Am I just unlucky?????

[Piet]

So.... what will you replace it with?

 

[bullahu]

No problems here, none what so ever. Maybe I'm lucky.

 

[johnl]

I've had almost no real problems with mine. I have a 97 C5 with 107,000mi.
I think you are hearing the complaints. If you have a good one no one wants to rant and rave about not having problems.

 

[sigung86]

I use mine as a daily driver, 99 FRC, 43k miles. No problems at all, other than need to replace rear tires. They tend to rumble at high speeds. I am very happy with the whole thing.

Dan Farmer

 

[Stan The Man]

Hi Tephy

Hope you are still around although not running your Vette. I have only just found this post and would like to steer clear of the dealer you used, who were they?

 

[QUIKAG]

I've pounded my car since new and it has been nothing less than perfect. I had a brake booster replaced that was faulty from the factory. Since then, over 30,000 miles of hauling arse, drag racing, road racing, autocrossing, and street racing, it's been PERFECT (knock on wood). I change the oil and filter and bleed the brakes occasionally. I've been through one set of pads and rotors (due to the racing).

I have no complaints whatsoever. It's been more reliable than a few Hondas I owned prior to getting my first GM product!!

 

[iburke]

I can get on the bandwagon for the quality of the Corvette. After 18,000 miles. I have had mine on the dragstrip, around the autocross courses, and even a few times across the Bonneville Saltflats at 178 mph. After all of that and two sets of tires, the only repair I have had was a weather seal replaced on the removable top.

Ivan

01 Speedway White/Black
Coupe, 6 speed, HUD, Hurst Shifter
2002 Z06 Flywheel assembly,
K&N Air filter

Bonneville Aug 2001

 

[freods]

Bought my 98 new and had the rotors turned, drivers seat bolster cover replaced twice, and column lock replaced in 40,000+ miles all for free. Currently the gas gauge is starting to act up and I'm getting some engine knock that I hope to correct soon with fuel additives. I think my C5 has been the most troublefree car I have owned. (of course I own two jeeps and two chryslers- talk about problems)

 

[Jim Shoemaker]

Well, as I've written before, I believe I've had every problem they've issued a TSB for......Fuel pump whine, Column lock, battery leak (which corroded the wiring harnass), fuel sensor, etc. All trivial since they didn't occur simultaneously. You'll never be able to pry the steering wheel of a 'Vette outta my hands. Absolutely nothing drives like it!!

 

[Yeller Z06]

I think our intrepid hero (congrats on getting them to buy the car back Tephy!) and comments by c4c5specialist really do point the finger to what I've experienced in the past: there are too few techs at the dealership who know enough about the car to properly diagnose and/or fix problems. Where the fault lies is... YOU GUYS. That's right. You Corvette owners who don't drive your cars enough. You need to be ramping up those miles and getting the cars in for service more often. This way the techs will see more cars, see what is normal (and abnormal) wear & tear, and have more practice for when my car comes in for service.

I'm mostly serious. Anyway, living in England, driving on the wrong side of the road where there are probably less than 100 Corvettes on the entire island, it's no wonder they can't fix it. It would be like an American trying to keep a Jaguar running... (BTDT).

As for 99WhiteC5IhateChevrolet, I really feel for you. I'm afraid you just got a "bad" car and "typical" Chevrolet service. Unfortunately it seems (with the numerous GM products that I've owned) that GM produces excellent robust drivetrains but everything else on their vehicles is second-rate. I used to be a BMW fan but after having two cars bought back (including the great nakusil V8 debacle) I really think the quality/price trade-off just isn't there (if it ever was). And don't even get me started on that damn Porsche I used to own...

I forgot my point.

Yeah, it's a shame that we spend 40-50K on a car that isn't the pinnacle of quality and reliability that we'd like it to be, but chances are good that if it was built to the levels that we'd all like and priced accordingly, barely 10% of us could still afford to be driving one. And so I'll accept the trade-offs.

Michael

 

[Stan The Man]

Point taken Yeller Z06.

Big problem here is that the Corvette is no longer officially imported, the authorised dealerships have naturally lost interest. I have been waiting many months now for the 5th Bow Seal to be replaced under warranty. Not being everyday transport I have managed to use it exclusively top down or the rear deck paint would be damaged by now. I need a GM contact, not 0800 number as they do not work from here (preferably a fax number), so that I can stir the system a little.

It is accepted that dealers here cannot gain experience as most Corvettes are probably used as fair weather vehicles, however GM has the obligation to set up and maintain their official outlets regardless.

I understand that Tephy purchased his car from a ‘Vette specialist’ who was not an authorised dealer the work was passed on to an official dealership who admitted they were learning on his car. All credit is due to ‘Dart’ the vendor for making the refund.

That said the C5 is still the best ‘bang for your bucks’ the horror stories and costs involved of competitive vehicles are abundant.

Regards,

Stan