C5 Restoration Wait? He said what?
10-13-2010, 11:23 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jan 2000
Posts: 35,435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kansas City Area Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11,'13
C5 Restoration Wait? He said what?
Some of our C5s are getting a bit long in the tooth, 13-14 years old.
Im starting to see lots of replacement parts for wear items to take it back to stock appearance rather than after market appearance.
I know through several washes and just years of abuse, Im missing a tag or two from my engine compartment, i.e. Brake Fluid Reserve Cap.
Dont really want to buy the cap just for the stupid sticker but would like to have the stock sticker back on .
Dont even mention CHROME replacement crap. I cant stand those COVER UP items in an engine compartment, polish or chrome the component, dont cover it up with chrome.
No that I have pissed off half the C5 section anyone know of replacement stickers similar to what is available for C3 and < Corvettes for the C5s ?
Im starting to see lots of replacement parts for wear items to take it back to stock appearance rather than after market appearance.
I know through several washes and just years of abuse, Im missing a tag or two from my engine compartment, i.e. Brake Fluid Reserve Cap.
Dont really want to buy the cap just for the stupid sticker but would like to have the stock sticker back on .
Dont even mention CHROME replacement crap. I cant stand those COVER UP items in an engine compartment, polish or chrome the component, dont cover it up with chrome.
No that I have pissed off half the C5 section anyone know of replacement stickers similar to what is available for C3 and < Corvettes for the C5s ?
10-14-2010, 07:56 AM
#2
Team Owner
..... Dont even mention CHROME replacement crap. I cant stand those COVER UP items in an engine compartment, polish or chrome the component, don’t cover it up with chrome.
No that I have pissed off half the C5 section anyone know of replacement stickers similar to what is available for C3 and < Corvettes for the C5’s ?
No that I have pissed off half the C5 section anyone know of replacement stickers similar to what is available for C3 and < Corvettes for the C5’s ?
10-14-2010, 08:29 AM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City OK
Posts: 58,264
Received 1,680 Likes
on
1,302 Posts
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've seen some door stickers on e-Bay but no engine stickers.
10-14-2010, 08:56 AM
#5
Banned Scam/Spammer
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Machineguns, because I dont compromise
Posts: 15,685
Received 1,319 Likes
on
788 Posts
All my engine parts are polished... literally. I can't stand the cover up clutter either.
On the stickers, have you asked the GM dealer? Perhaps the corvetterecycler (vendor) can get a couple for you in nice shape that can be reapplied with effort.
I think there will be a time where a stock C5 will be prized. In 40 years, how many of these cars will be excuse free with all electronics, bells, and whistles in order? How many future performance cars will be out there cut from the same cloth as today's cars? The population rate isn't going down, but the population rate of clean C5s are by the day.
I'm a member of the NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) and have rebuilt a '57 with every nut and bolt having been reconditioned or replaced. A 6 year project with my grandfather. It was a time trying to get everything back to stock on a near 50 year old car.
I'm sure there will be a time down the road when my (currently) 1 year old son and I restore a deserving late model 'Vette.
On the stickers, have you asked the GM dealer? Perhaps the corvetterecycler (vendor) can get a couple for you in nice shape that can be reapplied with effort.
I think there will be a time where a stock C5 will be prized. In 40 years, how many of these cars will be excuse free with all electronics, bells, and whistles in order? How many future performance cars will be out there cut from the same cloth as today's cars? The population rate isn't going down, but the population rate of clean C5s are by the day.
I'm a member of the NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society) and have rebuilt a '57 with every nut and bolt having been reconditioned or replaced. A 6 year project with my grandfather. It was a time trying to get everything back to stock on a near 50 year old car.
I'm sure there will be a time down the road when my (currently) 1 year old son and I restore a deserving late model 'Vette.
10-14-2010, 01:19 PM
#6
Racer
I think the C5 is pretty poorly engineered, designed, and built. that would explain the early restorations. Ive gone though almost all of mine and cant believe how cheap some stuff it put together and designed. Every day an electrical problem is posted on here. You'd think 50 years of making a fiberglass ca that they would have figured out the grounding issues....nope. Its sad when you have to restore a 11 year old car that has been babied its whole life, just driven thats all.
10-14-2010, 02:05 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
I think the C5 is pretty poorly engineered, designed, and built. that would explain the early restorations. Ive gone though almost all of mine and cant believe how cheap some stuff it put together and designed. Every day an electrical problem is posted on here. You'd think 50 years of making a fiberglass ca that they would have figured out the grounding issues....nope. Its sad when you have to restore a 11 year old car that has been babied its whole life, just driven thats all.
10-14-2010, 02:16 PM
#8
Banned Scam/Spammer
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Machineguns, because I dont compromise
Posts: 15,685
Received 1,319 Likes
on
788 Posts
I think the C5 is pretty poorly engineered, designed, and built. that would explain the early restorations. Ive gone though almost all of mine and cant believe how cheap some stuff it put together and designed. Every day an electrical problem is posted on here. You'd think 50 years of making a fiberglass ca that they would have figured out the grounding issues....nope. Its sad when you have to restore a 11 year old car that has been babied its whole life, just driven thats all.
Compared to the older ones? Are you kiddin me?! News flash, Corvettes haven't had ANY fiberglass since 1982.
Last edited by ~Josh; 10-14-2010 at 05:38 PM. Reason: More polite, -Angel on the upswing.
10-14-2010, 03:03 PM
#9
Well, there are some things they could have done better for the money. How many more years will it take them to get some decent leather on the seats that doesn't wear out in 3 years? Mechanically the car is a great bargain but I think the ABS/TC system is a weak point on these cars as is the column lock issues.
At least the intake manifolds don't leak like the 3100, 3400 and 3800 do/did with the composite intakes.
At least the intake manifolds don't leak like the 3100, 3400 and 3800 do/did with the composite intakes.
10-14-2010, 04:42 PM
#10
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jan 2000
Posts: 35,435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kansas City Area Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11,'13
OK, didn’t really want to turn this into a pissing match guys.
My 1998 is a true daily driver (rain, snow, hail, muddy/rocky roads) its seen it all. With over 80k on the clock, she has been a great car with very, very few issues.
I’m not really doing a true restoration, just want to replace some missing items. We show the car on occasion and it just looks better when everything is there.
I would like to have some new bar code labels that are attached to the brake lines along with some other items to “refresh” her looks.
I did try the dealer, they wanted to sell me the cap and all, which I may have to do but was trying other resourses for just the sticker.
My 1998 is a true daily driver (rain, snow, hail, muddy/rocky roads) its seen it all. With over 80k on the clock, she has been a great car with very, very few issues.
I’m not really doing a true restoration, just want to replace some missing items. We show the car on occasion and it just looks better when everything is there.
I would like to have some new bar code labels that are attached to the brake lines along with some other items to “refresh” her looks.
I did try the dealer, they wanted to sell me the cap and all, which I may have to do but was trying other resourses for just the sticker.
10-14-2010, 04:44 PM
#11
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jan 2000
Posts: 35,435
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kansas City Area Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11,'13
10-14-2010, 04:54 PM
#12
Resident moron
Well, there are some things they could have done better for the money. How many more years will it take them to get some decent leather on the seats that doesn't wear out in 3 years? Mechanically the car is a great bargain but I think the ABS/TC system is a weak point on these cars as is the column lock issues.
At least the intake manifolds don't leak like the 3100, 3400 and 3800 do/did with the composite intakes.
At least the intake manifolds don't leak like the 3100, 3400 and 3800 do/did with the composite intakes.
Point is, Corvettes are relatively cheap cars with astounding performance for the $$. You give up something to gain something.
Furthermore, no one has made the perfect sports car. They all have their issues, no matter the company and no matter the cost. You can spend well into the 6-figure range and end up with even WORSE reliability than a corvette. Ever seen the issues Lambos, Ferraris et all have? If you want amazing performance, luxurious interior/ride quality and bulletproof reliability, all for a reasonable price - keep dreaming, because it doesn't exist.
In the meantime, it's pretty hard to beat a vette in the bang-for-the-buck category with its overall performance/quality/price compromise.
Dope
The following 2 users liked this post by Dope:
ArmchairArchitect (06-12-2017),
hornet7 (06-15-2017)
10-14-2010, 08:36 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
I strongly disagree. I think the C5 is brilliantly engineered, designed and built. The real issues are due to cost limitations to make the C5 a real value. Mainly all the parts made in Mexico that fail but hey I can drive one of the most sought after cars built thanks to those cost saving efforts. I'll replace, upgrade as needed. I have never driven a car that I enjoy more.
10-14-2010, 08:50 PM
#14
Advanced
Member Since: Dec 2009
Location: MILLINGTON MICHIGAN
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some of the engineering was ahead of its time. I sitting in # 3 for me a 2001 vert 6 speed. I had much fewer little issues with my first a plain jane 69 vert 2 topper 4 speed, and I hate to say beat the s--- out of that car. I'm a bit better now but when asked this question this morning, what would I, own some [money being no object] some million dollar sports car or another vette. My answer was I would have a new zr-1, new zo-6 coupe & vert a new Grand sport, coupe & vert and a base vette in coupe & vert. and still have money left and a car for every day of the week.
10-15-2010, 07:06 AM
#16
Team Owner
You think they could have done better for the money? I'm not so sure myself. Does any company make a better car for the money? I'm not so sure of that either. If you want a nice interior and similar performance, buy a Porsche and expect to pay 2-3x the cost, period.
Point is, Corvettes are relatively cheap cars with astounding performance for the $$. You give up something to gain something.
Furthermore, no one has made the perfect sports car. They all have their issues, no matter the company and no matter the cost. You can spend well into the 6-figure range and end up with even WORSE reliability than a corvette. Ever seen the issues Lambos, Ferraris et all have? If you want amazing performance, luxurious interior/ride quality and bulletproof reliability, all for a reasonable price - keep dreaming, because it doesn't exist.
In the meantime, it's pretty hard to beat a vette in the bang-for-the-buck category with its overall performance/quality/price compromise.
Dope
Point is, Corvettes are relatively cheap cars with astounding performance for the $$. You give up something to gain something.
Furthermore, no one has made the perfect sports car. They all have their issues, no matter the company and no matter the cost. You can spend well into the 6-figure range and end up with even WORSE reliability than a corvette. Ever seen the issues Lambos, Ferraris et all have? If you want amazing performance, luxurious interior/ride quality and bulletproof reliability, all for a reasonable price - keep dreaming, because it doesn't exist.
In the meantime, it's pretty hard to beat a vette in the bang-for-the-buck category with its overall performance/quality/price compromise.
Dope
10-16-2010, 12:46 AM
#18
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Green Cove Springs FL
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I think the C5 is pretty poorly engineered, designed, and built. that would explain the early restorations. Ive gone though almost all of mine and cant believe how cheap some stuff it put together and designed. Every day an electrical problem is posted on here. You'd think 50 years of making a fiberglass ca that they would have figured out the grounding issues....nope. Its sad when you have to restore a 11 year old car that has been babied its whole life, just driven thats all.
The following users liked this post:
Bruce Wayne (06-11-2017)
