the solid and buy that junker off ya for $50.00
I have a 1997 C5 and so far no electrical problems other than the wipers...
Jerry McKenzie nice Jerry! Hope you keep enjoying the car!
My favorite is a '69 convertible I have owned 1 a few c3's over the years but was thinking about a 98-02 convertible but don't want the headaches after your video. Lol
What year is your Corvette I love to know
Good vid. But as RARenfield mentioned below, the crank pulley wobble. I have a 1998 C5 that I've had since March 2018. I was quoted $460 labor at Colony Tires plus the price of the pulley,bolt and gasket. This can run from GM $100 to $2000 depending on what you want to spend and your driving habits. I'm planning $150/200 which seems to be what a lot of guys on the forums are spending . Mine had 95k when I bought it and I have 108k on it now. It's a auto with the stock 2.73 rear end...not fast till around 20/25 mph, but no tire spin and in my rural setting I am on the highway in ahalf mile and towns are small here, so my "in town " mileage is 22/23 and highway is 28.5...not bad for what it is. Well, sorry you're having trouble with yours, but I would think all of them are not bad...I know I LOVE mine.
Nice! glad you like your car! they are generally fairly reliable cars.
i have a 2004 zo6, i have had no problems at all in the 4 years ive had it.
Great! they are generally very solid cars.
I'm thinking about buying a '98 c5 targa vette. Why a Targa? Well...I love topless sports car and I love hard tops and for a first car it has more than enough horse power haha.
This particular targa has had its pop-up lights switched for a pair of angle eyes lights which look really cool.
The owner also took out the radio and switched it with a touch screen infotainment system with cameras and satelite.
This one is going for 29.000€. That is a LOT for a 20yr old car, even with the updates it has. Corvettes are a really, REALLY rare sight here so it will turn a few heads. You mainly see Mercedes everywhere, Porche, a couple of Ferrari and Jaguars. However, my country has one of the highest car impor taxes in EU so even if I wanted to import one I would have to pay a similar or higher price.
People told me to buy a Miata but it only has 140hp and no trunk space. The Mercedes SLK200 AMG (hard top convertible) from 2014 is 27.500€ so maybe it's a better more modern choice? It does have 150 less horse power. I can't really find many good hard top convertible sporty cars for less than 30.000€ :/
98 are all targa
I was kicked in the butt by buying a 2000 Corvette (35 K mi) while the transmission fluid seepage from the rear diff had metal shavings in it. I got my $17 K back, and the dealer flat bed his 2000 Corvette back 100 miles to Illinois. So, I still want a Corvette, and am looking at a 2003 50th Anniversary edition.(49 K mi) Ready to pull the trigger so I have it inspected. ($107.49) Fluid seepage from Trans pan, fluid coming from rear diff (different car) same problem, oil seepage from timing cover, and all 4 shocks leaking Hydraulic fluid. Dealer says - no PROBLEM! and will NOT fix anything. I RAN, and kept running away from a "Corvette". I am SO, SO HAPPY with my new 2007 SATURN SKY convertible with 4000 miles.... C-YA!
I loved this model but the biggest issue.....IT IS OLD! Parts were expensive when it was new. So if you get a C5, you will also need a few extra things.....a pile of money and a good mechanic who can find parts
My father had an ‘04 Z06 and never had any of these issues however there was a problem with the transmission going into reverse. It supposedly costs about $7K to fix - I’m surprised this trans issue wasn’t addressed as it was a common problem in these years
For not even half that money u can buy a low milage one or even a performance one n install it ur self..i replaced mine, filled it w royal purple n installed it my self, and monter clutch n diff (i destroyed my old diff or I wouldn't had to lol)
Last Vette I had was a 71 454 4 spd. Great car and easy to fix. There is less room to work under the hood in the C5 it seems and much more complicated. Probably would not spend more fixing that I did with an 05 Honda S2000. The C5 is a bargain particularly since it seems that the mileage on most I have seen for is very low. I would have to have a manual although automatics I have driven are decent.
Wait until you have to do a heater core ? Clean all of the grounds on the wire harness .
Randy Williams randy would have sent the car to the crusher lol. Unfortunately the car is sold!
I would gladly take this problem car off your hands.
Ended up selling! Sorry sold for 15k bought for 16. Sold maybe a year ago.
You got a lemon. My c5 is problem free
Common problems with headlights. After market parts can cause after market problems.
Maybe your car was driven through a Texas flood. 🤷🏽♂️
Quite possible
my C5 turn signals quit on me, and no-one not even the dealership or my personal mechanic could figure out why. I fixed it for a couple months by using a relay I plugged in under the dash, but it blew and that was that. Never fixed it.
All my gauges and needles will randomly max out and then immediate go back to normal while the car runs perfectly, I am super confused on what it is
When you start it yeah its suppose to but if it's doing it while your driving then idk it may be an electronic problem
You ever sell your corvette ?
Yes! Sold for 15k
lol - only common truth there was EBCM/active control. The rest is all maintence fixable on a weekend!
Bobby Buckalew very true!
Ok thanks I can still dream of buying one
@@romero.4089 - yes i would hope you can dream anything you want!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
Yep, that EBCM is the only thing I’d be wary of because there are no OEM replacements for the. There are people who can fix them but you have to send them out for the work to be done. Hopefully at some point someone will manufacturer and aftermarket module. Hopefully....
Sounds like the car has headers, probably no cats or high flow cats, a cam, aftermarket intake manifold, aftermarket radiator, missing covers, black headlights etc. What I'm saying is the car has been fucked with a bunch so what do you expect? If you want your car to be reliable and nice, leave it 100% alone/don't purchase modified cars. A C5Z is a 12.3 @ 114 mph car bone stock on stock tires and it handles excellent as well so why modify? Buy a clean, stock, garage kept, low-mile car that lived in a dry region and then leave it alone and you'll be good. They are almost 20 years old now so if you want a reliable one that's what you need to do.
Yes the car has a fully built 408, ported 243s, Cam, fast 90, kooks headers, high flow cats, and a corsa catback. Made 503 rwhp to the tire. the point of the video was to show what potential issues vet owners could run into. I knew going into it that the car would likely have problems thats why I only paid 16k. Its not a show car at all lol its a drivers car and previous track car. have you been in a stock c5z? its a pretty underwhelming HP wise. If I were to spend 25k on a cleaner car i would just step up and get a C6Z or something else. here is a video of it on the dyno when the previous owner had it built: th-cam.com/video/JUG3QFIPnYw/w-d-xo.html
C5s are really great cars, and I'm a Ford guy. For a car that is 20 years old, it will have some issues. It's not a new car..
The issues you have are quirks and most can be fixed rather cheap and permanently, like the headlight motors. C5s are also somewhat easy to work on. You think your car is complex? Don't even think about getting a newer car, let alone an EV. Those cars are nightmares. I ain't against an EV, but I am against being forced to get one.
Remember your Vette is 17 years old. I had a boxster Porsche, now you talk about expensive repairs and parts. I switched back to a C6. Don’t give up on your C5. The next owner will probably drive it 2 or 3 years with no problems
Thanks for the kind words Woody! C6 are great values. Thought about getting a c6Z but think i want to change it up! every car I have owned has been a chevy, daily or second/weekend cars! I bet any foreign car can beat you up on repair costs!
@@brenbuchler94 Give Lexus a try and see if they beat you up like Corvettes and other GM products. . .
My C5 is flawless. Interior is flawless. If you take care of it, it will last you forever.
What is the Milleage on that car ?
I have own3d cars for over 40 years. Never had a battery crack or leak.
I'm looking at a 2000 so many reviews bad wow
Look at the Car before you buy it.
Who is the Owner you buy it from?
Did he Maintain the Car well, or did he kicked it when the Engine was still cold?
Read a lot about those Cars, or take someone with you who know those Cars well.
I have a 2000 Model, all Black. And it had never any Issue. Not only one. Nothing.
Also my Tipp, buy a Z06, and you are know that it was beaten out for 100%
Buy an Corvette with a Automatic Transmission, you know that it was Criused.
The way you drive the car its very important.... Any car...
Do you still want to sell ? How much ?
No insurans or registration sounds like Puerto Rico laws lol.
Lmfao. I saw just there.
A Corvette is the automotive equivalent of a beautiful woman. More maintenance is required… BUT ITS WORTH IT!!!
The leaky diff is for real. Actually it's the transmission that leaks (it's in two pieces) and the diff will leak out the half shafts. I replaced EVERYTHING and one year later the trans is leaking again.
How many miles on this car?
CarSmarts Radio TV 42k
All I want from this C5 is those beautiful tail lights.
I would put them on a C8 and any other model they come out with.
Can fix all of that and revving before it is warm and running stop sign and speeding in residential and no insurance or registration like damn bro
My 84 C4 sounds pretty sweet right about now.....
said no one ever
Cuz I ain't a problem I had is that blinkers in the front so far
Own both a 2000 and 2002 and have zero problems. Purchased off adult owners who took care of these C5’s. Sorry you have issues.