Am I just unlucky?????

[Tephy]

Hi all,

Having brought my C5 97 coupe in April this year I have only been able to drive it for 10 weeks ..the rest of the time it has been at the dealers having lots of work done (2 x PCM, BCM ,wiring for g/box ,etc ).

What I want to know is ..are C5`s reliable ??..can I use them everyday???

After just getting mine back from the dealers 3 weeks ago It goes wrong..now it has to go back again !!!

I need to use the car every day for normal driving but it doesn`t seem to be able to cope with this.

The last time it was at the dealers they used a tank full of gas and now I need new rear tyres ( they were testing the traction control they told me) !!!

Because I live in the United Kingdom I am limited to dealers willing to work on the car and don`t have many C5`s to compare it with (I only know of one other a 98 that doesn`t run either!!!)

Am i just unlucky???? ...should I get my money back???

All opinions truly appreciated

Tephy

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Tephy,

I special ordered and purchased a new 1999 C5 coupe. During the first 20,094 carefully driven miles, 18 separate defects were repaired, including three separate breakdowns while driving the car out-of-state. The car has been recalled twice (one safety and one "satisfaction" campaign).

The quality and reliability of the C5 is very poor. Just read this forum and others and you will see that there are many, many common flaws with the C5. Chevrolet has issued MANY, MANY TSB's to address the numerous defects of the C5.

You have already begun to experience the poor quality and reliability of your C5. If I were you, I'd get my money back. Good luck.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Every make and model of car...

...has its great reliables and horrible messes that can't stay running long enough to get out of their own way.

It just sounds like yours is having it's share of problems. Also, being in UK and limited to the dealerships you can take your vehicle sounds like a problem.

Especially if they're going to be burning tanks of gas and tires for you!

I would personally make them replace the tank of gas and the tires. They could have put on some older ones for the testing rather than wear yours down so bad that you need new ones!
Heidi

 

[RedVetteMan02]

no problem here

hey, you know i hate to tell you this, but i think something about your car might be unlucky because i think my vette is reliable, and it doesn't break down at all... im just about as baffeled as you are my friend, ill tell u if i figure anything new about it.

 

[BigRed]

My friend bought a 99' C5 Last year and he has ZERO problems

Minus that fact he burned out in Comp mode and slided into a curb bending his rim. (Dummy)

He drives it everyday (including winter---> which makes me sick)

 

[Piet]

and winter in Edmonton is .... well..... COLD .... snowy.... slippery...

(Average Temp is -30 degrees Celsius equals -22 degrees Fahrenheit )

 

[DkBG]

Mine has been very dependable !

 

[C_Dogg]

Tephy,
Well to answer your question, I don't think you are unlucky, someone just took advatage of you.
First of all, I would go back to the garage that did the joyriding and get reimbursed for the gas and rubber. Then turn them in the your local consumer watchdog group. :bash Then I would find a reputable mechanic (I'm assuming you don't have a certified Corvette dealership available.) If you do, go there. Then get an accurate assesment as to the REAL condition of the car. Only then make a decision wether to put money into repairs, or if it's not too late, go and get your money back.
Yes... there are good dependable C5s. I have one of them! It runs just great, I have never had a problem with it yet. (Of course it gets nothing but the best care.) They are probably in short supply in the UK, but if they are cared for, they do perform.
Best of luck to you.
Stan

 

[raycdosu]

no, they're not reliable at all. i am in your same situation. i purchased mine with the intention of it being my only car. it's the worst decision i ever made.

my vette replaced a '91 toyota mr2 that i owned from 117k to 175k miles. my '99 vette that i bought last year with 18k miles has stranded me more, been in the shop more, and obviously cost me many more dollars in repairs than the toyota did in the 4 years that i owned it, in spite of its high miles.

the cost of the car was definitely at the top of my budget range, but i thought i would be getting a dependable car that would need few repairs in the years i owned it. when i add the repair costs, it's really hurting my wallet. i'm looking to trade in.

the only consolation is that the vette is REALLY fun to drive, when it's working properly. however, i will never buy an american car again.

 

[vettepilot]

For those who have experienced poor quality issues with their respective Vettes, I think you are in the minority. Most are experiencing very good quality and truely enjoy the Vette driving experience. The C5 Corvette has enjoyed the reputation of being the best Vette yet in build quality, and dependability, those that don't meet this standard should be seen by a reputable Corvette dealer so those problems can be fixed. It's unfortunate that most of the problem Vettes seem to be previously owned. Therein lies the problem for the new owner, he/she has no idea how the car was treated when new. If the original owner didn't adhere to the recommended break-in period in terms of going easy on the car for the first 500 miles, then that is most likely the source of the later problems. Unfortunately, that is something neither Chevrolet nor the dealer has control of, yet they will be blamed for poor quality.
Buyer beware is the by-word on the purchase of any used vehicle, especially a high performance sports car where the very idea of why it was purchased lends one to drive it a little harder than a regular passenger car.
vettepilot

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

vettepilot,

I disagree. Just look at the many, many TSB's issued by Chevrolet that cover many model year C5's. Also look at some of the common defects (column lock, fuel guage, shift rumble, leaking batteries, etc.) that has taken Chevrolet many years to correct or fix, of the problems still exist.

The JD Powers award covers the first 90 days of ownership. Just look at the long-term issues. The C5 quality and reliability is poor.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Facts, and impressions

HI there,
Based on both sides of the issue here, lets look at the facts.
99white, and Vettepilot, I can relate to both sides of the issues.
First, if I had a dime for everytime I had to explain for column lock issues, or tank sensing units, and the like, it is very hard for me to perform house calls for customers stuck vehicles, that they cannot drive. I would be a very rich man.
ON the flip side, seeing service issues with all Chevrolet, Porsche, BMW, Hondas, Olds, and others, they all have their own set of problems. Boxsters, with oil consumption, S2000 with transmission failures, Olds shutting down, there are many issues with other cars as well, including many service bulletins for any of these.
Personally, in the service field, the biggest issue that I have seen, is that service personnel is NOT using resources given to them, to effectively repair Corvette. That, and the fact that not alot of people study on a given car line, to know how a system works, to effectively repair the vehicle.
Anyway, with both sides, Corvette engineering must operate within parameters given to them, financial, EPA, NHSTA, liability, and others, they still work tirelessly, giving us information, as soon as they have it, to effectively fix Corvette.
Dave Peacy, Rick Baldick, Greg Nehrbass, Tim Hill, and others, whom always answer my questions, whenever I need something, or come across anything that is abnormal.
I would say that better than 90% of the time, if I follow GM service guidelines, and know the car, it is repaired correctly, the first time out.
I hope this lends a new view on repairs of c5, besttoall, c4c5

 

[les]

Just minor stuff on mine.

 

[Edmond]

Well, there are always going to be a few that slip through. For a car that is as mass produced as the Corvette, the product quality is amazing to say the least.

Of course, we aren't going to hear mass stories about the greatness in the quality, unless you've just jumped to the Corvette boat, say from a Mustang! LOL, just kidding.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

c4c5specialist,

Thanks for your insight. I always read your posts / replies and respect and value your information.

I have owned at least one Corvette continuously for 27 years. The 1999 C5 that I purchased new was the worst car I have ever owned. The quality and reliability has been poor, and most of the problems seem to be ones that are common and Chevrolet was well aware of. Under warranty, the car broke down three separate times while my wife and I were out-of-state, on vacation. I drive the car very conservatively and take outstanding care of it.

I am still a "Corvette nut" but have become very frustrated with the car's problems. My wife and I intended to order/purchase a 50th Anniversary coupe, since we both turn 50 in 2003. Due to the numerous problems with our 1999 C5 coupe, we have changed our minds.

Please accept my compliments for your participation in this forum and the information. It is invaluable. Don't take this as a criticism of you. Chevrolet just seems to be very slow responding to common defects and problems. It is frustrating as a customer to have to deal with it.

 

[dmkoger]

I have to say I totally disagree with Vettepilot. While some problems can be traced to owner neglect or abuse during the breakin, how does this affect anything other than the powertrain, and maybe the tires? As an example, a wk after I bought my Y2K I had to replace the backup lights and turn signal switches. I do not believe this units were abused, but just failed. Also, I would add that most people, like myself, who spend $30-50,000 on a car are not likely to abuse it. Check the annual Consumer Reports for the last 10 yrs. GM, and the Vette, are rated very poorly every single year (although the Vette was named best sports car). Understand, I really like my Vette, because theres nothing to compare it to in the price range, but I just wish the quality was better. Sorry, but it cannot compare to Japanese or German quality. I have to add this is somewhat of a tradeoff, as GM prices for parts and labor are a little cheaper.

 

[vettepilot]

dmkoger,
I have to agree with you on your point about things such as light switches and other non-wearing electronic items items. I have been really fortunate I guess, my three Vettes never gave me anything to complain about. My 93 had a couple of items that were very minor, but were fixed under warranty the first time around. Other than that, the only time my cars were down (if you want to call it that) was for routine maintenance, oil/filter change, battery after 4 years in the 93, spark plugs at 100,000 miles, front brake pads only on the 93 at 110,000 miles, four tires every 45,000 miles (GSCs). So I guess you can see why I think Vettes are still quite dependable.
vettepilot

 

[dmkoger]

I certainly hope you're right, because I really like the Vette. I bought it after my 300ZX was totalled. At times I think of selling or trading it, but those thoughts seem to disappear the next time I fire up those 345+ horses. I just think GM is capable of giving us better product for the money.

 

[DRTH VTR]

C5 reliability

I bought my '97 two years ago. It had about 40,000 miles on it. I have put another 30,000 miles on it since. I have not had any major problems with mine. I had to replace a headlight motor, an accessory drive belt tensioner, and a thermostat. I have the wear and tear that would be expected with a 70,000 mile car, including paint chips, a small hole in the driver's seat (present when I bought it), multiple tire replacements, and my transparent top is losing its dark coating. The fuel guage sending unit will report an empty gas tank every great once in a while, but it is rare, mostly when the tank is very full. I have been quite satisfied with the car's reliability and general performance. When I compare this with what I have had to do with other cars over the years, this does not seem excessive. I love my car and drive it almost every day. It is the only car that I have. My wife drives an SUV, so I drive that occasionally. When I go to the garage and decide which car to drive, there is almost never a time that I don't choose the Vette. I have been very happy. I do want to add more power or upgrade to a Z06.
Jim B

 

[Tephy]

Hi all

just to let you know that the dealer has brought my vette back from me for the full price.

I don't think they are bad cars BUT here in the U.K. no one knows anything about them ,in fact if it wasn't for the help of c4c5specialist I believe my car would still not be running as the dealer had run out of ideas!!!!

The dealer (GM dealership ) has said that they are learning as they work on my car.

The biggest problem is getting hold of a tech 2 ...I tried to buy one for myself but could not and the dealers here don't know how to use them properly.

It was suggested that my car was sent back to the U.S.A. repaired and then shipped back again ???? really practical when it goes wrong out of warranty.

Because of the small number sold here the dealers are not interested.

However , when the vette ran OK. it was awsome ....cannot find anything to match it ..and really sad to let it go back... but I need a reliable everyday car.

Thanks to everyone who gave there views and help

Tephy