“Only Corvette C5 Convertible of Pakistan” – Walkaround Review
Today we’re back with a walkaround review of Pakistan’s only convertible Corvette C5 owned by Rehan Tanvir who is a very famous car enthusiast and also has a youtube channel named Japakboys. The C5 came from 1997 till 2004, this particular car is a 1999 model. It comes with a 5.7 liter V8 engine called the LS1 which produces 345 bhp and 350 pound feet of torque. This engine was first used in the Corvette but later on came in the Camaro as well. It had 2 transmission options, this particular car has the 4-speed automatic while a 6-speed manual was also offered.
Purchase Decision
The purchase decision of this car is an interesting one. The owner wanted to buy a convertible car for his wedding so he was looking for options in the market. He initially wanted to buy a Nissan 350Z but he was unable to find one in good shape. Moreover, due to his tall stature, he was unable to fit in most of these sports cars but soon he stumbled upon this Corvette which he instantly bought. The car was not in a good state when he bought it so he restored it bringing it back to its glory.
Price
These cars do not have a fixed price range as they are very rare in Pakistan and it all depends on the condition and how the owner has kept it. Just to give an idea, the owner has recently sold this car for 10 million rupees.
Salient Features
Despite being a 1999 model, the corvette has a considerable amount of quirks and features. These include, a manual folding convertible roof, leather electric seats, pop-up headlights, a dual-zone climate control, Bose sound system, 3 driving modes, traction control and much more. The interesting part about its body is that it is made out of fiberglass instead of metal which makes it very light and improves handling.
Modifications
The owner really likes to modify his cars and increase the power so he has added some aftermarket components including a FAST intake manifold, aftermarket 80mm throttle body, K&N air filter and a Borla downpipe and exhaust system which makes the car extremely loud. These modifications have increased the power upto 400 bhp and as per the owner, the power can extensively be increased as the LS1 engine is highly capable. The car also has some cosmetic modifications which include Corvette C6’s alloy rims and carbon fiber panels in the interior.
Storage Spaces
The Corvette is a 2-seater and does not have room for more passengers but it is quite spacious to accommodate items. The interior has a decent sized glove box, a spacious armrest and compartments for storing small items. Along with that the boot space is very good, with the roof up, there is plenty of space for luggage.
Spare Parts
The corvette is known for its reliability around the world and is pretty easy to maintain. Furthermore, spare parts are very easy to source from international markets as the C5 had little to no changes along its production period and its parts are also interchangeable with Corvette C6. According to the owner, prices of parts are also cheap compared to modern cars and are readily available internationally.
Maintenance
As per the owner, the Corvette is very reliable if we maintain it from time to time and he has only changed the oil and filters so far. Other than that, the car has had no work required other than a minor pulley problem which cost him 9,000 rupees to replace. Overall, the Corvette is not heavy on the pocket in terms of maintenance.
Fuel Average
One thing that the Corvette is heavy on the pocket is its Fuel average. According to the owner, he has never noted the exact fuel average but he thinks that roughly, the car gives 5 to 6 km/l if normally driven at low speeds. However, if you want to enjoy its power, then it won’t give more than 3 to 4 km/l.
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