BluegrassMotorsport

Howdy y'all. Been a very, very long time since I've been on the forum. I have missed it!

I have been toying with the idea of selling or trading my C3 in favor of a C5. I love my C3! But, as with most classic cars, it is starting to become more expensive than I would like to upkeep. C5 prices are right in line with what I could afford after selling my car and I wouldn't mind having something newer.

I am pretty well set on a coupe unless I can really talk myself into a Z06. I prefer the appearance of the FRC style, but I got used to the T tops on my car and I can't imagine going back unless it's for the right car. I'd like to keep it somewhere in the 2003-2004 range. I would like a car with a few options, in particular HUD and some of the preferred equipment. I'm not dead set on automatic or manual, yet.

I've been finding some killer deals online! You can really get a lot of car for the money with these things. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in terms of maintenance? Or in general about the car? What do the owners recommend?

Also, I'm sure there are a thousand threads just like this already, but I haven't quite mastered the search function on this forum. Couldn't really find what I was looking for. I'm sure it's something simple I'm missing.

Verrückt ZR1

The search function is useless on the forum. Google is your friend.

There's a couple of stickies at the top of the C5 general forum that will tell you everything you need to know about purchasing the right C5. Good luck in your quest, and welcome back!

BTW, I have a beautiful '04 Z for sale. Just thought I'd take the free plug.

ZAZZ

they only made the hardtop coupe (FRC) in 99-2000. after that if that is the bodystyle you want, you are limited to just the Z06. they are great cars for the money! trick is just finding one that isn't overpriced. a good clean car with no accident history should be able to be found for around 13-15 grand If you keep looking. they have a few issues, which can be explained in the stickied threads at the top. good luck!

BluegrassMotorsport

Thanks guys! Those threads looked helpful and if they were a snake, they would have bitten me. Looked right over them haha.

Vetteman Jack

Good luck with your search for a C5. Plenty of them out there at very good prices. And as others have said, the stickies will help you out a lot.

ZFLASH

Best advice? Buy mine, you'll get both worlds. '03 coup wide rear end,Z06 ls6 engine, RPM V auto for $20k or for $60k I'll throw in a Ls2 '55 Ford F100. But seriously, these are the best vettes for the money. Good luck in your search, just be patient and you'll get what you want. L8R ZFLASH

msandym

I had a c3 , yellow 71 coupe beautiful . It always needed something and I never knew when I would be flatbedded home . I drove it a lot ! But I started feeling like you sold it , bought the c5 . The biggest thing is the driving experience , it's awesome ! And the looks are great , I put 14000 miles so far in less than a year . There are a lot of really nice ones out there ,at least by me ( Long Island) go for it !

S.C. vette

Review the pinned threads in the C5 topics areas. More often than not, searching can render useless and dated info....

calvins

Well, I think that pretty much covers the stickies. Congrats on your decision. The C5 resembles a C3 about how a half-track resembles a Caddy. Totally new experience.

As for the forum search, yes it is a challenge. I use google, put in what I'm looking for and then ad corvetteforum as a search argument too. That works pretty well.

Good luck and REALLY read the stickies.

friou

As stated above, read the stickies! I also had a C3, a beautiful low mileage and fully loaded 71 454 4spd, great car and I loved it, should never have sold it. That being said, my C5 is a much, much better performance car, all around, than the '71 ever was. C5's are great, however, I do believe you need to excercise a lot of caution when shopping for a C5. Even though now getting older, they are still pretty complicated cars, both electronically and mechanically. Make sure to insist on maintenance records, accident history and a full inspection by a qualified tech/shop who knows C5's and is not connected to the seller. These cars are wonderful, the bargain basement priced performance car of the century. But you have to be careful, a neglected and/or problem C5 can be a very expensive proposition. There are quite a few beautifully cared for C5's available. Take your time, do your homework, it will pay off big time for you! Good luck!

coia96vette

Hey redvette77, been thinking about selling my Z51 '04 black on black corvette. Just don't drive it much since the divorce. All stock and fully loaded with both tops. If interested PM me for more info and pictures.

IMXCITD

good idea moving to a C5....you will enjoy it. Happy vette hunting!

Rabbitman

I'm glad I got the one I have and don't have to make that decision. I'd have a hell of a time now picking out another C5 but more than likely it would be a Z06 but I've never even ridden in one for that matter.

Velocity_Vette

Find a few for sale and go and get some seat time. I was pretty dead set on what I wanted, making things easier, but as you don't really know more important things likes a manual or automatic (would never buy an automatic C5 ...) your best bet is seriously to go try a few cars out.

You're in Kentucky so seek out some of your local Corvette clubs and see when they have meetings. I guarantee you a good established club is going to have more C5 owners that you can shake a stick at, and they're all going to have cars with varying options and styles. At the least you can see if you can crash a meeting or club-meet-up and look over a ton of cars in one place