My C5 buying experience
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Middle Tennessee
My C5 buying experience
I owned a 1966 roadster before I got married and had kids. I have owned lots of cars and raced road coarses, dirt tracks and autocross but never have I owned a vette since the first. My wife and I decided to buy a toy to replace our BMWs. After some research I decided that a C5 offered the most bang for the buck when compared to 911's, m3s, and even C4 and C6 Corvettes.
It isnt that the car is a hands down winner in any area, and in fact I was frustrated to find the C5 must compete with the z06 in Solo2 (pretty unfair classing that doesnt seem to have a parallel with other brands/models). I was also put out by the column lock issue, bugs in the electrical system and the dreadfully cheesy quality of the seating.
What the C5 did offer was decent performance for relatively little money, lots of latitude for modifications, a fantastic look and most of all a lifestyle. I am a member of several car forums but this one wins hands down. The local Corvette club also seems well organized and they seem to have quite a lot of fun that extends well beyond just the cars themselves.
When I found the car that I wanted, a low mileage FRC posted right here on the forum, the seller turned out to be just incredible to deal with. We talked for a day or two and my wife flew in and picked up the car. While my finance company acted like an incredible jackass, the seller, Brian, took it all in stride and kept his good nature all the while. I have the car I wanted and it has turned out to be better than expected. The whole experience, except dealing with Capital One, was superb. I made the right choice, bought the right car, from the right guy and on the right forum.
Kudos to all involved. May this signal the start of a long and happy relationship.
It isnt that the car is a hands down winner in any area, and in fact I was frustrated to find the C5 must compete with the z06 in Solo2 (pretty unfair classing that doesnt seem to have a parallel with other brands/models). I was also put out by the column lock issue, bugs in the electrical system and the dreadfully cheesy quality of the seating.
What the C5 did offer was decent performance for relatively little money, lots of latitude for modifications, a fantastic look and most of all a lifestyle. I am a member of several car forums but this one wins hands down. The local Corvette club also seems well organized and they seem to have quite a lot of fun that extends well beyond just the cars themselves.
When I found the car that I wanted, a low mileage FRC posted right here on the forum, the seller turned out to be just incredible to deal with. We talked for a day or two and my wife flew in and picked up the car. While my finance company acted like an incredible jackass, the seller, Brian, took it all in stride and kept his good nature all the while. I have the car I wanted and it has turned out to be better than expected. The whole experience, except dealing with Capital One, was superb. I made the right choice, bought the right car, from the right guy and on the right forum.
Kudos to all involved. May this signal the start of a long and happy relationship.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Very well written. Sounds like you did your homework. Glad to hear you had a great buying experience (other than the financing part, and that's behind you now) And good of you to look forward to the lifestyle opportunity for you and your Wife. Welcome to you, best of everything good to you two, enjoy the ride!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
A few simple mods and you will be very competitive. 
Congrats on the "new" FRC and welcome back to the Corvette family!
Congrats on the "new" FRC and welcome back to the Corvette family!
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 631
Likes: 3
From: Joppa AL
After some research I decided that a C5 offered the most bang for the buck when compared to 911's, m3s, and even C4 and C6 Corvettes.
It isnt that the car is a hands down winner in any area, and in fact I was frustrated to find the C5 must compete with the z06 in Solo2 (pretty unfair classing that doesnt seem to have a parallel with other brands/models). I was also put out by the column lock issue, bugs in the electrical system and the dreadfully cheesy quality of the seating.
What the C5 did offer was decent performance for relatively little money, lots of latitude for modifications, a fantastic look and most of all a lifestyle. I am a member of several car forums but this one wins hands down. The local Corvette club also seems well organized and they seem to have quite a lot of fun that extends well beyond just the cars themselves.
It isnt that the car is a hands down winner in any area, and in fact I was frustrated to find the C5 must compete with the z06 in Solo2 (pretty unfair classing that doesnt seem to have a parallel with other brands/models). I was also put out by the column lock issue, bugs in the electrical system and the dreadfully cheesy quality of the seating.
What the C5 did offer was decent performance for relatively little money, lots of latitude for modifications, a fantastic look and most of all a lifestyle. I am a member of several car forums but this one wins hands down. The local Corvette club also seems well organized and they seem to have quite a lot of fun that extends well beyond just the cars themselves.
Well said! I think you just nailed most of the reasons I bought mine.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 562
Likes: 21
From: Southington Connecticut
Welcome, or should I say welcome back, to the Corvette family. You are going to love it, and you will find this forum to be a wealth of information.
Enjoy the ride, and don't forget to wave.
Enjoy the ride, and don't forget to wave.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA