I am in the market for a C5. I have owned a C4 which I loved and hate that I sold it but now its been about 3-4 years without a Vette and it is killing me. I noticed tonight a Vette up for sale and a high end nice dealership here in DFW area. I have not yet went to check it out in person but wanted some thoughts first.

It is a 1997 Silver coupe Auto with 94,214 mile. Is that to high of miles? They are asking $16,999. I check Blue book and if it is in very good shape blue book says $16,500. I also put some more info about the car below and the details below is what the dealer wrote and I copied and pasted it. Please reply and let me know your thoughts. Thanks so much guys.

VEHICLE HISTORY
3-owners, Texas car - Personal use (not a lease return) .

MANUALS & BOOK
1Key, fob is available.

EXTERIOR
The exterior is clean and straight. Looked hard and found no dent/or dings worth noting. Excellent paint condition all around. There are few minor highway rockchips on front bumper. No evidence of paint work found. Clean windshield with no cracks. Clean alloy rims. The car looks brand new from distance!

INTERIOR
The interior is exceptionally clean. No evidence of smoking found. Center console and door trims look good. Clean headliner. Clean floorboard. Plastic trims on bottom of both seats are loose(see pictures). Factory floor mats in great condition.

DAMAGED OR PROBLEM
NONE

THEIRTEST DRIVE. I have not drove the car
They said car test drove excellently. Everything works to perfection. The engine compartment is very clean. No oil leak found. Transmission shifts well with no sign of problem. Excellent AC system

TITLE & CARFAX
Clean title w/actual miles and No problems found with CarFax report (no flood, no reconditionded, no damage!)

VEHICLE OPTIONS

XM radio
Bose sound system
Corsa exhaust
Side airbags
Cross drilled rotors
power seats
power windows and locks
Non smoker
Carfax certified

 

You'll get some expert opinion here

94k miles is not too bad for a 97. The LS1 certainly has way more life left in it. Some of the vettes here have topped 200k. You can get a second key fob on the auction site for less than $50.

A new battery as part of the deal would be good. If the tires need changing it'll set you back $500 to $1000.

I'd say it looks like a good deal.

 

I to have a silver 97 I got in Houston and sold a C4 to get it.

A lot of people will tell you it is high miles. (9,400) a year.
If it was cared for and the price was right go for it.

Or If you have a little more to spend get a lower mile Vette.
The best thing to do is go over and see if it is as good as thay say.

The price is OK but I think you could get it for less.

Paul G.

 

 

I just bought a clean 98 to replace my 94 that was stolen and wrecked. Got it for 15,500 with 70,000 miles glass and hard top one ownwer had to buy thin spoke rims and tires and it has a few scratches that I hope a good wet sanding will get rid of. you will love the differance between the C-4 and C-5 I know I do. Good luck hope you find the car thats right for you

 

Price for the options is decent! But I was able to get my '98 from a forum member for $17,000 with 78,000 miles on the clock in absoloute excellent condition.

Check on the forum for some Vettes you might be willing to travel a little before you buy nthe '97.

Test drive it first, remember it was the first year of the C5's and they some minor issues that got worked out on later years, such as the ABS system recieved a better set-up and the steering whell bypass (More than likely the steering wheel lock system is already done) also the computers and electrical are better in the later years.

Some of these things are obvious just like when the C4 got upgrades on a yearly basis same is for the C5's.

Take it for a drive and find another year and try that one on a drive too! Let us know how it goes and what you decide, again look in the C5 For Sale section today you'll be suprised what is for sale around that price.

Thanks,Matt

 

I'd say go for it!

 

All in all it sounds like a great car. I'm a fan of the '97 as that's the C5 that I drove for 5 trouble free years and I do mean trouble free. When I traded in my C5 the car at 63,000 miles on it. It would seem to me that your mileage is a little high for a Corvette as on average they typically get driven less than the average automobile. With that said the LS1 is a strong engine and it will go well into the 100's safely.

Some things to consider. What is the status of the column lock? Does it have a bypass installed? Recall performed? You will likely need to replace the tire pressure sensors if they are original as they will be coming to the end of their usefull life. As Dave indicated, how are the tires? Is the battery OEM? At that price, I'd buy it if it checks out. I got more than that in trade for my '97 last year and wouldn't sell it for that little. Even at the dealership while working the trade my car was mistaken for an '04 so you can find them in very good shape. The '97 tire pressure sensors are more expensive than the 2001-2004's. The key fobs are usually more money than the 2001-2004's.

Make sure you test drive it and have the VIN run through the GM VIS to see if it has any unusual service items or a history of repeat visits. Good luck with the deal.

Paul

 

Not a bad price and as long as the car has been taken care of, the miles are not bad. They should give you two fobs with the car. I would check the car over very carefully, paying attention to the tires, brakes, any leaks (especially the rear differential seals), and make sure everything on the car works.

 

If it rings your bell, go fo it! To compare: I got a '98 w/all the bells and whistles and 76k on the clock from a dealer in Houston last Sept. Paid $16,500 (OTD) and spent another $2,000 to bring it up to spec. Check it over carefully and good luck!

 

Miles are high, but that shouldn't be a problem. I think the price is alittle high though. You could probably find better through a private seller or any online auto site. I paid 20,000 for my 97 a4 with 32,000 on it last year. Also was given a ton of extras such as blackwing, triflow, x-pipe no cats, a near mint set of HRE 545's in stock sizes, ported tb, as well as all original parts and a few miscellaneous extras. Point is if you keep looking I am sure you will find something you like. Best of luck to ya.

 

The price is a little high,take your time and look around you will find the one you like for the right price. Good luck!

 

What "high end" dealer in Dallas?

Let me know and there is fair chance I know someone that could get it at a better price - maybe $1000 off asking....


Depends on dealer.....

 

No HUD? No DEal!!!!