considering a c5 questions.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
considering a c5 questions.
Hey guys, well I am finally 18 and have established credit. No one in my family is a car enthusiast like me so when i mentioned to my dad i wanted my first car to be a 01 trans am he laughed... so now that im 18 im considering buying a 97 vette and have a few questions. for starters i know the block is a fantastic block but how does reliability go for all the way around the car? i dont want to have to dish out 600 bucks every 3 months or be under the hood every week trying to figure out wtf is wrong you know? i think the quality of the corvette should be great. but ill be honest im a lil sketchy on most american made cars. and what kind of whp could i expect to make with a headerback exhaust (catless), intake, maybe a few smaller bolt ons and a 75 or 100 shot? Lastly is a 97 with around 50k miles for 16995 a good deal? what do you think a good number to shoot for would be. in utah if that makes a difference thanks a ton you guys.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The Vette is quite reliable as high performance sports cars go. With the advice available here its easy to fix many of the common problems. The problem is parts can be very expensive and some jobs will set you back many $$$$ if you're unlucky. the oldest C5s are now 10 years old and may start to have a few long term reliability issues.
Having lived in the US for a number of years and had my son with me, his insurance at your age was mega $$$. At one stage it was the equivalent of $10,000 a year - an yes you read that right
If you mod your car I'd say your insurance would go through the roof at your age. Maybe a good thing would be to check some insurance quotes to give you a ball park. Some companies may not even insure you on a Vette. My son just insured his Camaro here in England and it was the equivalent of $1600 for the year. Then make sure you leave enough financial flex to pay a $2000 repair bill.
If that all works for you I'd say jump right in and enjoy. Just promise you'll respect the car or it'll bite you. The 97 looks like a reasonable deal and if you get an inspection which is clear you'll have a bargain. This is a great car.
Having lived in the US for a number of years and had my son with me, his insurance at your age was mega $$$. At one stage it was the equivalent of $10,000 a year - an yes you read that right
If you mod your car I'd say your insurance would go through the roof at your age. Maybe a good thing would be to check some insurance quotes to give you a ball park. Some companies may not even insure you on a Vette. My son just insured his Camaro here in England and it was the equivalent of $1600 for the year. Then make sure you leave enough financial flex to pay a $2000 repair bill.If that all works for you I'd say jump right in and enjoy. Just promise you'll respect the car or it'll bite you. The 97 looks like a reasonable deal and if you get an inspection which is clear you'll have a bargain. This is a great car.
Last edited by DeeGee; Nov 23, 2008 at 11:14 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Macedon NY
By all means check out Op costs 1st! Ins. quotes, etc. Cars get great mileage (driven properly), more reliable than it's predecessors (but expensive to repair at times - broke a plastic seat turnbuckle $600.+ to repair myself as part wasn't available alone - had to buy the whole track assy.)
Also, at 11 years old, see if TPS units need to be replaced - No repair, just another $500.00 bucks out of your pocket!
Do yourself a favor and do your homework friend!!
Good luck!
Also, at 11 years old, see if TPS units need to be replaced - No repair, just another $500.00 bucks out of your pocket!
Do yourself a favor and do your homework friend!!
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
The vehicle is very reliable.
I have 102K (s)miles on my '01... tires. brakes,rotor, A/C compressor, Door contriol module, dim A/C display,
Apart from that all other work are mods...
This forum has a lot of DIY's posted and many supporting vendors for fair priced new and used part.
The cat back exhaust will only add 2-3 rwhp gain. Depends on intake..
It let someone else comment on the Nitrous..
I have 102K (s)miles on my '01... tires. brakes,rotor, A/C compressor, Door contriol module, dim A/C display,
Apart from that all other work are mods...
This forum has a lot of DIY's posted and many supporting vendors for fair priced new and used part.
The cat back exhaust will only add 2-3 rwhp gain. Depends on intake..
It let someone else comment on the Nitrous..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I'd skip the '97, it had a few bugs that were worked out by '98. $16995 for a '97 with 50K on it is way too much. Look in the forum cars for sale section, AutoTrader.com etc. You should be able to find a clean car with those miles, 98-00 for 15K or less. Remember the price listed is what they are ASKING. Believe me, in this market they will usually take a lot less. Best of luck and welcome to the forum.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,334
Likes: 1,589
From: Western NY
A stock Corvette is a pretty fast car....You're 18 and considering buying one, however you're already think of how to hop it up once you get it.....Sorry, I'm not trying to be an azzhat, but I see a recipe for disaster in the making.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 607
Likes: 29
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
I think reliability in any high mileage car has a direct correlation with how well that car has been maintained throughout its life. There are cars with 30K miles that I wouldn't touch and then there are higher mileage ones out there that are good buys. Just do your homework.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
First off where do you live? Utah ? If you get snow or ice, forget a vette. Get something that goes though that Utah snow.
Maybe your first car should be something cheap to just get you places. A small truck is cool.
Vettes are great cars, but in many ppls minds should not be the ONLY car.
and to help you out, dont finance the vette. save and pay cash . Besides auto financing for 18 year olds and muscle cars . .. . . . .. . Your insurance will be crazy with any mods
Last edited by AU N EGL; Nov 23, 2008 at 11:13 AM.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Buying a Vette is not as expensive as owning a Vette. DIY will save you some big bucks but as DeeGee has already said, at your age insurance and the hidden costs will kill your budget.
Modding for power will cost you even more money. Not trying to dissuade you from buying a Vette, but you have to know that owning a stock Vette costs money. Owning a modded Vette can cost you a lot more.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
this would be my 3rd car... and this would only be a weekend car =) im 18 and in high school living with my parents and make more money then most of my teachers at school. i had a 248 whp spec v for my first car and my current speed3 makes 304 at the wheels. im not that immature kid that try's to play like life is like the fast and furious =( thanks for your concern but dont stereo type =)
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
this would be my 3rd car... and this would only be a weekend car =) im 18 and in high school living with my parents and make more money then most of my teachers at school. i had a 248 whp spec v for my first car and my current speed3 makes 304 at the wheels. im not that immature kid that try's to play like life is like the fast and furious =( thanks for your concern but dont stereo type =)
Example:
good tires will cost you over $300 a tire (at least)
adding a supercharger cost you $8000 just for the supercharger
a head/cam package will cost you $3000-$10,000
HP costs money...
If you have that kind of cash at 18, then go for it and more power to you
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 969
Likes: 39
From: Northern VA
Go for it,.......but remember.
Maintainence and parts are not cheap.
Insurance will be high,.........and if you get a ticket......wow.
One major issue,...........say clutch and you are under water. Car payment, insurance and cover the repair...............big order.
Dont work to feed your car. Buy a beater Honda,.........and then buy a Corvette. That way you are covered if things go south in any way.
Maintainence and parts are not cheap.
Insurance will be high,.........and if you get a ticket......wow.
One major issue,...........say clutch and you are under water. Car payment, insurance and cover the repair...............big order.
Dont work to feed your car. Buy a beater Honda,.........and then buy a Corvette. That way you are covered if things go south in any way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
A stock Corvette is a pretty fast car....You're 18 and considering buying one, however you're already think of how to hop it up once you get it.....Sorry, I'm not trying to be an azzhat, but I see a recipe for disaster in the making.
Good luck!
