Purchasing help
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: LA CA
Purchasing help
Hello everyone. I'm new to corvette forums and also don't currently own a vett. I'm 23 years old and just landed my first serious career job as a database programmer (because I just graduated as well). Starting monday, I will have enough income to get my childhood dream car, and I was wondering if you guys could please give me some tips when looking at used vetts.
My budget is probably $30,000 tops (less than $450/month payments with $3,000 down) as I also am going to take on house payments soon. I was thinking at least 2002 m6, but I'm also considering higher milage to get the z06 package (405hp would be sexy nice!!!). This car would be strickly a weekend fun car only, garaged during the week.
I guess my biggest question is what kind of millage should I be looking for? I checked several adds and found a 2002 hatch m6 for $28k with 36k miles. Also I found a 2002 z06 for $29k with 76k miles (seems a bit high for a 4 year old car). I'd like a relatively trouble free car for 3-5 years. I'll probably only mod the exhaust and maybe play around with gear ratios and a new sound system.
Also, any obvious red flags I should be looking for? places where oil leaks? odd sounds? anything will help. While I've had some fun modding my celica GT, replacing the head gasket, radiator, etc....I'm only moderately technically savy, and I've never worked with the LS1 or LS6 (or any >4 cylinder engine).
Any handling issues I should be concerned with? etc.... Thanks in advanced for all input. I'm looking forward to joining you guys and finally getting my dream car.
My budget is probably $30,000 tops (less than $450/month payments with $3,000 down) as I also am going to take on house payments soon. I was thinking at least 2002 m6, but I'm also considering higher milage to get the z06 package (405hp would be sexy nice!!!). This car would be strickly a weekend fun car only, garaged during the week.
I guess my biggest question is what kind of millage should I be looking for? I checked several adds and found a 2002 hatch m6 for $28k with 36k miles. Also I found a 2002 z06 for $29k with 76k miles (seems a bit high for a 4 year old car). I'd like a relatively trouble free car for 3-5 years. I'll probably only mod the exhaust and maybe play around with gear ratios and a new sound system.
Also, any obvious red flags I should be looking for? places where oil leaks? odd sounds? anything will help. While I've had some fun modding my celica GT, replacing the head gasket, radiator, etc....I'm only moderately technically savy, and I've never worked with the LS1 or LS6 (or any >4 cylinder engine).
Any handling issues I should be concerned with? etc.... Thanks in advanced for all input. I'm looking forward to joining you guys and finally getting my dream car.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '05
This post has about everything you'd want to know about the C5 Corvette:
Link to Common C5 Info
This post has about everything you'd want to know about the Z06
Link to Z06 FAQs
Good luck on your search. IMHO, I'd go with a lower mileage 2002 Coupe instead of a higher mileage Z06.
Link to Common C5 Info
This post has about everything you'd want to know about the Z06
Link to Z06 FAQs
Good luck on your search. IMHO, I'd go with a lower mileage 2002 Coupe instead of a higher mileage Z06.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by KingWSK
Thanks scottN for the advice! Yeah, lower miles sounds like the smarter thing to do. How long do vetts generally last? 200k miles? 150?
