Buying a 'Vette
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: North Scottsdale Arizona
Buying a 'Vette
Hello everyone, my name is Chris and currently I'm looking for a pre-owned C5. I'm going to trade in a 1990 Cadillac Eldorado, and wanted to find out the most about C5's as I could.
Is there any certain problem areas that used C5's have, and if so what? I've always wanted a Corvette since I was a teenager, and now I'm in the market for a different vehicle, so I figured I'd get my dream car. What should I expect to pay for an older C5 Coupe?
Thanks, and glad to be here!
Is there any certain problem areas that used C5's have, and if so what? I've always wanted a Corvette since I was a teenager, and now I'm in the market for a different vehicle, so I figured I'd get my dream car. What should I expect to pay for an older C5 Coupe?
Thanks, and glad to be here!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Chicago il
dont pay over 30gs.... i bet you can find a 97 -99 for under 21gs... just gotta shop around.
no problems at all, not major ones atleast.
keep in under 50k on the odometer...
get it, when I was 19 I made enough for a payment on a '95 vette and been hooked since.
try
autotrader.com
onlinetrader.com
cars.com
no problems at all, not major ones atleast.
keep in under 50k on the odometer...
get it, when I was 19 I made enough for a payment on a '95 vette and been hooked since.
try
autotrader.com
onlinetrader.com
cars.com
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Tel Aviv ISRAEL
Originally Posted by Goonie
dont pay over 30gs.... i bet you can find a 97 -99 for under 21gs... just gotta shop around.
no problems at all, not major ones atleast.
keep in under 50k on the odometer...
get it, when I was 19 I made enough for a payment on a '95 vette and been hooked since.
try
autotrader.com
onlinetrader.com
cars.com
no problems at all, not major ones atleast.
keep in under 50k on the odometer...
get it, when I was 19 I made enough for a payment on a '95 vette and been hooked since.
try
autotrader.com
onlinetrader.com
cars.com
there are some problems with the older models(column lock, Leaking Battery, rocking seat, )
.. search the forum.
why to keep the odometer under 50K? i know the lower is better.. but i dont know of any problem that starts when you go over that number...
please if you dont know what you're talking about, dont answer..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Chicago il
lol did you forget to take your pills today?
column lock, Leaking Battery, rocking seat... i dont consider those to prevent from anyone buyin the car, minor fixable problems.
50k just for the resale value, he buys one with 70k on it and tries to sell it at 90k, itll be a tough sell.
opinions are what makes america great
column lock, Leaking Battery, rocking seat... i dont consider those to prevent from anyone buyin the car, minor fixable problems.
50k just for the resale value, he buys one with 70k on it and tries to sell it at 90k, itll be a tough sell.
opinions are what makes america great
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Piston slap and oil consumption seem to be common with older C5s. My 2002 Silverado is a little noisy in the morning, but so far, no problems with the 2004 Vette. I suggest doing searches on this forum for "piston slap" and "oil consumption".
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Tel Aviv ISRAEL
Originally Posted by Goonie
lol did you forget to take your pills today?
column lock, Leaking Battery, rocking seat... i dont consider those to prevent from anyone buyin the car, minor fixable problems.
50k just for the resale value, he buys one with 70k on it and tries to sell it at 90k, itll be a tough sell.
opinions are what makes america great
column lock, Leaking Battery, rocking seat... i dont consider those to prevent from anyone buyin the car, minor fixable problems.
50k just for the resale value, he buys one with 70k on it and tries to sell it at 90k, itll be a tough sell.
opinions are what makes america great
but he asked if there are any problems with the vette, of course that they are not good enough reason for not buying..
but its things he need to check out before buying..
well, about milage, as long as the car is in the average its ok, so for a 99 that has 6-7 years on the road, the milage should be close to 80k..
some people here have much more then that... and i belive that the vette is as good as it ever been..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Chicago il
lol im driving down to miami in 2 months to see some friends, were gonna hook up 
i bought a y2k with 33k on it a cpl months ago for 22gs... my 95 i bought with 25k and it was 4 years old... maybe i just have a thing with high milage on cars... i dunno
i bought a y2k with 33k on it a cpl months ago for 22gs... my 95 i bought with 25k and it was 4 years old... maybe i just have a thing with high milage on cars... i dunno
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Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: North Scottsdale Arizona
I'll have to check those things out, but none will stop me from buying a 'Vette. I like to be aware of what some problems area are of the older C5's, and now I know! Will I be able to find an older (1998-2000) with my specs for under $25,000? My specs:
1998-2000 Corvette Coupe
Red, Blue, Yellow, or Silver
Automatic
Those are my only criteria for it.
1998-2000 Corvette Coupe
Red, Blue, Yellow, or Silver
Automatic
Those are my only criteria for it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,549
Likes: 0
From: MDT
greetings hopeful..................we were all hopeful at one point or another. conventional wisdom says buy the newest car w/ the lowest mileage in the best condition that you can afford. check autotrader or kbb. before you buy a car, be sure to run a car fax & get a service history; you can typically get both of these done over in the c5s for sale forum. don't be smitten by any car; if it doesn't look or feel right, walk away. there will indeed be other cars other days. best of luck in your search. when you find the one, you'll know it. bub
p.s. it may not be a bad idea to consider an aftermarke warranty; many folks who buy vettes tend to get these.
p.s. it may not be a bad idea to consider an aftermarke warranty; many folks who buy vettes tend to get these.
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You should be able to find a lot of Vettes in the price range you mention. Another area to check for is rear differential seal leaks. All I can say is just check the car out very carefully - hopefully you will find one that meets your criteria and is a well kept car.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Originally Posted by ebubman
greetings hopeful..................we were all hopeful at one point or another. conventional wisdom says buy the newest car w/ the lowest mileage in the best condition that you can afford. check autotrader or kbb. before you buy a car, be sure to run a car fax & get a service history; you can typically get both of these done over in the c5s for sale forum. don't be smitten by any car; if it doesn't look or feel right, walk away. there will indeed be other cars other days. best of luck in your search. when you find the one, you'll know it. bub
p.s. it may not be a bad idea to consider an aftermarke warranty; many folks who buy vettes tend to get these.
p.s. it may not be a bad idea to consider an aftermarke warranty; many folks who buy vettes tend to get these.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 3
From: Valparaiso Indiana
This is the best time of year to go vette shopping. Look in the colder climates where they're not demanding top dollar. Plenty of them out there!
The biggest problem you'll have with a C5 is finding enough money leftover after the purchase to mod it up
Good luck!
The biggest problem you'll have with a C5 is finding enough money leftover after the purchase to mod it up
Good luck!