Hello, with a few q's
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 29
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From: st. louis mo
Hello, with a few q's
First off I'd like to say hello. I've been scanning this website for a while now trying to put an edge on my vette knowledge. I currently own a built and blown 93 cobra; but want something more refined now.
I will be in the market in the next couple of months for a used c5 vette. I am looking to spend about 22k + or - on one with under 45k miles. (From scanning the local autotraders here I don't think I will have a problem)
I do know I want a six speed car, with a targa top. I would like to make the car run 12.5-12.7 on dr's with out compromising noise, ride, or economy. I have a fast drag car, now I want a quick comfortable car. So what mods do you guys recommend, and what should I look for in a used vette, and what should I avoid?
also what publications or other websites would be good to gather more info from?
thanks
steve
I will be in the market in the next couple of months for a used c5 vette. I am looking to spend about 22k + or - on one with under 45k miles. (From scanning the local autotraders here I don't think I will have a problem)
I do know I want a six speed car, with a targa top. I would like to make the car run 12.5-12.7 on dr's with out compromising noise, ride, or economy. I have a fast drag car, now I want a quick comfortable car. So what mods do you guys recommend, and what should I look for in a used vette, and what should I avoid?
also what publications or other websites would be good to gather more info from?
thanks
steve
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
You can easily pull 12.7s with gears and DRs. Couple of more things and you are at 12.0. Check out my mod progression here. Good luck on the car purchase!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Welcome - 12.5s shouldn't be a problem. If you can find an '02 or newer in your price range that would be good.Good luck.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 29
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From: st. louis mo
Originally Posted by ben dover
Welcome - 12.5s shouldn't be a problem. If you can find an '02 or newer in your price range that would be good.Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
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From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by 93 Cobra
what is the diff between the 02 and newer and the older ones?
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 29
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From: st. louis mo
Originally Posted by AC54ME
Really - nothing of critical importance to your goals.
Also what problems on these cars should I look for? Is there anything that is a common problem with these cars that stand out?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 297
From: Sarasota Florida
Check out the "weights & measures" sticky at the beginning of C5 general... a butt load of info.
There are plenty of threads about the differences in C% production years, someone will give you a link I'm sure. It's not true that they're all the same, every year there were some old gremlins destroyed along with new options offered. In general, the last year (2004) had the leat problems and most improvements. Good luck.
BTW take a long look at the FRC's... less options, but more stock performance.
There are plenty of threads about the differences in C% production years, someone will give you a link I'm sure. It's not true that they're all the same, every year there were some old gremlins destroyed along with new options offered. In general, the last year (2004) had the leat problems and most improvements. Good luck.
BTW take a long look at the FRC's... less options, but more stock performance.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: CA
Three things come to mind. Buy the newest you can afford. Take someone with you that KNOWS Corvettes. There is a lot of things a Corvette owner can help you look for on a potential purchase you may overlook. When your heart is going pitter-pat over the color he can be looking for hidden problems. A Carfax is a cheap investment, but they don't always tell you all you need to know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Toledo Ohio
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Hello and welcome
You have found the right place. Check out Tech/Performance.
Most of us would say make a list of what you want then go looking for it. Be a qualified buyer and travel to check out a good find. Also, be ready to walk away if its not right for you. Good luck
You have found the right place. Check out Tech/Performance.
Most of us would say make a list of what you want then go looking for it. Be a qualified buyer and travel to check out a good find. Also, be ready to walk away if its not right for you. Good luck
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 29
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From: st. louis mo
Originally Posted by Oldad
Hello and welcome
You have found the right place. Check out Tech/Performance.
Most of us would say make a list of what you want then go looking for it. Be a qualified buyer and travel to check out a good find. Also, be ready to walk away if its not right for you. Good luck
You have found the right place. Check out Tech/Performance.
Most of us would say make a list of what you want then go looking for it. Be a qualified buyer and travel to check out a good find. Also, be ready to walk away if its not right for you. Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
The one noticeable difference between the '00 and earlier models to the '01 and on was the fact that it came equipped with an LS6 intake which provided better air flow and a bit more hp.
I have seen stock ZO6s with just a short throw shifter run 12.6s. So, I think that a coupe with a set of DRs, a good CAI and a short throw shifter would get mid to high 12s.
I have a heads and cam equipped car with a complete exhaust and intake and a deent size TC and I still get excellent gas mileage on the highway, so you can still mod a bit and get the economy you are looking for.
Good Luck and hope you find what you are looking for.
Micah
I have seen stock ZO6s with just a short throw shifter run 12.6s. So, I think that a coupe with a set of DRs, a good CAI and a short throw shifter would get mid to high 12s.
I have a heads and cam equipped car with a complete exhaust and intake and a deent size TC and I still get excellent gas mileage on the highway, so you can still mod a bit and get the economy you are looking for.
Good Luck and hope you find what you are looking for.
Micah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,124
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From: SC
BULL****. You can find a low milage c5, 97-2000 with a few mods that will get you where you want to be for under 25K. There is NO major difference between a 97 and 04 vette that will make a diffence when it comes to looks or performance. Other than a Z06, all c5 vettes are basically the same. With a few mods, any c-5 vette can run with any car out there, so don't bite on a newer c5 if money is an issue. my 98 c5 is basically stock, and fast enough for me, but my neighbor has a 99 modded vette that will "haul ***". A cam, exhaust work, and few bolt-ons and you can out run any stock vette on the road. The c5's are just bad *** to start with. You don't need to spend 40k to get a fast, basic driver car when it comes to the vettes....
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Sounds like you have done a lot of thinking about what you want in a Vette. That's a good start to the process. With all the info from the previous posts, you should have a good idea of what to look for. Just be patient and find the lowest mileage, newest car that you can for the money. There are plenty of them out there. Best of luck.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 29
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From: st. louis mo
This isn't so much of a money issue; as wanting to keep the car with stock like qualitys. My blown cobra can idle at stop lights, and drive in traffic; but it is uncomfortable, gets avg of 12 mpg, loud, and just dated.
I want to run mid 12's to still beat alot of the punks out there, but retain the comfort it has stock. I am sure I will lightly mod it, but this car will be a cruiser. I want to start taking it on road trips (something my cobra can never do now).
also since a couple of years ago when I got to bang gears in my old boss's lingerfelter twin turbo c5, I've been in love!
I want to run mid 12's to still beat alot of the punks out there, but retain the comfort it has stock. I am sure I will lightly mod it, but this car will be a cruiser. I want to start taking it on road trips (something my cobra can never do now).
also since a couple of years ago when I got to bang gears in my old boss's lingerfelter twin turbo c5, I've been in love!
