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Need info on 1997 C5's

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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 02:30 AM
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Default Need info on 1997 C5's

Hi Guys,
New to the forum. I'm looking at a 97 coupe, 46k miles, auto, Bose, driver power seat ect, Carmine red/ Black. Two owner car and is super clean. I've heard the 97's had some problems, but the owner says its been a problem free car for the 30k miles he's had it.
What problems should I look for? What is a fair price? I can buy the car for $18k. Seems like a very fair price for a very nice car?? Thanks Cary
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 02:36 AM
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Welcome to the Zoo
Enjoy your stay and good luck with your search

Here's some light reading to explain some things you may want to know about the C5...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927

Enjoy,

Dave Q.
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 03:24 AM
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Bad News here...checked Carfax...flood damage in 1999!! Owner didn't mention this. Now what's a fair offer? Thanks Cary
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by bowtieguy1965
Bad News here...checked Carfax...flood damage in 1999!! Owner didn't mention this. Now what's a fair offer? Thanks Cary
RUN do not walk away from this one. there will be plenty of others out there. avoid it. for the owner to accidentally overlook this is plainly fraudulent. bub
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 09:59 AM
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There are too many EXPENSIVE electronical devices on a C5 and corrosion can cause additional problems for years. I would NOT buy a flood C5.
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by ebubman
RUN do not walk away from this one. there will be plenty of others out there. avoid it. for the owner to accidentally overlook this is plainly fraudulent. bub
I would avoid this car, but the owner may not know anything about it. THe first owner may have kept it from the second.
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 10:19 AM
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If you find another '97, they are good cars, but Im biased....
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 10:28 AM
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I think I'd have the car looked over for corrosion buy a good vette mech.. If it was in 99 and it hasn't shown up yet then it couldn't be to bad, (that was 6 to 7 years ago). My 97 was great at 97K miles till I totaled it.

Good Luck
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 10:29 AM
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My 97 has been perfect to me - I have done the basics (change battery, install CAGS and CLB), and of course I have broght the maintenence items up to date. I would not hesitate to recommend a 97 based on my experiences.

Good luck
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by bowtieguy1965
Bad News here...checked Carfax...flood damage in 1999!! Owner didn't mention this. Now what's a fair offer? Thanks Cary
There are too many Corvettes for sale to even give this one a second glance! Keep looking.

Elaine
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bowtieguy1965
Bad News here...checked Carfax...flood damage in 1999!! Owner didn't mention this. Now what's a fair offer? Thanks Cary
Run, don't walk away from this car but only due to the flood damage.


I owned a 1997 for 4 years and I put 32,000 miles on it in that time. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 1997 again as my car was literally problem free. The dealer had just replaced the passenger window regulator before I took delivery of the car. I picked it up with 27,000 miles and traded it in with 59,400 miles. I gassed it up, changed the oil and replaced one set of tires and put in a new battery in the four years that I owned it and that is all. The car was awesome. Even till the end, this car got me an incredible (over book value) trade in allowance towards my 2005.

Paul
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 12:50 PM
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Bad News here...checked Carfax...flood damage in 1999!! Owner didn't mention this. Now what's a fair offer?
$10.00 and that is as high as I would go on a flood damaged car!
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 01:03 PM
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Thanks for the help guys....I agree on finding another car. Flood is the worst damage!! I'm sure the owner knew about the salvage title, he just said it never had any accidents...never a word about flood. Thanks again!!
Cary
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 01:12 PM
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Flood damaged car - I'd walk away. Just asking for troubles IMO.
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Old Jun 13, 2006 | 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by bowtieguy1965
Thanks for the help guys....I agree on finding another car. Flood is the worst damage!! I'm sure the owner knew about the salvage title, he just said it never had any accidents...never a word about flood. Thanks again!!
Cary
It may have been flood damaged before the second owner got it. So maybe they're being honest. If they knew about the damage, I'd run away from that car pronto! If they lied about the flood, who knows what else they're covering up. Keep looking, there are a TON of great Vettes out there. Keep an eye in the C5s For Sale section. BTW, I have a '98 (a very early one built in Sept '97) and it's been fantastic. Good luck!
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