yup i had a 97 also and it was a good car..
Happy to hear your OK.
The newest low mile Vette your money allows makes me 
good luck
Early C5's ???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
"If" it's totalled? That car is absolutely totalled. Don't be afraid to buy a 97-99 they are great. In fact a lot of the early cars dont have piston slap and oil burning problems. Mine runs really strong. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
Originally Posted by Neablas
I just get a bad taste in my mouth (no offense) when I think of the 97, 98 models. I think it has to do with being first year models. But no, if that's what you can afford and it suits your taste, by all means, I just dont think I would purchase an 8 year old car without a cautious eye.
motor aside, you have think about wiring issues, wear & tear .. etc etc.
not all corvette owners take as good of care as most of us do.
motor aside, you have think about wiring issues, wear & tear .. etc etc.
not all corvette owners take as good of care as most of us do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 723
From: Chicago N/W Suburbs
If you've got $25,000 to work with, you can buy one nice C5. Consider a 2001 as they had numerous improvements over previous years. More horse power and torque, improved sound isolatoin, 2nd gen active handling, just to mention a few. The convetertible top is smoother too. It was the year of the big push for C5 refinement for the coupe and convertible. Afterward, GM focused on ZO6 refinement.
To emphasis though, earlier years 97-00 are still very nice cars with no concerns.
Check here for improvement details for 2001. Then click on the various press releases for the specifics.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/2001/index.html
$25,000 should buy a fully optioned 2001 coupe with 30k-40k miles. Or get a fully optioned 98-00 convertible with a few more miles, in that price range. Just be patient. They come up from time to time. You'd likely have to travel to get that great deal though.
Good luck with your insurance claim. I hope you get what your 96 is worth. And glad to hear nobody was hurt.
Ron
To emphasis though, earlier years 97-00 are still very nice cars with no concerns.
Check here for improvement details for 2001. Then click on the various press releases for the specifics.
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/2001/index.html
$25,000 should buy a fully optioned 2001 coupe with 30k-40k miles. Or get a fully optioned 98-00 convertible with a few more miles, in that price range. Just be patient. They come up from time to time. You'd likely have to travel to get that great deal though.
Good luck with your insurance claim. I hope you get what your 96 is worth. And glad to hear nobody was hurt.
Ron
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 191
From: Orange County California
I have a 99 i bought almost a year ago for 21k from a dealer with 38k miles on it. it had Chrome Y2K's and a borla exhaust to boot
I would think if you look well you can get a 2001 for 25k in nice shape. You'll get a little more power and torque. Id you buy an early one get a 99 like I did you'll be able to have hud, active handling, dual climate, etc. Thats why i bought it, it was essentially an 04' that i got for peanuts.
Good luck, and yes your car is totaled. In fact i would fight it if they wanted to fix it, unfortunately that car is toast.
Having been a C4 owner twice trust me you will love a C5 and not look back.
I would think if you look well you can get a 2001 for 25k in nice shape. You'll get a little more power and torque. Id you buy an early one get a 99 like I did you'll be able to have hud, active handling, dual climate, etc. Thats why i bought it, it was essentially an 04' that i got for peanuts.
Good luck, and yes your car is totaled. In fact i would fight it if they wanted to fix it, unfortunately that car is toast.
Having been a C4 owner twice trust me you will love a C5 and not look back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 723
From: Chicago N/W Suburbs
It would be interesting what the "Buy-Back" price would be for your 96 from the insurance company.
You never know........get it super cheap, fix it well, and then sell it. Or part it out. It's surely worth asking the question to them.
The damage really appears to be only cosmetic as the impact was high up. Maybe it's as simple as replacing the windshield and skins, along with bolt-on brackets, shrouds, etc. If the frame, suspension, and engine are not affected, it could be reasonable to repair. Especially with the used parts sources on the forum. The paint job can be costly though to get it looking perfect.
Either case, be sure a C5 is in your garage in the end. It is like night and day, C4 to C5.
Ron
You never know........get it super cheap, fix it well, and then sell it. Or part it out. It's surely worth asking the question to them.
The damage really appears to be only cosmetic as the impact was high up. Maybe it's as simple as replacing the windshield and skins, along with bolt-on brackets, shrouds, etc. If the frame, suspension, and engine are not affected, it could be reasonable to repair. Especially with the used parts sources on the forum. The paint job can be costly though to get it looking perfect.
Either case, be sure a C5 is in your garage in the end. It is like night and day, C4 to C5.
Ron
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Originally Posted by Neablas
glad everyone made it out ok.97 & 98, i think are ones to stay away from ($0.02) but 99 and up are all fine.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 0
From: Nesconset NY
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Wow glad you are OK. My advise to you is to look around for a while just don't jump to get another vette right away. It seems to be a buyers market for C5's right now but be patient. When you find the right one have it checked out by a mechanic. Post the vin on this forum and you will geet the service history and a car fax. These guys are great 
Good luck in the hunt 
My advise to you is to look around for a while just don't jump to get another vette right away. It seems to be a buyers market for C5's right now but be patient. When you find the right one have it checked out by a mechanic. Post the vin on this forum and you will geet the service history and a car fax. These guys are great Good luck in the hunt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Thanks for the advice all! You've been a great help. Fortunately for me, I love them in Silver and there are plenty to choose from. After looking on Auto Trader I find that I'm well within budget of a 98/99 with 30k to 40k miles. Now that I know what to look for, I don't feel so "in the dark".
Thanks again,
Richard
Thanks again,
Richard