stopped depreciating c4 or c5?
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
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stopped depreciating c4 or c5?
I am wanting to buy a c3,c4,or c5 corvette. The c3's seem like they have already gone up alot recently. Are the c4s and earlier year c5s still depreciating? Would the c3s,c4s or c5s stand the best chance for value increase over 5 to 10 yrs? Please give me you're opinions. Thanks so much! lennyv
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Paris Illinois
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09
C-3's are all going up. The first C4's are starting to be appreciated for what they are; not the best in quality but a big step in technology so they are starting to rise some. C-5's will be going down for quite a while yet.
Safety Car
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From: Rochester MN
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Originally Posted by RedWolf
C-3's are all going up. The first C4's are starting to be appreciated for what they are; not the best in quality but a big step in technology so they are starting to rise some. C-5's will be going down for quite a while yet.
Anyone else remember that?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Joplin, MO, USA
About the only ones actually appreciating are the earlier chrome bumper C3s. If you are looking for value now vs. 5 or 10 years from now, get a late C3 or early C4. If you are looking for bang for the buck and fun, get a later C4 or early C5. To hold value well, however, you do best to keep them low mile. You might as well find the nicest car you can afford, and keep it mantained. If you want a good investment, the stock market is down right now, buy into it. Good Luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Godfrey IL
Originally Posted by RedWolf
C-3's are all going up. The first C4's are starting to be appreciated for what they are; not the best in quality but a big step in technology so they are starting to rise some. C-5's will be going down for quite a while yet.
There were almost 250,000 C-5s. It will be a long time before they appreciate.
If you want price appreciation because you are going to show the car, originality and stuff like that then you want a C-3, but there were alot of them so prices will not appreciate like the c2's unless it's pre 1973. Then... the market will determine the price. There were a lot of them so the car HAS to be special. And it is still costly to maintain that condition.
Buy what you like and enjoy it. Take care of it, and in time, who knows?
Me... I don't mod, but when something needs fixing or drops below good condition, it's changed out. I try to keep the car perfect at all times, including fully detailed.
The car is never driven dirty in the sunshine. If rained on, it won't go out again unless it's still raining or until after a thorough washing. Yes, I enjoy it, I just won't tarnish my reputation (or the Vette's.)
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C5s are going to take a while before they appreciate. Some C4s are doing well, especially the special models (like the 96 Grand Sport). Either a C4 or C5 would be a good choice as you get comfort, power, and good reliability.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by ptdrummer54
Seems to me that somepne posted an article about 4 months or so ago where one of the vette mags showed the early C5s held steady last year - no loss, no gain...
Anyone else remember that?
Anyone else remember that?
I was on ebay last night looking at '97's and I tend to agree with ptdrummer...seems to me that they have held pretty steady in the last year.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 785
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From: Middletown PA
I thoroughly appreciate depreciating my C5, every inch of every mile I put on it. I don't buy cars as an investment, there are much better tools for that. I don't buy cars to keep them nice and mileage free for the next owner either. I buy them to enjoy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Ocala, Fl. State of Confusion
I bought my '02 vert for a good price with 8K miles on it almost 3 years ago. Since then, I have put 21,000 miles on it. And today I probably could get around $5k less than I paid. Now, for the pleasure of driving a practically new Corvette Convertible for 3 years at a cost of less than $140 per month excluding gas and insurance, that ain't bad. And the longer I keep it, the less per month it will be.
So, is that appreciating, no. But, I will take that expense on a great car, every day of the week.
So, is that appreciating, no. But, I will take that expense on a great car, every day of the week.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,183
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From: Arlington TN
Best years for a C4 are 95 and 96. 95 was the first year they redesigned the optispark to be vented. The 95 and 96 had the larger brakes from the ZR-1 standard on the car along with several other improvements. As far as value I've read as a rule a corvette will level and then start to go back up in value at about the 15 year old mark. From most of the mags I've read about C4 this seems to be holding true. I don't think the C5 guys have to worry about how many C5 are on the road because when you look at how may years they made the C3 and C4s you have more of them on the road then C5s. Keep in mind the ones that will gain the most in value are going to be the one that are the best examples of the car in condition. That said I hope you are buying for fun and not an investment. you could make more money over the long haul in the stock market or a 401k. Best reason to buy a corvette of any style is because you like it and you love to drive them. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Communist Colorado
Lower mile Z06's are pretty steady over the last couple of seasons. I think that C3's are starting to climb, & as some have said, the special C4's are starting to gain a little also. The 35th anniversary car, the 40th & GS's and some well kept CE's. Also, if its value youre looking for, maybe look into production #'s paying attention to color combo's. Some cars from any generation are worth a little more simply because the color was rare.
Side Note*** dont let anyone bash you for wanting to buy a car that will hold its value. Obviously, its not a good investment prospect that you can retire off, but none the less, its may be a better idea to buy a special edition car over a plain jane example if you can swing it. If you buy a low mile car, you still can drive it & by the time your ready to sell, it will still have low miles on it.
Side Note*** dont let anyone bash you for wanting to buy a car that will hold its value. Obviously, its not a good investment prospect that you can retire off, but none the less, its may be a better idea to buy a special edition car over a plain jane example if you can swing it. If you buy a low mile car, you still can drive it & by the time your ready to sell, it will still have low miles on it.
Last edited by 81c3; Jun 29, 2006 at 08:55 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 766
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From: Mooresville NC
It seems like C5s bottom out at $15k, no matter the mileage... I rarely see one below $15k and if I do, it seems like it has been salvaged, or there's something wrong with it. I have seen plenty at $15k with 150k, 200k miles.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I just looked at autotrader for early C5's.
At Maxie Price they have these 3 listed...
2001 Coupe 43k miles = $24,978
1998 Coupe 68k miles = $22,978
1997 Coupe 76k miles = $21,978
At Maxie Price they have these 3 listed...
2001 Coupe 43k miles = $24,978
1998 Coupe 68k miles = $22,978
1997 Coupe 76k miles = $21,978
