Thanks for sharing. I too have a C5 Corvette. I bought mine new back in October of 2001 when I was 32 years old. It was a 2002 model. I bought the magnetic red II convertible with a tan top. Things I love about the car: 1. Fuel Economy. I can get 32 mpg driving 55 to 60 mph. 2. Active Handling. I bought this in Indianapolis, IN and drove it from my parents house in Tuscaloosa, AL to Indianapolis, IN in the winter. The Active Handling saved me several times when the car lost control over the bridge from Louisville, KY and on the snow covered interstate. Thank God for Active Handling. 3. The design was simple and yet advance. Front Engine and Rear Transmission gave it a near 50/50 weight distribution. It also gave it lots of front leg room since the transmission is in the back. Head Up Display is a great feature allowing the driver to monitor speed and RPM at high speeds. Trunk space is modest and actually larger than the C6, C7 and C8. Each successive year, the cargo space shrank. Fuel Economy also shrank each successive year. I think the C5 fuel economy was one of the best for the acceleration and top speed the car was capable of achieving. 4. I love the brake lights. Four oval tail lights was enough brand recognition. I got numerous drivers want to race when they see me. Even during 2024, I pickup several Tesla drivers who want to compete when I drive 6 hours along interstate I-5 from Southern California to Northern California. I just push the car faster and several of the Teslas drivers who want to challenge this 22 year old sports car find they cannot keep up. Without calling out my speed, I assure you the Teslas following me noticed their range dropped seriously from over 200 miles to less than 100 miles. This was enough to keep show them this 22 year old C5 Corvette still had something they could not overcome. 5. I think it is so cool that the instrument panel is illuminated by using black lights and not light bulbs behind the instrument panel. 6. Run flat tires are a first for me and I love them. I don't use them often but I have found myself with a flat and still have the relative security and safety knowing I can get 200 miles without being stranded. 7. I love the 4 tail exhaust pipes all together in the center of the rear bumper. I think other car makers started to follow. I am not sure who started it but I know Lamborghini Diablo and the Aventador did it. 8. You can't beat a GM air condition. This car has an amazing air condition system. Things I think could be improved: 1. The head light illumination is not great. For a vehicle that can cover so much ground in so short of a time, you need well illuminated roads. This can be fix and I did with Knight Drive TV LED lights. It is so bright right now and the look of the car is amazing. 2. Yes, I agree about the ABS brake module. I am so glad I bought a 2002 model that could be fixed. It did cost me $100 to mail mine and have someone solder and fix it. I just had to remove it and mail it. 3. The 1-1/2 din is an odd size for a radio. I did order a new bezel and installed a double din nav radio that wirelessly connects to apple car play or android auto so this was a great feature to upgrade to keep up with new vehicles. 4. Being I have a convertible, I really wished I had a power top. My wife gave me a birthday trip with her to drive my Corvette from Indianapolis to Bowling Green, KY to tour the Corvette Assembly Plant and tour the Corvette Museum. The time we took this tour was when they were producing the C6 corvette. I got to speak with many of the line workers and shared my pride of owning the C5. They all told me the manual top is better. I guess it just kept things simple. I've never had a problem with my convertible top and I guess they were right. 5. The fact that the C5 did not have indexing windows did not seal the doors and windows well to prevent rain water from entering into the car. When the car was new, I did not have problems with water intrusion. Fast forward 22 years and I do have problems with water dripping inside if the car is at a total stop. If the car is running at speeds above 10 mph, the water is routed properly away from entering the car. 6. Last think I dislike is the front bumper impacting curbs. I have to watch how I approach a parking lot to avoid hitting the curb. The best solution I have is to always park my car backwards since the rear bumper is high enough not to hit the curb. Backing up also allows me to us the rear camera feature I have with the new radio which also has a neat birds eye view of the car looking down above the car and painting the surroundings to allow the driver to be aware of objects around the vehicle. The ATOTO sold in Amazon has a single camera that captures the 160 degree view and remembers the image to paint the area on the sides of the car and continue to record that image as you back up. It's not live. It's what I would say a static image painted as you back up. 7. The battery is above a critical computer electronic compartment. So the moment you find the need to replace the battery, get a gel battery so that you don't have to worry about acid leaking and destroying the electronics beneath the battery tray. 8. The car can drain the battery if not driven often. This is probably my worse issue I have. Yeah. I really gave you a lot of feedback. It just goes to show I am an enthusiast with my Corvette.
GREAT comment - thank you for it. I think if I bought a C5 the first two things I was do is buy an AGM battery for it (I think currently the Interstate AGM batteries are the best out there), and I would by a high quality battery maintenance charger.
It seems like the #1 thing you 'hate' (or dislike) about the C5 is that it is 20+ years old. Most of the issues you mention are simply deterioration of parts from age, or design features that were common for the generation. I think the biggest 'problem' with the C5 is that it is just modern enough that we are forgetting that they are quickly becoming a 'classic' car.
@@FindtheRightRoad yes … and no. For starters, it not as bad as some like to make it out to be. A 32 oz YETI style cup fits fine, and if you still have the rubber “fingers” inside, it holds well. (Just did a VERY spirited club cruise this weekend, and my cup never moved, even taking some backroad highway corners WAY too fast) There also wasn’t any other ‘good’ way to add another holder, or a deeper holder, without drastically changing the interior. The C6 ‘kinda’ improved on it, but barely, by making the console just a little thicker. All things considered, I’m ok with it. I would have probably been just as OK with a console that was 1” thicker.
I have a 1999 c5 with 44,000 miles, i love absolutely every second I drive and rip on it how it’s supposed to be driven I take damn good care of it too. Not a day goes by that I don’t think it’s one of the best looking sports cars ever made in its price point to this day. Understandably this is personal opinion though.
I own 2 - C5 Convertible Corvettes myself. 2001 35K miles and 2002 60K miles. All of your comments were understandable but considering the timeless body lines on a C5 and ALL THE OTHER very reliable things on a C5 ..these items are peanut's especially for an American Made car. With proper preventive maintenance and fluid drains & fills, the C5 will go easily 200K or more miles. For an American car that's rare. That LS1 is a beast of iron. I WOULD ADD BIGGEST REAL NEGATIVE for a C5 is the Harmonic balancer. Great videos sir. 👍
The CAGS only kicks in if your light on the throttle. I don’t mind it, gas savings design so it works as planned. If you accelerate fast or any hard push on the throttle it doesn’t activate
Owner of a 2003. I would add the magnetic ride control. Shocks no longer available and have to endure the error codes if not disabled when you change shocks.
Having had a C5 (2003) here's a few comments: The fuel door release is in the console so that it can be effectively locked. The console locks with the key, so should you park with your top down or targa off, your fuel door is secure. Next, the cup holder is shallow because the transmission tunnel is very high,. It could be better -and is on my C6. The 4 speed auto is a knock. I found lots of times when I wanted a kick down from 2 to 1, but it was just unable to due the vehicle's speed. Nail it at about 35 and it stays in second keeping your RPM well below the power band. The run-flat tires were garbage. The lack of an aux input on the radio which even with the Bose speakers, lacks bass. Rubber power window buttons wear and rot (mine never did, but I've seen this a lot). Seat bolster wear (again, mine was fine, but it's a common issue). I miss my C5 though. It was 100% original down to the wiper blades until I finally couldn't stand the run-flats any longer and got new tires. It had never once been driven in the rain and was nearly perfect. Beautiful car!
Original C5 2000 Coupe owner with 65K miles and biggest concerns are Column Lock, Crankshaft Dampener, parasitic battery drain, and scraping front end lip. But I love the car dearly.
2000 Navy Blue C5 here. Just hit 67000 on a road trip. I am the 3rd owner. I've had cool cars all my life. Nothing super exotic, but a fairly impressive list of cool beautiful cars. I adore, love my C5 Corvette . I got it on a lark, I had no idea I would ever own a Corvette. There is something about the C5, either you love it or just don't get it. I'm ok with that.
2000 Torch red on torch red in Eastern TN also here. I have 120k on mine and have had no problems except column lock which I took care of. I learned the more often you change the Dexron in the 6spd, the better off you will be. 😊 What a simply amazing car!
I have owned a 2003 50th Anniversary convertible since 2009 (15 years now). Here is my list, and most of these are more “serious” (as opposed to merely irritating like the cup holder or the fuel door release in the console). Here goes: 1) Magnetorhelogical shocks unreliable. I had to replace all 4. Replaced the 2 rears myself in 2012 and bought the shocks on a website. Cost close to $1000. Had to replace the fronts in 2024 at the local Chevy dealer. Cost over $2000. If there’s a next time, will replace with conventional shocks and get the little electronic kit so that the car doesn’t “think” something is wrong. 2). The common and dreaded steering wheel lock and engine deactivate function. This feature prevented owners from “stealing” and driving their own vehicle. I’ll bet for every 1 theft this prevented, 100 legit owners were prevented from driving their own car. Had to buy the electronic device which bypasses this “feature”. It’s a back buster, since you have to install the module under the passenger side dashboard. 3). Battery installed over vacuum lines and over the highly critical ECM. This goes beyond stupid. Numerous Vette owners have trashed their engine control modules due to a battery acid leak! I was lucky in my case. The engine check light was on and the HVAC blend door wasn’t functioning. My local shop installed a new oxygen sensor, which solved the check engine light for about 3 days, then was back on. I looked at the online CorvetteForum.com, and found the problem. The vacuum line which controls the HVAC blend door and the vacuum line from the engine to the exhaust air pump had been eaten by a small battery acid leak. Luckily, it did not affect the ECM, which would have been catastrophic. I replaced the battery with the solid electrolyte type, replaced the hoses, and cleaned up the remnants of acid. 4) HVAC display barely, or totally not visible. Haven’t fixed this yet. Will do this winter. CorvetteForum.com has videos on how to do this. 5). EBCM, as this video noted. Haven’t fixed this yet, either, and will do this winter. Fortunately, I live in dry San Antonio, so anti-skid braking isn’t as big an issue here. Once again CorvetteForum.com and other RUclips channels show how-to videos on this. You have to be able to solder printed circuit boards to do this. Those are my most-serious ones. The lesser ones include: 6). Cheap ass interior. This includes the cardboard sun visors, driver’s seat plastics, etc, just like this video shows. 7). 1st to 4th skip shift. I bought the aftermarket bypass for this. Was very easy to install, but you need to get the car up on a lift to access the underside. Recommend any Corvette owner go to CorvetteForum.com. They’re fantastic and helpful. Also go to corvettepartscenter.com, which is the website for C&S Corvettes. Watch Lyle’s webcasts - they’re very helpful, and they have a good variety of Corvette parts. Hope that helps all you Vette owners!! Enjoy the ride!
A fellow '03 AE roadster owner here. FWIW, when I replaced the mag ride shocks I just had the program deleted from the system. I would add to the list (for M6 cars): necessary clutch bleeding with an inaccessible bleed port and an insanely difficult clutch slave cylinder replacement. For all that, I absolutely love this car. So much fun to drive!
I own a 97 C5 and am the third owner. First thing I hate, harmonic balancer coming apart. Just bought the car driving it home and heard a horrible noise. Upon investigation the balancer and halves slid back chewing on the aluminum timing cover. First thing replaced that, not fun but with the help of a good friend that owns his own shop spent an entire Saturday replacing it and some suspension parts that of course normal wear and tear required attention. Lets not start in on the headlight motors.. or the flooded wiper motor. I replaced mine 8 months after getting the car to discover it had already been replaced prior but with a junk yard unit based on the paint marker into on it. No I installed a new motor and modified the utters so they wont be clogging. Front side markers. Unless you have a small child like hand reaching in thru the brake duct to change bulbs is such a horrible design. Replaced those with Vette Lights LED front makers. Not only improves the look of the car but no more bulb changing! Speaking of lights, driving at night with the stock headlights was not alot of fun. Again LED upgrade needed and well worth it as the roads where I drive deer are an issue.
Your list is solid. I’ve owned my C5 for 15 years and put about 100k on the clock. It’s such an amazing car and I ❤❤❤ getting 32-34mpg while still being able to smoke the punks in their Hondas. 😂 The one silly thing on your list is the fuel release. I say big deal! It’s gotta 20 gallon tank so I put gas in the car maybe ONCE a month! LOL I certainly can handle opening the console. I pray my EBCM doesn’t go tits up or I’ve got a soldering job in my future. My solution to that is stay off of really bumpy roads. Forgot to say, my car is identical to yours except I have the torch red and black interior which I love!!!
I custom ordered a 2001 Corvette coupe with every available option. It was a magnificent machine. I put about 40k miles on it over 20 years of ownership. I repaired the dual climate control module after doing some research into fixing the fading readout. I anticipated issues that ultimately, I couldn't readily repair as the car aged, not to mention the ongoing depreciation, so I sold it. I think all highly sophisticated cars for their time go through this as part of their life cycle.
I think the C5 gets a lot of haters because they think a 27 year old car and a 30 year old design was supposed to be trouble free for the life of the vehicle. Low production number sports cars have always had their quirks. Driving and maintaining a classic car is not for everyone. Parts can be a challenge and paying a shop for repairs can get real expensive fast. Well cared for, garaged cars will last a long time. Face it rubber and plastic degrades especially if left with a lot of UV exposure. Suggest do a generation comparison C3-C7 and find which one is for you. Who is still using a 27 years computer or television?
I have done similar videos for C4, C6 and C8. They all have their issues. I take issue with only one thing you said: "low production number sports cars" The Corvette is not a low production sports car. Other than 1997, they built over 30K every year. It is a mass produced sports car....
@@FindtheRightRoad The reason I consider Corvette a low production number car in the grand scheme of major manufacturers, 30,000 vehicles is low and likely on the non-profit, discontinue list. The C5 almost never happened, the GM Vette lovers had to fight for it. Many cars at the 50,000 production number get cut. Think about it, there is not much left in the US made car market. The whole market today is SUV’s and Trucks. I believe 100,000 units is the target number today. The fact that we have the C8 today is amazing but price has certainly changed since the C5 days. Sad to see Camaro go this year as sales were down.
@@That52TeleGuy I view low production as perhaps 5,000 or less. That to me is low production. Look at it this way, Ferrari made 20,562 458 models over its entire production run from 2009 thru 2015. That is a high production model for them !
@@FindtheRightRoad In American auto manufacturing that would be a Limited Production vehicle. Several have come and gone at the 10,000 a year target. Probably the most successful was the Dodge Viper which was an amazing car. Cheers to GM for being committed to the Corvette since 1953, though some of the CEO’s have questioned it.
kind of unfair to criticize the seat because it wasn't optimized for track use. I like to change positions for comfort on long trips and a serviceable race seat has very different design goals. the seat belt is designed, via a manipulation , to provide some extra compensation in that area,
@@richardelliott8352 No, those seats are designed for a land yacht, not a sports car. My C6 seats are not great, but they’re F1 good compared to the C5 seats lol!
WRONG!!!!!! My 86 Fox Body 5.0EFI has the gas door release and hatch release in the glove compartment all the way on the passenger side. LOL! You didn’t say WHICH generation of Mustang so I thought I’d give you some shit. 😂😂😂
I have a 2001 C5 Convertible 27,000 miles and if it is left outdoors and it rains I get about 1/2" to 1" of water behind the driver's seat on the floor and cannot figure out where it is leaking in. Any suggestions to try and rectify this problem? Also, I'm in Ocean County New Jersey and I am looking for a reputable shop to replace my tan colored convertible top with a new one same color. Any contacts in my area would be appreciated.
I am a first time corvette owner, I bought mine in 2021. My biggest complaints. 1 EBCM, I was quoted $3400 for a used one, Went through the grounds and now thats off. I paid a mechaninc to do that for me. Cost me $290. 2 Adjusting the headlight covers so the gap around them between the hood and nose looks right. That seems to be rediculously more difficult than it should be. 3 The headlight motors. I have to twist those knobs to get the lights to rise from their daytime coffins. Considering the Bugeye or flush mount but the flush monut lights aren't budget friendly. 4 The Oil pressure sensor. Had it replaced once. The next year had the tranny rebuilt and somehow the sensor doesn't work,,,, again. 5 The HVAC blend door actuator. It just isn't right to get nice cold air on one side of the car while the other side blows out air hot enough to make popcorn.
I aligned my headlight gaps/redid my motors with no experience and honestly it wasn’t too bad, just make sure you have a low stool or something so you don’t restore your back. It takes some time and patience, but it’s super rewarding
@@bzzzb8 I have a 2003 50th Anniversary convertible. My headlights weren’t popping up properly, so I bought aftermarket brass gears for them. The original nylon gears are rubbish and their teeth eventually wear down. It was a pain in the butt job, since you need to snake your hands in tight spots around the motor boxes. You also have to pry open the sealed plastic motor boxes, then after you install the brass gears, you have to use epoxy glue to seal the boxes back up. But it was worth the effort - my headlights haven’t failed in years now. Currently, my ABS light is on and the driver info center nags me every time I start the car that “Service required soon” or something like that. So, I’m going to remove the EBCM and resolder it, which I hope will fix it. Regarding your HVAC blend actuator, have you ever had a battery leak? I did, and it ate through the small diameter plastic tube which provides the vacuum to operate the HVAC doors. Got lucky, since the battery is also located over top of the ECM, and some people have trashed the ECM with battery acid. Good luck!
@@bzzzb8 vetteonvettes757 has a great video on the adjustments, I'd also make sure the actual headlight cover is seated properly with it's screws on the side once it's put in place. It's a pain in the butt though
If you make a Video about a Car, you should 100% know what you are talking about, and not just drop some Facts, you have wrighten somewhere on the Internet. 1) There are 2 different Things nessesary to ABS to work. 1) ABS Module 2) ABS Control Unit (EBCM). The ABS Module is fixable on all Cars, because ABS Modul is an Analog Thing. The EBCM is the Problem here. And please stop talking over and over the same stupid Things. The EBCM on the 01 and later Cars are also unfixable. You could buy them new because there was enough on the Market. But now even the 01 and later EBCM start to get rare. And if your 01 or later Vette have EBCM Problems, you face the same Problems than 97-00 Cars. There are no more New 01-04 EBCM to buy in 2024, and it is also unfixable.
@@FindtheRightRoad I dont need an englisch Course because i am from Germany. I speak German, Polisch, Russian and Englisch. So yes, i take an Englisch Course when you leran at least a second Language.
Easily the weakest link on this gen of Corvettes is the interior. The C6 interior looked like a complete upgrade, transformation when that car was released. All you lose buying C6 vs C5 is the flip-up headlights.
I kinda like the look of the C5 interior more. I feel like they could've done more with the C6, I'd rather have the re-used radio controls from a silverado than a re-used steering wheel from a Cobalt.
If you like the C6 Interior more, its your Deal. I dont like the C6 Interior, it look way cheaper than the All Black C5 Interior. The C5 is the last Analog Car, while the C6 is the first Computer on 4 Wheels Car. I can read out Codes on the C5 without a expencive Car Tool. If my ABS get broken, the C5 dont get into "Trouble Mode" and drive only 20mph. I can open my C5 with an Key. If your Battery is empty, and the Car is closed you have a serious Problem. And my C5 dont look like an ordinary Car from the Front. The C6 look nice from the side and from the Back. But the Front look like an ordinary Car.
Yes, you lose the ICONIC flip up headlights found on every Corvette after 1962 and you lose the really aerodynamic good looks. 😂 I’ll stick with the C5 thanks!
@@toddjohnson7133 The C5 is literally the sleekest out of all Corvette generations (lowest height). The length also gives it an exotic look. The only thing that looks heavy and fat is the car in your profile pic! 😅
@@YodaShanSOLID!!!! The C5 is indeed sleek and slicker than Bill Clinton in a room full of interns! My 2000 torch red beauty accelerates in neutral going down most hills. I’m routinely getting 34mpg on the DIC. She’s a 6 spd of course and I’m not ripping around. Just driving like an older adult. The car is truly a miracle of engineering!!!
@@YodaShan Look at resale. I'm not the only one that thinks the C5 is amateur auto styling. There is no one out there that thinks it looks exotic. They think I would sure rather have a C3, C4 or C6 than that lard butt design. Oh and that car in the pick would eat your C5 for lunch. Maybe you can upgrade one day. Maybe I should mention that I own a C2 (1964)...plus an early serial number Superformance Cobra and a 2019 GT350. I obviously love great design.
@toddjohnson7133 interesting. I have a C4 and often hear people saying they prefer the C5. I do like the C4 better but I will say the C5 is the last generation I really like. I hated when they got rid of the popup headlights
Thanks for sharing. I too have a C5 Corvette. I bought mine new back in October of 2001 when I was 32 years old. It was a 2002 model. I bought the magnetic red II convertible with a tan top. Things I love about the car:
1. Fuel Economy. I can get 32 mpg driving 55 to 60 mph.
2. Active Handling. I bought this in Indianapolis, IN and drove it from my parents house in Tuscaloosa, AL to Indianapolis, IN in the winter. The Active Handling saved me several times when the car lost control over the bridge from Louisville, KY and on the snow covered interstate. Thank God for Active Handling.
3. The design was simple and yet advance. Front Engine and Rear Transmission gave it a near 50/50 weight distribution. It also gave it lots of front leg room since the transmission is in the back. Head Up Display is a great feature allowing the driver to monitor speed and RPM at high speeds. Trunk space is modest and actually larger than the C6, C7 and C8. Each successive year, the cargo space shrank. Fuel Economy also shrank each successive year. I think the C5 fuel economy was one of the best for the acceleration and top speed the car was capable of achieving.
4. I love the brake lights. Four oval tail lights was enough brand recognition. I got numerous drivers want to race when they see me. Even during 2024, I pickup several Tesla drivers who want to compete when I drive 6 hours along interstate I-5 from Southern California to Northern California. I just push the car faster and several of the Teslas drivers who want to challenge this 22 year old sports car find they cannot keep up. Without calling out my speed, I assure you the Teslas following me noticed their range dropped seriously from over 200 miles to less than 100 miles. This was enough to keep show them this 22 year old C5 Corvette still had something they could not overcome.
5. I think it is so cool that the instrument panel is illuminated by using black lights and not light bulbs behind the instrument panel.
6. Run flat tires are a first for me and I love them. I don't use them often but I have found myself with a flat and still have the relative security and safety knowing I can get 200 miles without being stranded.
7. I love the 4 tail exhaust pipes all together in the center of the rear bumper. I think other car makers started to follow. I am not sure who started it but I know Lamborghini Diablo and the Aventador did it.
8. You can't beat a GM air condition. This car has an amazing air condition system.
Things I think could be improved:
1. The head light illumination is not great. For a vehicle that can cover so much ground in so short of a time, you need well illuminated roads. This can be fix and I did with Knight Drive TV LED lights. It is so bright right now and the look of the car is amazing.
2. Yes, I agree about the ABS brake module. I am so glad I bought a 2002 model that could be fixed. It did cost me $100 to mail mine and have someone solder and fix it. I just had to remove it and mail it.
3. The 1-1/2 din is an odd size for a radio. I did order a new bezel and installed a double din nav radio that wirelessly connects to apple car play or android auto so this was a great feature to upgrade to keep up with new vehicles.
4. Being I have a convertible, I really wished I had a power top. My wife gave me a birthday trip with her to drive my Corvette from Indianapolis to Bowling Green, KY to tour the Corvette Assembly Plant and tour the Corvette Museum. The time we took this tour was when they were producing the C6 corvette. I got to speak with many of the line workers and shared my pride of owning the C5. They all told me the manual top is better. I guess it just kept things simple. I've never had a problem with my convertible top and I guess they were right.
5. The fact that the C5 did not have indexing windows did not seal the doors and windows well to prevent rain water from entering into the car. When the car was new, I did not have problems with water intrusion. Fast forward 22 years and I do have problems with water dripping inside if the car is at a total stop. If the car is running at speeds above 10 mph, the water is routed properly away from entering the car.
6. Last think I dislike is the front bumper impacting curbs. I have to watch how I approach a parking lot to avoid hitting the curb. The best solution I have is to always park my car backwards since the rear bumper is high enough not to hit the curb. Backing up also allows me to us the rear camera feature I have with the new radio which also has a neat birds eye view of the car looking down above the car and painting the surroundings to allow the driver to be aware of objects around the vehicle. The ATOTO sold in Amazon has a single camera that captures the 160 degree view and remembers the image to paint the area on the sides of the car and continue to record that image as you back up. It's not live. It's what I would say a static image painted as you back up.
7. The battery is above a critical computer electronic compartment. So the moment you find the need to replace the battery, get a gel battery so that you don't have to worry about acid leaking and destroying the electronics beneath the battery tray.
8. The car can drain the battery if not driven often. This is probably my worse issue I have.
Yeah. I really gave you a lot of feedback. It just goes to show I am an enthusiast with my Corvette.
Good stuff, thank you.
GREAT comment - thank you for it. I think if I bought a C5 the first two things I was do is buy an AGM battery for it (I think currently the Interstate AGM batteries are the best out there), and I would by a high quality battery maintenance charger.
Wow!! Nice job.
It seems like the #1 thing you 'hate' (or dislike) about the C5 is that it is 20+ years old. Most of the issues you mention are simply deterioration of parts from age, or design features that were common for the generation. I think the biggest 'problem' with the C5 is that it is just modern enough that we are forgetting that they are quickly becoming a 'classic' car.
But even you have to admit...that single cup holder is ridiculous ! :)
@@FindtheRightRoad yes … and no. For starters, it not as bad as some like to make it out to be. A 32 oz YETI style cup fits fine, and if you still have the rubber “fingers” inside, it holds well. (Just did a VERY spirited club cruise this weekend, and my cup never moved, even taking some backroad highway corners WAY too fast)
There also wasn’t any other ‘good’ way to add another holder, or a deeper holder, without drastically changing the interior. The C6 ‘kinda’ improved on it, but barely, by making the console just a little thicker.
All things considered, I’m ok with it. I would have probably been just as OK with a console that was 1” thicker.
@@floodx4947 💯
@@FindtheRightRoad The cup holder that isn’t a cup holder fits my cell phone perfectly so that’s what I use it for. I totally AGREE with you.
@@floodx4947You’re ok with it. Others are not. No need to write a book.
As a big C5 fan, this was a very accurate list. Harmonic balancer could've been on there too.
I have a 1999 c5 with 44,000 miles, i love absolutely every second I drive and rip on it how it’s supposed to be driven I take damn good care of it too. Not a day goes by that I don’t think it’s one of the best looking sports cars ever made in its price point to this day. Understandably this is personal opinion though.
@jeremiahbrinsko7811 S here, love my 1999!!
I own 2 - C5 Convertible Corvettes myself. 2001 35K miles and 2002 60K miles. All of your comments were understandable but considering the timeless body lines on a C5 and ALL THE OTHER very reliable things on a C5 ..these items are peanut's especially for an American Made car. With proper preventive maintenance and fluid drains & fills, the C5 will go easily 200K or more miles. For an American car that's rare. That LS1 is a beast of iron. I WOULD ADD BIGGEST REAL NEGATIVE for a C5 is the Harmonic balancer. Great videos sir. 👍
I did consider putting the Harmonic Balancer on my list. Same issue with C6. I had a 2007 and had to replace mine...
The CAGS only kicks in if your light on the throttle. I don’t mind it, gas savings design so it works as planned. If you accelerate fast or any hard push on the throttle it doesn’t activate
Owner of a 2003. I would add the magnetic ride control. Shocks no longer available and have to endure the error codes if not disabled when you change shocks.
Having had a C5 (2003) here's a few comments: The fuel door release is in the console so that it can be effectively locked. The console locks with the key, so should you park with your top down or targa off, your fuel door is secure. Next, the cup holder is shallow because the transmission tunnel is very high,. It could be better -and is on my C6. The 4 speed auto is a knock. I found lots of times when I wanted a kick down from 2 to 1, but it was just unable to due the vehicle's speed. Nail it at about 35 and it stays in second keeping your RPM well below the power band. The run-flat tires were garbage. The lack of an aux input on the radio which even with the Bose speakers, lacks bass. Rubber power window buttons wear and rot (mine never did, but I've seen this a lot). Seat bolster wear (again, mine was fine, but it's a common issue). I miss my C5 though. It was 100% original down to the wiper blades until I finally couldn't stand the run-flats any longer and got new tires. It had never once been driven in the rain and was nearly perfect. Beautiful car!
Original C5 2000 Coupe owner with 65K miles and biggest concerns are Column Lock, Crankshaft Dampener, parasitic battery drain, and scraping front end lip. But I love the car dearly.
2000 Navy Blue C5 here. Just hit 67000 on a road trip. I am the 3rd owner. I've had cool cars all my life. Nothing super exotic, but a fairly impressive list of cool beautiful cars. I adore, love my C5 Corvette . I got it on a lark, I had no idea I would ever own a Corvette. There is something about the C5, either you love it or just don't get it. I'm ok with that.
2000 Torch red on torch red in Eastern TN also here. I have 120k on mine and have had no problems except column lock which I took care of. I learned the more often you change the Dexron in the 6spd, the better off you will be. 😊 What a simply amazing car!
look for a gps tracker under dash , battery drain
I have owned a 2003 50th Anniversary convertible since 2009 (15 years now). Here is my list, and most of these are more “serious” (as opposed to merely irritating like the cup holder or the fuel door release in the console). Here goes:
1) Magnetorhelogical shocks unreliable. I had to replace all 4. Replaced the 2 rears myself in 2012 and bought the shocks on a website. Cost close to $1000. Had to replace the fronts in 2024 at the local Chevy dealer. Cost over $2000. If there’s a next time, will replace with conventional shocks and get the little electronic kit so that the car doesn’t “think” something is wrong.
2). The common and dreaded steering wheel lock and engine deactivate function. This feature prevented owners from “stealing” and driving their own vehicle. I’ll bet for every 1 theft this prevented, 100 legit owners were prevented from driving their own car. Had to buy the electronic device which bypasses this “feature”. It’s a back buster, since you have to install the module under the passenger side dashboard.
3). Battery installed over vacuum lines and over the highly critical ECM. This goes beyond stupid. Numerous Vette owners have trashed their engine control modules due to a battery acid leak! I was lucky in my case. The engine check light was on and the HVAC blend door wasn’t functioning. My local shop installed a new oxygen sensor, which solved the check engine light for about 3 days, then was back on. I looked at the online CorvetteForum.com, and found the problem. The vacuum line which controls the HVAC blend door and the vacuum line from the engine to the exhaust air pump had been eaten by a small battery acid leak. Luckily, it did not affect the ECM, which would have been catastrophic. I replaced the battery with the solid electrolyte type, replaced the hoses, and cleaned up the remnants of acid.
4) HVAC display barely, or totally not visible. Haven’t fixed this yet. Will do this winter. CorvetteForum.com has videos on how to do this.
5). EBCM, as this video noted. Haven’t fixed this yet, either, and will do this winter. Fortunately, I live in dry San Antonio, so anti-skid braking isn’t as big an issue here. Once again CorvetteForum.com and other RUclips channels show how-to videos on this. You have to be able to solder printed circuit boards to do this.
Those are my most-serious ones. The lesser ones include:
6). Cheap ass interior. This includes the cardboard sun visors, driver’s seat plastics, etc, just like this video shows.
7). 1st to 4th skip shift. I bought the aftermarket bypass for this. Was very easy to install, but you need to get the car up on a lift to access the underside.
Recommend any Corvette owner go to CorvetteForum.com. They’re fantastic and helpful. Also go to corvettepartscenter.com, which is the website for C&S Corvettes. Watch Lyle’s webcasts - they’re very helpful, and they have a good variety of Corvette parts.
Hope that helps all you Vette owners!! Enjoy the ride!
I have watched many of Lyle's videos. He does a great job...
A fellow '03 AE roadster owner here. FWIW, when I replaced the mag ride shocks I just had the program deleted from the system. I would add to the list (for M6 cars): necessary clutch bleeding with an inaccessible bleed port and an insanely difficult clutch slave cylinder replacement. For all that, I absolutely love this car. So much fun to drive!
@@CorkVanDenHandel You nailed it, Cork! Our 50th Annie Convertibles are a blast to drive! I grin from ear to ear when I’m in mine.
I own a 97 C5 and am the third owner. First thing I hate, harmonic balancer coming apart. Just bought the car driving it home and heard a horrible noise. Upon investigation the balancer and halves slid back chewing on the aluminum timing cover. First thing replaced that, not fun but with the help of a good friend that owns his own shop spent an entire Saturday replacing it and some suspension parts that of course normal wear and tear required attention. Lets not start in on the headlight motors.. or the flooded wiper motor. I replaced mine 8 months after getting the car to discover it had already been replaced prior but with a junk yard unit based on the paint marker into on it. No I installed a new motor and modified the utters so they wont be clogging. Front side markers. Unless you have a small child like hand reaching in thru the brake duct to change bulbs is such a horrible design. Replaced those with Vette Lights LED front makers. Not only improves the look of the car but no more bulb changing! Speaking of lights, driving at night with the stock headlights was not alot of fun. Again LED upgrade needed and well worth it as the roads where I drive deer are an issue.
Your list is solid. I’ve owned my C5 for 15 years and put about 100k on the clock. It’s such an amazing car and I ❤❤❤ getting 32-34mpg while still being able to smoke the punks in their Hondas. 😂 The one silly thing on your list is the fuel release. I say big deal! It’s gotta 20 gallon tank so I put gas in the car maybe ONCE a month! LOL I certainly can handle opening the console. I pray my EBCM doesn’t go tits up or I’ve got a soldering job in my future. My solution to that is stay off of really bumpy roads.
Forgot to say, my car is identical to yours except I have the torch red and black interior which I love!!!
I custom ordered a 2001 Corvette coupe with every available option. It was a magnificent machine. I put about 40k miles on it over 20 years of ownership. I repaired the dual climate control module after doing some research into fixing the fading readout. I anticipated issues that ultimately, I couldn't readily repair as the car aged, not to mention the ongoing depreciation, so I sold it. I think all highly sophisticated cars for their time go through this as part of their life cycle.
Steering column lock mechanism breaking
Thank you especially about webcam info and I would be fighting the stick cages
Love my torch red C5! she's flawless in my eyes!
I think the C5 gets a lot of haters because they think a 27 year old car and a 30 year old design was supposed to be trouble free for the life of the vehicle. Low production number sports cars have always had their quirks. Driving and maintaining a classic car is not for everyone. Parts can be a challenge and paying a shop for repairs can get real expensive fast. Well cared for, garaged cars will last a long time. Face it rubber and plastic degrades especially if left with a lot of UV exposure. Suggest do a generation comparison C3-C7 and find which one is for you. Who is still using a 27 years computer or television?
I have done similar videos for C4, C6 and C8. They all have their issues. I take issue with only one thing you said: "low production number sports cars"
The Corvette is not a low production sports car. Other than 1997, they built over 30K every year. It is a mass produced sports car....
@@FindtheRightRoad The reason I consider Corvette a low production number car in the grand scheme of major manufacturers, 30,000 vehicles is low and likely on the non-profit, discontinue list. The C5 almost never happened, the GM Vette lovers had to fight for it. Many cars at the 50,000 production number get cut. Think about it, there is not much left in the US made car market. The whole market today is SUV’s and Trucks. I believe 100,000 units is the target number today. The fact that we have the C8 today is amazing but price has certainly changed since the C5 days. Sad to see Camaro go this year as sales were down.
@@That52TeleGuy I view low production as perhaps 5,000 or less. That to me is low production.
Look at it this way, Ferrari made 20,562 458 models over its entire production run from 2009 thru 2015. That is a high production model for them !
@@FindtheRightRoad In American auto manufacturing that would be a Limited Production vehicle. Several have come and gone at the 10,000 a year target. Probably the most successful was the Dodge Viper which was an amazing car. Cheers to GM for being committed to the Corvette since 1953, though some of the CEO’s have questioned it.
Thanks for the info
kind of unfair to criticize the seat because it wasn't optimized for track use. I like to change positions for comfort on long trips and a serviceable race seat has very different design goals. the seat belt is designed, via a manipulation , to provide some extra compensation in that area,
@@richardelliott8352 No, those seats are designed for a land yacht, not a sports car. My C6 seats are not great, but they’re F1 good compared to the C5 seats lol!
Seats are not comfortable at all. Mine are new buy terrible need bracket replacement
Oh wow. Outside of the breaking mechanism, Bitching about the cup holder and taking two extra steps to open the gas cap. i see no issue here.
Geez. If one of your biggest complaints is having to open the centre console to open the gas filler door, then buy a Mustang.
Yeah, what a stupid complaint...duh, you're already in the car, pulling up to get gas, sitting right next to the console 😂😂😂
WRONG!!!!!! My 86 Fox Body 5.0EFI has the gas door release and hatch release in the glove compartment all the way on the passenger side. LOL! You didn’t say WHICH generation of Mustang so I thought I’d give you some shit. 😂😂😂
Thank you again
Regarding 1:15: Yea, why you hating on the Corvette?!?! (Sorry, just couldn't resist). 🤣
What about the torque tube?
Yep... had a 2003 6 spd for 16 years. I hated that sound.
What about it?
I have a 2001 C5 Convertible 27,000 miles and if it is left outdoors and it rains I get about 1/2" to 1" of water behind the driver's seat on the floor and cannot figure out where it is leaking in. Any suggestions to try and rectify this problem? Also, I'm in Ocean County New Jersey and I am looking for a reputable shop to replace my tan colored convertible top with a new one same color. Any contacts in my area would be appreciated.
@@stevemagliaro9733 get weatherstripping redone on the car
Check your udders.
@@michaelm3381 Thanks, they are clean and clear.
@@tripledub0evoxgsr do you know of anyone to change the weatherstripping in around Ocean County New Jersey?
Robbins top company will sell you a nice top and recommend a few local installers .
I am a first time corvette owner, I bought mine in 2021. My biggest complaints.
1 EBCM, I was quoted $3400 for a used one, Went through the grounds and now thats off. I paid a mechaninc to do that for me. Cost me $290.
2 Adjusting the headlight covers so the gap around them between the hood and nose looks right. That seems to be rediculously more difficult than it should be.
3 The headlight motors. I have to twist those knobs to get the lights to rise from their daytime coffins. Considering the Bugeye or flush mount but the flush monut lights aren't budget friendly.
4 The Oil pressure sensor. Had it replaced once. The next year had the tranny rebuilt and somehow the sensor doesn't work,,,, again.
5 The HVAC blend door actuator. It just isn't right to get nice cold air on one side of the car while the other side blows out air hot enough to make popcorn.
I aligned my headlight gaps/redid my motors with no experience and honestly it wasn’t too bad, just make sure you have a low stool or something so you don’t restore your back. It takes some time and patience, but it’s super rewarding
@@bzzzb8 I have a 2003 50th Anniversary convertible. My headlights weren’t popping up properly, so I bought aftermarket brass gears for them. The original nylon gears are rubbish and their teeth eventually wear down.
It was a pain in the butt job, since you need to snake your hands in tight spots around the motor boxes. You also have to pry open the sealed plastic motor boxes, then after you install the brass gears, you have to use epoxy glue to seal the boxes back up. But it was worth the effort - my headlights haven’t failed in years now.
Currently, my ABS light is on and the driver info center nags me every time I start the car that “Service required soon” or something like that. So, I’m going to remove the EBCM and resolder it, which I hope will fix it.
Regarding your HVAC blend actuator, have you ever had a battery leak? I did, and it ate through the small diameter plastic tube which provides the vacuum to operate the HVAC doors. Got lucky, since the battery is also located over top of the ECM, and some people have trashed the ECM with battery acid.
Good luck!
Destroy*
@@diegogolfhotel I have tried over a dozen times on mine and I haven't been able to get it look lined up the way it should be yet.
@@bzzzb8 vetteonvettes757 has a great video on the adjustments, I'd also make sure the actual headlight cover is seated properly with it's screws on the side once it's put in place. It's a pain in the butt though
Well said!!! I have a 2000 vert.
The creaky old dash and headlights flipping up and down would annoy me otherwise gotta love vettes. I have a c6 no problems.
My dash doesn’t creak and my headlights go up and down just fine at 120,000. Watch, I’ll blow a headlight motor or a drive gear tomorrow! LOL
@ keep rolling baby! Vette for life!
If you make a Video about a Car, you should 100% know what you are talking about, and not just drop some Facts, you have wrighten somewhere on the Internet.
1) There are 2 different Things nessesary to ABS to work. 1) ABS Module 2) ABS Control Unit (EBCM).
The ABS Module is fixable on all Cars, because ABS Modul is an Analog Thing.
The EBCM is the Problem here. And please stop talking over and over the same stupid Things.
The EBCM on the 01 and later Cars are also unfixable.
You could buy them new because there was enough on the Market. But now even the 01 and later EBCM start to get rare. And if your 01 or later Vette have EBCM Problems, you face the same Problems than 97-00 Cars.
There are no more New 01-04 EBCM to buy in 2024, and it is also unfixable.
"wrighten" ? Ok. I will do a better job of research if you take an English language course.
@@FindtheRightRoad
I dont need an englisch Course because i am from Germany. I speak German, Polisch, Russian and Englisch. So yes, i take an Englisch Course when you leran at least a second Language.
The EBCM is fixable. You’re a moron who needs to focus on grammar skills before moving up to cars. 😂
Easily the weakest link on this gen of Corvettes is the interior. The C6 interior looked like a complete upgrade, transformation when that car was released. All you lose buying C6 vs C5 is the flip-up headlights.
@@thomosburn8740 The C6 loses the curvy lines. It looks chopped off and stumpy. I've had both, I like the C6, I love the C5.
I kinda like the look of the C5 interior more. I feel like they could've done more with the C6, I'd rather have the re-used radio controls from a silverado than a re-used steering wheel from a Cobalt.
If you like the C6 Interior more, its your Deal.
I dont like the C6 Interior, it look way cheaper than the All Black C5 Interior.
The C5 is the last Analog Car, while the C6 is the first Computer on 4 Wheels Car.
I can read out Codes on the C5 without a expencive Car Tool.
If my ABS get broken, the C5 dont get into "Trouble Mode" and drive only 20mph.
I can open my C5 with an Key. If your Battery is empty, and the Car is closed you have a serious Problem.
And my C5 dont look like an ordinary Car from the Front.
The C6 look nice from the side and from the Back. But the Front look like an ordinary Car.
Yes, you lose the ICONIC flip up headlights found on every Corvette after 1962 and you lose the really aerodynamic good looks. 😂 I’ll stick with the C5 thanks!
Visors? You seriously start your top 7 things you hate with that? Wear Ray Bans..I really don't care to hear about your other 6.
Exactly. if sun visors are one of my biggest issues.i think ive done good with my purchase.
You forgot that it is the ugliest vette ever made. Looks heavy and fat. Especially from the back. Wheel base does not seem correct.
@@toddjohnson7133 The C5 is literally the sleekest out of all Corvette generations (lowest height). The length also gives it an exotic look. The only thing that looks heavy and fat is the car in your profile pic! 😅
@@YodaShanSOLID!!!! The C5 is indeed sleek and slicker than Bill Clinton in a room full of interns! My 2000 torch red beauty accelerates in neutral going down most hills. I’m routinely getting 34mpg on the DIC. She’s a 6 spd of course and I’m not ripping around. Just driving like an older adult. The car is truly a miracle of engineering!!!
@@YodaShan Look at resale. I'm not the only one that thinks the C5 is amateur auto styling. There is no one out there that thinks it looks exotic. They think I would sure rather have a C3, C4 or C6 than that lard butt design. Oh and that car in the pick would eat your C5 for lunch. Maybe you can upgrade one day. Maybe I should mention that I own a C2 (1964)...plus an early serial number Superformance Cobra and a 2019 GT350. I obviously love great design.
@toddjohnson7133 interesting. I have a C4 and often hear people saying they prefer the C5. I do like the C4 better but I will say the C5 is the last generation I really like. I hated when they got rid of the popup headlights
@@toddjohnson7133 I think it's time for you to drop the v6 mustang and hop in a real grown mans car, the C5 Corvette baby!! The ultimate head turner.