C5 Corvette: What should I look for?

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips) 02/16/2019 at 11:12 • Filed to: None

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It looks as though the end is nigh for the Golf after all, and I want something different. Lower mileage C5's can be had for relatively cheap, and at least for non-Z06's, tires are cheap.

One question though, are the Goodyears the only tire choice on the Z06? Any other things to look out for?

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:25

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Holy cow! You must consider the Z06 near Charlotte that I have been working very hard to ignore!

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/clover-2001-corvette-z06/6802645090.html

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:26

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Jordan and the Slowrunner have gone sad

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:27

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And I need to hear more about the circumstances of the GTI's service being terminated. 

vondon302 > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 11:31

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Wow  indeed. Now I  want one.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 11:33

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Noted. But the issue is tires. I will be daily driving it, and a $200+ difference on tires is big. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 11:33

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When it’s all said and done, I’ll fill you in. 

Maxima Speed > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:34

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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/16/2019 at 11:34

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*Old

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/16/2019 at 11:34

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Or Denim

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Maxima Speed 02/16/2019 at 11:36

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Hell no

Discerning > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:41

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So you’re looking for a C5, or a C5 Z06? Or either?

Us e the DIC to your advantage. It can tell you if there are any current codes and it can tell you what codes showed up in the recent past.

Other than that, have it checked by a 3rd party to make sure everything is free of leaks. Play with all of the electronics.

http://www.stengel.net/diccodes.htm

M C5Z was good to me. Only had one window motor go out, but the EBCM eventually needed replacing.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:42

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Oh? It's not a terribly expensive car. A couple hundred extra bucks every six months doesn't seem like much of a problem?

Maxima Speed > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:43

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Most cars I don't like that way but its the only way I really like the c5.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/16/2019 at 11:44

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Per tire

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Discerning 02/16/2019 at 11:44

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Were the tire options really as limited as the internet suggests?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Maxima Speed 02/16/2019 at 11:49

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https://goo.gl/images/EXKsnx

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:49

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Sure, but the car is  still less than half what your GTI cost. You’d have to go through like... 16 sets of tires to even break even!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:50

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If you can find one, the older fixed roof coupe can be a good compromise between Z06 insanity and the old man base model.

Plas ti cs inside can age poorly (but that’s not surprising). A car that was stored indoors is a major plus. ummmm think I recall my dad saying the batteries and electrical system are fine if stock but people who put on remote starters, alarms, and additions to the stereo tend to cause more issues than you’d think. I think it was the VATS the car came with that would fuck up? There’s advice to score an f-body for cheap - look for a Camaro/firebird with aftermarket alarms and stereo that supposedly won’t start or hold a charge. They fucked up the VATS system so that’s an easy fix. I think the C5 is the same II RC.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/16/2019 at 11:50

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True, but I also drive like 20k miles a year. I hit 7k miles in the 3 months of driving the GTI. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/16/2019 at 11:51

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Also, I’d really like to track whatever I get, and cheaper wear items count a lot. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 02/16/2019 at 11:52

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I just don’t like the FRC, and if I got one, it would have to be a Z06. And people are proud of their FRC’s,  so there doesn’t seem to be a huge price difference. 

PS9 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:55

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Terminated ? They cancelled your warranty?!

Maxima Speed > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:57

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Needs more black :P

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 11:59

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I haven't investigated tires. I was just going to put whatever sticky tires other autocrossers use, since it wouldn't be a DD for me. I'll be interested in what you hear.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > PS9 02/16/2019 at 12:01

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No, as in the car’s service with me is ending. 

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > PS9 02/16/2019 at 12:02

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I meant terminated by Jordan. As in, fired. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 12:05

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Apparently bumping the fronts to 275's widens the selection. But 10k miles on $300 tires is a bit much. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 12:06

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Very cool. I think I non-Z06 C5 represents the absolute best deal for your sports cars dollar out there. I’ve spent a fair amount of seat time in C5s both on and off the racetrack. If the point of this vehicle isn’t a dedicated track or autocross toy, a non-Z06 is the way to go. The performance difference on the street isn’t usable in any way at speeds slower than please take me to jail, officer, and a non-Z06 is a significantly more comfortable and livable machine as a daily driver.

The corvette forums and probably the place to get an idea for specific things to look for, and get a PPI done by a specialist shop that knows these cars. In general, I can tell you to be wary of a manual car with a clutch closer to the end of its life. A clutch job on these cars involves pulling the entire rear sub frame and torque tube to get the transaxle apart. It costs many, many hours of labor. I want to say something on the order of 19 hours at book rate.

Weather stripping is worth looking at closely for condition, too. These cars are old enough for it start needing replacement, and a corvette in which it rains inside is no fun. All that stuff is widely available from the corvette restoration parts sellers, but it is shockingly expensive. A vette ready is for fresh weather stripping is $600+ project in parts.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 12:17

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Nothing available with longer life?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 12:20

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Not on the Z06 as far as I’ve found. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 12:21

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By all accounts, it seems the non-Z will be a better daily. Plus it means I will still have a hot hatch...

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 12:22

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Valid points, although I’ve driven a C5 and a C5 Z06 back to back and even on the street the Z06 felt better to me. As in, I suddenly don’t want a regular C5 anymore.

To be fair, the Z06 only had about 24k miles, while the coupe had about 50k, IIRC.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 12:25

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LOL. Makes sense.

One weak point is the targa top seals on the coupe. And it's headliner. Both were weak in the example that I tested last year.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 12:25

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Will definitely look into that. 

BeaterGT > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 13:01

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Paid less than a grand for new tires on my Z, just didn’t use O EM sizes. Save yourself the trouble and buy a 20 01-2004 so you don’t have to deal with early model year issues like the ebcm . Clutch and harmonic balancer are bigger jobs so make sure they aren’t needed. More reliable than your average sports car, had my high mileage car for 2 years now with the only check engine light from a bad gas cap. 

BeaterGT > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 13:04

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Wow, that's insanely cheap. 

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 13:05

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The goddamn wheels. Oh god the wheels. And the lugs and studs. The C5 Z06 has these:

Anybody who tells you “oh they’re not that special” is full of shit . They are very high Mg content wheels, and very soft. If the lugs are overtorqued, it will damage the wheel. If they are not retorqued after removal, they will walk. And if it is a factory Mg wheel car, it needs to have the original wheels.

Tires cannot be rotated. Period. They are staggered width and diameter unidirectional. Even driven mildly, C5's tend to chew up the front tires faster than the rears.

Budget for aftermarket wheels regardless of the model. This will be expensive because of the stagger, but it will save you so much on tires. The front tires are easy because you can run P235/45ZR17 or P245/45ZR17. The rears are what fuck you - P275/40ZR18.

P245/45R17 is 25.7" 786rpm; if you go to 19's that makes it P245/35R19 which is an extremely common size. Huge selection.
P275/40ZR18 is 26.7" 757rpm; going to 19's you can stretch it to a P295/35R19 which is a 911 C4S size or stick to P275/35R19 which is used by a ton of cars.

The rear tire cost is unavoidable, but you can knock it down to ~$200-250/ea from $300+. (You have it easy . Onyxia devours P305/30 R19 N ‘s which are a minimum $350 /ea.) There’s also a lot of long tread-life (35k+) options in those sizes as well. NEVER mix treads though.

Run codes with the actual dealer tool (Tech2 or Tis2win) and check the history. If it’s got a recent clear, walk . Any issues with the ABS, run . Also understand that if you need to do any brake work, the second you go past pads and rotors, you must have a Tech2 or Tis2Win on hand. Absolutely nothing else can access the EBCM. ABS parts are also unobtanium.

That’s about the extent of my knowledge on these though.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > BeaterGT 02/16/2019 at 13:08

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What sizes did you use?

BeaterGT > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 02/16/2019 at 13:10

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The magnesium wheels are an option, not all cars have them . You could also get a carbon fiber hood on the 04 Z06s. 

BeaterGT > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 13:13

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275/40/17 up front, 295/35/18 rear Nitto NT05s. 

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > BeaterGT 02/16/2019 at 13:17

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Yes, that’s why I mentioned “if it has them.” I wouldn’t even torque-stick them to spec, and gods help you if you don’t follow the star pattern. And of course, they’re about as sturdy over potholes as a brick of cheese. I really have no idea what the fuck GM was thinking with those wheels other than they weren’t.

BeaterGT > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 02/16/2019 at 13:20

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Probably the same thing they were thinking when they made the new C7 grand sport wheels which bend when you look at them wrong . I was referring to where you said “The Z06 has these”, all good! 

pitstop_pitowski > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 13:37

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If you get one i’ve heard you automatically become eligible for AARP.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > BeaterGT 02/16/2019 at 13:38

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Ah, yeah, my phrasing was off there. Oy. I blame the crippling pain I’m in today.

And yeah, I’ve heard stories about the C7 GS wheels. Doesn’t help that they are just flat out ugly as hell too. Almost makes me feel good about my centerlocks. Almost. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > pitstop_pitowski 02/16/2019 at 13:50

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I’ll take those discounts. 

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > BeaterGT 02/16/2019 at 16:02

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IKR, and it’s in my backyard when I had been looking throughout the southeast and into Florida! Unlike Jordan, though, I’m still having fun with my GTI. I also want to keep my wife happy, and I’m not quite back to the point where I’m ready to push for a toy car that will "clutter" up the garage and complicate my life .

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 16:09

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To be fair, it’s not that I outgrew my GTI or didn’t like it before December 27th...

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 16:12

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Right, you are moving on to a new car regardless of your current one, unlike my decision making process.

Discerning > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 17:38

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So that’s a little tricky. If you don’t want to piss  off the stability control and traction control, then there are some rules you need to follow. Though I can’t recall right now and I’m too lazy to search corvetteforum.

I stuck with Nitto NT05's. T hose are available in a 275/40r17 front and 295/35r18. There are a few downsides though. The front tire will have a taller sidewall that I noticed regularly and it annoyed me. The fronts were wider which was nice, but the nt05 isnt a great 200 rated tire. It was cheap though, which was nice with their 15k mile lifespan.

If you go with aftermarket wheels and 18's in the front and back , I think your options increase. The bummer is that the standard wheels are actually really light and strong for an OEM wheel of their size.

I was pretty content with my NT05 setup. Steering feel was good and there was plenty of grip. Also, unlike the Goodyears, I could actually tell what the car was doing and didnt a spin out ever.

Discerning > BeaterGT 02/16/2019 at 17:40

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I had the same exact setup on my car! The taller front sidewall irritated me, but the tires were pretty decent.

Discerning > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/16/2019 at 17:49

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Oh, there are some other quick things to consider that are specific to the Z06:

2001 had oil consumption issues

2002 and 2003 had valve spring issues. Spring breaks and valve drops. I had a 2003 and did the valve job just to be safe. Went with a stiffer spring and later went with a baby cam.

2004 had no issues that come to mind.

Then there’s the little noises - which may bug you if you’re like me.

I have been in several C5Z’s and most of them, including mine, had these noises:

Wh inning fuel pump. The primary pump (there is one that pulls from the second tank through a tube) is right behind your head. Mine whined on hot days. It wasn’t goi ng out, it was fine. It was just loud. I’ve heard of people replacing the jumps with aftermarket units and wrapping them up and still hearin g the noise.

Creaking bushings. Again, the bushing are fine, but they get noisy in the cold.

I used to joke that i knew when the firs t really hot and first really cold day was based on the sounds my car made.

Throttle click. It’s super quiet and apparently nothing to fret over, but was always there.

The only noise you should be weary of that I’ve heard isnt un common is diff whine. If you hear anything coming from the rear axle, investigate thoroughly or be prepared to pay up.

BeaterGT > Discerning 02/16/2019 at 20:42

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Yeah I like them for street/strip. Would like to do  a Hpde to see how they perform. 

BeaterGT > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 20:46

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If I didn’t have to move at the end of the year , I’d consider keeping my Z for longer. It’s so much fun, leagues beyond anything else I've owned. I already know I will miss it.

BeaterGT > Discerning 02/16/2019 at 20:52

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The 04s have a different style fuel tank setup that is known to leak and be a bitch to repair. In my opinion, 02/03 is the way to go unless you absolutely need to have that Z16 package in 04.

Also made sure valve springs were done on my car before I got it. Cheap insurance.

As far as noises go, I think people should realize there is very minimal sound deadening in the Z06s . It’s very stripped down. Makes me wonder why they kept the heavy as hell power driver seat.

Discerning > BeaterGT 02/16/2019 at 21:05

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I didn’t know about the 2004 gas tank issue. My 2003 was a later one that had the revised fuel pump setup that necessitated dropping the tanks to get to the pump. Not sure if that would be the same tank in question.

The noises definitely should be expected. I purchased a garage queen with under 20k miles. It was pristine. But as i t aged and as I experienced weather extremes for the first time, I regularly found my self asking the question: what is that new sound?! Once I got used to it, it became expected and irrelevant.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > BeaterGT 02/16/2019 at 21:33

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I’m tempted to ask for details when you do sell it, but I don't expect to actually be in the market. Make some good memories between now and then. 

BeaterGT > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 02/16/2019 at 21:46

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Oh, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. And ItalianJobR53 has first dibs! I’ll probably list it once Spring is here but would be awesome if another Oppo turned it into a track/autox weapon.