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New guy wanting a C5.....

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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 10:34 PM
  #1  
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From: ...on the hunt for a Torch Red C5...
Default New guy wanting a C5.....

What's up folks. I'm one of the new guys in town. I do not currently own a Corvette but I will soon. I have owned 2 Camaro's and 2 Firebird's though. I'm in love with the Corvette. Especially the C5's. Don't get me wrong...I like the C6's but, I have never owned a vette so I gotta start somewhere. A C6 is just simply out of my price range.

I do know a little about vette's because I used to work at a Corvette restoration shop here in NY dealing primarily from 1953 to 1982. (C1, C2, and C3). Bottom line is, I love the curves and styling of the C5. I've been looking around on ebay and such to see what a 97 thru 99 (high mileage) C5 goes for. I've been finding them to range from $17,000 up to $25,000. For me, owning a high mileage 97 thru 99 is better than not owning a vette at all....lol

What do you guys think? Any advice for the new guy?

Thanx
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 10:43 PM
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You should be able to find a fairly low mileage C5 for up to $25K.
I've only got 23K on my 98 Vert and with the mods, I'm only asking $25K
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 10:47 PM
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i got my 04 vette for 28k...shop around and you'll be sure to find a good price
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by SIC280
For me, owning a high mileage 97 thru 99 is better than not owning a vette at all....lol

What do you guys think? Any advice for the new guy? Thanx
Welcome aboard

IMO, buy the newest lowest mile Vette you can afford. But don't necessarily be scared of high miles overall. Mine has over 150K (all my miles) and runs like a stallion and never needed any warranty work and has never had anything other than an oil sensor and tensioners give out over the years. Key thing is keep your car maintained.

Run the service records on the VIN of your choice at a local dealership to see what dealers have done, get a CARFAX and read it with a grain of salt. You're familiar with the older Vettes so I'll assume you can generally look over the car and tell from it's condition how it's been treated. Also do a good job of sizing up it's current owner and their attitude toward the car.

Those are just to name a few things to look out for...good luck and happy hunting.
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 10:53 PM
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come on over.
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 11:16 PM
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They're out there. Just keep searching and be ready to jump on one, once you find it. The Good deals go fast. I found my 02 w/10K miles on a BMW dealership lot, parked indoors. I took it for a test drive and came back to another couple standing there waiting to go next. I smiled and put the keys in my pocket, there was no Next.
Once you go Vette, you'll never look back.

Check eBay and Craigslist (if you have one in you're area).

...Rocket

Welcome to the family (almost).
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 11:25 PM
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Thanx for all the advice guys. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress. I'm sure I'll be needing more advice as things unfold...
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 11:25 PM
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welcome..
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SIC280
What's up folks. I'm one of the new guys in town. I do not currently own a Corvette but I will soon. I have owned 2 Camaro's and 2 Firebird's though. I'm in love with the Corvette. Especially the C5's. Don't get me wrong...I like the C6's but, I have never owned a vette so I gotta start somewhere. A C6 is just simply out of my price range.

I do know a little about vette's because I used to work at a Corvette restoration shop here in NY dealing primarily from 1953 to 1982. (C1, C2, and C3). Bottom line is, I love the curves and styling of the C5. I've been looking around on ebay and such to see what a 97 thru 99 (high mileage) C5 goes for. I've been finding them to range from $17,000 up to $25,000. For me, owning a high mileage 97 thru 99 is better than not owning a vette at all....lol

What do you guys think? Any advice for the new guy?

Thanx
There are a ton of C5s around. Just wait until you find the one you like. Good luck.
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by SIC280
What's up folks. I'm one of the new guys in town. I do not currently own a Corvette but I will soon. I have owned 2 Camaro's and 2 Firebird's though. I'm in love with the Corvette. Especially the C5's. Don't get me wrong...I like the C6's but, I have never owned a vette so I gotta start somewhere. A C6 is just simply out of my price range.

I do know a little about vette's because I used to work at a Corvette restoration shop here in NY dealing primarily from 1953 to 1982. (C1, C2, and C3). Bottom line is, I love the curves and styling of the C5. I've been looking around on ebay and such to see what a 97 thru 99 (high mileage) C5 goes for. I've been finding them to range from $17,000 up to $25,000. For me, owning a high mileage 97 thru 99 is better than not owning a vette at all....lol

What do you guys think? Any advice for the new guy?

Thanx
You're in the exact same situation I'm in. I've owned 2 camaro's no firebirds though. I'll be purchasing one before too long. Although I just dropped most of my money I had saved into a house I just bought in FL. I guess its better that way. Would hate to be one of those guys driving a hot car and living in a trailer, haha. I'm only 22 so I've got some time
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackRabbit
You're in the exact same situation I'm in. I've owned 2 camaro's no firebirds though. I'll be purchasing one before too long. Although I just dropped most of my money I had saved into a house I just bought in FL. I guess its better that way. Would hate to be one of those guys driving a hot car and living in a trailer, haha. I'm only 22 so I've got some time
Not bad.....I just turned 25 and my goal was to have one by the time I'm 25. I have a little over 11 months left to reach my goal.
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 04:39 AM
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i'm 23 so i'm your age range... i'd always wanted a vette(my dad bought a 77 brand new and sold it when i was born) and i saw a 2006 at the lemon lot on post for 40$, almost bought it until my dad talked some since into me.. so i settled with my 2000 c5... i couldnt be more happy... the more i compare mine with the c6, i smile even more i picked it up for 25k$ out the door after taxes with 45k miles.... if you look long enough you'll find the right deal
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 06:41 AM
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come aboard man, I personally like the c5 way better than the c6. It looks better IMO, and a corvette isn't a corvette without the pop up headlights. Also with the price range being 10's of thousands of dollars lower you can put that money and invest in a FI setup and be faster than a c6 and still have spent less money overall than you would buying a new corvette.
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by SIC280
Not bad.....I just turned 25 and my goal was to have one by the time I'm 25. I have a little over 11 months left to reach my goal.
Yea, I hope to have one by 25 also. I've got plenty of time. Probably could have by now but sometimes going the right route isn't always the funnest =/ lol. I got the house and i've got an 06 Nissan for the daily drives/grocery getter. Soon enough i'll have enough saved for a C5. I'm thinking by January i'll be able to take my tax money for a good down payment on one to keep my payments a little lower.

Edit: Its good to know i'm not the only one lurking around in hopes to buy a c5 soon =P
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 08:18 AM
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Welcome
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 09:39 AM
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buy your vette off of the forum. I did and it worked out great.
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 09:53 AM
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Go for it you won't regret it,,life's way to short to wait for anything. Got my two kids out of college and as a gift to myself I bought a 1997 black on black with 34000 miles perfect condition for 22000 3 years ago. I love it,,,as they say just do it
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To New guy wanting a C5.....

Old Apr 22, 2007 | 10:05 AM
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Welcome aboard! I've owned vettes for seventeen years. I just purchased a 2003 with 24K fully loaded for 29K from a dealer with a 90 day bumper to bumper coverge. I would suggest you get an extended warranty from Warranty Direct or GMPP or one of the other insurers out there. A search of this site will deliver much info on them. The policies are not cheap, but neither are the inevitable repairs. Good luck and remember we're here to help if you need it.
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 10:21 AM
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You won't regret it. I just bought my 2000 late last year, after a 25 year hiatus to raise kids. Love it!

Tim Glover
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Old Apr 22, 2007 | 11:19 AM
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Welcome and good luck in your search!
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