Hi everyone thanks for taking the time to check out the video and I hope you enjoyed it. If you did feel free to subscribe to the channel as I will be having some more Corvette content coming soon. Thanks a lot.
George. United way is a fraudulent charity. It’s ceo gets paid way too much not leaving much money too help people. The Salvation Army ceo dosnt get paid much leaving more money too help people
I had a 2000 FRC, loved the car, traded it in, on a 96 Grand Sport. The problem with the 97 to 01 C5 is the antiskid module can go out, and they can't be rebuilt.
Great review! I could not agree more with your personal impression - I love my C5 convertible from 2000 so much. After I had bought it as a used car a few years ago from a dealer I kept my Carrera 996 for 6 more month to see which car I would love more. And, whenever I was about leaving home for a ride, I automatically grabbed the Corvette key, even when it was rainy. So, I sold the Carrera and still enjoy my C5 and the German autobahn. And, cruising over country roads at low rpm is so lovely - and, with a push on the pedal the engine turns into a beast with roaring sound. The Carrera always sounded aggressive, even at idle rpm at a traffic cross.
Great review. I have a 2003 C5 automatic with about 135,000 miles. Most of your points are spot on. Mine does not have the rattles and squeaks you mentioned. You said the transmission is mounted transversely. I have not heard it described that way. My C5 did come with the usual issues: ABS traction system fails. Oil pressure switch fails. HVAC display goes blank. Headlight motors fail. Thanks to the forums, I was able to fix all of these myself.
@@iamalpha5134 I’ve always liked the looks of a coupe over a convertible plus you can take the roof off in a coupe and get open air motoring. Cant go wrong either way though.
Great review! Absolutely fantastic cars. I bought my 97 for 10,000$CAD at 18 years old. As you could imagine, I bag the piss out of my car and it just keeps taking it. 3 years in and zero issues, and the owner before me was also a young person who probably was as kind to it as I am. I am truly blown away by the reliability I've experienced. The best part of it is, I'll be able to get what I paid for the car when the time comes to move on.
G! You nailed it. I own a 04 Commerative and I just love it! Your video was well laid out and informative! Now, I’m not sure your in our club Corvette Club of Ontario. If not, please consider joining. We need all the C5 owners we can find. We’re a vanishing breed and we sure can use your thoughtful expertise. Cheers and thanks again for the video!
Thank you for a wonderful review of a great car. No one builds a high power gasoline engine like the US and North America. The $55,000 1988 twin Calloway 4 bolt main 350 small block V8 Corvette top end was 255 mph, faster than a show room Ferrari to this day. Any of the American Big 3 V8s last a life time, with minimal proper maintenance. As Jay Leno says, "Buy the 'Vette -- you can fix it with a hammer."
@@georgeoncars663 have you thought of a c6 z07, simply because the ls7 is such a great engine and is probably the last engine to start with a 7 that will be in any corvettes in the future.
@@georgeoncars663 I love em, but being only 16 I clearly cant afford one. But I am in the market for simply a base model c5 with the t56 6 speed manual transmission. Plenty of modification, reliable, efficient, and fun. And it looks great. Id swap some c6 z06 suspension and anti sway bars, stage 2 cam swap, ram air injection and a tune, get me to 415 bhp. The suspension and anti sway bars are interchangeable between the c5 and c6 z06. Many parts are. Some refer to the c6 as the c5.5, very similar cars.
A great review. Your wheels look good on it. I have a 2001 with an automatic. I don't have the rattles that you discuss but I will buy my next set of tires with lower noise as one of the factors in my purchase. One minor complaint that I have is the annoying, but harmless, 'piston slap' the engine has when it is cold. Many other Corvette Forum members also have this complaint. Overall I love my C5, in spite of a few minor gripes.
I daily drive a C5 Z06 6 speed car that’s a built 402 CI 600 HP LS2 and the car is phenomenal but the guy that built it put a lot of money in the car. I plan on driving it till the wheels fall off.
Have a 2004 C5 Z06 and it’s a total blast. I have no problem with the Spartan interior, it’s all about the driving experience. It’s a raw, powerful car and everything is dependent on the driver. It is a pure driving enthusiasts sports car. Definitely don’t make them like this anymore Oh. and pop up headlights. Last vehicle to have them
"The front seats?" Made me laugh. I have a 98 with the wagon wheels. I may have to ditch them at some point. Otherwise, I like the car more than the C4 I had for ten years. Thanks for the video.
@@georgeoncars663 Yes it is. Just the ease of pulling the targa top off the C5 compared to the C4 would be enough to sell you on one. Still like the C4's but how many corvettes can you fit into whatever garage space you might have. (heavy sigh)
Got one almost just like it. 1999 Black with Black Interior 6 spd stk. purchased it back in 2010 at 11 years old. Has 37k miles on it today. Mine doesn’t have Heads up display though and came with the Standard HVAC System. Stereo wise it came with the 12 Disc CD Changer set up in the trunk area. Last year of May 2020 I upgraded the stereo in the dash to a Kenwood Double Din Radio 7” Screen with CarPlay myself. Instantly it upgraded me thru today. I can’t tell you what a difference it is to answer my Cell Phone today while I am shifting the car right thru the Radio. So much easier and the stereo sound is much better thru the factory Boss Speaker System. I didn’t change a thing there. With the right interface everything is more then I expected. I should also mention that I sold my factory wheels right away and installed a set of Chrome Thin Spoke Wheels period Correct to my C5 and it looks great. I love the car. I am not new to Corvettes I own 3 others and have owned and driven Corvettes for 51 years this year of 2021. Purchased my first at 19 years old a ‘67 Vert. In 1970. Today I own 4 Coupes ‘67,’73,’99 and 2006. This was a very good Video I should also mention although I don’t agree with you on the interior or all the noises you mention that you hear. Maybe your car may have more miles on it who knows. Mine is pretty tight and to be honest I have no problem with the interior in my car other then I had to fix the left side boaster in the drivers seat a couple of years ago. It’s a little bit of work but they sell a kit to do the internal repair pretty cheaply. You are right about the Skip Shift device they sell in the after market. It’s not a Switch but a small wiring harness you put between another wire harness under the car going to the Transmission. I think I purchased mine on EBay if I am remembering correctly and maybe paid $21 for it when i got mine. For the money today if you look hard enough you can still find a low mileage C5 out there if anyone wants one at a very fair price. It is not something I would drive everyday and in all weather though. Just make sure you also own something else to get you around and just enjoy the car on nice days.
Great review. All accurate in my opinion. Many of the quirks like tire noise and interior rattles and squeaks can be reduced or eliminated easily. New non run flat tires will eliminate the road noise and poor handling. Proper conditioning of interior parts eliminates squeaks. Tightening and adjusting the Targa top locking levers will reduce/ eliminate the roof squeaks. I've owned three C5s and still have the first one I bought. Which is a 99 coupe that I purchased new as a leftover in 2000. As a 20+ year C5 owner these cars are absolutely the best bang for your buck two seater sports car you can buy used. My '99 hasn't been stock for decades. When built correctly the LS1 is an amazing power plant for performance mods. Not cheap to do correctly, but what is? Plus these cars are extremely easy to DIY repairs. You cannot go wrong unless you buy a really broken one..
@@georgeoncars663 100% stay away from run-flats, George. The personality of your car will change drastically. Run-flat tires are absolute garbage and expensive garbage a5lt that. The C5 deserves a mulch softer better performing tire. I've enjoyed Nitto for many years but there are plenty comparable non run-flat options that will not only quiet the ride, but make the car perform better at launch and cornering.
@@georgeoncars663 Thank you George. I can relate to your weather comment. I live in the Ice Box of NJ, so I'll be looking forward to your further videos. Stay well, stay safe and STAY WARM!😉
The "Wave" has been around since the production of the first Corvette in 1953, actually longer than that, but that's a whole other story. The Wave can take many forms, from an actual out the window wave, to a thumb's up, a toot on the horn or a flashing of the headlights.Don't be afraid to initiate it and always try to reciprocate, even if the Vette you were waving to has already passed you. You'd be surprised how many owners check their rear view mirrors to see if you've reciprocated.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m pretty sure I’ll be doing the CAGS bypass this summer and addressing the column lock issue too. I’m surprised I waited so long. 👍
@@georgeoncars663 if you are the second or third owner of a C5 corvette there is a strong likelihood that many of the concerns have already been addressed. The column lock bypass was likely done by the dealer. The only way to truly eliminate the locked column issue, even with a good battery, is the LMC5 column lock bypass with "Brown wire mod" (about $50 and ten minutes to install) The brown wire jump in the kit is a must do. A proper tune will also eliminate the CAGs issue. Not just the module.
@@gotmylk Thanks again. I'm the second owner and have owned the car since 2005. I should have addressed these concerns a long time ago, but to be honest I've been lazy. lol. I'll definately do something this summer.
@@georgeoncars663 ha! I totally get it George. I have 6 cars between my wife and I. So I've become somewhat lazy over the years when it comes to my '99 coupe. The car has sentimental value in that it was the car I had when I met my wife and we were dating in our mid twenties. It's been many years and three separate performance builds. The last, in 2008, being fully forged internals and a 232/236/ 113+ cam and stage 2 heads. These days we drive every car we own but the '99 coupe. I've since had a resurgence in wanting to enjoy the car more, so it's going to ECS in a few weeks to get supercharged.
i just got a 2000 frc black on black 6 speed with 6500 original miles ! the average guy that wants a c5 does not give a shit about panel gaps and interior b/s. still good review.
Congratulations on finding such a mint condition car. Agree panel gaps and interior quality don’t bother me to much either but I thought I should mention them. Enjoy your car.
Additional comments from a very happy new C5Z owner: 1) Seats - they just plain suck. Fine for light cruising, but for real driving or even comfort you’ll want new ones soon. Corbeau makes some good ones that fit great (Evolution X). 2) Headlights - they are *dangerously* bad stock. Quick fix is to swap them out for some cheap LED bulbs, which offer massive improvement for very little money. 3) Heat - these engines run hot! It’s a good idea to make sure your coolant is fresh, and you can re-program the radiator fans to turn on earlier, which helps with temps. Even better, a larger radiator helps big time! 4) Jacking/Lifting - these cars are LOW, and have pretty complicated jacking procedures. If you’re a DIY guy, make sure you’ve got the right equipment. 5) Stereo - I found that a BT adapter from Amazon was the best/easiest way to get BT calls and music, while keeping the stock look (and not having to rewire anything or rip out the interior). 6) Brakes - the pads can be weak on these cars, but some decent Hawk (or similar) pads will have you ready for the track. The Z brake rotors and calipers are more than good enough for moderate track use.
Beautiful black corvette in mint condition,sir if you ever going to sell and you want make sure buter will preserve it in this condition,i will be honoured to do so.
Wow, I just found your review and I agree with you on almost everything. I have a 2000 c5 white, I have always liked the black cars , I have had a 94 c4 black, and living in Tucson az black doesn't work here but your c5 is very nice, great video 👍
Keep a well schooled eye on those thin spokes, they are notorious for cracking, breaking, and leaking air, usually where the the spoke joins the rim. Wagon wheels don"t do that they are much stronger, I put my "Chrome" wagon wheels back on with a set of Continental extreme contact "sport" tires, they stick like duct tape. I have a 99 torch red roadster, black top, black guts, 6 speed , heads up, no body side moldings, all bone stock with 17,000 original miles. I like your car too, it looks great, keep up the good work. Gotta represent Bro!
Great video... I know e lot of owners dislike the interior, but I really like how it looks. Kind of like a 90's time capsule. LOL but I agree with you on the wheels. My 98 has those wagon wheels too but I prefer to keep close to original. Also I picked up a nifty coffee cup holder addon from Corvette Clips that solved that loose drink holder problem. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
Haven't even checked your other videos yet, but you got a new sub. Lucky that the c5 is my absolute dream car as a teenager. I don't care for luxury, I just want some cheap and reliable performance and fun. Of course going with the t56 6 speed. Once I get it in who knows how long, im looking for a stage 3 cam swap and ram air injection and a tune, looking for 415 horsepower 415 torque ideal, I've just always found 1-1 power and torque a satisfying figure. The interior looks great, im youst to a 03 ranger xlt and a 02 escort zx2. You got a beautiful car.
A 6000rpm redline for a V8 in 1997 when the LS1 came out was exotic territory. Comparing it to a current GT350R is silly. I had zero squeaks, or rattles in my stiffer suspended 2004 Z16. The aftermarket is more robust than almost any other platform.
Hi I am thinking of getting C5, Is the 2000 and prior year models EBCM an issue? Should I avoid those production years? I saw one 1999 and seems like in good condition but not sure after doing a few research that ABS module could be a problems for those production years. Thanks.
I don’t know much about the issue, but I have heard the C5’s prior to 2001 had issues. That being said if I was shopping for a c5 I would avoid those years. I’d actually look for a lightly used 2004. A good source for more info is the corvette forum. Hope that helps. 👍
Try realigning your shifting to fix your 1st and reverse issue. I have a c5 ebay short shifter (came with the car) and c5 bottom stock box. I had issues till I realigned it and now it shifts great. I was going to go mgw but happy enough with this setup to not. I would honestly buy this shifter again and install it for the price ~70 dollars. *edit mine is a hurst shift - the ebay ones look just like it. Also you can replace the 2 rubber bushings that hold the lower shift box for 27 dollars with harder rubber or solid bushings for 50. I went with solid rubber. All of these little things add up.
6 Speed Shifting sucks on these. Had a 97. A must is the Anti Venom mod which is just a couple of Copper washers which lightens tension or drag on the shifter rod in the trans and relieves the notchy feel. Yes get rid of the CAGS!
If I could get my ride control and and abs system fixed and my climate control lights I would be happy no but I love my 2000 c5 for real lol it’s the best car I have ever had
@@stephendibari5010 you’re right about BMW’s. I think they’re great cars, but the reliability long term isn’t good . We’ve got an X4 that we’ll be unloading once the mileage gets up there.
@@georgeoncars663 I learned the hard way. I had a 2013 X5 with over 50k miles and 5 years old. Empty money pit. Couldn’t even sell it privately and after 8 long months and about $2k I traded it in and got a 2013 Lexus ES350. Trouble free
@@georgeoncars663 Hi George, I've just bought a 2004 Commemorative Edition. It's my first Corvette and it had to be this one with the 6 sp man. Only bought it in the October and so still haven't put 100 miles on it yet!
I'm looking at some 1999s. Any problems I should know about? The battery is a big issue and no spare is a worry if driving cross country. I'm hoping for an automatic, removable hardtop, and upgrading for GPentire ice. How comfortable is a cross country trip. Is the seating comfortable enough? Dan the steering wheel be upgraded? I just missed a 1999 with 20,000 miles that was garaged its entire life. The price was $20K. Thanks for your honesty.
I’ve got a video coming up where I’ll be talking about these types of things so stay tuned. The EBCM is a know problem on C5s prior to 2001 so I’d recommend getting a bit later model preferably an 2004. Also the harmonic balancers can fail and cause problems. Leaking batteries can be bad news as the battery is over the engine computer. Steering column is known to lock unless you get the bypass or recall. Hard to explain everything, but I’d check out the corvette forum. Lots of great info. As for the steering wheel you can upgrade it and the car is very comfortable for long trips in my opinion. Good luck in your search. 👍
@@georgeoncars663 , Hello, thanks for your videos. I bought a 99 'vert a year ago. The previous owner fixed the column lock issue. Everything works , fingers crossed, I am NOT a mechanic, just an ols geezer on Van Island, lol. The car was/is a garage queen, 56,000kms. Just in case, is there an EBCM fixer that works?? Yes, the internet shows one or two places that claim to fix them, but??? Any input would be welcome........./murray/west coast
@@dipshit781 I haven’t looked into it much, but from what I’ve heard if you have a problem with it you might be out of luck. I’d check the corvette forum. Lots of good info there. Enjoy your new ride. 👍
Thanks George...excellent review. I am considering purchasing a 03' 50th anni.....you mentioned towards the end of your review cars that have been driven hard...in your experience what are some ways to determine that? Thank-you.
There's a lot of things to look for. I like to check the carfax to see if it's clean. I also like to have a mechanic check the car over and have the dealer run a VIN history. I'd start by checking the tires. If they are bald or are drag radials the vehicle might be driven hard. I'd also check for any performance mods that may be put on. Odds are if they put a lot of performance mods on the car they like to drive a bit hard. It's important to get the maintenance history. I'll probably do a video on how to buy a used car later this year. Good luck in your search.
I have owned numerous corvettes, including 98, 99 and 2000 C5, along with 3 C4s and one C6. The C5 is bullet, even for todays standards. Those things can handle and go with Authority. A true machine. That being said, The C5 price point of 15,000 is a joke. Everyone keeps on saying how you can even buy them for 10,000, well you can, but they are very high mileage cars that are considered undesirable and will end up costing you more down the road. Major repairs that can run you into the many thousands. So if you can avoid a high milage car, do it. Look for a clean, low mileage car and pay the premium price for it. A nice low mileage C5 coupe, 2001-2004, which are the ones you want, will run you well past twenty thousand and a convertible, depending how its equipped will be more than 30K. A low mileage ZO6 is more than 35K. These are the ones you need to look for, for investment, peace of mind and ride quality. The more stock you keep it, with the exception of a high end exhaust or simple drop in the box K&N filter, the more it will maintain its value. Plus keep in mind with the low car inventory, its only making prices are go up.
I gave to the United way thru payroll deduction for many years. I lost my job, my young daughter had medical problems and bleeding in the hospital. I was hurting. I asked United way to help me - they giggled at me. Never again did I give them a dime. It's a scam because the top managers are driving Bentleys.
as a teen having a respectable budget and wanting to stick out, the c5 has caught my eye recently but even after plenty o my own research, i still learned many things from this vid, really well done. if the dream comes true ill be sure to come back once again, until then, envy it is.
Thanks for the kind words. I’ll be having some more C5 content coming up this summer. Good luck with your search and I’m sure you’ll end up finding a great vette.
i am currently looking at purchasing either a 2001 with 96k miles , or a 1999 with 40k miles…. not sure which one will keep me out of the shop the most. i’ve heard to stay away from anything under 2001 but the 99’ i’m looking at only has 40k miles. both automatics too , any help? might be leaning towards the 01’ just because of reliability history (even though it has 56k more miles) what’s your opinion?
It really depends on the individual car. I’ve seen some beat up cars with low mileage and some higher mileage cars that are well taken care of and maintained properly that look and run great. If you’re unsure find a good mechanic or shop to take a look at both cars. In general the later cars are the ones to buy all things being equal, but I can tell you I’ve had very few issues with my 99. Hope that helps.
How difficult is it to bring a car back from America? I’m in Thunder Bay Ontario and looking to add 1994 or 1996 to the family. Found A LOT of nicely priced corvettes in Vegas and Phoenix but wondering if it’s easy to bring one back to Ontario. Any advice? Thank you.
It’s been a while since I did this but check out the riv.ca website as there is a lot of good info there. Some cars need more updates to make them road worthy in Ontario. For example daytime running lights, speedometer changes, bumper changes etc. I think for a 94 to 96 they might be old enough where you don’t have to do those upgrades though. Like I said check out the riv.ca site. Good luck with your search.
Hi everyone thanks for taking the time to check out the video and I hope you enjoyed it. If you did feel free to subscribe to the channel as I will be having some more Corvette content coming soon. Thanks a lot.
Haha, I just got that Exact car. Black and all. Just an Automatic...
@@dark2knight222 cool. Enjoy it.
George. United way is a fraudulent charity. It’s ceo gets paid way too much not leaving much money too help people. The Salvation Army ceo dosnt get paid much leaving more money too help people
@@ericrumley8061 thanks for the feedback. I’ll have to look into that.
Best C5 review ever!!
Thanks Jennifer (full disclosure this is my wife. lol :) )
Pretty damn good review, and shots fired at DeMuro lol.
Glad you enjoyed it. As for Doug I’m just having fun. I’m a huge fan of his.
I was recently gifted a pristine C5z from my dad. Im glad I know the original owner history lol. Really loving the car and cruising with my dad 🤙
That’s awesome and super generous of your dad. 👍
I'm guessing you dad passed?
Great review... I been saving up and am going to buy a c5 this spring!
That’s awesome. I’ve had my C5 for a long time and love it. 👍
Meeee to!
I had a 2000 FRC, loved the car, traded it in, on a 96 Grand Sport. The problem with the 97 to 01 C5 is the antiskid module can go out, and they can't be rebuilt.
Make sure you check harmonic balancer. Read up on them. If it wobbles tale $1000 off the price to fix otherwise you could be in for a big expense
Great review! I could not agree more with your personal impression - I love my C5 convertible from 2000 so much. After I had bought it as a used car a few years ago from a dealer I kept my Carrera 996 for 6 more month to see which car I would love more. And, whenever I was about leaving home for a ride, I automatically grabbed the Corvette key, even when it was rainy. So, I sold the Carrera and still enjoy my C5 and the German autobahn.
And, cruising over country roads at low rpm is so lovely - and, with a push on the pedal the engine turns into a beast with roaring sound. The Carrera always sounded aggressive, even at idle rpm at a traffic cross.
Thanks for the feedback. Having a Corvette in Germany must be great. 👍
Great review. I have a 2003 C5 automatic with about 135,000 miles. Most of your points are spot on. Mine does not have the rattles and squeaks you mentioned. You said the transmission is mounted transversely. I have not heard it described that way. My C5 did come with the usual issues: ABS traction system fails. Oil pressure switch fails. HVAC display goes blank. Headlight motors fail. Thanks to the forums, I was able to fix all of these myself.
Glad you enjoyed the video Greg. Also glad to see you’re driving and enjoying your C5. 👍
Nicely done , just picked up my C 5 a month ago , love it !
Thanks S.W. They are great cars and you sure get a lot for your money.
Very well done. C5s are a massive ground pounding sports car.
Thanks for the kind words. 👍
Great review on the C5 Corvette. I’ve owned mine for seven years and still enjoy driving it. Yes great value indeed.👍
Glad you enjoyed the review and glad you’re enjoying your C5. 👍
It remains a purposeful yet elegant design that will never look like an open box of knives coming at you. Nice review!
Thanks and glad you enjoyed it.
I have the exact same black Corvette, a 2004 with 39k miles. Purchased mine summer of 2017.. very happy 😊
That’s awesome. Enjoy. 👍
Looking to buy one in a month or so. Excited to see prices coming back down to reality.
Good luck. You’re going to enjoy C5 ownership. 👍
Very nice review. I'm a 1999 c5 Corvette owner. Absolutely love it. New subber. 👍🏾
Thanks for the sub. Glad you’re enjoying your C5. 👍
@@iamalpha5134 . In my opinion the coupe is better.
@@iamalpha5134 I’ve always liked the looks of a coupe over a convertible plus you can take the roof off in a coupe and get open air motoring. Cant go wrong either way though.
Great review! Absolutely fantastic cars. I bought my 97 for 10,000$CAD at 18 years old. As you could imagine, I bag the piss out of my car and it just keeps taking it. 3 years in and zero issues, and the owner before me was also a young person who probably was as kind to it as I am. I am truly blown away by the reliability I've experienced. The best part of it is, I'll be able to get what I paid for the car when the time comes to move on.
Great to hear. You bought very well. Enjoy. 👍
G! You nailed it. I own a 04 Commerative and I just love it! Your video was well laid out and informative!
Now, I’m not sure your in our club Corvette Club of Ontario. If not, please consider joining. We need all the C5 owners we can find. We’re a vanishing breed and we sure can use your thoughtful expertise. Cheers and thanks again for the video!
Thanks for the feedback and the 04 commemorative cars are awesome. I’m not part of the Ontario club but I’ll check it out. Thanks again.
Excellent review of an excellent car George. Well done.
Thanks James, glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for a wonderful review of a great car.
No one builds a high power gasoline engine like the US and North America.
The $55,000 1988 twin Calloway 4 bolt main 350 small block V8 Corvette top end was 255 mph, faster than a show room Ferrari to this day. Any of the American Big 3 V8s last a life time, with minimal proper maintenance.
As Jay Leno says, "Buy the 'Vette -- you can fix it with a hammer."
I remember that Calloway twin turbo. That thing was awesome. Thanks for watching the video. 👍
I own a c7 but love the C5! Can’t wait to see more videos on this car.
Thanks Frank. I’m a big fan of the C7. Might be my next Corvette.
@@georgeoncars663 have you thought of a c6 z07, simply because the ls7 is such a great engine and is probably the last engine to start with a 7 that will be in any corvettes in the future.
@@ryanrake2714 Funny you should ask. I've been looking at a lot of C6 Z06's lately. I'm a huge fan of the Ron Fellows cars. Maybe in a few years.
@@georgeoncars663 I love em, but being only 16 I clearly cant afford one. But I am in the market for simply a base model c5 with the t56 6 speed manual transmission. Plenty of modification, reliable, efficient, and fun. And it looks great. Id swap some c6 z06 suspension and anti sway bars, stage 2 cam swap, ram air injection and a tune, get me to 415 bhp. The suspension and anti sway bars are interchangeable between the c5 and c6 z06. Many parts are. Some refer to the c6 as the c5.5, very similar cars.
Nice review! Been looking at a 99 c5 with 60k miles on it. I am going to snag it now
Congratulations and enjoy. 👍
Very strong review sir.. looks nice for a 99- I actually own a C5 2004 triple black convertible Corvette myself w/ only 28K miles 👍
Thanks for the kind words. I love the convertibles. I’m pretty sure that’s what my next Corvette will be. 👍
@@georgeoncars663 understood sir.. 👍
first you had my curiosity but now you have my attention
👍
I really enjoyed this video . Thanks for doing it. Beautiful C5 by the way. Love the interior colour combo.
Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed it. 👍
A great review. Your wheels look good on it. I have a 2001 with an automatic. I don't have the rattles that you discuss but I will buy my next set of tires with lower noise as one of the factors in my purchase. One minor complaint that I have is the annoying, but harmless, 'piston slap' the engine has when it is cold. Many other Corvette Forum members also have this complaint. Overall I love my C5, in spite of a few minor gripes.
Thanks for the kind words John. C5 s are amazing cars.
I have had my 1999 C5 convertible for coming up to 5 years. We just love it! Your review is spot on!
Thanks for the kind words James. Glad you enjoyed it.
I daily drive a C5 Z06 6 speed car that’s a built 402 CI 600 HP LS2 and the car is phenomenal but the guy that built it put a lot of money in the car. I plan on driving it till the wheels fall off.
That’s awesome. They’re meant to be driven. Enjoy. 👍
Great review! I'm in the market for a C5 and you answered plenty of my questions! Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it and good luck with your search. 👍
Great review, keep up the good work on the channel!
Proud to be Canadian
From Vancouver, Canada
Hi Brett, thanks for the kind words, appreciate your feedback. 👍.
Best C5 review on world wide web and I saw them all.
Thanks a lot and glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Have a 2004 C5 Z06 and it’s a total blast. I have no problem with the Spartan interior, it’s all about the driving experience. It’s a raw, powerful car and everything is dependent on the driver. It is a pure driving enthusiasts sports car. Definitely don’t make them like this anymore
Oh. and pop up headlights. Last vehicle to have them
Love the C5 ZO6. It doesn’t get any better than that. 👍
George On Cars the C5 is awesome in any trim especially if it’s a manual!
Your C5 is beautiful 👍🏼
It is amazing to see so many low-mileage and good-condition C5s out there. This is truly an unusual value.
Very true. It’s easy to find a low mileage unit in great condition. 👍
"The front seats?" Made me laugh. I have a 98 with the wagon wheels. I may have to ditch them at some point. Otherwise, I like the car more than the C4 I had for ten years. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for sharing. The C5 was definitely a big change over the C4.
@@georgeoncars663 Yes it is. Just the ease of pulling the targa top off the C5 compared to the C4 would be enough to sell you on one. Still like the C4's but how many corvettes can you fit into whatever garage space you might have. (heavy sigh)
Got one almost just like it. 1999 Black with Black Interior 6 spd stk. purchased it back in 2010 at 11 years old. Has 37k miles on it today. Mine doesn’t have Heads up display though and came with the Standard HVAC System. Stereo wise it came with the 12 Disc CD Changer set up in the trunk area. Last year of May 2020 I upgraded the stereo in the dash to a Kenwood Double Din Radio 7” Screen with CarPlay myself. Instantly it upgraded me thru today. I can’t tell you what a difference it is to answer my Cell Phone today while I am shifting the car right thru the Radio. So much easier and the stereo sound is much better thru the factory Boss Speaker System. I didn’t change a thing there. With the right interface everything is more then I expected. I should also mention that I sold my factory wheels right away and installed a set of Chrome Thin Spoke Wheels period Correct to my C5 and it looks great. I love the car. I am not new to Corvettes I own 3 others and have owned and driven Corvettes for 51 years this year of 2021. Purchased my first at 19 years old a ‘67 Vert. In 1970. Today I own 4 Coupes ‘67,’73,’99 and 2006. This was a very good Video I should also mention although I don’t agree with you on the interior or all the noises you mention that you hear. Maybe your car may have more miles on it who knows. Mine is pretty tight and to be honest I have no problem with the interior in my car other then I had to fix the left side boaster in the drivers seat a couple of years ago. It’s a little bit of work but they sell a kit to do the internal repair pretty cheaply. You are right about the Skip Shift device they sell in the after market. It’s not a Switch but a small wiring harness you put between another wire harness under the car going to the Transmission. I think I purchased mine on EBay if I am remembering correctly and maybe paid $21 for it when i got mine. For the money today if you look hard enough you can still find a low mileage C5 out there if anyone wants one at a very fair price. It is not something I would drive everyday and in all weather though. Just make sure you also own something else to get you around and just enjoy the car on nice days.
Thanks for the detailed post. You own 4 corvettes which is awesome. Enjoy. 👍
I just like the clear license plate cover in the front. Love it when its factory color with the corvette stamp
Thanks. The clear cover is a nice option when u have to have a front plate. Otherwise I like the factory color ones too.
Great video man... I been on the hunt of a c5 and I didn’t know they hard the coupe and the hardtop
Glad you enjoyed the video. Good luck with your search.
Nice review, you seem like a great chap.
Cheers from langoon, WI.
Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the video. 👍
Excellent job on this description of the c 5 the best I have ever seen.good job!
Thanks for the kind words and for taking the time to watch the video. 👍
Excellent review! I wish you had gotten on it once showing 0-60
Thanks for checking out the video. That’s a good point I’ll have get on it more in future videos. 👍
Awesome review! Smashed the like button!!
Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Great review George, well done. Your ‘Vette looks great.
Thanks for the kind words Steve.
Great review. All accurate in my opinion. Many of the quirks like tire noise and interior rattles and squeaks can be reduced or eliminated easily. New non run flat tires will eliminate the road noise and poor handling. Proper conditioning of interior parts eliminates squeaks. Tightening and adjusting the Targa top locking levers will reduce/ eliminate the roof squeaks.
I've owned three C5s and still have the first one I bought. Which is a 99 coupe that I purchased new as a leftover in 2000.
As a 20+ year C5 owner these cars are absolutely the best bang for your buck two seater sports car you can buy used.
My '99 hasn't been stock for decades. When built correctly the LS1 is an amazing power plant for performance mods. Not cheap to do correctly, but what is?
Plus these cars are extremely easy to DIY repairs. You cannot go wrong unless you buy a really broken one..
Great advice on reducing some of the squeaks and rattles and I'm do for a new set of tires so i'll stay away from run flats. Thanks again.
@@georgeoncars663 100% stay away from run-flats, George. The personality of your car will change drastically. Run-flat tires are absolute garbage and expensive garbage a5lt that. The C5 deserves a mulch softer better performing tire. I've enjoyed Nitto for many years but there are plenty comparable non run-flat options that will not only quiet the ride, but make the car perform better at launch and cornering.
Doug DeMuro is starting to sweat a little. Great review. I love the clear front plate cover btw, genius.
Lol. Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the video. 👍
Great Video. I picked up a 04 Black with the same interior. Painted the Calibers red. Loved your video Dude. Save the wave.
Thanks and glad u enjoyed the video and glad you’re enjoying your C5. 👍
Best C5 review ever! Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it.
Doug has nothing on you my friend. Looking forward to more - hopefully about the ins and outs of the C5. Count me in as a subscriber!
I've got two words for your review. Well done!👍 Enjoy your ride and always . . . . . Save the Wave👋
Oh yeah. I forgot to mention that I'm subscriber No.30.😎
@@petercarey6883 hey Peter thanks a lot. I’m hoping to have some more good content once the weather warms up.
@@georgeoncars663 Thank you George. I can relate to your weather comment. I live in the Ice Box of NJ, so I'll be looking forward to your further videos. Stay well, stay safe and STAY WARM!😉
Iv owned my c5 for a year now didnt know there was a wave,will have yo remember no to notice
The "Wave" has been around since the production of the first Corvette in 1953, actually longer than that, but that's a whole other story. The Wave can take many forms, from an actual out the window wave, to a thumb's up, a toot on the horn or a flashing of the headlights.Don't be afraid to initiate it and always try to reciprocate, even if the Vette you were waving to has already passed you. You'd be surprised how many owners check their rear view mirrors to see if you've reciprocated.
That motor released in 1997. 6000RPMS at that time for base V8 was, and still is pretty darn good.
I couldn’t agree more. Love the LS1 engine.
The CAGS bypass is the first mod most people do to their Camaro or Vette. Nice review bud.
Thanks for the kind words. I’m pretty sure I’ll be doing the CAGS bypass this summer and addressing the column lock issue too. I’m surprised I waited so long. 👍
@@georgeoncars663 if you are the second or third owner of a C5 corvette there is a strong likelihood that many of the concerns have already been addressed. The column lock bypass was likely done by the dealer. The only way to truly eliminate the locked column issue, even with a good battery, is the LMC5 column lock bypass with "Brown wire mod" (about $50 and ten minutes to install) The brown wire jump in the kit is a must do. A proper tune will also eliminate the CAGs issue. Not just the module.
@@gotmylk Thanks again. I'm the second owner and have owned the car since 2005. I should have addressed these concerns a long time ago, but to be honest I've been lazy. lol. I'll definately do something this summer.
@@georgeoncars663 ha! I totally get it George. I have 6 cars between my wife and I. So I've become somewhat lazy over the years when it comes to my '99 coupe.
The car has sentimental value in that it was the car I had when I met my wife and we were dating in our mid twenties. It's been many years and three separate performance builds. The last, in 2008, being fully forged internals and a 232/236/ 113+ cam and stage 2 heads. These days we drive every car we own but the '99 coupe.
I've since had a resurgence in wanting to enjoy the car more, so it's going to ECS in a few weeks to get supercharged.
Lol! Great review and loved the Doug Demuro comment!😂🤣😂
Thanks and lol. Love Doug.
i just got a 2000 frc black on black 6 speed with 6500 original miles ! the average guy that wants a c5 does not give a shit about panel gaps and interior b/s. still good review.
Congratulations on finding such a mint condition car. Agree panel gaps and interior quality don’t bother me to much either but I thought I should mention them. Enjoy your car.
nicely made video, very in depth and thorough. Well spoken, and good video/audio quality
Thanks a lot for the compliment. Glad you enjoyed it.
Additional comments from a very happy new C5Z owner:
1) Seats - they just plain suck. Fine for light cruising, but for real driving or even comfort you’ll want new ones soon. Corbeau makes some good ones that fit great (Evolution X).
2) Headlights - they are *dangerously* bad stock. Quick fix is to swap them out for some cheap LED bulbs, which offer massive improvement for very little money.
3) Heat - these engines run hot! It’s a good idea to make sure your coolant is fresh, and you can re-program the radiator fans to turn on earlier, which helps with temps. Even better, a larger radiator helps big time!
4) Jacking/Lifting - these cars are LOW, and have pretty complicated jacking procedures. If you’re a DIY guy, make sure you’ve got the right equipment.
5) Stereo - I found that a BT adapter from Amazon was the best/easiest way to get BT calls and music, while keeping the stock look (and not having to rewire anything or rip out the interior).
6) Brakes - the pads can be weak on these cars, but some decent Hawk (or similar) pads will have you ready for the track. The Z brake rotors and calipers are more than good enough for moderate track use.
Great comments and I agree 100%. Thanks for the feedback. 👍
Very clean c5 as soon as I get a 4 post lift I will be looking for a c5 or c6.
Thanks and good luck with your search. Funny you should mention a four post lift. I’ll be looking to get one at some point too. 👍
Beautiful black corvette in mint condition,sir if you ever going to sell and you want make sure buter will preserve it in this condition,i will be honoured to do so.
Thanks for the kind words. 👍
Very good overview. Thank you sir!
Thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed it.
Wow, I just found your review and I agree with you on almost everything.
I have a 2000 c5 white, I have always liked the black cars , I have had a 94 c4 black, and living in Tucson az black doesn't work here but your c5 is very nice, great video 👍
Thanks for the kind words. Almost bought a black C4 (95) years ago. They’re awesome cars too. 👍
Keep a well schooled eye on those thin spokes, they are notorious for cracking, breaking, and leaking air, usually where the the spoke joins the rim. Wagon wheels don"t do that they are much stronger, I put my "Chrome" wagon wheels back on with a set of Continental extreme contact "sport" tires, they stick like duct tape. I have a 99 torch red roadster, black top, black guts, 6 speed , heads up, no body side moldings, all bone stock with 17,000 original miles. I like your car too, it looks great, keep up the good work. Gotta represent Bro!
Great info to have. Thanks for sharing. 👍
Great video... I know e lot of owners dislike the interior, but I really like how it looks. Kind of like a 90's time capsule. LOL but I agree with you on the wheels. My 98 has those wagon wheels too but I prefer to keep close to original. Also I picked up a nifty coffee cup holder addon from Corvette Clips that solved that loose drink holder problem. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
Thanks for the kind words and nice upgrade with the drink holder. 👍
Excellent video bro ❤
Thanks for the kind feedback. 👍
Great video!
Thanks Jason glad you enjoyed it.
Very well done indeed!
Thanks Louis. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Love the black!
Thanks. 👍
Haven't even checked your other videos yet, but you got a new sub. Lucky that the c5 is my absolute dream car as a teenager. I don't care for luxury, I just want some cheap and reliable performance and fun. Of course going with the t56 6 speed. Once I get it in who knows how long, im looking for a stage 3 cam swap and ram air injection and a tune, looking for 415 horsepower 415 torque ideal, I've just always found 1-1 power and torque a satisfying figure. The interior looks great, im youst to a 03 ranger xlt and a 02 escort zx2. You got a beautiful car.
Thanks for the sub and kind words. I'm tossing around the idea of some mods too. Nothing crazy, just another 50 to 100hp.
@@georgeoncars663 be a lot of fun I’ll tell ya. I had similar plans myself. Loving the vids
I have a 97 6 speed car and I like it yes you can't beat the value for your dollar and if you want you can to any chevy dealer for service .
Access to the Chevy dealers and cost of ownership is a big plus. Enjoy your 97. 👍
Awesome video man! Super cool seeing car content from fellow Ontarians lol
Thanks a lot Anthony. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great review, and very informative! Thank you :)
Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Best bang-for-buck sports car currently available. Period.
A 6000rpm redline for a V8 in 1997 when the LS1 came out was exotic territory. Comparing it to a current GT350R is silly. I had zero squeaks, or rattles in my stiffer suspended 2004 Z16. The aftermarket is more robust than almost any other platform.
Agree 100%
@@danziger69 thanks for the feedback. Appreciate your perspective 👍
Great review!
Thanks for checking it out. 👍
Excellent review
Thanks glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Excellent review! Well done!
Thanks Mark. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi I am thinking of getting C5, Is the 2000 and prior year models EBCM an issue? Should I avoid those production years? I saw one 1999 and seems like in good condition but not sure after doing a few research that ABS module could be a problems for those production years. Thanks.
I don’t know much about the issue, but I have heard the C5’s prior to 2001 had issues. That being said if I was shopping for a c5 I would avoid those years. I’d actually look for a lightly used 2004. A good source for more info is the corvette forum. Hope that helps. 👍
Try realigning your shifting to fix your 1st and reverse issue.
I have a c5 ebay short shifter (came with the car) and c5 bottom stock box. I had issues till I realigned it and now it shifts great.
I was going to go mgw but happy enough with this setup to not. I would honestly buy this shifter again and install it for the price ~70 dollars.
*edit mine is a hurst shift - the ebay ones look just like it.
Also you can replace the 2 rubber bushings that hold the lower shift box for 27 dollars with harder rubber or solid bushings for 50. I went with solid rubber. All of these little things add up.
Great feedback. Thanks for sharing. 👍
Very informative video,thinking of getting one, was lots of help,thx
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
How does this guy only have 220 subs?!
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you’re enjoying the channel. 👍
6 Speed Shifting sucks on these. Had a 97. A must is the Anti Venom mod which is just a couple of Copper washers which lightens tension or drag on the shifter rod in the trans and relieves the notchy feel. Yes get rid of the CAGS!
Thanks for the tip on the transmission mod. I’ll have to look into that. 👍
Great review man!
Glad you enjoyed it 👍
This was great
Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
good vid bro, this might be my first car
Glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Love my triple black 6 spd 2000 convertible
A six speed convertible is hard to beat for summer cruising. 👍
Nice video!
Thanks for taking the time to check it out. 👍
My 1999 C5 Rocks!
Couldn’t agree more. 👍
Damn good review
Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to watch the video. 👍
If I could get my ride control and and abs system fixed and my climate control lights I would be happy no but I love my 2000 c5 for real lol it’s the best car I have ever had
Check out the corvette forum. Lots of knowledgeable people on there. They may be able to help you out.
Fantastic job!!
Thanks for checking it out Tyler. 👍
@@georgeoncars663 looking at getting a C5 myself. Still shopping. :)
Nice review!
Thanks for taking the time to check out the video. 👍
@@georgeoncars663 saw the end I would definitely not recommend a BMW M3. Any BMW with Over 50,000 miles and/or 5+ years old are empty money pits
@@stephendibari5010 you’re right about BMW’s. I think they’re great cars, but the reliability long term isn’t good . We’ve got an X4 that we’ll be unloading once the mileage gets up there.
@@georgeoncars663 I learned the hard way. I had a 2013 X5 with over 50k miles and 5 years old. Empty money pit. Couldn’t even sell it privately and after 8 long months and about $2k I traded it in and got a 2013 Lexus ES350. Trouble free
Simply superb
Thanks for the kind words. 👍
8:43 I could fit like two bodies in there let’s goo 😂 Jp don’t call the cops on me 💀
Grateful for this review - very useful
Thanks Graham. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
@@georgeoncars663 Hi George, I've just bought a 2004 Commemorative Edition. It's my first Corvette and it had to be this one with the 6 sp man. Only bought it in the October and so still haven't put 100 miles on it yet!
I'm looking at some 1999s. Any problems I should know about? The battery is a big issue and no spare is a worry if driving cross country.
I'm hoping for an automatic, removable hardtop, and upgrading for GPentire ice.
How comfortable is a cross country trip. Is the seating comfortable enough? Dan the steering wheel be upgraded?
I just missed a 1999 with 20,000 miles that was garaged its entire life. The price was $20K.
Thanks for your honesty.
I’ve got a video coming up where I’ll be talking about these types of things so stay tuned. The EBCM is a know problem on C5s prior to 2001 so I’d recommend getting a bit later model preferably an 2004. Also the harmonic balancers can fail and cause problems. Leaking batteries can be bad news as the battery is over the engine computer. Steering column is known to lock unless you get the bypass or recall. Hard to explain everything, but I’d check out the corvette forum. Lots of great info. As for the steering wheel you can upgrade it and the car is very comfortable for long trips in my opinion. Good luck in your search. 👍
@@georgeoncars663 , Hello, thanks for your videos. I bought a 99 'vert a year ago. The previous owner fixed the column lock issue. Everything works , fingers crossed, I am NOT a mechanic, just an ols geezer on Van Island, lol. The car was/is a garage queen, 56,000kms. Just in case, is there an EBCM fixer that works?? Yes, the internet shows one or two places that claim to fix them, but??? Any input would be welcome........./murray/west coast
@@dipshit781 I haven’t looked into it much, but from what I’ve heard if you have a problem with it you might be out of luck. I’d check the corvette forum. Lots of good info there. Enjoy your new ride. 👍
Thanks George...excellent review. I am considering purchasing a 03' 50th anni.....you mentioned towards the end of your review cars that have been driven hard...in your experience what are some ways to determine that? Thank-you.
There's a lot of things to look for. I like to check the carfax to see if it's clean. I also like to have a mechanic check the car over and have the dealer run a VIN history. I'd start by checking the tires. If they are bald or are drag radials the vehicle might be driven hard. I'd also check for any performance mods that may be put on. Odds are if they put a lot of performance mods on the car they like to drive a bit hard. It's important to get the maintenance history. I'll probably do a video on how to buy a used car later this year. Good luck in your search.
@@georgeoncars663 Thank-you for the reply George...this will help with my decision.
I have owned numerous corvettes, including 98, 99 and 2000 C5, along with 3 C4s and one C6. The C5 is bullet, even for todays standards. Those things can handle and go with Authority. A true machine. That being said, The C5 price point of 15,000 is a joke.
Everyone keeps on saying how you can even buy them for 10,000, well you can, but they are very high mileage cars that are considered undesirable and will end up costing you more down the road. Major repairs that can run you into the many thousands. So if you can avoid a high milage car, do it. Look for a clean, low mileage car and pay the premium price for it. A nice low mileage C5 coupe, 2001-2004, which are the ones you want, will run you well past twenty thousand and a convertible, depending how its equipped will be more than 30K. A low mileage ZO6 is more than 35K. These are the ones you need to look for, for investment, peace of mind and ride quality. The more stock you keep it, with the exception of a high end exhaust or simple drop in the box K&N filter, the more it will maintain its value. Plus keep in mind with the low car inventory, its only making prices are go up.
Jason thanks for the detailed feedback. All great points. 👍
Except for the EBCM!
Beautiful review😊 Wish we had C5 prices like this here in germany. I have a red C6😊 You might like the video I have on my channel
Thanks I’ll have to check it out.
Great Video!
Thanks and glad you enjoyed it.
I gave to the United way thru payroll deduction for many years.
I lost my job, my young daughter had medical problems and bleeding in the hospital. I was hurting. I asked United way to help me - they giggled at me. Never again did I give them a dime.
It's a scam because the top managers are driving Bentleys.
as a teen having a respectable budget and wanting to stick out, the c5 has caught my eye recently but even after plenty o my own research, i still learned many things from this vid, really well done. if the dream comes true ill be sure to come back once again, until then, envy it is.
Thanks for the kind words. I’ll be having some more C5 content coming up this summer. Good luck with your search and I’m sure you’ll end up finding a great vette.
very nice video, subscribed!
Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the sub. 👍
Love my 2000 Triple black convertible 6 spd
Triple black vert is a great spec. Enjoy. 👍
i am currently looking at purchasing either a 2001 with 96k miles , or a 1999 with 40k miles…. not sure which one will keep me out of the shop the most. i’ve heard to stay away from anything under 2001 but the 99’ i’m looking at only has 40k miles. both automatics too , any help? might be leaning towards the 01’ just because of reliability history (even though it has 56k more miles) what’s your opinion?
It really depends on the individual car. I’ve seen some beat up cars with low mileage and some higher mileage cars that are well taken care of and maintained properly that look and run great. If you’re unsure find a good mechanic or shop to take a look at both cars. In general the later cars are the ones to buy all things being equal, but I can tell you I’ve had very few issues with my 99. Hope that helps.
How difficult is it to bring a car back from America? I’m in Thunder Bay Ontario and looking to add 1994 or 1996 to the family. Found A LOT of nicely priced corvettes in Vegas and Phoenix but wondering if it’s easy to bring one back to Ontario. Any advice? Thank you.
It’s been a while since I did this but check out the riv.ca website as there is a lot of good info there. Some cars need more updates to make them road worthy in Ontario. For example daytime running lights, speedometer changes, bumper changes etc. I think for a 94 to 96 they might be old enough where you don’t have to do those upgrades though. Like I said check out the riv.ca site. Good luck with your search.
It's a very nice car!
Thanks Nicholas.