Should I avoid a 1997 C5?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham Al
Thanks everyone.
This car looks good from what I know so far. I am having it inspected at the local dealer and will get the service history from the original dealer on the car as well.
The car is a base model 1997 with less than 35K on the clock. Everything is in working order and it has a clean Carfax. If the inspection checks out, the only thing holding me back will likely be price. He wants $22,000.00 but needs to sell the car due to family obligations. (I know he cannot keep it, that is not an option)
I just do not want to pay too much. I have the money, I am getting a vette.....I just do not want to overpay on this one.
What is the $$$$ ballpark for you guys? (I have no digital pics, but imagine an excellent car. Excellent paint and new tires purchased in Dec. 2006...No bolster wear, no carpet fade, etc. )
This car looks good from what I know so far. I am having it inspected at the local dealer and will get the service history from the original dealer on the car as well.
The car is a base model 1997 with less than 35K on the clock. Everything is in working order and it has a clean Carfax. If the inspection checks out, the only thing holding me back will likely be price. He wants $22,000.00 but needs to sell the car due to family obligations. (I know he cannot keep it, that is not an option)
I just do not want to pay too much. I have the money, I am getting a vette.....I just do not want to overpay on this one.
What is the $$$$ ballpark for you guys? (I have no digital pics, but imagine an excellent car. Excellent paint and new tires purchased in Dec. 2006...No bolster wear, no carpet fade, etc. )
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
From: Bryan Tx.
i own a 97 coupe and i love it with a passion. it has 90k and still runs strong. no problems at all. dont be scared of it. i always say that there are two collectables in a series. the first year and the last. go for it .
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,587
Likes: 1,352
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
If the price is right , buy it .
97"s are
.
Love mine . and at 96k miles , it still drives as good as new !
Just like buying any car , check it out , there are good and bad , pampered and abused in any model year .
97"s are
.Love mine . and at 96k miles , it still drives as good as new !
Just like buying any car , check it out , there are good and bad , pampered and abused in any model year .
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham Al
I should also state he gave me a "remember...the price is negotiable" at the end of our last conversation. AND he gave the hint that he would do $20,000. The question is how much lower than 20K..........
What would be a GREAT deal?
What is fair for both of us, he seems like a straight shooter who loves vettes.......???
What would be a GREAT deal?
What is fair for both of us, he seems like a straight shooter who loves vettes.......???
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 2
From: Fraser Michigan
97 here..paid 21.5. with 35k. 2krims with tires, plus original wag.wheels
maybe a little high but came with all documents including window sticker all service papers and original delivery paper...Im the 3rd owner and all previous owners had all the documenation in a folder with there names and numbers...oh ya plus video tape and 97 broch..real thick and nice...
I bought mine in the summer when prices are higher..
I looked at 03s that were no where near as clean as my 97....cheers...
maybe a little high but came with all documents including window sticker all service papers and original delivery paper...Im the 3rd owner and all previous owners had all the documenation in a folder with there names and numbers...oh ya plus video tape and 97 broch..real thick and nice...
I bought mine in the summer when prices are higher..
I looked at 03s that were no where near as clean as my 97....cheers...
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
awesome server. i had a post covering the various details of my '98 since i bought it in october a few months past, my upload timed out & there's no way i'm typing it all again.
long story short, if you don't mind fixing a few things that really bother you, it's honestly quite an amazing deal for what you can get in a car given that one has a good driving record for the insurance. i constantly get compliments on mine, and i think half of it is that i'm a first-year high school guidance counselor who couldn't possibly make enough to finance what must be a ridic expensive car.
ha. let them think what they will. it wasn't very much more than your new civic. spend 25-30K for a later c5 in great shape, or fix a few things that won't cost you much more than your time. i'm about as mechanically inclined as a caveman and i still was able to manhandle my seats within 5hrs into a non-rocking state to get ready for my first autoX next month. if you're like me, spend less than 20K and get ready to fix whatever bothers you most first and work down from there. best of luck, i love this car more and more every day
long story short, if you don't mind fixing a few things that really bother you, it's honestly quite an amazing deal for what you can get in a car given that one has a good driving record for the insurance. i constantly get compliments on mine, and i think half of it is that i'm a first-year high school guidance counselor who couldn't possibly make enough to finance what must be a ridic expensive car.
ha. let them think what they will. it wasn't very much more than your new civic. spend 25-30K for a later c5 in great shape, or fix a few things that won't cost you much more than your time. i'm about as mechanically inclined as a caveman and i still was able to manhandle my seats within 5hrs into a non-rocking state to get ready for my first autoX next month. if you're like me, spend less than 20K and get ready to fix whatever bothers you most first and work down from there. best of luck, i love this car more and more every day
