Ownership Questons
Discussion
First post in these waters, but I hope you guys can help. 
Can you tell me how well a 98 manual C5 would perform?
Serving costs?
Parts? Easy to source?
Insurance? (G20?)
I know from when I had a Camaro that the tie in with Vauxhall dealers ended, so where
can you get them serviced these days, inparticular, in the Midlands?
Thanks in advance.
Can you tell me how well a 98 manual C5 would perform?
Serving costs?
Parts? Easy to source?
Insurance? (G20?)
I know from when I had a Camaro that the tie in with Vauxhall dealers ended, so where
can you get them serviced these days, inparticular, in the Midlands?
Thanks in advance.
Ha! Another ex-Cerb owner. Come on in!
There are people here better qualified than me to answer your questions, me being a new boy and that, but I recently came in from the 'Darkside'. Bought a Z06 C5, which has 45 bhp more than a regular C5, and it performs just as well as the Cerb (mine was a 4.5). There may be a small difference, but it certainly isn't noticeable on the road.
Servicing costs? Oil & filter every now and then. I'll probably do mine every 5000 miles, regardless of what the service indicator says (you get a '% of oil life left' readout on the dash). Certainly nothing like the £3k you need to put aside for a Cerb.
Parts? No problem at all, and generally a lot cheaper than TVR equivalents, even after sourcing from USA. Economy of scale, I guess.
My insurance was the same as for the Cerb, but I only transferred the policy, so didn't bother to shop around. There may well be brokers who do better deals.
Much as I liked the Cerb, I couldn't live with it day-to-day. The Vette I can get in every day and drive wherever I want without the constant nagging feeling that it'd let me down. And, on a 600 mile round trip last week, it gave almost 30 mpg!
Go on. You know you want to!
There are people here better qualified than me to answer your questions, me being a new boy and that, but I recently came in from the 'Darkside'. Bought a Z06 C5, which has 45 bhp more than a regular C5, and it performs just as well as the Cerb (mine was a 4.5). There may be a small difference, but it certainly isn't noticeable on the road.
Servicing costs? Oil & filter every now and then. I'll probably do mine every 5000 miles, regardless of what the service indicator says (you get a '% of oil life left' readout on the dash). Certainly nothing like the £3k you need to put aside for a Cerb.
Parts? No problem at all, and generally a lot cheaper than TVR equivalents, even after sourcing from USA. Economy of scale, I guess.
My insurance was the same as for the Cerb, but I only transferred the policy, so didn't bother to shop around. There may well be brokers who do better deals.
Much as I liked the Cerb, I couldn't live with it day-to-day. The Vette I can get in every day and drive wherever I want without the constant nagging feeling that it'd let me down. And, on a 600 mile round trip last week, it gave almost 30 mpg!
Go on. You know you want to!
Heres an old thread that may help with the insurance question,MC Edwards are up your way(Wellingborough) and done me a fantastic deal tel no 0871 222 7920.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topi
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topi
Echo Adetuono.
Didn't have a Cerb but had a few grifs. Servicing costs are not even close to TVR?Serpentine - I can't be bothered to do my own oil and filter (nothing to lift it with to get centre access) and it costs me about 350quid a year for "on indicator" oilchanges for 25-30,000 miles at my local motor magician (not main agent).
Just renewed some brake pads all round this week - 130 quid vatted and delivered the next day from EBCBrakes and a simple fit in 20mins a wheel. Did a hub a while back due to a sensor failure on the ABS - about 250dollars plus shipping - ordered friday night, arrived Monday morning - gave that to the magician due to lack of time.
Reliable? Apart from these consumables and the salted up sensor in the hub - no problams at all in 18months.
My six speed manual version gives about 22mpg on average - lots of motorway work and a bit of around town stuff. Obviously I never give "it the beans" or that would be breaking the speed limit (officer!) and anyone who knows me will tell you that I'd never do that.... but I would "imagine" that it would be capable of easily exceeding 170mph and "assume" that it wold be very stable at that kind of speed. Compared to the Grif the handling is very different (longer wheelbase, not so pointy) generally predictable with Z51 kit. I'd prefer the Grif in the tighter lanes though due to its size.
Likes:
Creature comfort (for the missus of course), reliability, performance, styling, UK rarity, coupe configuration, head up display, simplicity and ease of maintenance, great availability of parts - oh and of course those lovely people at CCCUK....
Dislikes:
Driver aids - they are too slow/late to be of any use.
Compared to grif, size of vehicle when making progress through lanes.
LHD at car park barriers in the rain
Overall, the most enjoyable car I have ever owned with very little of the hassle normally associated with unusual, quickish cars. Go and get one today, but you can't have mine - never... ever!!
Didn't have a Cerb but had a few grifs. Servicing costs are not even close to TVR?Serpentine - I can't be bothered to do my own oil and filter (nothing to lift it with to get centre access) and it costs me about 350quid a year for "on indicator" oilchanges for 25-30,000 miles at my local motor magician (not main agent).
Just renewed some brake pads all round this week - 130 quid vatted and delivered the next day from EBCBrakes and a simple fit in 20mins a wheel. Did a hub a while back due to a sensor failure on the ABS - about 250dollars plus shipping - ordered friday night, arrived Monday morning - gave that to the magician due to lack of time.
Reliable? Apart from these consumables and the salted up sensor in the hub - no problams at all in 18months.
My six speed manual version gives about 22mpg on average - lots of motorway work and a bit of around town stuff. Obviously I never give "it the beans" or that would be breaking the speed limit (officer!) and anyone who knows me will tell you that I'd never do that.... but I would "imagine" that it would be capable of easily exceeding 170mph and "assume" that it wold be very stable at that kind of speed. Compared to the Grif the handling is very different (longer wheelbase, not so pointy) generally predictable with Z51 kit. I'd prefer the Grif in the tighter lanes though due to its size.
Likes:
Creature comfort (for the missus of course), reliability, performance, styling, UK rarity, coupe configuration, head up display, simplicity and ease of maintenance, great availability of parts - oh and of course those lovely people at CCCUK....
Dislikes:
Driver aids - they are too slow/late to be of any use.
Compared to grif, size of vehicle when making progress through lanes.
LHD at car park barriers in the rain
Overall, the most enjoyable car I have ever owned with very little of the hassle normally associated with unusual, quickish cars. Go and get one today, but you can't have mine - never... ever!!
GCerbera said:
Some great answers so far, thanks.
Doesn't seem too many manuals about at the moment in the £15-17k bracket, anyone got any recomendations?
Also still wonder where servicing could be done in the midlands?
Shouldnt say this really but its a buyers market since the C6 came out,aim higher to get them lower(if you know what i mean),BoostedLS1 who uses this forum is up your way and should be able to help when it comes to servicing.
Here you go,
www.chevroletls1.com/
>> Edited by ZR1cliff on Thursday 6th April 12:28
seefive said:
Likes:
Creature comfort (for the missus of course), reliability, performance, styling, UK rarity, coupe configuration, head up display, simplicity and ease of maintenance, great availability of parts - oh and of course those lovely people at CCCUK....
Dislikes:
Driver aids - they are too slow/late to be of any use.
Compared to grif, size of vehicle when making progress through lanes.
LHD at car park barriers in the rain
Good summary. I've had mine for 7 years and it's a great car.
Insurance - around £500 pa with Adrian Flux
Servicing cost - has averaged £165 pa (!!)including two main dealer services, four MoT tests and DIY intermediate oil changes. Set of tyres was £850 which increases the overall average to £285 pa.
Breakdowns - none.
Servicing - Crownhill Vauxhall in Milton Keynes did my two services. They used to be official Corvette dealers and continued servicing cars afterwards. I've not been for a couple of years.
Come and join us!
The C5 was originally launched in the UK as an auto only and the manual came along in 1998 which is why they are harder to find. Secondly, the auto is to many, the preferred choice. It suits the car very well and the 6 speed box is a bit truck-like compared with your average Japanese knife through butter. Only Autocar have ever got a C5 to 60 as slowly as 5.7 with 100 in 13.1. They punted a manual to 60 in 5.3 and 100 in 11.9.
The Americans, who can actually drive them, got a Vette to 60 in 4.9 and ran the 1/4 in 13.4
Service parts can be obtained by next day delivery from US Automotive over the phone. Insurance can be around £500 fully comp on average through specialist American insurers like MCE, Sureterm Direct, Flux etc on 7500 miles a year.
No real issues on reliabilty - it does what it says on the tin with maybe the only issue being the battery replacement every few years as a 5.7 takes some turning over. Recommended.
The Americans, who can actually drive them, got a Vette to 60 in 4.9 and ran the 1/4 in 13.4
Service parts can be obtained by next day delivery from US Automotive over the phone. Insurance can be around £500 fully comp on average through specialist American insurers like MCE, Sureterm Direct, Flux etc on 7500 miles a year.
No real issues on reliabilty - it does what it says on the tin with maybe the only issue being the battery replacement every few years as a 5.7 takes some turning over. Recommended.
Oh yes. We hear a lot from the journos about what Lusifer says about the shifter - it seems to be true. But as Lusifer suggests, they're all spoilt from the japanese/eurobox specials. Luckily, at 14 I had an autocrosser, so the locking Wooller remote shifts got me used to heavy changers pretty early in life and I really don't notice that kind of issue.
TBH, I've not used the standard 6 speed box (I have a Hurst shifter on mine) and I don't really find that any heavier than my old Grif. If a Cerb is a similar feel to the Grif, then you shouldn't notice too much difference. Anyway, after shifting in the Cerb with your left arm, it'll give the muscles in your right a chance to catch up!
As for servicing in the Midlands, that's not really my patch but 5 USA's experience should help. As mentioned earlier, my local private motor engineer "has the Vette on his computer", and he is a knowledgable guy about all things car and motorbikes which helps a lot. Apparantly, servicing my Vette is stuff he can do in his sleep so there must be other good privateers out there who can too.
Go on - you know you want to - try one on.
TBH, I've not used the standard 6 speed box (I have a Hurst shifter on mine) and I don't really find that any heavier than my old Grif. If a Cerb is a similar feel to the Grif, then you shouldn't notice too much difference. Anyway, after shifting in the Cerb with your left arm, it'll give the muscles in your right a chance to catch up!
As for servicing in the Midlands, that's not really my patch but 5 USA's experience should help. As mentioned earlier, my local private motor engineer "has the Vette on his computer", and he is a knowledgable guy about all things car and motorbikes which helps a lot. Apparantly, servicing my Vette is stuff he can do in his sleep so there must be other good privateers out there who can too.
Go on - you know you want to - try one on.
Anyone have any comments on these and why a 4k difference?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/68060.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/63007.htm
Anyone know of any others I should look at?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/68060.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/63007.htm
Anyone know of any others I should look at?
One is modified significantly. Unless you like arguing with insurers about alarms, trackers and filling out pages about mods and paying an extra few hundred on the premium, stick with the stocker and imagine what you could spend that £4k on to personalise the car for yourself. £16k is a good price for a C5.
I should add I bought a C4 years ago which is not built half as well as the C5 and that had 50k on the clock and I put another 25k on it in the next 3 years as a daily driver and it never missed a beat. Oil and filter changes and an eye on the brakes is all they require.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 6th April 15:35
I should add I bought a C4 years ago which is not built half as well as the C5 and that had 50k on the clock and I put another 25k on it in the next 3 years as a daily driver and it never missed a beat. Oil and filter changes and an eye on the brakes is all they require.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 6th April 15:35
Here's one from the Corvette Club website:
www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2334
I can vouch for the owner and the car (but you probably won't find anyone to vouch for me so that's sod all use to you!!!)
My renewal came through today at £415 unlimited miles etc from Stevenage - they haven't had the benefit of my "is that the best you can do" phonecall so it could come down yet.
I haven't read all the replies but bear in mind that the mileage figures quoted above are in US gallons so the true figures for an UK gallon are greater (divide by 4 and multiply by 5 roughly).
It just keeps getting better doesn't it. Welcome to the world of Corvettes
www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2334
I can vouch for the owner and the car (but you probably won't find anyone to vouch for me so that's sod all use to you!!!)
My renewal came through today at £415 unlimited miles etc from Stevenage - they haven't had the benefit of my "is that the best you can do" phonecall so it could come down yet.
I haven't read all the replies but bear in mind that the mileage figures quoted above are in US gallons so the true figures for an UK gallon are greater (divide by 4 and multiply by 5 roughly).
It just keeps getting better doesn't it. Welcome to the world of Corvettes
c5ragtop said:
Here's one from the Corvette Club website:
www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2334
I can vouch for the owner and the car (but you probably won't find anyone to vouch for me so that's sod all use to you!!!)
I would like to vouch for C5Ragtop.
He is a fine man and upstanding citizen who has huge understanding and experience of the Corvette C5. He has a very close acquaintance with his car. This has been developed over a period of time ( mostly whilst cleaning it or choosing art work ) . My only concern would be his true understanding of its handling characteristics in the wet.
Other than this, if Rich says it is a good car, then that is good enough for me!
p.s. That'll be £20 please payable in cash or kind in France in June 2006.Preferably in a bar in Arnage or at the Champagne tent at 13.00hrs on Saturday 17th June - "Be there or be square!" -
eric the brave said:
Here's one from the Corvette Club website:
www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2334
I can vouch for the owner and the car (but you probably won't find anyone to vouch for me so that's sod all use to you!!!)
I would like to vouch for C5Ragtop.
He is a fine man and upstanding citizen who has huge understanding and experience of the Corvette C5. He has a very close acquaintance with his car. This has been developed over a period of time ( mostly whilst cleaning it or choosing art work ) . My only concern would be his true understanding of its handling characteristics in the wet.
Other than this, if Rich says it is a good car, then that is good enough for me!
p.s. That'll be £20 please payable in cash or kind in France in June 2006.Preferably in a bar in Arnage or at the Champagne tent at 13.00hrs on Saturday 17th June - "Be there or be square!" -
I too would like to vouch for C5RagTop and EricTheBrave while I am about it.....I would also vouch for Nigel (the other one) who is selling the Black C5.....apart from his obvious sheep worrying tendencies (he live in Wales) he is a fine upstanding man and his car is absolutely beautiful and amazingly clear whenever and wherever I see it.
P.S. Can I also have £20 worth of free drinks from C5RagTop and EricTheBrave please......
vetteheadracer said:
Here's one from the Corvette Club website:
www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2334
I can vouch for the owner and the car (but you probably won't find anyone to vouch for me so that's sod all use to you!!!)
I would like to vouch for C5Ragtop.
He is a fine man and upstanding citizen who has huge understanding and experience of the Corvette C5. He has a very close acquaintance with his car. This has been developed over a period of time ( mostly whilst cleaning it or choosing art work ) . My only concern would be his true understanding of its handling characteristics in the wet.
Other than this, if Rich says it is a good car, then that is good enough for me!
p.s. That'll be £20 please payable in cash or kind in France in June 2006.Preferably in a bar in Arnage or at the Champagne tent at 13.00hrs on Saturday 17th June - "Be there or be square!" -
I too would like to vouch for C5RagTop and EricTheBrave while I am about it.....I would also vouch for Nigel (the other one) who is selling the Black C5.....apart from his obvious sheep worrying tendencies (he live in Wales) he is a fine upstanding man and his car is absolutely beautiful and amazingly clear whenever and wherever I see it.
P.S. Can I also have £20 worth of free drinks from C5RagTop and EricTheBrave please......
I'd like to vouch for all three of you, and look forward to collecting in June
Mines an auto but to tell the truth the performance is pretty staggering and it's left me more time to hold onto the wheel. I've had a range of 'sportscars' - Boxster, Maserati, Lotus, TVR etc but the Corvette has been the best of the lot. The C5 looks great, has great reliability, lower running costs and the biggest grin factor since I was 17 and got my first mini. Plus the wife likes it too. I got mine insured with M C Edwards - just under £500 for me in Sheffield. Compare that to my mates £1300 for his Skyline.
I too have an auto and whilst playing tunes with a manual would be nice at times, I do like the kickdown effect. The Autocar test mentioned said the C5 auto would cover 30-50 in 1.9 seconds which is quite fun and you can also, of course, lock the auto into a given gear and, with the torque available, it does work rather nicely on the twisty bits.
I would agree with the other posts and have found similar costs. Also, unlike the TVRs I have experienced (which are brilliant as pure sports cars), the Vette can also do the GT bit and can cruise very nicely if you are in that frame of mind. Another bonus is that my last journey of varied driving yielded 31 mpg. Oh and how many have you seen on the road this week?
Have fun!
I would agree with the other posts and have found similar costs. Also, unlike the TVRs I have experienced (which are brilliant as pure sports cars), the Vette can also do the GT bit and can cruise very nicely if you are in that frame of mind. Another bonus is that my last journey of varied driving yielded 31 mpg. Oh and how many have you seen on the road this week?
Have fun!
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