Everything You Need To Know About Buying a C5 Corvette!

Hope I was able to help, if you have any questions comment below!

[Skywatchersx]

I gave my son my C5 when I bought my C7. I still love the look of the C5. The last real Corvette, pop up headlights with a front engine. Can’t go wrong with a C5.

[grumpygrant]

stupid car market i wish they were still under 15k for a decent condition one with under 100k miles

[jbro]

One thing I want to comment on because you said you are a younger kid and not to blame you. A superhero ability is to learn how to turn your emotions on and off. Sometimes life shows you the way but you can certainly try this to give you a lot more confidence when you need it since you can not control what others do or say but you can control how much effect it has on you.

[arvilhoward]

I just got one with 18404 miles for $10K flat! Mint condition. I got F-ing lucky! Dude needed the money super bad.

[darrenbuttery]

One big headache with the 97-00 C5's is the EBCM modules. They were poorly made and will eventually fail. Nobody makes them and they are not repairable. Used ones can be found for about $2, 000 but they will eventually fail also so I wouldn't waste the money. If you're ok with no traction control and no ABS brakes then it's no big deal. If you're not, then I would buy an 01-04 C5 because those came with a different EBCM module that can be repaired for a few hundred bucks if it goes out.

[mlcboosted]

The car lot I found the '04 C5 I DD, was asking $15k, so you're right on there. A little factoid about the '01-'04 is they have a Z06 intake manifold and throttle body. So the '97-'00 C5 base model has a somewhat bigger cam with a smaller throttle body and smaller intake manifold; the '00 had the biggest cam for a base model. GM actually put a smaller cam in the '01-'04 base model to keep the HP @ 350. A reason the Z06 from '02-'04 makes 405hp is it has the biggest cam from any C5. Here are each year's cam specs from Corvette Forum:
1997-1999 LS1: .479"/.472" 207°-199° duration 117 LSA (Lobe Separation Angle) "The lower the LSA, the more CHOP!"
2000 LS1: .500"/.500" 209°-198° duration 115.5 LSA
2001-2004 LS1: .479"/.467" 207°-196° duration 116 LSA
2001 LS6: .525"/.525" 211°-204° duration 116 LSA
2002-2004 LS6: .551"/555" 217°-204° duration 117.5 LSA
Mine is no longer stock and has a BTR stage 1 cam. It's specs are: .613"/.605" 223°-230° duration 115+2 LSA. Being over .600" lift the engine has dual valve springs, titanium retainers. Kook's headers, catted x-pipe, mid pipe. Cheap cat-back exhaust, dual inlet cold air intake. HP Tune. 412 HP (at the wheels).
These are fun cars, get one.

[DavidScott-jrzj]

The first thing you should do when you have the column lock failure is make sure your battery is fully charged. That's what fixed my 99. It may not always fix it but, it worked for me.

[woodychamberlin]

Bought 2002 with 6 speed . Base with targa top in milineum yellow. 44k miles . No seat tears or paint chips. 19, 250. Love it. Replaced harmonic balancer. Love this car!

[LucasWieringa]

I bought myself a C5 Corvette, I will pick it up today or tomorrow and I’m super excited! I saw your video and man you make really humble and good content! I subscribed immediately, you deserve it. 😁

[georgesontag]

The dealer column lock repair usually works for about a week. Put in the bypass in the passenger floor board if you want the true fix.

[JCGAMERMAN]

I found a 99 c5 for 19 negotiable. 68k miles. This video was my decision maker. I thank you for this video

[GregSr]

I own a 2003 C5 automatic. It's the 50th anniversary year. I love my C5. The LS1 is cursed with a really crappy oil pressure sending unit. In my case, it drove the gage to max (80 PSI). After two hours of struggling, I was able to replace it without pulling the intake or drilling any holes.

[DeadFieldofFlowers]

Me watching this with passion while having no way to buy the car

[jameswendellmiller]

Great video. Thank you! Im 35 and looking for a fun weekend car that I can pay cash for.

[Tanner_Teves]

I normally am not the biggest fan of the C5’s as I just think the C6 is the better route…but man your’s looks absolutely killer. Nice build bro, makes me want a C5 😂

[pizzaslayer]

youtube really wants me to buy a c5 corvette (I'm broke)

[AFVeteran]

Chevrolet fixed the Steering / column lock for 2001 C5 Automatic. Only applicable if you have a 1997-2000 (amy transmission) or 2001-2004 manual transmission. If you have a 2001-2004 you don't need to worry about the column lock issues, chevy replaced the ELC in 2001 for automatics.

[TheColbyChurch]

The horsepower difference in 2001 and up was primarily from the LS1 adopting the LS6 intake manifold

[juliosteele]

I love my 98 even though it’s an auto. It’s a miracle that I got it for 10k but that might’ve been because I bought it in the winter. Never had any issues even though I daily it. Love the car man!

[gotmylk]

“A” for effort and great editing and commentary…but you missed the mark on quite a few things. Keep up the good work and growing your knowledge on the C5. I love seeing younger guys and gals getting into the C5 game. But want to help clear some things up for viewers willing to read this TLDR response….

The EBCM cannot be repaired on the pre ‘01 models is true. However, failure rate is not nearly as significant as this video or comments below are indicating. Used EBCMs are easily sourced (not cheap but easy to find). You can also upgrade to ‘01 plus but it’s not a simple swap.

The column lock is easily addressed with an “LMC5” which wires into the passenger kick panel fuse box in 10 minutes. The steering locks when people don’t drive their cars or trickle charge when not in use and allow the parasitic draw from electronics to deplete the battery and engage the VAT. The LMC5 will override the locking mechanism even with a low battery. $50.

The harmonic balancer issue is also overblown. But it does occur due to the OEM Delco balancer being two piece bonded rubber. Easily remedied with a powerbond or AFI one piece for a few hundred $. If you can’t work on your own cars don’t buy one that’s 20 plus years old.

The leaky battery issue was due to early production side post batteries prone to leak. Those leak prone batteries are no longer in production and the previous owners had them replaced 20 years ago with more dependable side post batteries.

90% of the electronic gremlins impacting a C5 are caused by corroded grounds. Keep the grounds clean and use dialectic grease.

The difference from the Z06 to the coupe or FRC is not just 50hp. The Z06 has a different transmission (M12), thinner lightweight windshield (‘02 up), #243 heads, different salt filled valve springs, titanium exhaust and improved suspension. Also lightweight wheels and larger tires that are not run craps from the factory.