i am looking for a c5 and just called about a 98 coupe . it's an early 98 [no hud],5,000 miles, automatic trans.,sebring silver,black interior . price=$25,000 . is it a good buy? would i find bad [expensive]problems soon because of the low mileage,cars were made to be driven not to set .think he said he uses all''redtop'' fluids[?] . lastly he has $3000 in aftermarket parts still in boxes that are included . going to look after 3 o'clock today or monday weather dependent . am i better off looking at say a 2000 with more miles . HELP, i am not knowledgeable about c5's . if i don't buy and anyone is interested i'd be glad to forward your email or phone number to the owner just send it to me . thanks duane [bc]

 

$25K for a '98 coupe - even with only 5K miles is a little steep. He must mean RedLine fluids.....I think.

I would not be concerned about buying a '98 - with low miles, but be prepared to replace 8 year old tires. I would think they've dried out. The $3K in aftermarket parts - what are the parts?

The one thing I'd do - is get the VIN and forward it via PM to Sponge Vette and ask him to run it through the system for service and origination history.

In a way - I hate hearing about these cars with such low mileage. They were meant to be driven and enjoyed. Someone bought this car and pretty much let it sit. For your benefit, you've found an almost brand new 8 year old car. If it all checks out, I'd try to get the seller down a couple of grand and then buy it and enjoy it!!

 

Keep in mind that prices will vary significantly by region, but I just sold a '98 Coupe (Torch Red w/Oak interior, auto, CD changer, dual zone climate, memory...) for $18k. It did have 67k miles on it, but it also had a brand new top and tires.

I think you could do better. There are a couple posted in the for sale forum for less money.

 

I think you should get it. So what if ya got to spend a little more for a car with only 5k miles. Its practically brand new. i mean, sure you could save a couple of g's, but then you would get a car with a hell of alot more miles. In most cases, you get what you pay for. If everything checks out on this car, I would get it. Goodluck!!

 

 

Duane,
If you do not get it, please send me a PM with contact info for seller
Thanks
Dave

 

bought my 98 two years ago for 23.. had about 5 k of mods and two set of rims and tires that were good to go....almost new tires

but, ya want it, get it.......kinda pricey, but I bet its nice.

 

25k does seem a tad steep, but he is probablly including the 3k in aftermarket parts

good luck

 

I just bought a loaded ’99 6spd Coupe with only 1,658 miles and the car is like brand new, absolutely flawless in every way. It was properly stored and maintained and I have not had any issues. The car has every option offered and was exactly what I was looking for and came with a new battery and fresh fluids. You won’t find a flawless or near flawless car with high mileage.

I think the price on the ’98 that you are considering is a little high but still very good considering all of the money you will have to put into even a well maintained high mileage C5 for all of the wear items such as trans, brakes, tires, belt, hoses, suspension components, fluid changes etc if you plan on keeping it for any length of time. Your repairs and maintenance will run into the thousands and in the short term may outweigh any savings especially if you have the work done by others. Plus the interior and exterior on the ’98 will not need any work either.

Best of all the car was not tampered with and you know that it was babied. And on top of it all you are receiving $3k in mods that you can use or sell and offset the price premium. You are not going to find a decent ’98-00 C5 with under 30K miles for under $21-$22. You also may not come across another garage queen with 5K miles as well. Offer less and see what happens, but is it worth $25K, only you can answer that. Don’t hesitate too long, it may go fast.

Sounds good. Good luck!

 

Lots of good advice above. What else have you personally seen for $25K? That should help you decide what fits for you.
On a side note, I'll never understand the mentality of these people who won't drive their new Vettes. Even if his storage was free, this guy is losing 20-30K to drive 5,000 miles. $4/ mile minimum. What a waste on so many levels. - Except to you of course. Let us know how you make out.

 

as long as you want an auto and not the stick.hud can be done,and the seats got to be mint as well.I dont understand a 98 with 5,000 miles.Thats

 

Lots of issues here. How sure are you of the mileage.. At 5000 miles, the car should look brand new, tires wheels wells, undercarrage, seats, rugs, motor... It is very easy to change visual mileage.\a simple DIC cluster change for 250 dollars will change the visual mileage.
The original mileage of the car stays in the PCM.
Seems funny to me a guy would have a car with no mileage on it, then spend 3000 for mods , and then sell the car... I smell something fishy.
a 98 with standard milage on it, around 100K are selling for 14/15K.
the only thing that would make this 20/22000 dollar car would be the low miles.... But I am skeptical...

 

thanks for replies to this point.we have a 99 acura 3.0cl with 14,000 miles we'd need to sell . we have driven the acura about 600 miles in about the last 4 years[since i lost my job] . when i think about the insurance we have been paying it must be about $2.50 a mile ,,,,now that is DUMB on our part . thanks again bc

 

 

True, a gauge cluster change can do that, but I think a dealer can find out from the pcm. The low mileage does not seem fishy, some people just don't have time, or don't care to just go cruising. One of my fathers cars is a 99 mercedes benz CLK Convertible, 7,000 original miles! sure you could get a 98 with 100,000 miles on it, but think about all the money you have to put into it. Even a car that was taken care of perfectly, parts just wear out from natural wear and tear, no matter how well you take care of it. again, if everything checks out, maybe one could make a good deal on this car.

 

Wow, 5000 miles on a 98! Too bad the guy never really enjoyed his car.

 

People comment on my post all the time and address only certain things...
I said..... True mileage is stored in the PCM.... I did not say I think....
So for someone to say they think it is stored there , then comments on my post is pathetic....

Ive been on this earth 61 years, 45 of those years have been devoted to automotive engineering..the last seven were devoted to the C5.

I know cars that are 20 years old can have very few miles on them...To try to tell me that is also pathetic......

IN this thread I only mentioned the mileage seems to be the one thing that is driving the price up...
I also said the "Visual " Mileage can be easily changes for 250 dollars.

What I meant by this part of the post is... was the mileage verified by BY a dealership scan of the PCM???? or just what the DIC cluster stated.

I also said why would a guy keep a car for seven years, put no mileage on it, invest in 3000 dollars worth of mods and not put them on...

I did Not say this was a bad deal, I said it smells fishy, 25K is too much even for a 98 with 5K on the cluster.

If IN fact it does have 5K on the clock. as much damage from sitting can be caused by acidity in the lubricant. Moisture is a killer also... Low mileage is as bad as high mileage in some instances...


Point in fact, many LS1/X engines driven normally for 100K following the maintenance schedule have little or no wear. WE tested this engine up to 200K . IT is an amazing piece of machinery.

My point to this is to make sure things that can be checked, are checked... many people are blinded by things like mileage, and do not look into deep consequences. If the car check out, Great, but I would not pay 25K for a 98... it is worth a premium many 98's are going for 14/15 K,,, 5 grand for low mileage is way beyond any trade magazine or auto trader would allow... 20K/21 would be tops.

 

Just to give you a first hand idea of prices being paid... I paid 21k for my '98 coupe last summer... 52,000 miles. It was in very, very good mechanical condition and so far no major troubles with it.

 

Offer him a price minus the parts he is charging you for.

 

that is a good deal, your obviosly going to pay more for a car with 5k as opposed to 50k I dont care what people say mileage is what keeps most newer vettes priced high, if that car had 50 or 70 k on it you and most other people wouldnt buy it, even if it was real clean, look in the for sale section people are asking 22-25 for vettes with 50k on them, and to be realistic they are not going to sell anywhere close to that, I love driving my vette but last year i only put 2500 miles on it, i have a job as im sure you do as well, and for most people these cars are dream cars ..mine was..and now i have it and love it but it does sit a while if thats the color combo you want try to get it as cheap as possible and buy it even if you hve to pay 24 thats a good deal.....Good luck