New guy saying hello
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
New guy saying hello
Hi everyone. I've been lurking here for a few days after finally deciding that yes, I must have a C5 Corvette, and the sooner the better. The last time I rode in one, I was probably 8 years old. That would have been 1968. I remember my sister's boyrfriend had a very cool car and it was very, very fast. Flash forward a few years... Now that the kids are older, we can finally jettison the minivan/SUV thing and I'm about ready to start having some fun again. Previous cars included a Porsche 911 Targa, 300ZX Turbo and more recently a Jaguar S Type that I bought for my wife. The latter got me real interested in luxury performance once again, and I decided that I was going to need something really special for my next vehicle. I'm beginning to feel like Goldilocks. First, I set my sites on a Mercedes SLK 32 AMG. I liked the idea of the retractible hard top and supercharched six. Then I took one for a ride. Drove like a scalded *** ape and was great fun, but too small and spartan for me. I felt really squeezed in there and my lower back hurt. I simply couldn't find a comfortable seating configuration. So I gave up on that one. Then I (briefly) considered a Viper (too ugly and spartan inside, among other drawbacks), a Lotus Elise (and I thought I had trouble entering and exiting the SBenz!) and Lexus SC 430. But aside from the retractible hard top, there is really no need to duplicate a lot of the luxury appointments that I already have in the Jag. Plus, those boogers are darned expensive. I'm looking for some real value.
So then I started considering for the first time in my life, a Corvette. My 13-year old son would worship me as a God if I bought a C5. He's always loved 'em. And the more I looked, the more intrigued I became. I found a 1999 silver convertible for sale on a local lot (they're asking way too much) but decided to take it for a test drive to see if it was a good fit.
Was it ever.
I wish I had brought a lemon to bite into to wipe that silly grin off my face after a 10 minute test drive. That's it. I finally found my "just right" vehicle that delivers just enough comfort and plenty of performance and looks like a million bucks all at the same time. I'm officially in the market for a (preferably) 2001 C5 convertible with less than 45k mi for somewhere between $20k-$24k. Are my expectations realistic? It would seem so based on my research so far.
You want to know one of the things that sold me on the Corvette besides the tight steering, bold acceleration and rocking driver's seat? (Just kidding on the last one) As I was taking the test drive, I spotted another Corvette across the street and the owner instinctively waved. I thought "man, if these guys will even waive at a guy taking a test drive, then Corvette owners must be ALL RIGHT in general", ha ha.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to learning more and thanks in advance for answering my questions, which I'm sure will sound very basic and ignorant for the most part (because they will be).
Best wishes,
Jeff
So then I started considering for the first time in my life, a Corvette. My 13-year old son would worship me as a God if I bought a C5. He's always loved 'em. And the more I looked, the more intrigued I became. I found a 1999 silver convertible for sale on a local lot (they're asking way too much) but decided to take it for a test drive to see if it was a good fit.
Was it ever.
I wish I had brought a lemon to bite into to wipe that silly grin off my face after a 10 minute test drive. That's it. I finally found my "just right" vehicle that delivers just enough comfort and plenty of performance and looks like a million bucks all at the same time. I'm officially in the market for a (preferably) 2001 C5 convertible with less than 45k mi for somewhere between $20k-$24k. Are my expectations realistic? It would seem so based on my research so far.You want to know one of the things that sold me on the Corvette besides the tight steering, bold acceleration and rocking driver's seat? (Just kidding on the last one) As I was taking the test drive, I spotted another Corvette across the street and the owner instinctively waved. I thought "man, if these guys will even waive at a guy taking a test drive, then Corvette owners must be ALL RIGHT in general", ha ha.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to learning more and thanks in advance for answering my questions, which I'm sure will sound very basic and ignorant for the most part (because they will be).
Best wishes,
Jeff
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
For what you are looking for, I would expect you will have to pay $28 to 30K on a private party deal for a base model '01 convertible. A dealer will be looking for 3-4K above that
unless you get lucky with someone that is motivated to move it at this time of year.
Check out the C5 for sale section
unless you get lucky with someone that is motivated to move it at this time of year.
Check out the C5 for sale section
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 14
From: Baltimore Md.
Welcome to the forum and good luck in finding your dream car. If you are patient, you will find what you want at the right price. There is nothing li
ke the all-american corvette!
(screwed this up) Anyway, don't forget to wave.
ke the all-american corvette!
(screwed this up) Anyway, don't forget to wave.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Welcome to the Forum and good luck finding the C5 that trips your trigger as well as that of your 13 year old son. You are making the right choice and will be in for miles and miles of fun. 
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Wow! So many warm welcomes in such a short time! I've obviously come to the right place. 
I think I would probably be just as happy with a 2000 or 1999 if I can find it equipped the way I want and it's clean without too many previous owners. When I see some of these cars on eBay that have had 5 owners in as many years, I get a little leery.
I have a friend who is a Chevrolet dealer that I have known for almost 20 years and I think he will be able to find a great car for me for not too much over wholesale trade-in or auction price. The lease on the minivan isn't up for a few more months, so I've got plenty of time to wait for the "right" convertible to come along. I know that people get emotionally attached to their cars, but I don't want to pay more than a grand or two more more than a dealer would offer on a trade in. The good news for the seller is, I am prepared to move quickly for the right vehicle.
Thanks again for the warm welcome. I will have a few more questions, for sure.
Best wishes,
Jeff
I think I would probably be just as happy with a 2000 or 1999 if I can find it equipped the way I want and it's clean without too many previous owners. When I see some of these cars on eBay that have had 5 owners in as many years, I get a little leery.
I have a friend who is a Chevrolet dealer that I have known for almost 20 years and I think he will be able to find a great car for me for not too much over wholesale trade-in or auction price. The lease on the minivan isn't up for a few more months, so I've got plenty of time to wait for the "right" convertible to come along. I know that people get emotionally attached to their cars, but I don't want to pay more than a grand or two more more than a dealer would offer on a trade in. The good news for the seller is, I am prepared to move quickly for the right vehicle.
Thanks again for the warm welcome. I will have a few more questions, for sure.
Best wishes,
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Murray KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Vette Listings
Check these sights out. If you dont find anything you like you will at least know a ballpark figure of corvette prices.
http://www.vettehound.com/geo/classifieds.php?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52
Best of luck,
Bob
http://www.vettehound.com/geo/classifieds.php?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52
Best of luck,
Bob
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Welcome to the best Forum on the 'Net, Jeff! I have only two pieces of sage advice to offer you in your quest....
1. Buy the newest lowest mileage car you can afford. Don't get too hung up on year - unless you find a color that is specific to that year.
2. Don't compromise on your dream car - if you find the car you want and "gotta have it" - negotiate the best price you can, then go for it! And never doubt yourself or look back!
If you find a car you really like, and you want a little more information about it before you sign on the dotted line - send a private message with the VIN to Sponge Vette who can run the service and origination history on the car. You will be able to tell the build date, the in service date, all of the factory installed options and any service history that was performed under warranty by a dealer service department.
Good luck - and remember the only stupid question is the one unasked!
1. Buy the newest lowest mileage car you can afford. Don't get too hung up on year - unless you find a color that is specific to that year.
2. Don't compromise on your dream car - if you find the car you want and "gotta have it" - negotiate the best price you can, then go for it! And never doubt yourself or look back!
If you find a car you really like, and you want a little more information about it before you sign on the dotted line - send a private message with the VIN to Sponge Vette who can run the service and origination history on the car. You will be able to tell the build date, the in service date, all of the factory installed options and any service history that was performed under warranty by a dealer service department.
Good luck - and remember the only stupid question is the one unasked!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Jeff, 
You've come to a great place! I think you can probably find an 01 in the
upper end of your price range. You mentioned having back pain in certain
seats, I find the "Sport" seats very comfortable and support well.
Good luck with your search. Look around here for a while, you'll find a bunch
of good info!
You've come to a great place! I think you can probably find an 01 in the
upper end of your price range. You mentioned having back pain in certain
seats, I find the "Sport" seats very comfortable and support well.
Good luck with your search. Look around here for a while, you'll find a bunch
of good info!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
I'm absolutely stunned... amazed... and grateful, for the response I've received here. What a terrific bunch.
It's going to be fun...
It's going to be fun...
