Discussion
Was that the one from Meridien Majestic?
Things to look out for....
People standing in front of you in the street and not getting out the way until you rev it
Students taking photos of it while one of them pretends to be opening the door
Kids on BMX's asking 'how fast does it go Mister'
People looking at the car instead of where they are going and almost running in the back of the car in front
Things to look out for....
People standing in front of you in the street and not getting out the way until you rev it
Students taking photos of it while one of them pretends to be opening the door
Kids on BMX's asking 'how fast does it go Mister'
People looking at the car instead of where they are going and almost running in the back of the car in front
pablo81 said:
just traded my tvr cerbera for a white 98 vette in bournmouth.....anything I should look out for?
Things to look out for in Bournemouth,
Retired folk
Yellow Vettes
Retired folk in yellow Vettes.
Things to look out for on C5,
White is an unusual colour for UK.
Battery. Check there's no leakage. Almost certainly replaced already on a '98. Question is when and with what.
You don't say if it's manual or auto. If auto it's hard to damage the engine unless trying very hard. If auto the shift should be smooth in normal driving and violent under kickdown.
You don't say if it's a Euro car or US import. V5 always essential but especially on an import. Check lighting conversion if US import to be sure you won't have MoT problems. (If you're unsure a 200 mph speedo means it's a USA car. Euro's have 300 mph speedo.)
Check all electrical equipment including tyre pressure monitor system.
Make sure tyres are Goodyear EMT runflats, or that you're happy to live life without a spare.
C5's need very little maintenance but a '98 must at least have had the regular oil changes.
Fuel pump whine from back of car is standard.
Rattle from torque tube at idle is standard.
Any fluid leakage from transmission (at the back) is very undesirable.
Check under the car for damage from speed-bumps, kerbs etc.
If the car is fitted with Head Up Display (HUD) it's non-original and means someone's been playing with the dash electrics. Avoid.
Good luck!
Thank you for the feedback... sorry about the klingon, i just re-read it myself and realised id hit all the wrong keys. The car is coming back to the land of Devon with me, any other owners done there. Also can anyone recommend a place to service the car in the s/w area?
yes it is the car from majestic
yes it is the car from majestic
The following issues occur with the C5:
1. On manuals, the clutch actuation system can eventually fail and the pedal won't come back and has to be replaced. However, the parts aren't that expensive.
2. On many C5's, the column will lock for no apparent reason on US cars. This was cured to some extent by removal on later autos. Signalled by a message about removing the key and waiting ten seconds.
Other than that, pretty reliable.
As far as servicing goes, if you can lift a spanner, you can do it yourself. Just order a few oil filters (about £10 each)from one of the UK suppliers. It's a pushrod so there's nothing to adjust, just oil to change (preferably synthetic). If you have the auto, the gearbox oil should be changed something like every 30k. Again, this is easy but messy and involves fitting a new filter and fresh oil. The plugs should last but think about changing them at around 80k. Oxygen sensors are pretty reliable but you may want to change them at some point. Air filter is easy and just monitor the discs and pads like any other car (easy to change yourself)and get the brake (and clutch) fluid changed every 2 years.
Most mechanics will be able to do the work on these cars if you don't want to but make sure they are aware of the jacking points. Many US cars have had the sills destroyed by fools who do not comprehend how to lift these cars. There are specific places you can lift them and just as many where you can't and you need to know them.
1. On manuals, the clutch actuation system can eventually fail and the pedal won't come back and has to be replaced. However, the parts aren't that expensive.
2. On many C5's, the column will lock for no apparent reason on US cars. This was cured to some extent by removal on later autos. Signalled by a message about removing the key and waiting ten seconds.
Other than that, pretty reliable.
As far as servicing goes, if you can lift a spanner, you can do it yourself. Just order a few oil filters (about £10 each)from one of the UK suppliers. It's a pushrod so there's nothing to adjust, just oil to change (preferably synthetic). If you have the auto, the gearbox oil should be changed something like every 30k. Again, this is easy but messy and involves fitting a new filter and fresh oil. The plugs should last but think about changing them at around 80k. Oxygen sensors are pretty reliable but you may want to change them at some point. Air filter is easy and just monitor the discs and pads like any other car (easy to change yourself)and get the brake (and clutch) fluid changed every 2 years.
Most mechanics will be able to do the work on these cars if you don't want to but make sure they are aware of the jacking points. Many US cars have had the sills destroyed by fools who do not comprehend how to lift these cars. There are specific places you can lift them and just as many where you can't and you need to know them.
pablo81 said:
fantastic stuff. so basically i can take the car to any reputable garage (american specialist pref, i suppose) to do the work on the car if im to lazy to do it myself. beats the tvr!
An oil change doesn't take that long, really, to do it yourself...
But anyway: *any* garage will be able to change the oil (even better if you supply the oil+filter; a good place for oil is Keith Beschi at eurovettes - good price, and you'll get the fully synthetic Mobil 1 10W-30 too)... Filters can be got anywhere, and I've found on my Corvette that the stock AC-Delco oil filter's just fine.
But go on - change it yourself: it's nice to have a car that you can fully maintain at home!! Makes those inevitable questions - "where do you get it serviced" easy to answer (although I never feel people believe me when I say I do 90% of the work at home!!)
:Gixer the Klingon said:yuo sppek Klingon tou?
We wnet
:Gixer said:
to Hockey last year with a guy from Devon - he had a C5 but I cant remember his name
you cabbage!
His name is......
Jason Clode from Bridgwater C5, Nassau Blue hardtop 1999.
On the subject of Nassau Blue went to the Western area meeting yesterday and me a new owner with a Nassau Blue 1999 Coupe. It's the one that was for sale in Cheltenham, that's been in Classic American the last couple of months.
BTW I have noticed I become more Klingon the more I drink.......
Welcome! 
Good choice,
Things to watch out for; The Bournemouth/Poole MY (basically Yellow Corvettes) posse and some bloke called Reg. You will recognise them they will pull up alongside you and befriend you, but beware this is a ploy, they will convince you the only colour for vets is MY and before you know it your at the respray shop and in their elite club.
Apart from that and all mentioned above its all plain sailing.
You will also find the guys on here have a wealth of knowledge between them, its just deciphering it into plain English.
Happy motoring
Good choice,
Things to watch out for; The Bournemouth/Poole MY (basically Yellow Corvettes) posse and some bloke called Reg. You will recognise them they will pull up alongside you and befriend you, but beware this is a ploy, they will convince you the only colour for vets is MY and before you know it your at the respray shop and in their elite club.
Apart from that and all mentioned above its all plain sailing.
You will also find the guys on here have a wealth of knowledge between them, its just deciphering it into plain English.
Happy motoring
LuS1fer said:
The following issues occur with the C5:
2. On many C5's, the column will lock for no apparent reason on US cars. This was cured to some extent by removal on later autos. Signalled by a message about removing the key and waiting ten seconds.
Whoa no no. I dont think "many" is the right word. I could be wrong but the impression I have is that it is a very rare occurrence. It is not limited to USA cars - or to be absolutely accurate, recalls have been issued to proper UK cars and I presume they would not go to the expense if it was not necessary!
yellowshark454 said:
The following issues occur with the C5:
2. On many C5's, the column will lock for no apparent reason on US cars. This was cured to some extent by removal on later autos. Signalled by a message about removing the key and waiting ten seconds.
Whoa no no. I dont think "many" is the right word. I could be wrong but the impression I have is that it is a very rare occurrence. It is not limited to USA cars - or to be absolutely accurate, recalls have been issued to proper UK cars and I presume they would not go to the expense if it was not necessary!
I think Corvette Forum would seek to differ on the point. The column locking is fairly prevalent (subject to the argument that there are thousands of Corvettes made and only the column lockers will post)to the extent that it is one of the main problem areas on what is a relatively trouble-free car. There have been two separate recalls. The first was to stop the fuel pump operating whilst the lock was engaged (the corporate liability fix that left the problem unsolved)and the second is a modification to the wiring and a PCM reflash. It is maybe unlikely that all C5's, especially a '98, will have had these done as GM were in denial for a long time and only last year came clean. You need only post a thread on column locking on one of the US Forums and I think you'll get a lot of replies. LOL.
However, I'm not saying it will happen, only that it could happen and checks should be made as to whether any recalls have been done (I think there was an older recall as well). If prevention is better than cure then for peace of mind, fit a column lock bypass (Corvettes of Houston stock the cheapest).
LuS1fer said:
LuS1fer said:
The following issues occur with the C5:
2. On many C5's, the column will lock for no apparent reason on US cars. This was cured to some extent by removal on later autos. Signalled by a message about removing the key and waiting ten seconds.
Whoa no no. I dont think "many" is the right word. I could be wrong but the impression I have is that it is a very rare occurrence. It is not limited to USA cars - or to be absolutely accurate, recalls have been issued to proper UK cars and I presume they would not go to the expense if it was not necessary!
I think Corvette Forum would seek to differ on the point. The column locking is fairly prevalent (subject to the argument that there are thousands of Corvettes made and only the column lockers will post)to the extent that it is one of the main problem areas on what is a relatively trouble-free car. There have been two separate recalls. The first was to stop the fuel pump operating whilst the lock was engaged (the corporate liability fix that left the problem unsolved)and the second is a modification to the wiring and a PCM reflash. It is maybe unlikely that all C5's, especially a '98, will have had these done as GM were in denial for a long time and only last year came clean. You need only post a thread on column locking on one of the US Forums and I think you'll get a lot of replies. LOL.
However, I'm not saying it will happen, only that it could happen and checks should be made as to whether any recalls have been done (I think there was an older recall as well). If prevention is better than cure then for peace of mind, fit a column lock bypass (Corvettes of Houston stock the cheapest).
OK there has been a lot of discussion on this subject and it would seem that although manufacturers do not issue recall notices lightly I feel these notices (in most cases) are a kneejerk reaction so as to prevent litigation etc etc. OK so here is my point, is the CLR a serious failure and is it a case of when not if it fails. The other question that comes to mind is WHY does it fail and what causes it to fail. IMHO if it aint broke dont fix it, (of course this statement comes with my usual disclaimer in this pc time we live in).
5USA said:
Maybe I'm cautious but the last place I would take a C5 is "any garage". Best bet is to find someone familiar with the cars or do it yourself.
I agree,get to know your C5 ,get to know the other owners around you and most of the work you can do yourself at a lot less cost and with great work satisfaction.
TEKWIZ said:Maybe I've not being paying attention but it has sounded to me like a column "unlocking" problem rather than "the column could suddenly lock while you're driving". If that's right then provided you're aware of the potential problem it shouldn't be an issue. Happy to be corrected if I've got this wrong.
IMHO if it aint broke dont fix it, (of course this statement comes with my usual disclaimer in this pc time we live in).
5USA said:
IMHO if it aint broke dont fix it, (of course this statement comes with my usual disclaimer in this pc time we live in).
Maybe I've not being paying attention but it has sounded to me like a column "unlocking" problem rather than "the column could suddenly lock while you're driving". If that's right then provided you're aware of the potential problem it shouldn't be an issue. Happy to be corrected if I've got this wrong.
No, you're absolutely right. But there's no point being "aware of it" when it refuses to unlock a million miles from nowhere. LOL.
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