So, Im a newbie......
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
So, Im a newbie......
Hey guys, Im new to the Corvette forums. Im considering buying a vette. So, can you guys school me on what to look for and what to look out for? I would love to own a ZO6 but we'll see.
I was and still am a huge Cobra fan. I sold my built motor 530rwhp. '01 Cobra last year and I miss it. But I may want to jump ship and try out a vette so any info. you guys can suggest to me I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
I was and still am a huge Cobra fan. I sold my built motor 530rwhp. '01 Cobra last year and I miss it. But I may want to jump ship and try out a vette so any info. you guys can suggest to me I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,599
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Welcome to the Forum!
The rule is usually get as new as you can afford. The 01s were notorious for oil consumption. If I can remember that's probably the biggest concern, most everything else is a simple fix. Usually the gas gauge problems are common but fuel additive (techron) helps with that. The older C5s ('97-'00) tire sensors seem to be going out more and more and they are a bit more expensive than the 01-04s. Also the oil temp and pressure sensor seem to fail after a certain amount of time which I have replaced one but now the other is out. Taking any of this to a dealer can cost you a lot of cash to fix but many Vette owners will help each other out to save you some money.
Haha, how could I forget column lock? Anohter relative easy fix for the do it yourselfer or under a couple of hundred total at almost any Vette specialty shop.
I am sure other will chime in and right now this is all I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck to you and I hope that you can find the C5 of your dreams!
The rule is usually get as new as you can afford. The 01s were notorious for oil consumption. If I can remember that's probably the biggest concern, most everything else is a simple fix. Usually the gas gauge problems are common but fuel additive (techron) helps with that. The older C5s ('97-'00) tire sensors seem to be going out more and more and they are a bit more expensive than the 01-04s. Also the oil temp and pressure sensor seem to fail after a certain amount of time which I have replaced one but now the other is out. Taking any of this to a dealer can cost you a lot of cash to fix but many Vette owners will help each other out to save you some money.
Haha, how could I forget column lock? Anohter relative easy fix for the do it yourselfer or under a couple of hundred total at almost any Vette specialty shop.
I am sure other will chime in and right now this is all I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck to you and I hope that you can find the C5 of your dreams!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye Country OH
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Welcome to the Forum 
I'd suggest you drive the body styles w/the transmission your interested in. Find what you like, then research here for all the technical information to make an informed decision that best works within your budget. Good luck searching
I'd suggest you drive the body styles w/the transmission your interested in. Find what you like, then research here for all the technical information to make an informed decision that best works within your budget. Good luck searching
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Washington IL
St. Jude Donor '07
I moved from a Mustang to my Vette, and they are night and day difference. If you're looking to mod your new car to get absurd HP numbers again, you'll probably want to stick with the Ford. Getting a Vette to that much power isn't hard, if you had deep pockets. The overall cost of just straight line, raw power will be much less with the Mustang.
I am much more interested in the handling aspects (hopefully I'll be able to find the time to autox a lot more this year), so for me it was hands down for the Vette. Even the new Cobras with ind. rear sus. don't touch the road manors of the Vette. So, it's like what everyone has and will say... decide what you want and go from there.
Good luck!
I am much more interested in the handling aspects (hopefully I'll be able to find the time to autox a lot more this year), so for me it was hands down for the Vette. Even the new Cobras with ind. rear sus. don't touch the road manors of the Vette. So, it's like what everyone has and will say... decide what you want and go from there.
Good luck!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,405
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I've got a few Word files that may help you in your buying process. PM me your e-mail address and I'd be glad to forward them to you.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 31,934
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '06
Welcome...what year(s) are you looking for?
Watch out going to this section http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26
Watch out going to this section http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Guys, thanks for the welcome. I was just looking for some basic info. I wasnt looking for ALL info. on ALL vettes.
Take it easy steve8 and mikey7106
Im basically looking at maybe getting a '99-'01 and maybe a ZO6 if I can. I just want to know what to look out for like oil burning, bad trans., and whatever else I can use.
Thanks t those helping me out and welcoming me!!
Take it easy steve8 and mikey7106
Im basically looking at maybe getting a '99-'01 and maybe a ZO6 if I can. I just want to know what to look out for like oil burning, bad trans., and whatever else I can use.
Thanks t those helping me out and welcoming me!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Welcome to the Forum.
There's a wealth of info here to help you out. My suggestion would be to drive one. I went into the dealer looking for a Torch Red MN6 coupe. I came out with a Mag Red A4 Convertible. So what do I know
This car is just awesome. I still have perma grin after 4 years of owning it
Hope you find the right one for you.
There's a wealth of info here to help you out. My suggestion would be to drive one. I went into the dealer looking for a Torch Red MN6 coupe. I came out with a Mag Red A4 Convertible. So what do I know
This car is just awesome. I still have perma grin after 4 years of owning it
Hope you find the right one for you.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Ya, Welcome! And hope you end up with a Vette. They may be a little more expensive than a Mustang to mod, but no where near what euro cars are. They can be great road warriors, but really shine on a road race track!
Note that the Z06 came out in '01. If you want to mod it, a coupe or FRC may be a better choice in that you will have more money left over to buy mods with. Thats what I'm doing There is a huge after market of performance parts for the Vette, lots of options to reach the same level of hp as your cobra, and beyond. 
If you don't want to mod, then the Z06 is a little better performance wise.
Not that much to stay away from, I ended up with an auto trans but still love it.
Note that the Z06 came out in '01. If you want to mod it, a coupe or FRC may be a better choice in that you will have more money left over to buy mods with. Thats what I'm doing
There is a huge after market of performance parts for the Vette, lots of options to reach the same level of hp as your cobra, and beyond. If you don't want to mod, then the Z06 is a little better performance wise.
Not that much to stay away from, I ended up with an auto trans but still love it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
Pretty simple....decide which model you want vert, coupe or FRC and what your budget is. Also...get out and test drive each one and also decide if you want a stick or auto. First year for the C5 was .....'97...so if your budget is tight...that may be your ride. If you have some more $$$ than you may want to investigate and '01 Z06 at 24-26k. Good luck and keep us posted! 
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Hey guys, Im new to the Corvette forums. Im considering buying a vette. So, can you guys school me on what to look for and what to look out for? I would love to own a ZO6 but we'll see.
I was and still am a huge Cobra fan. I sold my built motor 530rwhp. '01 Cobra last year and I miss it. But I may want to jump ship and try out a vette so any info. you guys can suggest to me I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
I was and still am a huge Cobra fan. I sold my built motor 530rwhp. '01 Cobra last year and I miss it. But I may want to jump ship and try out a vette so any info. you guys can suggest to me I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
WELCOME. We were all newbies once. The best advice I can give you is to scan the various Forum and you'll learn a ton just from reading and asking questions. Let us know when you buy. You're life will never be the same.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Welcome to the Forum.
There's a wealth of info here to help you out. My suggestion would be to drive one. I went into the dealer looking for a Torch Red MN6 coupe. I came out with a Mag Red A4 Convertible. So what do I know
This car is just awesome. I still have perma grin after 4 years of owning it
Hope you find the right one for you.
There's a wealth of info here to help you out. My suggestion would be to drive one. I went into the dealer looking for a Torch Red MN6 coupe. I came out with a Mag Red A4 Convertible. So what do I know
This car is just awesome. I still have perma grin after 4 years of owning it
Hope you find the right one for you.
My buddy had a vette that he let me drive last year. It was a 2006 hardtop 6-speed, and it had some kind of handling pkg.Maybe the Z51? I loved that car especially the burnt orange color. It didnt take him but maybe 3 months before he dropped in a custom grind cam and a Corsa exhaust. That car was sick!
6 months later he sold it and bought a house!!!
