I've always wanted a corvette and C5 seems to fit right. I like the looks of the popup headlights, the body just looks like pure awesomeness, and you know... its a vette.

But I have a few question's about owning one, some may be answerable, some not.

Well first off, I'm 17, but it's going to be my Birthday/Christmas/Grad present all in one, so I'll have it a little after I turn 18, and I was quoted only $210 a month for a C4, any idea if a C5 will dramatically effect this number? (Like to the point where its $275+?)(Since a C4 has 280 some HP and a C5 has 340 some ((all offhand)) )

Would it be wise to get it at my age as it would be my daily driver, and since I'm young I can't afford to keep my junker and a nice car. I mean, I am a good driver, so driving in the winter would be very easy (I've been driving Trucks, Harleys, Dirtbikes, and ATV's since I was 8, just to back that up =P).

What I'm thinking is a 1997 Black C5 Coupe with 100k+ miles (I know LS engines last forever and a rebuild wouldn't be to difficult) and mostly stock, I've been browsing the sales page for a week or so now and it's pretty difficult to find a 1997, I mean, its first year so I'm assuming it would be cheapest insurance-wise (as I was looking into GTO's and a 2004 was 30 bucks cheaper then the LS2 2005-2006).

Would it be alright to park with a car cover over top of it outside (since I don't own the house, I can't park in the garage, as my stepdad bought a 350z ((boo)) and my mom has a Jag ((and shes the one letting me get a vette, yay)) ) and are their any precautions I should take about that?

And since the C5 started production in 1997, do the early ones have the Keyring unlocker thing? Because I really hate the whole turn key thing to unlock the door, I'm so not used to it and my lock sticks, so it's not any fun either.

Sorry for making my post so long (left out a few questions aswell, lol), hope that won't turn anyone off to reading). Anyway, thanks for reading!

 

You might want to fill in your profile so we know where you're from and what type of winter weather you'll be encountering. Vette's suck on snow and really aren't an ideal DD for winter. Insurance is going to be a real problem for someone as young as you but it is possible. I'm not going to try to talk you out of trying to buy a C5, it's none of my business, but be prepared for some high insurance premiums. Don't limit yourself to just 97's, as some higher mile 98,99, etc can be had for under $14-15K. They are there so do your homework and be patient.

 

You should fill out your profile so we know your location. Cars.com lists 41 1997 cars across the USA. Take a look at them and you might gain more knowledge. I can't imagine you not having to pay through your young nose for insurance. You will have to check around for that too, take a VIN number from a car as close to your liking and shop that to the insurance company. The more care you take in selecting the right car for you the happier you will be in the long run, don't jump on the first one you see.

I hate to sound preachy but my Father died when I was 17. I took the savings bonds he left me and bought my own first car, a 1970 340 Plymouth Duster. Never take for granite how fortunate you are to have such loving and generous parents. Keep in mind you will be the proud owner of an American icon, don't do anything foolish with it and let the rest of the brotherhood down.

 

Take your time and be patient while looking. Don't jump into the first good deal you see unless it's really killer.

As stated above, just keep in mind your insurance premiums will be pretty high.

Good luck!

 

hey man, i was in the exact same boat you were in about 6 months ago, a few months before graduation high school i was looking at getting a 97 c5, one word of advise. DO NOT buy the first car you see, keep searching, i was going to get a 97 but then 2 weeks later found a 2000 with alot lower miles for about 600 dollars more...insurance wise, im still on my parents so i only pay 125 a month

as for it being a DD it works great for me, luckly my 2 previous cars were lowered so i knew how to handle the low body of the c5, thats about the only hassle with the car if your not used to it

as for parking it outside, well i dont do that but if i were, i would make sure i searched for a good car cover, dont go to fleabay and get some 19.95 one that will scratch your paint, a corvette paint is a terrible thing to waste

haha and yes, they have the "key ring unlocker thing" mine came with 2 actually, just ask the owner of the car for both of them if he has them, and if not you can get them easily(except if you have a 2000 i think, i heard theres something wierd about theirs)

Good luck, be prepared to be the talk of the parking lot and to be called a rich kid for a while (there just jelous)

-Evan-

 

Oh I won't, my Dad owned a Sting Ray was I was a boy and I was able to steer it down the road (with his assistance) and from that day I knew I was going to need a Vette. Some 6 months ago I was driving a 2007 C6 around my county (friend's car) and I loved it, had a hard time getting out and giving it back even, lol. But there's absolutely no way in hell I could do anything bad to/with a Corvette (except maybe clean it with a diaper =P).

I filled out my profile, and I'm in Photoshop working on a sig for myself, atm. And here it just gets cold, like around 40ish and sometimes, sometimes, it snows. But I'm getting it in the Spring, and I might be moving before next winter.

 

Damn that's funny

 

 

Hey. It's old to me

 

It's sad but i can remember when i thought 30 was old!

 

I'm 24 and I got a 2000 coupe. Yea like said above, insurance is going to be killer. I pay about $290 something a month just for insurance alone.
Also keep in mind that normal maint items will be much more expensive also. Like an oil change if you do it yourself will probably cost about $50 compared to the $20 on a 'normal' car. Tires will be $200-$300 each compared to $150 for a 'normal' car. Brakes are $150 for pads + $400 for rotors compared to 'normal' car of $60 for pads + $150 for rotors.

It might be cheaper to keep your beater so you don't have to do these maintenance items to your vette as often because you won't be putting as many miles on it.
Of course these prices I estimated are just that. They are not set in stone but they are close enough to give you an idea of what you will be up against. Getting a 'full brake job' done on the vette could cost as much as getting an engine/trans rebuilt on a 'normal' car haha.

 

I'm 20 years old just picked up a 1998 Pewter M6 C5 Vette. Car only had 52,000 miles on it. Got it for 19k in Long Island, NY ( everythings a little more here but i thought it was a good price) Traded in my 02 Mustang GT on it and only have a 9k loan out on the car. I pay for my own insurance and everything. Ur lucky ur getting the car free and clear. I drive it everyday in any weather condition... im not gonna buy a corvette and have it rot away in the garage.. it was meant to be driven. I say live it up if you could cuz later on u may not be able to

 

I can address a few of your questions - Insurance wise, I'm not sure how much more a C5 would be than a C4, but I'd check to be sure - might be similar if the C5 is considered safer, but might be more expensive also as the C5 is more powerful and newer.

As for the LS1 engine rebuild - the LS1's do go a long time - as for a rebuild being easy, guess again. ONCE you get the engine OUT of the car, it might not be too bad, but do you know what it takes to get an LS1 OUT of a C5 - it's designed to be taken out the BOTTOM of the car by lifting the frame and body up OVER the top of the engine - do you have the tools, garage or experience for this? Not to mention that a replacement LS1 engine may cost you 3 - 5,000.

There are a few who have taken the LS1 out of a Vette by going out the hood as normal, but it's TRICKY, TIGHT, TIME CONSUMING and you need more than a few tools and at a minimum, a garage where you can leave it parked till you are done w/ it (read leave it parked 2 - 3 weeks at a minimum)

As for us all being old guys, the age range here is probably 19 - 75++ - do a search and you will find a few recent polls about the average age of Vette owners on the Forum - Don't YOU take offense, but typically the Forum see's posts such as your's looking to buy a first Vette at an young age, mod it, etc - those Forum members never seem to stick around much - hope that's not your case, cause if you stick around and you do get a C5, there is A LOT of VERY useful info to be gained here, just by asking - I literally could buy another C5 for the money I have saved by doing work on mine that other's have helped me figure out how to do myself

As for driving it in the winter, don't. Some will say it can be done w/ a good set of winter tires, but I'm GUESSING you get a fair amount of snow in Maryland, and IMHO, the C5 is NOT made for snow/winter driving.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

So your one of those snobby nose lil kids 'my parents buy me anything I want' type of stuck up a**h*les that think they are rich but really aren't???
Just kidding!

 

And (no offense intended by this) but are most of you all old folk? Like over 30?



yea, my wife has to lower me down into the Vette when I want to drive it using my engine hoist.......then when I am finally all buckled in, she shifts for me......hey gimme a break, I just turned 40 in September.

 

More power to ya, shop hard and take your time. I searched cars.com and autotrader for about four months before the right one came along and I had to fight temptation more than once to just buy one for the sake of having one. Doesn't take a lot of research to figure out just what the going values are. I would guess it's a pretty good time of year to be shopping since the weather is changing for some of us. Good Luck and be safe if you do get one.

 

You will be happy! !

 

Im 27 so I must be old too. There are plenty of teenagers on here that have Vettes but the majority of everyone on here are 30 and up. Here is an age poll that was taken in the C5 section back in June so you can see how old the majority of everyone is.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=age+poll

This situation has been discussed a lot on here and you can do a search to see all the results. But IMO, you should wait until after college to get the Vette, but obviously you dont have to take my advice so you do what you want.

 

i would of bought one when i was 17 but i waited to i was 20 went through a z28-Navigator-Mercedes- Cadillac b4 i bought mine....i just established credit and saved my money and was able to buy a 00 vert on my bday....try to get ur mom to put her name on it....so ur insurance is cheaper...or car payment if ur financing. ..

good luck and look around alot.....i wish i would of known more about vettes when i bought mine....now i can tell if one has been taken care of..

 

I am twenty one. Insurance is in my name and I have two cars. My camaro is liability and my vette is prem. I got quoted for a 97-99 coupe and its was only like 275 a month. When I purchased my vert and finally got insurance figured out, it jumped to 340. So there are indifferences in insurance through out the c5 years, its alot a money but when you have everyones eyes on YOUR car, not dads, and YOUR name on the title, then all the respect goes to YOU. The compliments are enough to keep the vett tax lagg away. So I say if you can afford the car, get it. Be safe with it.
And also..dont forget to wave!