New here and hello

[WVAVI8TOR]

Hi all just picked up a (new to me) 98 silver Vette last night in Ohio. I have owned four Vettes previously 2/85s 1/91 and 1/93 I have drooled over the C5 ever sense it appeared in 97. I learned to fly in 1999 and it was and still is my first passion but I have now found away to include my love for Vets as well.

I had a 150 mile ride back home dodging the snow flakes but loved every minute of it. I very much enjoy the winter but I'm now praying for an early spring
I paid $24000.00 for the car but it is nearly pristine with 29000 miles. It will need new tires all around soon though and I'm looking for the best deal I can find, any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks
dusty

 

[schmaltzr]

Hi Dusty, congratulations on the new purchase. I have a 2000 I bought last year. Mine came with some non-run flat tires, so I invested in a tire repair kit and AAA membership. I used the AAA membership 2 times for a tow and it paid for itself several times over. Both times were becuase of poor workmanship on an oil leak problem. It left me feeling a little leary of taking it on long trips for a while, but things seem to be okay now. I'm still keeping AAA. As far as tires, there is some debate as to getting the run-flats again or going with conventional tires. The run-flats appearently are noiser and don't handle as well as conventional tires. Do a lot of research and ask a lot of quetions, because of all the things you don't want to be cheap on is tires and breaks. They're the only thing keeping you on the road and off the median. Another thing that I found out....very few people can stop as fast as you can....make sure tailgaters get by you, or you'll have them in your back seat..drive on the side of caution and you'll have a better time. Good luck - Ron

 

[schmaltzr]

Hey Dusty, you need to post a picture of your new toy and the optiions for us as well. - Ron

 

[abowtieguy]

Another thing that I found out....very few people can stop as fast as you can....make sure tailgaters get by you, or you'll have them in your back seat..drive on the side of caution and you'll have a better time. Good luck - Ron

Back seat? What back seat? We don't need no stinking back seat!

 

[WVAVI8TOR]

Thanks Ron, I'm not famliar with the run flats, I did think the tires were a bit noisy and the car did seem to squirm a little and I did blame the tires for this. I assume the car came equip with these tires? I will probably go with a good set of coventional tires.

 

[MsSchroder]

Dusty,
SWEET car!! Now that's what I call a Christmas Present.
Welcome to the CAC.

First order of business- get those dealer decals off the back of your baby.

Congratulations.

Tammy

 

[jrose7004]

Congrats on your new car and welcome to CAC!

 

[DDLS3]

Hey Dusty, welcome to the CAC. I like my Goodyear Run flats just fine, they are a bit noisy. I know of one other C5 owner near me who has installed the Michelin run flat and he likes them. So read all you can. Others have also praised the non-run flat super-car tires that come standard on the Z06.

 

[Patrick]

Wow, Dusty! Merry Christmas and congratulations! What a present to give yourself. My Z06 was more of a belated New Year's present last January. I don't think you'll be disappointed in your '98. In fact, I'd be shocked if you reported that you were.

So, are you able to drive it much through the winter? If so, good for you. Mine is currently tucked up in my garage waiting for a street sweep after our most recent snowfall. I envy you that feeling of having a brand new Corvette in garage, beckoning you to take it out. Enjoy that feeling, my friend, for it eventually gives way to an intense desire to start buying aftermarket parts to improve performance.

And most of all, don't forget to wave!

-Patrick

 

[bluecoupe]

Check out www.tirerack.com There are a few different brands of runflat tires for the C5 availible. Kumho makes a much less expensive runflat in C5 Corvette sizes. Firestone and Michelin make runflats that cost more than the Kumhos but less than Goodyears. Yokohama makes them too but I have heard the mileage is not great and they are expensive. You could also look for Goodyear EMTs on ebay.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the C5. More smiles per mile than any car I've ever owned yet.

Frank (bluecoupe)

 

[schmaltzr]

Yes, the run-flats are standard on all C5 Corvettes (excluding Z06) since they don't have a spare tire nor any room for a spare tire. You will be notified on the DIC (Drivers Information Center) when your tire pressure goes below 26 psi or above something like 35 psi. Becuase the run-flats can be driven up to 60 miles on a flat tire at freeway speeds if necessary (though damage to them may occure) there is a need to put sensors in the tires to tell you the tire pressure at all times. When the pressure is out of compliance you get notified. The problem is that if you use a foam tire sealant to fix the flat it will ruin the sensor (about $100) on the internet and more from the dealer. The best solution with conventional tires is to use a tire repair kit that includes rubberized string like material that you glue into the hole to get you back to civilization. You would also need a small 12v air compressor. A lot of Z06 owners go this route. Slices in the tire are a total loss, that is where AAA comes into the scene. Run-flats don't care about slices or small punctures for driving on them, flat is flat and they will get you home. I have heard they do make the car feel squirrley, but since my car came with conventional tires, I've never experienced the run-flats. My purpose for purchasing the car was for scenic drives with my wife and vacation trips. The run-flats would be possibly better for my type of use. Though if they are noiser, then that would be a real negative, since the vett is much noiser than either of our other cars. It's all a trade off. There are some run-flat tires that have been developed that may be much quieter and less of a squirrley ride....since the run-flat technology has been improving since they first came out...I'd look at them seriously if you weren't going to the racetrack.

 

[schmaltzr]

Back seat? What back seat? We don't need no stinking back seat!

AAAAH.....that's the problem, there is no back seat to act as a crumple zone. Instead I guess the driver and passenger act as a crumple zone...not a very appealing thought. - Ron

 

[WVAVI8TOR]

Thanks all for the welcome and info, yes Tammy the first order of business is to get rid of the dealer sticker. I wonder why they do that everyone hates it.

Patrick, the winters can be tricky here, there will days on end where it will be in the 50s and wham! it will get cold and snowy and stay that way for weeks and months.
I do intend to drive this car as much as the weather will allow, I think I have to much invested not to get as much enjoyment out of as I can. I will care for the car and not abuse it but use it I will If weather does get bad than I will park it in the hangar with my plane which is only about a quarter mile from the house

I don't fly much in the winter and may not get to use the Vet very much....Hmmmm I need to find something to amuse myself when it is bad...maybe I will buy a snowmobile. heck that would amost guarantee no snow:L

 

[Wegone]

Welcome & Congrats on the C5

 

[Daryllawman]

Hello and welcome to the Corvette Action Center.....congrats on the new toy.....Enjoy !!

 

[Ncbosshoss]

Dusty,

Congratulations on the vette. Nothing like em. I had been drooling over the C5 for a long time, too. Finally broke down and bought one this year myself. I am loving it so far.

If you ever find yourself flying through the Raleigh-Durham area, say hello.

RDU Tower : 127.45
RDU Aprch : 132.35


Enjoy.

Chris

 

['04 Torch Red]

Congrads on becomming a Vette owner...

 

[WVAVI8TOR]

Well I got new non run flat tires all around today and I'm blown away by the differance. It is a diffrent car...like going from an off road truck to Caddy so to speak Much improved ride, handling and most of all the noise or lack of it.
I guess I now need a good tire repair kit and compressor, next on the list is the subwoofer and XM radio.

 

[MsSchroder]

Which tires did you get?

You must have bought that snowmobile. I don't know about WV, but the weather here in GA has been remarkably warm for the first of January. Perfect riding weather.

Tammy

 

[vettedoc]

Great car Dusty. Lots of good times ahead. I went to school in Morgantown. WVU Med.
Enjoy the new toy.

Doc