Well, after living with nothing more than a boyhood dream for 27 years now, the time has come that I can finally realize the dream. With the addition of a new stripe on my arm (USAF, Promotion) I'm feeling very comfortable with our financial position, enough to purchase a C5 (finally!!!).

Wanted a Vette for a long time now. My true passion lies with the Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am (see sig) but I've long craved the refinement, performance, and looks of a Vette. Now that I'm ready to get one, have a couple of questions:

Financially speaking, I'd like to keep the price at about $25K as I'm going to be eating about $3K on the Lincoln LS (great car, maintenance nightmare, extremely quick depriciation). I've seen C5's ranging all over the place, but thought I'd ask the people more embedded in the realm what a 99-02 should be going for.

No questions about it, I want a 6 speed and it MUST be a coupe (read NOT a FRC). Period. The coupe lines I find to be more attractive than the bubble top FRC, and a vert means roll bar installation for the track. So yeah, six speed and coupe. And a HUD would be REALLY nice. Other than that, I'm pretty open to options. I'd prefer one of the more top of the line packages, but don't have a clue. I see Z51 thrown around a lot as well as magnetic ride control. Can anyone shed some light on some common and uncommon options???

I'd appreciate any help you could throw at me and look forward to hopefully joining the Corvette world in the near future. Thanks!

*Edit* Had a though, looking for an opinion. What would you guys do?? Whatever I get will be a daily driver for me most of the time and I KNOW it's going to be played with, modded, and raced. Would you go for a cheaper good condition higher mileage car or shell out some extra G's for a better condition lower mileage car?? I'm at a toss up. The prestige of a fairly new low mileage vette, or the comfort of knowing I can do what I want without tearing the heart out of the value of the car?

 

Watch who you call Bubble Top. If your a spirited driver then go for the Z51. And get the sport seats too. HUD can be added inexpensively. As far as mileage goes, the more miles, the more wear. Not just on the motor but on everything else too. Good luck and make sure you find the one you like. Color is a big part of it.

 

For $25,000 look for a 98-2000.

Someone today posted that he saw a '98 for $14,000 with about 45,000 miles. That's a deal. Some one suggested offering $13,000. Now that's highway robbery.

Since you want a track model, Z-51 option is a must. Beefed up brakes suspension and sway bar. Maybe tires depending upon age and whether they havbe been replaced.

BTW -- I was a 12 year Air Force vet in minuteman missiles . Congrats on the promotion, Sarge!!! I also owned two TA's. The Vette is head and shoulders above the TAs. (That's an understatement ).

Good luck with the purchase and that is part of the fun!

 

'97... lol, anyways I agree with the first reply, go with the z51

 

Check the C5s For Sale Section...
If you are going to race and mod and use it as a DD, I would go for a cheaper higher mileage car.

No sense paying a premium for a garage queen that will more quickly depreciate as aDD

 

I just talked to the guy with the pewter one in the for sale section (the 98 with 75K miles and the gunmetal C6 wheels). felt pretty good about that one, going to mull it over.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...&color=#vdptop

Meanwhile, this guy from the link above just got back to me with some pics taken today, and this car is freaking immaculate. Even the seats are spotless, no creasing or anything I could see in the pics. I'm trying to verify what this "adjustable" suspension is along with some other information, but I personally LOVE nassau blue and this car is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for, and a LOT closer. It's got the light grey interior, and makes a great combo.

Just FYI, I don't plan to road race the car or anything as that's not my thing, just a trip to Atco Raceway for some 1320 blasts once in a while when I'm not tweaking one of our T/A's.

 

Congratulations on your promotion! And, I, too, have been a fan of the Firebirds and Camaro's since their inception for decades having owned some eight, or, nine third gen's, myself. But, I must say that my favorite is my 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400, AND, it is the Beast from Hell!!! Shakes every damn window in the house, and, all the neighbors up and down the block when we start that Bad Boy up!

Now, as you have discovered, the C5 exists within another realm in and of itself. And, when shopping for such a prized vehicle, it is always wise to purchase the most recent model with the lowest mileage that you can actually afford. Moreover, within that constraint, do be aware that there have been a number of upgrades within the C5 line further improving this particular model run. And, the most important and significant upgrades were implemented in 2001 (wider throttle body, the same larger manifold air intake of the 2001 C5 Z06 was installed into the 2001 coupe and vert, HUD is definitely present, and, not a mere option as it was in previous years, etc., etc.)

Furthermore, you will find idiosyncracies, and, various trouble bulletins specific to the C5 even on up to the current model C6 Z06. Therefore, perform a search to better educate and inform yourself regarding these service issues. And, as you aspire to remain within your price range, do consider a step further and look at the 2001's. There ARE deals out there. And, you are bound to find one just right for you. Good luck, and, do keep us posted!

 

Best of luck to you finding the right new ride!

 

The nassau blue is a gorgeous and rare color. I saw no details about the car in the link that you posted.

I was in the USAF. My daughter is currently in the USAF. She is recovering from stress fractures in her feet at Lackland AFB in SA. I drove down from Austin TX to pick her up on Saturday. I stopped by a MP training dorm and shut the engine off. While I waited for her in the car, two young female airmen came by. One said "nice car sir". I thanked her. The other said "very nice car sir". Made my day!

I picked my daughter up and went cruising for a glorious day through the Texas hill country.

Whoops, got off track . . . . back to the Nassau Blue Vette. Very nice. If the price is right and it has all the things that you want, go fot it. Make sure to get a carfax.

Good luck!

 

Link has been edited. My bad.

Why should I be concentrating on the 2001's???

 

Ok. I just bought a 2001 yellow 6 speed coupe with 52K miles. It has every option possible including selective ride control, heads up, Chrome wheels, Brand new brakes and tires, a long receipt history from the dealer, and a private party seller who loves cars. I used car fax and found out that it had a clean history. Three others I looked at had 3 or more owners. One had been at three dealers before it finally sold and the new owner was selling after only 5K miles. Another was selling after only 3K miles. These sent big red flags up to me! From my understanding the 2001 and newer have the most advances. Check out this site. Its a list of model year changes.
http://www.jakelatham.com/c5/misc/differences.shtml
i paid 26,500.00 I live in So Cal and have a large selection to choose from. Good luck!!!

 

A number of improvements were made to the C5 in model year 2001 that were carried over to later model years:

More Performance...

More Agility...

More Refinement...

 

Interesting guys, thanks for the heads up. I figured the LS6 manifold/block addition would be one of the first things to get pointed out, and I just wasn't aware of the other enhancements. It's definitely something to chew on.

I'm probably going to keep a look at this Nassau blue 99 as it's an "off" color which I really like (unless anyone is selling an amethyst Vette). I think I might be OK with a little more archaic car as opposed to the 2001 because locally (which I MUCH prefer) I simply don't have the options to get a 01 for a really decent price. THat, and of course, I'd want the most desireable color out there (MY) which drives the price up more. I gotta keep myself in check because I could easily just turn a blind eye to sanity and drop $30K+ which I don't need to be doing. The performance differences I see as no more than a stumbling block towards an end goal, but the refinement and suspension has my eye caught.

I have GOT to keep reminding myself that there's no rush. I'm sure you all know what it's like where you know what you want and you want it now, and you get in a rush for it. I'm feeling that way right now.

 

for $25k, you can definitely be driving a c5. if possible, opt for lower miles over higher miles. miles are certainly the kiss of death on cars. look @ lots of cars & drive them. don't be smitten by any one car; conversely, when you see the one that meets your criteria, go for it. best of luck. bub

 

Congrats on the promotion. Hope you find the C5 that fits your dreams. You can certainly get into a very nice '00 for that price and maybe even an '01. Just take your time - when the right car comes along you will know it. Good luck.

 

A good friend of mine in town is selling his 02 Z06 for 28,000.
PM me if you are interested I'll get you his number.

 

The 2001 model year had several upgrades, so I'd try an locate/purchase a 2001 and up if at all possible.

BTW - Thanks for your service to our Country!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

Sorry, but as crazy as it sounds, I'm not interested in the ZO6. I love the LS6 but I find a Targa topped coupe to be more attractive than a FRC styled car. I gotta get some sun on my shaved head somehow.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I'm hitting this full steam and am VERY anxious to get one. Hopefully it won't be too long.

 

good lick on your search

 

good luck on your search