C5 possible for $15-16K?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 535
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From: Shorewood Illinois
C5 possible for $15-16K?
Is it possible to find a C5 coupe with a M6 for around $15-16K? I live near Chicago and was originally looking for a C4 to modify and have fun with. A friend asked me why not a C5 and leave it mostly stock? I didn't have a good answer. What do you guys think? After all, you're the experts!!! Thanks for the help.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by Scatterbrained
Is it possible to find a C5 coupe with a M6 for around $15-16K? I live near Chicago and was originally looking for a C4 to modify and have fun with. A friend asked me why not a C5 and leave it mostly stock? I didn't have a good answer. What do you guys think? After all, you're the experts!!! Thanks for the help.
S
S
in chicago the vette prices are really expensive... look at the c5 for sale section... I bought a 2000 coupe for 23 with 30k miles... prices around here are holding up good...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
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From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Yep, it would have to be a pretty high mileage C5 for that price ... or salvaged. I have seen some around $18k with around 80k mileage.
Good luck in your search bud,
Richard
Good luck in your search bud,
Richard
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,005
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From: Mustangs are like Tampons.. Every P*$$* has one!
I got my 97 for $14,500! Although the asking price was 20k i traded in my other car and got me vette for a killer price. It came with 87,000 miles on it when I bought it. I love it! It is possible but difficult. Good Luck in yor search, oh and go with the C5!!
Doug
Doug
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Flagstaff Arizona
I would think it's possible. You will have to look around alot and find someone who is willing to deal. Your best bet is from a private seller. I got my '98 last year for 19,000 and it only had 32,000 miles. The price of a C5 is falling pretty fast right now and if you shop wisely you should be able to find one (non-salvage).
Last edited by mfriley; Jan 28, 2006 at 01:57 AM.
Florida turtle advocate
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Gulfcoast Salvage Englewood, Fla
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I'm new to C5s(3 weeks now)but it seems like people think an 80K car is like worn out or something???If these things are half as good as C4s there should be a lot of enjoyment left in them or at least I really hope so because mine has 72K on it and I've put 3000 on it since I got it.I just don't want to drive anything else if I can drive the C5..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
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From: arlington tx
Originally Posted by Daffy427
I'm new to C5s(3 weeks now)but it seems like people think an 80K car is like worn out or something???If these things are half as good as C4s there should be a lot of enjoyment left in them or at least I really hope so because mine has 72K on it and I've put 3000 on it since I got it.I just don't want to drive anything else if I can drive the C5..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,879
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From: Plainfield Ill.
Originally Posted by NSTG8R
this thread and threads like this make me cringe when i think of the value of my 03 .. how much was and how much its worth
The good thing that GM did is that the lines of the C5 even though it's considered an older model is that it never looks dated IMHO. I've had a couple of non Corvette people but car people nonetheless ask me if my 03 was the newer model and when I respond that it's an 03 they tell me that it still looks new which puts a grin on my face. So it'll be in my garage even if the value of it falls under 10K which I believe (to hope) will never happen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
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Couple of thoughts, most of which agree with everything else that's been said already:
1) Yes, you can find a car at that price but it's likely to have high mileage, need some things (tires alone are a close-to $1000 expense) and/or be a less than stellar example of a C5. It's probably worth spending $3-5 grand more and getting the best car you can find.
2) Shop NOW! Prices for these cars drip upward a bit in the spring. They probably won't go up dramatically, but the best deals are to be had now while it's cold and people aren't enjoying them as much.
3) You may want to shop outside the Chicago market to find a better price, but don't discount the cost of travel to look at a car (you might want to go look at more than one) and/or the cost of shipping it home (if you don't drive it).
4) Don't give up. As much as it pains me to see them go for $15-$17, there are some great deals to be had out there. Be smart about your purchase and make sure you buy the RIGHT one at your price, not necesarly the FIRST one at your price. And a C5 is without a doubt a better choice than a C4. You won't regret it.
Good luck and enjoy the search!
1) Yes, you can find a car at that price but it's likely to have high mileage, need some things (tires alone are a close-to $1000 expense) and/or be a less than stellar example of a C5. It's probably worth spending $3-5 grand more and getting the best car you can find.
2) Shop NOW! Prices for these cars drip upward a bit in the spring. They probably won't go up dramatically, but the best deals are to be had now while it's cold and people aren't enjoying them as much.
3) You may want to shop outside the Chicago market to find a better price, but don't discount the cost of travel to look at a car (you might want to go look at more than one) and/or the cost of shipping it home (if you don't drive it).
4) Don't give up. As much as it pains me to see them go for $15-$17, there are some great deals to be had out there. Be smart about your purchase and make sure you buy the RIGHT one at your price, not necesarly the FIRST one at your price. And a C5 is without a doubt a better choice than a C4. You won't regret it.
Good luck and enjoy the search!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Just did a search on Autotrader.com and the pickins are slim my friend. Three cars nationwide for 16,000 or under, but in the 16 to 20000 range the list grows considerably. They are out there, just a harder find on the budget you have. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Last year a club member pidked up a '98 coupe with 40K miles in great shape for $18K.
A year later and if you will go to higher mileage in a '97 or '98... I'd say the answer is yes.... but they will be hard to find.
A year later and if you will go to higher mileage in a '97 or '98... I'd say the answer is yes.... but they will be hard to find.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
From: Insane Diego Kalifonya Baby
Originally Posted by NSTG8R
this thread and threads like this make me cringe when i think of the value of my 03 .. how much was and how much its worth
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 169
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High miles '99 FRC on ebay. Click here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...spagenameZWDVW
HIGH miles 1997
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...07228335QQrdZ1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...spagenameZWDVW
HIGH miles 1997
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevr...07228335QQrdZ1
Last edited by deercula; Jan 28, 2006 at 08:28 AM.
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by VLVETTE
Yea I know what you mean but if you aren't going to sell it ( which I'm not) what does it matter really. You have what you want and payed what it took to get it
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 605
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Originally Posted by C5VetteLS1
Yep, it would have to be a pretty high mileage C5 for that price ... or salvaged. I have seen some around $18k with around 80k mileage.
I'd have to say getting down into the $16k range the OP is probably looking at a '97 with even more miles on it.