Questions on buying a C5
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1
Questions on buying a C5
Hi guys
I'm looking at buying a C5, and would like to pick your brains if I could. I can't afford to spend more than about 25K on one. I've looked at a couple '97's and '98's that I could afford. What should I look for as far as problem areas ? What is the horsepower for the first few years ? Is there some suspension options that I should look for ? Are the '97's and 98's just as good as the last years of the C5 ? thanks for any help !!
Dan
I'm looking at buying a C5, and would like to pick your brains if I could. I can't afford to spend more than about 25K on one. I've looked at a couple '97's and '98's that I could afford. What should I look for as far as problem areas ? What is the horsepower for the first few years ? Is there some suspension options that I should look for ? Are the '97's and 98's just as good as the last years of the C5 ? thanks for any help !!
Dan
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 903
From:
RE: Questions on buying a C5
Dan,
These are the common problems that should've been resolved in an older C5:
Column lock failure (steering wheel locks-up): If it's an auto (A4), then the dealership should've removed the mechanism and installed a block-off plate. If it's a 6-speed (MN6), the dealer cannot do the same, so make sure the previous owner installed a Column Lock Bypass (keeps the locking pin in the retracted position).
Leaky differential gaskets: These should have been replaced, as factory seals leaked by 20,000 miles.
Door lock modules: When they fail, arming the car with the remote fails to lock one or both doors. This is a relatively simple installation, but make sure both door locks work.
Fuel gage/sender unit malfunction: Make sure the fuel gage reads accurately when the tank is below half-full. Earlier years had problems.
Oil pressure sender unit. If this fails, the oil pressure gage will show 80 psi. If so, the sender unit needs replacement.
Horn not working when the steering wheel center hub is pressed - probably a relay; I need to get mine fixed.
That's all I can think of right now.
The horsepower for 97-2000 is 345 with 350 lbs-ft of torque. The 01-04s have 350 HP and 375 lbs-ft (MN6) or 360 lbs-ft (A4s) of torque.
The improvements in 2001 are listed here:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2001/index.htm
I believe in 2000, an airbag switch was added so that you can have a kid ride in the passenger seat. Without this switch, the airbag could cause serious injury to young children. Also, at some point, active handling and HUD (heads up display) was added (maybe in 2000?).
Good luck!
Dave
These are the common problems that should've been resolved in an older C5:
Column lock failure (steering wheel locks-up): If it's an auto (A4), then the dealership should've removed the mechanism and installed a block-off plate. If it's a 6-speed (MN6), the dealer cannot do the same, so make sure the previous owner installed a Column Lock Bypass (keeps the locking pin in the retracted position).
Leaky differential gaskets: These should have been replaced, as factory seals leaked by 20,000 miles.
Door lock modules: When they fail, arming the car with the remote fails to lock one or both doors. This is a relatively simple installation, but make sure both door locks work.
Fuel gage/sender unit malfunction: Make sure the fuel gage reads accurately when the tank is below half-full. Earlier years had problems.
Oil pressure sender unit. If this fails, the oil pressure gage will show 80 psi. If so, the sender unit needs replacement.
Horn not working when the steering wheel center hub is pressed - probably a relay; I need to get mine fixed.
That's all I can think of right now.
The horsepower for 97-2000 is 345 with 350 lbs-ft of torque. The 01-04s have 350 HP and 375 lbs-ft (MN6) or 360 lbs-ft (A4s) of torque.
The improvements in 2001 are listed here:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2001/index.htm
I believe in 2000, an airbag switch was added so that you can have a kid ride in the passenger seat. Without this switch, the airbag could cause serious injury to young children. Also, at some point, active handling and HUD (heads up display) was added (maybe in 2000?).
Good luck!
Dave
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