Am I being Stupid?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 5
From: Chicago (Naperville) IL
go for it
I bought my C5 when I was 23 also , best thing you'll ever buy. Couldn't afford a mortgage at the time, but had a supporting family, brother with a place downtown to party/crash at, and girlfried with a place downtown to party/crash at.
30 now, married to that girlfriend, with a mortgage, baby on the way, and most importantly... paid off Vette
no regrets
btw - Happy Birthday
I bought my C5 when I was 23 also , best thing you'll ever buy. Couldn't afford a mortgage at the time, but had a supporting family, brother with a place downtown to party/crash at, and girlfried with a place downtown to party/crash at. 30 now, married to that girlfriend, with a mortgage, baby on the way, and most importantly... paid off Vette
no regrets
btw - Happy Birthday
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio Texas
[QUOTE=Throwdown;1562924794]Alright, I've been constantly thinking about buying a C5 for a while now and I figured I'd get some input from you guys...
You gonna want to drive a stick shift in the Jersey traffic--as a dd?
If you get a bunch of snow, I would recommend buying a used CTS with 3.6 auto. Very reliable. Used ones can be bought cheaply. Simply find one that has a lengthy GMPP on it. We're talking $16k to $20k with 30,000 miles on it. Tons of them out. Buy one at wholesale price; drive two years; sell it. If lucky, you could likely lose about $100--$200 per month for the time you would have driven it. Cheap driving.
Drive that a couple years; then jump for a newer Vette after you have saved a few more $$.
Just my 2 cents, and the flaming begins.
You gonna want to drive a stick shift in the Jersey traffic--as a dd?
If you get a bunch of snow, I would recommend buying a used CTS with 3.6 auto. Very reliable. Used ones can be bought cheaply. Simply find one that has a lengthy GMPP on it. We're talking $16k to $20k with 30,000 miles on it. Tons of them out. Buy one at wholesale price; drive two years; sell it. If lucky, you could likely lose about $100--$200 per month for the time you would have driven it. Cheap driving.
Drive that a couple years; then jump for a newer Vette after you have saved a few more $$.
Just my 2 cents, and the flaming begins.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
I guess I'm just off searching more, sounds like some of you found some good deals - hopefully I'll find one with winter.
Saw one guy on this forum posting for someone else an 01 MY coupe 6spd w/ 10k mi for 25k by me. Another post I saw an 01Z w/61k mi on the clock for 24... I'll have to keep seeing what I can find.
zo6bigbird - i appreciate the criticism as well in regards to nj traffic. my commute is only about 13 miles each way and usually flows pretty well...but traffic is always a problem.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
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I offer you an alternative opinion. I bought my Vette in May, I'm 24, also same financial situation as you at the time I bought, had my bachelor's, no college debt, good job, current car paid for (incidentally also a Nissan product). I can easily afford the Vette right now, I put about 10K down on it, BUT...as much as I love it, I kind of wish I bought a house sometimes (not always, don't get me wrong its freakin' AWESOME). If I made a little more $ I could afford both but it would be pretty hard to get a house and pay for the car. Now, if you think you can pay it off fast (like I am trying to do, already 2 years ahead on payments), and don't think you'll be around there forever then go for it. But if you are considering a house at all, I'd say go for something a little cheaper.
But if you think for a second its not reliable, thats just a bunch of BS, I've had it for all this time and never had 1 issue with it that I couldn't fix for cheap easily (ie, battery).
Its also the best car I have ever owned period. It would just be nice if I could plant it in my very own garage too. But I guess all in due time! Ultimately up to you!
But if you think for a second its not reliable, thats just a bunch of BS, I've had it for all this time and never had 1 issue with it that I couldn't fix for cheap easily (ie, battery).
Its also the best car I have ever owned period. It would just be nice if I could plant it in my very own garage too. But I guess all in due time! Ultimately up to you!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I love my Vette but wouldn't want it for everyday use. Winters suck around here. You can't carry anything. I didn't care what my daily driver was so I got a beat up Saturn. Serves its purpose and makes the Vette a lot more enjoyable to drive when I do take it out.
Plus keep the future in mind. Funding retirement accounts and planning on when you are going to get a house. Its a big purchase, I would definitly think it through real good.
Plus keep the future in mind. Funding retirement accounts and planning on when you are going to get a house. Its a big purchase, I would definitly think it through real good.
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Find yourself a nice, low mileage C5 and have a blast. They are very reliable, get great gas mileage and are very comfortable cars to drive as a DD.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: PaCnW
I would say if you are at a debt free status now and solid employment....this may be the perfect time....You'll find some nice C-5's available, just take your time, get all the history of the automobile, and then enjoy it...yea, and can't beat the gas mileage, has better gas mileage than our DD....This is my second Corvette, and both are great..... Good Luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
I would buy a cheaper, reliable car to drive for work now, and save your money until you have enough to buy a Corvette without borrowing money.
That is what I did with my first Corvette. Of course that was 1977, I was 26, and the Corvette only cost $9,300, but it is all relative.
I drove the '77 for 11 years, then bought Camaros (87 IROC and 96 SS) until I saved enough to by a 2004 Z06.
That is what I did with my first Corvette. Of course that was 1977, I was 26, and the Corvette only cost $9,300, but it is all relative.
I drove the '77 for 11 years, then bought Camaros (87 IROC and 96 SS) until I saved enough to by a 2004 Z06.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Nov 27, 2007 at 11:25 PM.