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1997 c5 t-top

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Old May 21, 2006 | 07:31 PM
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Default 1997 c5 t-top

Hello I am new to this website. I have been looking at a 1997 vette with a bodykit for a while now, It's a great deal that I really don't want to pass up. The only thing that is holding me back is the 80K miles it has. I'm not familiar with vettes and their ability to get into high mileage. I know most of you know vettes like the back of your hand, and my question is an 80K vette safe to drive daily and how much more life I'm going to get out of this engine. Thank You, and all input is appriciated.
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Old May 21, 2006 | 07:37 PM
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Just getting broke in ! Engine should be good for 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. I have a 1998 with 96,000 miles, only problem has been oil pressure sensor.
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Old May 21, 2006 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Oldvetter
Just getting broke in ! Engine should be good for 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. I have a 1998 with 96,000 miles, only problem has been oil pressure sensor.
Though things do wear out, Corvettes were made to be driven. You should be fine as long as it has not been on the track all its life.
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Old May 21, 2006 | 07:44 PM
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If the price is right, go for it!
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Old May 21, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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my 02 coupe is my daily driver..has 93K on it with nary a problem
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Old May 21, 2006 | 08:04 PM
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Thanks for all ur help. This is the vette:


http://www.rollingwheelsinc.com/car.asp?nAdID=1238
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Old May 21, 2006 | 09:40 PM
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Looks real nice to me..
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Old May 21, 2006 | 09:40 PM
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I may be mistaken but...wasnt ther 97' a FRC only? Didnt it take till 98 for the targa top to show up?
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Old May 21, 2006 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by jinxxman1
I may be mistaken but...wasnt ther 97' a FRC only? Didnt it take till 98 for the targa top to show up?
Nope, 97 was targa only. Verts came out in 98 and FRCs came out in 99.
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Old May 21, 2006 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by jinxxman1
I may be mistaken but...wasnt ther 97' a FRC only? Didnt it take till 98 for the targa top to show up?
You are mistaken. In 97, the removable top was available. In 98 was the first year for the C5 Convertible. FRC came out in 1999, I believe.


BanditSRT you beat me to it. (Only by a couple seconds though)
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Old May 22, 2006 | 09:30 AM
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Odd, I thought 97 and FRC only...Stand corrected
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Old May 22, 2006 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by BNEL69
Hello I am new to this website. I have been looking at a 1997 vette with a bodykit for a while now, It's a great deal that I really don't want to pass up. The only thing that is holding me back is the 80K miles it has. I'm not familiar with vettes and their ability to get into high mileage. I know most of you know vettes like the back of your hand, and my question is an 80K vette safe to drive daily and how much more life I'm going to get out of this engine. Thank You, and all input is appriciated.

my 97 has 117,000 miles and still runs like a scalded rabbit. (i think that's a good thing, right?! ) i ran upteen jillion times at autocross yesterday and then cruised home looking all sedate, except for the number 13 on both sides of the car.
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Old May 22, 2006 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Grumpy
my 02 coupe is my daily driver..has 93K on it with nary a problem
Yeah , as long as you dont back into things
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Old May 22, 2006 | 09:57 AM
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Yup, my 97 is a Targa top. I know because of the severe sunburn i got last week...


Dan
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Old May 22, 2006 | 09:59 AM
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Mine has 88K and running strong.
It has the standard C5 quirks/issues which you can find in the sticky at the top of the C5 general section called Weights, Measures, Ratios etc...
It is filled with great info on issues and fixes..
the engine should get at least 200K without a major rebuild.

Welcome to the Forum.
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Old May 22, 2006 | 01:24 PM
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As long as proper maintenance has been performed, the car should have many more miles in her. There are a number of forum members that have well over 100K miles on their car with no problems.
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Old May 22, 2006 | 01:35 PM
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Looks like a very clean car. Not sure if I like the spoiler but otherwise very nice!!

Did that car go through a complete color change? I dont recall that color being available stock. If it did make sure it wasnt due to a wreck.

(unless that is the mag red and the sun is playing tricks and making it appear more orange than it really is).
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Old May 22, 2006 | 04:14 PM
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Go for it!
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Old May 22, 2006 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by oyealiz
my 97 has 117,000 miles and still runs like a scalded rabbit. (i think that's a good thing, right?! ) i ran upteen jillion times at autocross yesterday and then cruised home looking all sedate, except for the number 13 on both sides of the car.
You still using "lucky 13"

And our 98 Pace car is my daily driver with 109k on it.
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