Corvettes and all things about them

starrow68

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/08/30/cr_supercars/

What is interesting is that the Z06 got beat out by what
seems to be a base 911 and the reason was predicted reliability.
Now I could guess how they did the prediction but it would only be a guess, but since the Z06 has a new engine, block and all, new oiling system, new frame, new chassis and brakes it is hard to see how this can be the determiner.
Well, interesting as noted.
Randy

johnevette

well the 911 is 10k more, and that's all it won by. is the reliablitiy. other wise it would have been #1
but then look at other mags, and see what they say.

ruffer

I have a 2006 standard transmission Corvette with 1600 miles going on its third "new" transmission. Anybody else know of this issue, and why is GM so reluctant to replace this lemon with a new Vette?
Help

starrow68

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061005/FREE/61004002/1024/L- ATESTNEWS

More discussion of the Blue Devil / SS for 2008.

starrow68

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=107906

Review of the C6 Z06, in case anyone didn't find it directly.
Randy

vettever

Great review for the C6 ZO6 and the "Blue Devil" will have us all waiting for it to become a reality! Chevrolet has really done an outstanding job building an outstanding and affordable C6 Corvette with the 400HP coupe under $45,000 base price. I haven't driven one but my C5 ZO6 with 405 HP is damn fast and my previous 345 HP C5 wasn't too shabby! They just keep getting better. What will they do after the "Blue Devil"?

jtabasz

What do you mean when you say you are having overheating problems? Does it ever overheat to the point of blowing steam out the radiator cap? Does it get hotter going up a hill and cool off going down? Does the temperature gauge get to a spot above where you think it should, and stay there? These are very important questions in deciding which direction to go in troubleshooting.

pat

You may have noticed that we're moving toward smaller, more focused discussions. Please go to the top level of the Corvette board and look for an existing topic or create a new one if you don't see something suitable. Here's the link: Chevrolet Corvette.

Thanks!

dkessel

My corvette is falling on its face when I try to get in the gas. I have replaced plugs,plug wires, cap and rotor, fuel pump and fuel filter and still have the same problem,any suggestions?????

starrow68

Don't know years in total but do you have Optispark? Seems
to be a problem if it gets any moisture on board and it is
not sealed. But there may be many other issues.
Randy

starrow68

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/BUSINESS01/701120361

Free Press without the commentary on Jalopnik.

starrow68

http://www.prdomain.com/companies/G/GeneralMotors/newsreleases/20072238833.htm

I think I saw one prior Indy car at Barrett-Jackson with
very low miles that went for just a few grand over MSRP
after 25 years or more. Maybe these will be different since
they are limiting production.
Randy

Mr_Shiftright

If the "special edition" is just some upholstery, striping and fancier wheels, it's not going to be worth much more than a stock car. If the SE gets a different engine PLUS limited production, well then the equation of supply and demand kicks in. Generally though SEs are a waste of money and a profit-maker mostly for GM, not the buyer.

starrow68

I'm with you, but some still like the logo seats and decals.
After the inputs I've had from those tracking C6's, glad I
stayed with the C5 for now. The electronics seem to be
something they are still trying to work out. I'll wait for
the next model change over at least.
Randy

bolivar

Electronics problems?

The only widespread problem I've read about is 2005 models with manual transmissions are killing the battery. Chevy has a re-flash of the computer logic which is supposed to fix this problem, and seems to have done it for many people that previously had the problem.

Oh, and power top problems on some convertibles.

And, of course the infamous 'fly-away' top on the coupe. Fixed in late 2006. This is mechanical, not electric.

The car has a LOT of electronics, and like most cars with LOTS of electronics, there are going to be some problems.

teevette

Hi all, newbie here but need advice. I previously owned an '85 C-4 and have missed it since selling a few years ago. I have an opportunity to purchase a '94 model with 65k from original owner, who kept it in great condition. Wise purchase at just over $13k or best to be looking at other models? I always liked the C-4 styling and it fits my budget, although underpowered and generally outclassed by today's standards. Advice?

Mr_Shiftright

Seems *very* overpriced. Seller needs to get real. I'd think $9,500 would be all the money in the world for it, including a premium for mileage, condition and money left in the back seat by mistake.

It might be "wise" in terms of condition...yes...but it's not wise in terms of price and in terms of future depreciation from that inflated price, IMO. You'd lose thousands just driving it away from his house.

C4s are very plentiful and so supply and demand is at play here.

rayainsw

"money left in the back seat by mistake. "

Remind me:
What Corvette model of that year had a back seat?
( just kidding )
Good luck!
- Ray
No back seat in my 2007 Coupe.......

Mr_Shiftright

okay.....okay....what should I have said? "package shelf?"

"Trunk" I guess......

I hereby invoke my poetic license!

vwguild1

Does anyone know the basics of the 2005 Corvette warranty pkg.? Aside from the basic 3/36, that is...

Claires

These posts have been moved over to the Corvette Tires & Wheels topic.

Claires

Hi, folks,

Most of the other makes and models have a gas mileage topic, so I've created one and moved the gas mileage posts here: Chevrolet Corvette Gas Mileage

nathan187

Hey guys. Finally took the plunge. I bought a black 07 coupe. Hopefully I will enjoy it as much as a lot of people on here have so far.

The guy who was selling it to me was grinning more than me because he said "I remember what it's like to get one for the first time"

hal56

Have a 99 C5--the Warning lites are on for traction control and Braking system. Cannot find an electrical problem.

Took car for wheel alignmnet and found out of balance by quite a bit--and after that the lites went off. However, lites back on after a month.

Anybody have an idea if this is a problem with the wheels, etc, or systems.

Afraid to take to dealer as it always costs mega bucks.

johnevette

Cost me 2K to get mine fixed. its the abs system. abs module and bad connetors to senors.
when they fixed it, they also did a 4 wheel aligment.
it still goes on time and time again, but when the cars turns off, and i restart it. it goes away. If i hit a big bump.it will go back on,
but its the strangest thing, it only goes on when its cold out, never goes off in the summer months. go figure?

hal56

thanks John-I had a local repair shop look at it and they could not find anything electrical. So what was left was the module which they said costs 800 plus labor.

My differential went out last year after a cross country trip-(thankfully reached my destination) But before I left I serviced the car and the dealer did the differential work-so I thought perhaps they put in the wrong lubricant--dealer where had the repaid done says luck of the draw--a vent hole plugged up and burning out the differential.

$2700.

I will leave as is since you never really fixed it. May take back to have wheel alignment checked again to see if ther is something else causing alignmnet to go. Tires are too expensive to screw up.

hal56

by the way--my car is in Arizona and the problem started in October after I had left the car on an extended vacation. Battery dead when I got back--red optima that turned gooey -got a new battery and thats when warning lite problem started.

Could be from sitting 3 months where the weight of the car in 1 position did something to wheel alignment. Or something due to battery rundown.

gbjerke

I'd suggest checking for any "codes" you may be throwing. That should pinpoint the problem(s).
A dealer can plug in their diagnostic unit but you can do the same and avoid that charge. Best of all, you can clear any codes thrown and see if anything re-appears.
I'll give you the short lesson on the "how to" bit.
Vette forums refer to it as the DIC display...it's the display that gives you mgp, distance to empty, oil pressure/temp etc.--the one that says "Corvette by Chev" when you turn the ignition to "on".
1) Turn the ignition to on but don't start the engine.
2) Press the "reset" button to turn off any warning messages.
3) Press and hold the "options" button and
4) while holding the "options" button, press "fuel" button four times within a 10 second period.
This will go into the "automatic" mode which shows each modules DTCs in sequence.
Each mode checked will show either "no codes" of a series of letters/numbers followed by a "C" or "H" which stands for a "Current" code or a "History" code which means only that any "H" codes is probably not significant, but the "C" may well indicate what problems you are suffering now.
In the automatic mode these 11 system checks may flash by you pretty quickly making it tough to write any of them down. However, when it goes thru the auto mode it will go to manual wherein you can move to each of the 11 checks manually by pushing the "options" button to go forward, or the "trip" button to go backwards. Write them down and post any codes here. I think I have most of them and can reply giving you what problems your systems may have.
That being said, you can clear the codes by pressing and holding the "reset" button until it says "no codes".
Then, run the car and see if any codes re-appear. If they do, give me the numbers and I'll see if I have the description of the code thrown. I'd like to post them here but there are like 350 of them.
Let me know what happens---hope I can help you here.

starrow68

Good explanation and once you find the list of codes on the
web, it is out there, you can get an idea of what might be
causing the codes.

With the ABS/AH system it can be caused by module, mine went
bad about 35k miles. But it can also be caused by shorts at
the brake fluid lines which mess up the wheel speed sensor
outputs. If somebody replaced brake fluid line, especially,
stainless lines they need good washers or they cause issues.
Then it could also be the module that controls the rear
brake lights as that signal is what the system uses to know
you are pushing the brakes. I've had that go bad too, at
about 55k miles. Finding a good C5 tech is your only real
solution.
Randy

bolivar

"a vent hole plugged up and burning out the differential"

Sounds like a BS diagnoistic to me. The vent is there only to let the oil expand when it heats up. A plugged vent might blow out the seals and allow grease to leak, but would not ruin the differential unless you lost all the gear grease and kept running it.

Mr_Shiftright

I agree----very lame diagnosis...and if the grease was forced out, the differential would have been howling like a banshee for some time. AND you say they recently worked on the differential?

Get a lawyer or fill out a form for Small Claims Court (but of course consult with the repair shop first and voice your skepticism).

He needs to come up with a more plausible story and perhaps he has one and you might not have heard it all.

hal56

well, i know something was not right after my long drive. The last part of the drive was a high speed drive down a mountain.

I had a problem with the differential of another car 10-15 yearas ago and it was the lubricant--the dealer made a change and the problem went away--here they appeased me and made the change while i was there and the noise did not go away.

I do not have the time or patience to go to claims court and that BS--but I wil not deal with that dealer again.

one time they argued with me about how much oil the c5 takes. But most domestic dealers are the same in sales and service--not too sharp and not too ethical.

dfalliaux

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to buy a used C4, right now interested in a 94' ZR-1. The listing shows the car having 103K miles and is asking 10'5K OBO. Any particular issues with this year/performance options? I've been searching the net tirelessly trying to find issues with this particular year etc and all info points to a reliable car. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Mr_Shiftright

One issue is that the car is being sold at 1/2 the actual value! Are you just lucky, is the seller a philanthropist, or is there something you don't know?

Buyer beware on any ad that has a suspiciously low price. Could be bogus, not a real car.

starrow68

Another question on a ZR-1 is who will work on the engine?
They were developed by Lotus and built by Mercury-Marine and
put in the Vette body by GM. I don't think any GM dealers
will have a clue and the number of people who understand
that power plant is very limited. Good luck.
Randy

mahasski

I started my corvette C5 39k mile and everything was working...10 mins. later my instrument cluster (dashboard)stop working...all gauges stops working (gas, oil pressure,tach etc.)everything else works fine...the lights in the instrument cluster dont work either..when i turn the key to on position the seat belt symbol and check engine light symbol come on for a few seconds in the instrument cluster like they should.. I notice that the fog light don't work either now...can anyone tell me what is wrong!!

johnevette

c5 1997 coupe.
Check fuses under passenger side panel.
i love both my c5's but they have some gremlins. 90% of all new cars are controled by computers.which has its goods and bads, but check fuses,or maybe just rest by disconnecting the battery for a min. i had that problem with my seat belt light, woundnt go off. then the rpm tach, would stay in high rpm range, but engine was running fine. just gremlins i say.i just replace the cluster with a hud, yeah a hud in a 97 sweet. goodluck, hope that works.

mahasski

what is a hud?

elias

hud means heads-up-display.

bhill2

I have to say, after having had a HUD in my 2003 C5, I will try to get it in any car that I buy in the future.

c5_4fun

It might be time to trade the C5 for a C6 and have been watching local dealer inventories for the right one. However, I heard Chevy was to introduce changes for 2008 this month. Has anyone has seen definitive info on the changes (such as 435HP, Z06 exhaust, and a couple others are what I heard)? Also, has anyone had experience dealing with Kerbeck and having the car shipped across the country...good or bad buying/delivery experience?

rayainsw

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2008/index.shtml

c5_4fun

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.

rayainsw

One thing not specifically mentioned there, but since confirmed, is that the manual trans. is not merely refined - it is now the TR-6060.

May matter, if you are interested in a manual trans.
- Ray
A6 4 me.....

ultraman19

To Rayainsw:

I own a 2006 Z51 6-SP. Convertible. Would you explain the difference between my transmission and the new 2008 6 SP. transmission(TR-6060)? Also, I drive aggressively and when safe, I enjoy pushing almost to redline with each shift. Is this type of driving setting me up for transmission problems?
I am not technical and don't read tech articles,I just like to drive fast and love shifting. I'm open to any advice or suggestions. Are the '08 improvements sufficiently significant over my '06 to warrant purchasing a new '08?

Thank you in advance for your response.

rayainsw

". Would you explain the difference between my transmission and the new 2008 6 SP. transmission(TR-6060)?"

Better than I could have written:

http://wheeltalk.fancal.net/?p=841

- Ray
Automatic guy.....

ultraman19

Thank you for the site and tech review,it was clear.

starrow68

Thanks as well, too busy driving my C5 to keep up on the new
stuff on my own.
Randy

jiminthehills

I Purchased a 2004 Z06 Z16 near San Diego last Sept and, Holy Cow, what a ride! It had about 9K miles at the time of purchase and I've run it trouble-free for approximately 5K in the last 8 months.

I have really enjoyed the conversations you all have posted here and I have spent quite some time going back through the years of posts on this thread, so feel that I know a few of you personally by now!

It's now time to get some regular service and have a few things checked out before the factory warranty expires later this month and I'm a little skeptical in choosing just any dealership in So Cal. I live in Yucaipa (near Redlands/San Bernardino) and was wondering if any of you had any ideas as to anyone good in the area? I was thinking of Singh Chevrolet in Riverside, CA, but only because they seem to have a half-dozen or so Corvettes on the lot at any given time, thus suggesting that they would know how to service what they sell, if little else.....otherwise, it's a crap-shoot and it's hard to hand over the keys to JUST ANYBODY to mess around with my baby for a day......

starrow68

Finding someone local is always tough, best bet is to call
and talk to Service Mgr and ask who is the Corvette expert
and has certification. If they say, oh anyone can deal with
basic service, it probably doesn't want your business.
When I was doing regular service at a dealer I knew the
Corvette tech by name and the service writers didn't mind
him giving me input.
Randy