Looking to Buy 1998-2000 C5 Need Help..

[b_pappy]

I'm not sure of the exact specifics, bought mine at the dealer for 1200-1800 (I forget). Search around, I don't know how they determine a cars eligibility to purchase warranty. The price is not the same all around either. I'll try to find a good source and post back.

Bruce

 

[Rain]

Lots of us are shopping for C5s right now.
Susan and I have been looking about 2 weeks.
No test drives, but lots of emails and pics. Gets confusing sometimes!
haha

Good Luck
Rain

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Shopping for C-5's

I know what you mean about confusing; I know when I bought my C-5 Coupe I looked at hundreds and was completely :confused , but hang in there I finally found the one I was looking for; I held out for just exactly what I wanted, the 6-speed was the hardest to find. I would find everything else I was looking for and most of them had automatics; sure glad I held our for the 6-speed, makes driving it more fun in my opinion. But to each their own. The only thing that sucks is I have to put it up for the winter here in Indiana. Well guess I wouldn't have to but I do. At any rate keep looking you will find what you are looking for, it's out there waiting on you. I've had some older Vettes but none of then drove or handled like a C-5. Good luck and HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY. Think about the men and women of the US Military who won't be home over the holidays this year; some never again!

Bill

Lots of us are shopping for C5s right now.
Susan and I have been looking about 2 weeks.
No test drives, but lots of emails and pics. Gets confusing sometimes!
haha

Good Luck
Rain

 

[bossvette]

I know what you mean about confusing; I know when I bought my C-5 Coupe I looked at hundreds and was completely :confused , but hang in there I finally found the one I was looking for; I held out for just exactly what I wanted, the 6-speed was the hardest to find. I would find everything else I was looking for and most of them had automatics; sure glad I held our for the 6-speed, makes driving it more fun in my opinion. But to each their own. The only thing that sucks is I have to put it up for the winter here in Indiana. Well guess I wouldn't have to but I do. At any rate keep looking you will find what you are looking for, it's out there waiting on you. I've had some older Vettes but none of then drove or handled like a C-5. Good luck and HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY. Think about the men and women of the US Military who won't be home over the holidays this year; some never again!

Bill

I just got lucky I guess, I bought the first one I looked at (in person) I wanted a 97 6 speed coupe with a CD, any color but black; I looked at ads, emailed a few and checked E-bay daily for about a week and found it there. It had everything I wanted plus new Z06 wheels and Pirelli tires and a dark tint on the windows the only thing negative at that time was the "ticket me red" but I have come to like the color It does stand out in a crowd

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Glad to hear you got what you wanted without a lot of hassel, it took me for ever to find exactly the one I wanted; and unlike you black was my first choice, looked at some mid-night blue, but really wanted black. The 6-speed was the hardest thing for me to find, of course I wanted the HUDS, memory sport seating, tilt/telescopic/and the chrome polished wheels. So when I did find all of this I purchased it right away, about a year before I had planned to actually. Mine had new tires on it too, a little more miles than I wanted but it looked to be well taken care of and we got together on the price so I bought it, glad I did. Do you plan on doing the CAC Cruise Fest this year?

Take care and have very HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
Bill

I just got lucky I guess, I bought the first one I looked at (in person) I wanted a 97 6 speed coupe with a CD, any color but black; I looked at ads, emailed a few and checked E-bay daily for about a week and found it there. It had everything I wanted plus new Z06 wheels and Pirelli tires and a dark tint on the windows the only thing negative at that time was the "ticket me red" but I have come to like the color It does stand out in a crowd

 

[grtwite99coupe]

I know when I was looking for an extended warranty for our 99 w/30,000 miles, General Motors told me that they could not cover our car because it was already out of the original factory warranty (3/36,000). GM can only extend a warranty that is currently in effect. I would make sure about that.

 

[b_pappy]

I'm not sure, but I bought my 2000 last October and they offered it. It was GM Certified if that made any difference. Anyhow, what a ride. Love my 6 speed convertible

Bruce

 

[grtwite99coupe]

I hope you are right. Just to make sure though...as long as the original factory warranty was in effect they can offer you extended GM coverage. But I checked with 10 different GM dealers around here and they all told me the same thing. Some said they could sell me an extended GM warranty even though the original was not valid anymore but couldn't promise me that GM would honor it when I would actually have a claim filed. Several people on the forum said the same thing. I would create another post directed specifically at that question. See what people say.

Good luck

 

[jz7p6t]

Don't buy a Corvette, any year unless you are a mechanic

My recommendation; Don't buy a Corvette unless you are a top flight mechanic. These cars are pieces of junk and I ought to know as I've owned enough of them. I've had vettes where I spent more time working on them then driving them. I've never owned one that made it off the dealer's lot without something wrong. Talk to the guy facing a $3K bill for a stupid leaking battery and GM won't fix it?
But when they are working right, they are a lot of fun and fast. But you had better pay attention to them better than a high maintenance wife/girlfriend or they'll cost you an arm and a leg! And if you can't fix them yourself, you had better have a lot of extra spending money.

 

[6 Shooter]

Well . . .

My recommendation; Don't buy a Corvette unless you are a top flight mechanic. These cars are pieces of junk and I ought to know as I've owned enough of them. I've had vettes where I spent more time working on them then driving them. I've never owned one that made it off the dealer's lot without something wrong. Talk to the guy facing a $3K bill for a stupid leaking battery and GM won't fix it?
But when they are working right, they are a lot of fun and fast. But you had better pay attention to them better than a high maintenance wife/girlfriend or they'll cost you an arm and a leg! And if you can't fix them yourself, you had better have a lot of extra spending money.

It sounds like you've had a Real Good Run of Bad Luck! I've had 2 Corvettes and they've both been Great!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[XLR8]

Update

The only I would look for is a past history of a leaking battery. Otherwise really great car and even then the leaking battery was just a 3 hour fix.

I would EMPHASIZE checking for signs of a leaking battery - my '98 is in the shop right now with hidden damage issues.

A little background: My baby stalled at a red light last week, didn't die completely but would not accelerate at all. I coasted to the side of the road and called my mechanic, Kevin to report the "Reduced Engine Power" message. After shutting down the engine and talking with Kevin, I cranked her up again and she ran fine. I went to Kevin's shop and he ran diagnostics on it, then recommended I take it to a dealer for replacement of the Tac Module. He could replace the part but did not have the Tech II necessary to reprogram the computer. Imagine my horror when the dealer informed me that there were signs of a past battery leak that has covered/damaged the PCM, Tac module and Wiring Harness with battery acid. He recommended the replacement of said parts to the tune of $3400 parts/labor/tax.

I called Kevin back and he told me to bring the car back to him. As of now he is assessing the damage and trying to come up with an alternate plan. One of my frustrations about the whole thing is I purchased an extended warranty when I bought my car in June, but I've been informed that the damage is not covered by it because it was caused by a non-covered item.

A mechanic that works with Kevin told me that there has been a past issue with AC Delco batteries at the positive post. I can't confirm that but add it here as an FYI.

So I recommend close scrunity of the battery and any signs of past leaks. If you suspect a past leak, be mindful of any crucial electronics nearby. And another thing, why would someone design a car with sensitive electronics located under a battery without allowing for shielding/protection/drainage in case of battery failure??? The serviceman at the dealership said there was a pool of battery acid in the fender well.

Good luck in your search for the right C5. In spite of this setback, I love mine and would still buy it again tomorrow.

XLR8 - Save The Wave!

Had to go back and read my original post to see where I left off. I should have come back earlier with an update but I forgot about it.

After I took the car back to Kevin and he and his top mechanic (Yea Chris) re-evaluated the situation, he recommended that I forget the high dollar repair suggested by the dealership. He told me the damage was not as extensive as I was led to believe and the repairs were excessive and unnecessary. He replaced the tac module, cleaned and nuetralized the entire area, plastic coated what he could, checked the current battery, installed a battery tray and charged me just under $450. Needless to say I was not happy with the dealership, and lodged a formal complaint against them with GM Customer Service.

As I said before, in spite of this I still love the car. It's a great car, and it's a Corvette for heaven's sake! I could have the same problems with an inexpensive ride, but then I wouldn't be riding around in such style and the envy of everyone I see too!

JAG