Finally got mine!

[cerberus]

Brought home my first Corvette last night. I got a 2002 Electron Blue 6-speed with 18,500 miles. Couldn't be happier (well maybe if spring would hurry up so I can take it out of the garage without getting it filthy).

I have a couple questions. The guy I got it from gave the the little recall notice for the steering column lock. Do I just take it into GM and give them that paper notice, and they fix it, even though I'm not the original owner?

I have a couple months before the 3 year 36k factory warranty quits on me. It came with a 72 month transferable extended warranty, and all it will cost me is a $30 transfer fee. But, the deductible is 250. Now, I could go spend another 1500 for one with a 50 or 0 deductible. Should I just be happy with spending the 30 and rest easy knowing any major repairs are covered? Or, have y'all been nickel and dimed to death with the hundred dollar repair here and the hundred dollar repair there?

How long can I expect the stock run flats to last mileage wise (throwing in the the occasional burnout)? When I replace them, will non runflats be less noisy, cuz them suckers are LOUD.

Finally, I let my Dad drive it last night and he was hot rodding it to show my young 32 year old self how it's really done. Before I could tell him to shut'er down, he missed the narrow gate by shifting it like it's a 3 speed with granny low, and went from first to fourth. No biggie, except then he revved er up to 4500 and pops the clutch in fourth, resulting in a little clutch smell that quickly dissipated. As long as I don't let "the master" behind the wheel anymore, no harm done? It doesn't slip or anything, but the smell, even though it's gone, concerned me.

 

[XLR8]

Welcome

Welcome to the joys of Corvette ownership! Get used to wearing a big grin Congrats on your first.

RE: recall - you can take it to any Chevy dealership and they'll address the recall item - no charge - no problem. There may be others. You can register as the owner on the website or by phone to GM customer service so that you'll be directly notified of any future issues. Check out this thread for more info.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60682

As for the warranty I can't help you with that but I've seen other threads on the subject. I'd suggest going to the search page and type warranty in and see what you get.

I've got an automatic so the clutch question is beyond my scope too.

But there will be someone along soon that can help you with those questions I'm sure.

Again Congrats and enjoy. And post pics. We all love pics!
And don't forget to wave!
JAG

 

[Chrisr]

Cerberus, Congrats on being a Corvette owner!!!!! I'm still waiting for the crappy weather to break here in the Northeast to get mine.

Anyway, I placed a thread here a while back concerning tires on the Vette (C5). The reply I got was you could expect to get 20-25 thousand out of them. I would imagine the takes into consideration the occasional burnout!!

Good luck & enjoy!!!!

 

[silver98]

Hey CONGRATUALTIONS on your Vette, awesome color, enjoy!

As for the runflats, I have 38k on them with 5/32 and 7/32 left, PLENTY of tread. Of course I bought it used from a little ole' man who only drove it to chuch on Sundays :L . No burn outs, I'm sure.

As for the CL recall, pleae be aware, that with manual trannies, the 'fix' is to flash the PCM to ensure that the fuel supply will cutoff if the CL doesn't release, purely as a theft deterrant. It will NOT prohibit / fix the CL from not releasing. You may want to consider a CL Bypass, this will maintain the correct unlocked voltage signal to the BCM but will not allow the CL to engage. There is a ton o' info on the forum on the CL and CLB, do a search and get smart about it.

As for the warranty and deductable, that's a personal call. Their will be somethings that fail, hey its still a sports car, and it can get expensive real quick. Consider an extended warranty through either GM (Ken Fitchner) or Warranty Direct (on the web or phone: 800.632.4222)

A lot of folks here hate the EMTs. Again a personal decision based upon where you drive, road conditions, and your tolerance for noise vs. a blowout. There has been a lot of info written about the methodology employed by Corvette engineering and Goodyear's collaboration on the development of the tire to match the Vette. Its up to you.

I would suggest that you invest ~$115 for the Service Manuals, even if you won't be doing any work yourself, you will have all the info to diagnose / troubleshoot any thing that crops up. The best price I found was Ken Fitchner.

Congratualtions again, and don't forget when meeting another Vette on the roads to

Save The Wave.....

Welcome to the family,

Joe

 

[Patrick]

Brought home my first Corvette last night. I got a 2002 Electron Blue 6-speed with 18,500 miles. Couldn't be happier (well maybe if spring would hurry up so I can take it out of the garage without getting it filthy).

Cerberus,
Congratulations! Excellent Color! You MUST post pics when you get a chance.

I can promise you that in the next few days, at least once, you will wake up in the middle of the night just to go down to the garage and look at your new Vette... and still have to pinch yourself to believe its really yours! Expect to have a permanent grin on your face whenever you take her for a drive... and don't forget to wave. (We C5 Owners seem to have a bad reputation in that area- or so I've been told.)

I have a couple questions. The guy I got it from gave the the little recall notice for the steering column lock. Do I just take it into GM and give them that paper notice, and they fix it, even though I'm not the original owner?

The recall is tied to the VIN, not to a specific owner. If the original owner has since sold it, GM should note it as a reference for the next time the new owner brings it in for service. As you have the paperwork, I would call your favorite Chevy service department, and schedule an appointment (reference the number of the recall when you do.)

I have a couple months before the 3 year 36k factory warranty quits on me. It came with a 72 month transferable extended warranty, and all it will cost me is a $30 transfer fee. But, the deductible is 250. Now, I could go spend another 1500 for one with a 50 or 0 deductible. Should I just be happy with spending the 30 and rest easy knowing any major repairs are covered? Or, have y'all been nickel and dimed to death with the hundred dollar repair here and the hundred dollar repair there?

Hmm... that comes down a question of where you perceive value. If it were me, I would pay the $30 to transfer, and if I were worried that repairs might become an issue in a few years, explore upgrading to the $0 or $50 deductible just before the factory warranty expires.

How long can I expect the stock run flats to last mileage wise (throwing in the the occasional burnout)? When I replace them, will non runflats be less noisy, cuz them suckers are LOUD.

Runflats will always be loud- that sidewall noise makes them controversial among Corvette owners. There's another thread (CLICK HERE FOR REDIRECT) about tire recommendations you can pay a visit to. I think it will likely come down to a decision concerning your normal driving habits and preferences.

Finally, I let my Dad drive it last night and he was hot rodding it to show my young 32 year old self how it's really done. Before I could tell him to shut'er down, he missed the narrow gate by shifting it like it's a 3 speed with granny low, and went from first to fourth. No biggie, except then he revved er up to 4500 and pops the clutch in fourth, resulting in a little clutch smell that quickly dissipated. As long as I don't let "the master" behind the wheel anymore, no harm done? It doesn't slip or anything, but the smell, even though it's gone, concerned me.

I wouldn't worry about that- the manual transmissions on C5's are pretty forgiving. But you do have an opportunity to play that angle up and make dad feel guilty enough to buy you a nice bottle of Scotch or Vodka. :L

-Patrick

 

[jrose7004]

Congratulations on your new car! Yes just take that little piece of paper to the dealer and he will cheerfully perform the recall! As for the warranty I'd just keep the one I got and be happy!

 

[bill81vette]

welcome to CAC,cerberus...enjoy the vette and the forums!!!!

 

[Yello04]

I think you'd be foolish not to spend the $30 to transfer the warranty. Think about how many claims with the $250 deductible you could make compared to the price of another extended warrranty.

The warranty transfer is a smart move you can't pass up. You're only out $30 no matter what you decide to do in the future.

 

[KOPBET]

Welcome to the CAC cerberus.


Greek mythology buff??? Watch out for Orpheus!

 

[cerberus]

Thanks for all of the replies. You're right about going to the garage in the middle of the night. I'm also glad the ol'man didn't tear anything up. Plan to have the recall done soon, but 4 inches of snow here today. In fact, it hasn't been out of the garage since the night I brought it home. I'll try and get some pictures up soon.

Not too much of a mythology buff, but I had a German Sheperd named Cerberus as a kid, and I thought it would be a screen name that nobody else had.

 

[ken vaughn]

i have a c5 and the clutch is nothing but junk and i will need to replace it before spring i bought the service manual (a must) to fix it for myself . the clutch started smelling everytime i got on it , and i hardly ever do .i hear things like the fluid boils when it gets hot ect. don'tknow but i will put in a z06 clutch. i bought the extended waranty waste of 1500 that i could have put tord toys for it . over all it's the best thing i evered owned

 

[Blade]

Welcome.

Normally get 20-30K on the run flats.

Clutch on my 98 was starting to give a few "little" problems around 55K (ie: popping out of 1st gear), but traded for a 03 AE instead of dealing with it.

Share the wave!'

 

[cerberus]

Had a sunny 60 degree day Saturday, so me and the little woman finally got to get the car out. Saw several other Vettes, but only one wave back. What gives? I was all excited too about finally being a member of "the club".....

Clutch seems to be fine now (keeping fingers crossed). I decided to transfer the other warranty, figuring that for a $30 dollar transfer fee for a warranty that the guy paid $2,295 for and that goes til 60k miles and the year 2008. Hope it actually works if I do need it.

Haven't quite figured out the spacing on the temp gauge, but usually runs two marks below 220. However, when stopped at a long light on Saturday, I noticed it climb above 220 and looked to be still gaining when the light turned green. It immediately went back down, but is that normal to build heat that quickly? If that's how hot it gets sitting at a long light on a 60 degree day in Feb, how hot will it get on a 100 degree day in July with the AC on?

Maybe it's just because both of my other vehicles are Toyotas that the Vette seems to have some unusual "eccentricities" that I'm not used to?

 

[silver98]

Use the DIC to digiitasly read out the exact temp. Check your owners' manual to find out when the electric fans kick on to remove the heat and lower the temp.

Sometimes folks are trying to shift and can't wave back, sometimes folks won't see you, until you've passed, sometimes folks wave....... and sometimes folks are, well, just a$$holes.

Joe

 

[cerberus]

Thanks. Any other input on the temps?

 

[charliesc5]

congrats , enjoy