Very good guide! BUT I'd like to add one thing: Check the faultcodes! Press and hold 4(options) and within 10 seconds press 1(Fuel) four times. Codes will start being displayed. After they are done you can browse through them using 1-4. Exit with 5.
Thanks a lot for this video. I did a lot a research but took your opinions about getting a later model. I found a very nice 2002 with 52k on it. Clean car fax and went to the dealer every 5k miles. Thanks so much for the help.
I really, really want a 01-04 Z06. If I were to get one with just under 40k miles, even if it was used for drag a few times do you reckon it'd be okay as long as all of the fluids are fine, no strange noises or strange feelings while test driving and if there are no leaks? I'm seriously considering buying one next year, just saving up to make a large down payment.
Yes I think just give it a good long test drive paying attention to all major systems and you can likely find one that'll treat you right! Good luck with your search it'll be worth it!
So you wouldnt recommend any off the 2000 modells? Im thinking about importing a 2000 C5, but because of the taxes here the car has to be 20 years old so I cant go up to a 2001...
Here's a couple off the top of my head. Some like the looks of the hatchback better. Hatchback c5s are cheaper. Odds of getting a hatchback to C5 that hasn't been beat on is better. Just to name a few. Not taking anything away from the Z06, it's a great car no doubt.
I did my homework too, but never knew about the issues with the driveshaft you mentioned. I decided to buy a 2004 because I figured they would have addressed issues on that year by that time. I took my time to find a 46k mile example which was obviously treated well and patience pays off.
Sorry please don’t be mad at me but you look like the stereotypical corvette owner with the new balances going to the golf course on Sunday with white shorts and a polo tucked in haha 😆
@@Toys4Life haha was talking about Andrew up above. Cheers mate your videos helped me when I had my c5. I’m 6’6 sadly not many cars agree with my frame. Now I drive a 08 BMW 550i 16 foot massive luxurious 360hp v8 bmw. (Do all the work myself so it’s not that expensive) and I fit in the vehicle well
@@startingtech3900 Whats the differance betweem a BMW and a Porkepine --------------------------------------------On a BMW the Pricks are on the inside !
I loved my C 5. After 7 years, things started to go bad. Costs were normally 2 to 3 times for a new car. Trying to get parts for a car over 15 years old is almost impossible. The best place to get parts was the junk yard and still is.
Lucy Smith I was seeing 7500-18k depending on year. The market in the northeast is high and very few around. I have a search on car guru and it’s got some dealer trades, but not much else. C4 to me is not the same, dash is comic book like. C5 is really a great car in that value range.
You're just looking in the wrong place. Go to Corvetteforum.com for any information you are looking for. Corvetteforum.com has had all of this information catalogued for the last 20 years. By far the best most informative car community available online. I have 5 other vehicles that have "enthusiast" followings. No other forums are as good for information with active contributors as Corvetteforum.com. Especially for the C5. T4LC5 is doing an amazing job of bringing this information to RU-vid viewers in simple... but informative, easy to follow videos.
@@Toys4Life I was much more active on the forum early 2ks to about 2015. I stop in once in a while but it's few and far between these days. If you keep it up with the great content soon folks will be saying " Toys4Life C5 is a treasure for sure"
I have owned multiple C5 Coupes and one C5 Z06. Although the C5 Z06 is more money, considerably more now that they are moving closer to collector status, the driving experience is so different that spending the extra money is well worth it. You can still find some gently treated Z06s but they can get pretty pricey if they are one owner garage queens. Given how different the two cars are I would strongly recommend you test drive the C5 Z06 but once you test drive it you won't want the Hatchback.
I agree that the Z06 is special, but still not convinced it is the best C5 choice for a new owner - unless that owner is a pretty serious car guy and intends to track the car. Lets face it, most C5 owners drive it to cruise or sit next to it in a lawn chair at a show enjoying a cold beverage. That having been said, I am 100% for test driving a Z06. At the same time, test drive a C6 and C7 as well. No reason not to - it is fun and the more you test drive different cars, the more you can contrast them and decide what is most important to YOU! Cheers!!
But if you did not have a C5 Corvette and you were starting your search now, I think you would avoid them...I would as their plenty of 2002 three and fours.
99 here. Has it since 01. No problems here but it has been garaged. I would agree if looking for a used one now then stick to those years mentioned here. Even the tire pressure sensors on the newer years are cheaper to replace.
I've had both a 98 and a 99 for over 10 years now. I have replaced a torque tube on the 99 and a harmonic balancer and transmission on the 98. While doing both of those fixes, I've also went ahead and replaced both of the clutches and fly wheels and installed bleeder lines for the clutches as well. Other than a set of tires and a battery every 3 or 4 years, they're absolutely solid. If these repairs are what's considered problematic, sign me up. Well worth it to me. They both have just under 70K on them. Love them both.
@@jackoff1826 what mileage did the car have during each of those replacements I'm trying to get a feel for when I may need to replace certain components.
@@oldglorydrift Im looking at a 2000 c5 corvette on Thursday im a little scetched out because it's 8 grand and has a salvaged title. It's a little gehto with butterfly doors and stupid wheels so we will see
@@gangstarsnowman7773 i got mine for barely more than that with a clean title and it was pretty clean other than the rust under the battery and one door panel broken
Depends on your intended use. If you intend to supercharge it, I'd go LS1, a little lower compression which is better for boost. For most people, the difference between the two is negligible. In my opinion go with one you think looks best because that's the biggest difference you're going to see day in and day out, unless you're a track rat.
I just bought a 2000 with 123k miles and 6 speed. It is in great shape and was only $6800 so I don't care that it is not the ideal year. It is the color I wanted and enough miles that I don't feel bad driving it everywhere. I just took it on a 1000 Mile road trip to Las Vegas and it did great.
I know its been 3yrs but im looking at a 2000 with 96k miles with borla exhaust and clean chrome rims. Black color for 10k. After watching this vid Im debating. How did it end up for you?
@@alexaguilar5412 I sold mine a few years ago. They have gone up in price like everything else. I sold mine for $10k but it would probably get $12k today. I still love C5s and might have another someday. Great looks, performance, cheap insurance, and pop up headlights. Buy it.
@@alexaguilar5412 I fixed quite a few small issues but the only thing that popped up while I owned it was the traction control system light would com on sometimes with an error. For me it would go away when I turned off the car and restarted it. There will definitely be more issues with an old Corvette than something like a Toyota Corolla but it was worth it for me. I do have a corolla now though haha but it is one of 3 cars.
If your driving a base stock c5 I would t bring up the elephant in the room z06 either 🙄 I have one it’s my first vette and it’s way out in front of a base c5 not to mention looks better with Frc but hey who wants to start off with 60 more hp stock over 345 hp .
Man, while I appreciate the heads up for people on the 97-2000 issues... they aren’t a write off. I go over a lot on my channel regarding my 97 Corvette it has 197,000 miles now... can’t really hate on a “trouble” year car that is still kicking ass at almost 200k...
They're not a write-off, but if I was buying one today it would have to be significantly cheaper than an '01 through 04 vet. Which one would you advise your average non-mechanically inclined 50-year-old guy down the street purchase?
A carfax means nothing i service my 01 myself ,i helped my daughter buy a car the carfax said no accidents but under the door rocker panel had a gash, but as far as my C-5 its 535 hp and ill be burried in it
@@Toys4Life i was actualy kidding i just know my oldest boy wont get it,its yellow first thing he said was id paint it,he cant drive a stick either, the car is perfect and puts out 535 hp he has a heavy foot also lol
I certainly wouldn't use it as a guarantee, but if the Carfax showed a bunch of damage I might walk away. obviously you have to inspect yourself as well and the more you know in the better eye you have, the less likely you'll ever be ripped off.
Dude, I brought a pocket full of cash, presented myself well convinced the buyer was really interested and we went for an hour-long test drive. The C5 is in my garage. No it's not perfect, but it had no serious issues. You can buy your car anyway you want. I'll take the one-hour test drive.
Great advice, I'm considering a c5 or c6 z06 but I'm weighting the performance vs problems balance between these newer cars with all the performance and electronics to go bad vs the old cars... I plan to keep what I get for a while...
I think you should be fine with the later year C5's. I am not up on the best year C6's yet but I am sure there are some best years of those as well. I know the C6 Z06 is an incredible car but has a dropping valve issue that can take out the engine....
@@Toys4Life I did hear that the technician at corvette world said he's only ever had 1 c6 z06 that was stock come in for that valve issue. The rest he said are ones that had headers, tune and all that other stuff.
Yes, I took a 45 min test drive when I bought mine. I look super responsible though. Probably not if I was 21 years old - I grant you that.... Age discrimination...LOL
Glad to hear it and it does not surprise me. I was in no way saying the earlier models will fail. Simply saying that if you do not have a C5 now, and are trying to buy the best year(s) now, you would want to favor the years I pointed out. They are all good. Some are a little bit better than other years.
This is literally I guide on the exact car to buy, thanks. I'm one of those car guys who has a decent bit of money to spend on these so i was going to get a garage queen 1997 c5, but now I know to avoid it.
Adam. Here is a short class that I really should charge tuition for. Let me know if you want to send me $20. It is not like you show up and say - I want to take you C5 for a 45 minute drive, give me the keys. Here's how. to buy a C5 (cliff notes version) 1. Call them - don't text (too impersonal - they can't separate you from the idiots out there). 2. Build rapport with the seller. Is he/she the kind of guy you want to buy a C5 from (do they seem like the type that took care of it?). 3. Sell yourself (by the way you talk , the questions you ask and how you LISTEN as well - so they know you are the kind of person they want to sell their baby too. Yes, this is their baby - not some disposable honda civic. 4. Give the C5 a carful look over in their driveway. 5. If you have not found anything by now that SCARES you away, take a test drive. 6. If you still like it, show them a cash deposit (say $500) so they know you are a bonafide buyer and not a tire kicker. 7. Negotiate a price conditioned upon a final 45 minute test drive . If you agree to the price, by this time you have over or even 2 hours with them. You like each other, this is a good car and if it is a good car - they will let you (or go with you) and take the final 45 min test drive (which you could stretch to the full hour if needed). You are using the test drive to find any issues - not just a joy ride. Shut the car off and restart 3-4 times during this time - everyone has a cheap scan tool and can turn off check engine lights. Sometimes these CE lights take a couple of stop/start cycles to turn back on (like on your way home after you already paid!) Try it sometime. I never under stood how someone can buy a Corvette with a couple of texts, a 5 minute test drive and a 10 minute negotiation. Then they complain when the discover things on their hour long drive home... Let me know if you need my venmo or paypal - this info is 100% worth at least a $20.
If you find a original owner z06 that has never been abused remember to tell the owner that he is a pussy and wasted his money. Should have just bought a base C5
I drove my 2001 Z06 off the Assembly Line, but didn't buy it until 2015, a one owner car, never raced with 38,000 miles on it. I've had only one issue that's with the column lock, been corrected.
I bought a new 2002 convertible, replaced the top this year...triple black still looks great runs great but the oil pressure sender went which they ingeniously put under the intake manifold, ill get around to it, also the traction control / abs control had to have it fixed, main cost was labor but overall one of the best cars I have ever owned , still is gorgeous and a fun car to drive (oh yeah 6 sd of course)
Another thing to pay attention to is the rails under the front bumper make sure they haven’t been hit to hard.....the c5 is notoriously known for being difficult when pulling in and out of parking lots and speed bumps, you almost always have to drive in at angles to avoid scraping.
Great video with the exception of the last tip. If anyone ever asked for a one hour test drive of a car I was selling I would tell them to kick rocks and I would look for another buyer. 15 minutes is plenty of time to get a feel for the car and for issues/CELs to pop up. If i was buying a car, I would feel like a fool for even suggesting I wanted to do that. Also the suggestion to avoid a Z06 model entirely because of modification concerns is pretty laughable.
Thanks for the input, if they wouldn't let you go for an hour I'd settle for 45 minutes, but I'd still drive that son of a b**** hard. Also I love the ZO6, I'm just not sure if first time buyer is qualified to pick a good one out as you really need to be careful. Your points are well taken though.
I wanted to buy one but the Corvettes I find, the interiors are falling apart and they have over a 100k miles priced at $20'000 or more. The cars that are in good shape people want almost twice that it crazy you'd think there'd be a little cheaper since there's so many of them.
Great source of Factual Information... Many Thanks... With the new c8 coming out, plenty of c5's thru c7's hitting the market... Prices are really dropping... Good Luck / Happy Hunting !!!
Great info , and as a multiple corvette owner over the years , what he says is true. I love my 2003 Z06 , I looked till I found one that was not modified or messed with. I owned a 99 coupe as well at one time. I wished I would have known about this Channel before I had to learn the old fashion way.
I have driven my 2001 C5 as a DD for 19 years (as of today!). All the issues you pointed out were valid, but I would say late 2001 or 2002 is the safest bet. Starting sometime in 2003 they moved the fuel sensors on the tanks which require dropping the tanks to fix (and quite a few had problems) - very expensive repair!
45 minute test drive? Nice idea...will NEVER happen. I would never let a potential buyer take a 45 minute joy ride. You got 10 miles. That is enough...
I've had my c-5 for about 35k miles and I got it at 70k. The drivers seat is shot but that's about it. I like running the codes all the time from the drivers seat. I cleaned the radiator and installed a coolit switch to manually turn on the engine fan. Replaced the gears on one headlight. The car is rock solid.
So I guess I should just torch my 99 even though nothing inluding the ebcm has worked flawlessly & it's at 70,000 miles ( I have had it since 35,000 miles. Do you have an answer for the majority of C-5s that just happen to be 1/2 of C-5S made? Maybe scrap them for parts? Sorry I am just SO sick of hearing this! I guess I am lucky I won't be trying to sell my 99! ( You are not alone on making us who already own a 97-00 feel like *hit for owning junk) other than this video you have a great show!
Of course not, drive it and enjoy it. Let me ask you this, knowing what you know now, if your best friend was going to buy a C5 corvette soon, and asked you for advice as to what years he should consider, what would you tell him?
@@Toys4Life first off after reading what I wrote I not particularly proud of how I came off! To answer your question: I would have to be honest & tell them they ould buy a 97-00 much cheaper if they had no other way to get a good Vette for the money however YES there are significant disadvantages to owning them . ( I also have to live with an automatic because I didn't do MY homework)
I hope to own a blue C5 one day. I love that it's a smooth design, no super outdated flares or jagged edges. It does have pop up lights but who cares. It's also a convertible, can't beat that option going to the lake. This car will age well like the Mclaren F1.
From what info I gathered in the video plus a commenter said in 2003 they relocated the fuel sensor which requires dropping the tank which is expensive so the 2002 would be the best year c5 to buy ?
Not gonna lie I always looked at the 2000 or better years and it had to be adult owned. Ive seen many young owned C5s for sale and its a basket case. People think "Ill just swap a 5.3 in it" Lol okay dude, throw in a truck block and create more headaches for yourself. I may or May not get a C5, I'm a C4 LT1 man till the day I die.
EBCM, before I wash or detail my 2000 c5 vert, I take it to the grass field near me and hit the brakes and activate my ABS for a few minutes. I'm a big believer they fail because most people don't take there vettes out in shitty enough weather to activate it, there for it seizes and other issues arise. In my experience more problems tend to arise with a car that sits rather than a car that's driven. A body in motion stays in motion. Although my EBCM has had no issues, till now probably, because I'm saying this. Lol... I can make a list a complete page long for all the other issues in 136,000 miles. The worst being a bolt back out in the transmission against the torque converter and locked up the car in a lowes parking lot. 20hrs of my friend and I dropping the bell housing, torque tube, trans and rear. Just to loctite a bolt back in the transmission and one bell housing later.... bell housing had to be drilled and cut to get to the bolt between the torque tube and engine. I'll never buy a vette again, actually it will be Lexus from now on. I'm done with American cars.
Strange things happen once in a while. Lexus (toyota) had throttle's sticking a few years back leading to some well documented high speed accidents and deaths. Every brand has a black eye or two. That bolt backing out in your C5 would have been a pain in the ars though!!
Great videos you’re making. Very helpful for us looking for a C5 one day. I have seen your posts on the forum as well. I’ve been signed up there since 2007, but only recently came back to it as my search has now re-started after a very long break. Keep them coming! - J
There are actually a ton of ultra low mile, immaculate unmodified Z06s and they are more likely to have been kept in a garage and taken care of than the base model C5s as the years have gone by. I love C5s and fourth gen Camaros but I was not interested in a base model C5 because the Z06 is a much cooler car. I don't see any reason to avoid the Z06.
Found a 98 c5 vette One owner with 29000 miles Was thinking about purchasing it Have 2 neighbors that have 98 corvettes and they really take care of theirs said had no issues with the ECBM
Im looking at a good condition 1997 c5. With a 6speed. It is my first car and its just under 100k miles. Im still in training right now but im having my dad check it out. If its as clean as advertised then i will pick it up for $6k... current owner is 6’7 and still growing so he just cant drive it anymore
@@bcarss1970 magnetic ride control is a high tech suspension shock system that I believe works well but has very expensive components when something goes wrong.
@@Toys4Life 1200 for BC Racing coilover system that will transform 90s handling to 2020. I recommend this to every C5 corvette owner. Those leaf springs really got to go in this day and age.
@@DuBstep115 I know a lot of people use them and love them, but the engineer in me says that GM never designed the car to have the shock mounting structure carry the load of the vehicle. Long-term I wonder about issues if used in the real world too much.
You know. I was excited about finding a corvette. Never owned one. But. After watching RU-vid videos I’m thinking it’s not a good idea. I’m disappointed.
I don't want to do the community a disservice, please don't let the videos stop you - but do let them shape perhaps what years you focus on. I have zero regrets, although I'm not sure if I would pay today's prices. I paid 20K for mine in decent shape 8 years ago with around 65,000 miles on it.
I just bought a '99 Convertible with 7500 miles. I have the records. Tires and all fluids were replaced a year ago. You can't look at a book on a car that's in new condition.
Yeah that's pretty much all used cars, especially maybe the Corvettes. Hold off until things normalize and they should retreat quite a bit I would think.
How would I tell if I have the updated parts on my 2001 vett. I looked and it was built in 09/00 so I feel it might be on the edge of having the updates.
I think you are in AREA 51. google LS6 manifold identification to tell exactly if you have one or not. As far is the bigger torque tube if you are manual, I am not sure how you can tell without taking it apart- maybe someone else knows another way??
You're overcomplicating the buying process any c5 is a great car I've had two of them 1 1999 and 1 2001 each of them had their own little issues but we're great cars I still own the 99 fixed-roof coupe
That may be true. I tend to analyze the heck out of anything I spend more than a hundred dollars on... fwiw: I did the research and then bought a 2003 based upon that research. No regrets.
Well, to me, just don't buy a C5. That's the problem with American cars.... The manufacturer designed that way so you'll trade your car every 4 to 5 years.
I am glad I purchased a 04 really got lucky at the time just over 2 years ago it only had 27K miles on it.I am the second owner and it was in FL all its life.
Nice vid. I own a cammed C6 Z, supercharged running 660whp ( that was before I put the supercharger ), so I’m dyno running in April. I guessing I’ll push 720whp + . All my mods are in my about. -
@@carphotographyiscool7448 No, not at all. For some reason I was thinking you had a 5.7 liter and there's no way you're getting 660 out of that w/o forced induction/nos. But once it registered that you have a 7 liter - that made a lot more sense (:-)
You researched the car for three years before you purchased it? Well I would be a fool if I didnt watch your video and not hit the like button.GREAT VIDEO.
Yeah that's a little excessive, but at that point in time the C5 value was dropping so each year became a better value. Plus I had a '99 LS1 6-speed trans am so I did have a Toy to play with.
C5s are really hard to sell. If they've had it for sale for a while and you seem like a legitimate buyer who's not 21 years old, they'll do it. They might come with you, but they'll do it. If they won't then they don't want to sell their car enough yet..
I bought the elephant in the room... but its my 4th vette. Follow the same advise. Stay away from any mods. My vette has 4100 one owner miles and I got a great deal. Patience is the key.
I have 1998, terrific condition... the 1 issue our host mentioned that you can take to the bank: Z06 will have earned their miles 1/4 at a time. I don't know what happened all those years on the track.
I continue to have nothing but problems with my 2000 c5 too many to list) but the latest is the traction control/active handling/abs light is coming on constantly. Also the drivers side pop up headlight does not go up when I turn on the headlights. This has been an issue since day one. I paid twice to have it fixed. The first time they put in a new motor and the second time installed a little plastic piece that looked like a tooth (not sure what it's called). The light worked a few times but now is not popping up at all. At this point I feel like I'm putting lipstick on a pig but I've had about $6,000 worth of work done on the vehicle (including parts) and the initial purchase was 15.5 K so I feel like I have a lot of time and money invested and I won't be able to find a buyer until I take care of these basic things that any Corvette buyer would be expecting to work so......any tips??
If your mechanically inclined, visit the Corvette forum and search your issues and stay tenacious until they're fixed. If not find a local respected Corvette specialist in your area and have them fix the problems. It is possible on a 2000 that your traction control issue will not be repairable.
@@Toys4Life I have a mechanic who also owns a c5 ; I forget what year but he never had any of these issues with his. I am taking it to him tomorrow so just getting as much input as possible. He is the person who repaired there headlight twice. The directionals are also not working but I got a module that he will install. He also told me the module for the traction control is not available for certain year c5s so not sure what to do about the traction control. Not that it matters but I just read my original post and I made a typo; I paid 12.5 k and have spent 4k in work so far. I want to trade the car in or sell it and I continue to see c5s that seem in pristine condition for about 24k but if I can't recoup any of my money (who's going to by a car that has that light blinking constantly?) then is the car safe to drive in your opinion?
