Thinking about buying a C5, advice please:)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,341
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Thinking about buying a C5, advice please:)
I already own a C3 and I've been around this board for a long time so the basics of Corvette ownership I already know. However I'm thinking about picking up a 2004 C5 Convertable to take up space in my garage and commute back and forth to work and all that. It's got 51k Miles on it, the dealership wants $27,500 and it appears to be in good shape but its been a long, long time since I even thougt about buying a used car. What kind of maintenance should I expect to be comming up on an 04 Corvette with 51k miles? I'm trying to get a gauge on how much of a money pit a C5 will be. I already have a C3 to throw money away on so I want another one thats going to be reliable and not take to horribly much work to keep it running... 
If someone could give a general breakdown of milages when specific things are known to break on C5's that would be great
Thanks!
If someone could give a general breakdown of milages when specific things are known to break on C5's that would be greatThanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Make sure everything is perfect for that price! Check for leaking diff and trans. Make sure it shifts well. Seats are also something to check in C5s (bad quality leather)...I'm sure others can give you more pointers
C5s are a blast to drive...have fun!
C5s are a blast to drive...have fun!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,341
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Thanks, I wasn't sure what 04's where going for but it looks like they may be a bit high. It's also in Las Vegas which seems to make everything more expensive... The Toyota dealership next door to the place that has the 04 Vert wants more for a 2x4 extended cab Tacoma then I paid for my loaded 4x4 quad cab... lol They have an 03' 50th Aniversery edition Vette on that lot but there's no price on it and I can't get a salesman to walk outside and talk to me... lol I figure if I have to go looking for a salesman they don't want to sell me a car.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 22
From: Saint Charles MO
You asked for my opinion- so here it is
That price seems a bit high in this soft market unless it has a documented, super clean history and comes with a warranty.
It must also be your favorite color if you pay top dollar.
I bought a 2000 vert. M6, with 23 K miles for $30 K in March 2006. My neighbor bought it new and it was super clean and came with all documents since new. And it is my favorite color combo--
Mag Red w/ Black top and grey interior.
Negotiate!!!!!
It must also be your favorite color if you pay top dollar.
I bought a 2000 vert. M6, with 23 K miles for $30 K in March 2006. My neighbor bought it new and it was super clean and came with all documents since new. And it is my favorite color combo--
Mag Red w/ Black top and grey interior.
Negotiate!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Yeah...that price is high, but it is just the asking price, right? They probably don't expect to get that. Look on Ebay, CarMax and Autotrader for some similar cars and see what they are asking for them. The car market is as soft as I've ever seen it...if there ever was a time you should get a great deal, it's now.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,341
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
The asking price is $27,500 but the saleshole did say its been sitting there a long time. Probably because of the $27k asking price. I'm figuring end of the year, car's been sitting there a long time, they'll come down to what I want to pay for it Gonna go take it for a test drive tomorrow and see how she runs. If I'm going to buy a new(er) Vette its got to be soon. I just got back in the states from an 18 month tour in Portugal and I don't want to license my truck in Nevada just so I can trade it in a few weeks later.
Gonna go take it for a test drive tomorrow and see how she runs. If I'm going to buy a new(er) Vette its got to be soon. I just got back in the states from an 18 month tour in Portugal and I don't want to license my truck in Nevada just so I can trade it in a few weeks later.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Newport Oregon
As far as maintenance goes, C5s are pretty low maintenance cars. For a DD that you don't track or run at the strip you're looking at the usual oil and filters every 3K. If it's an auto service it and the diff every 50K (book says if not driven in harsh conditions you can go to 100, but I think it's so cheap to do play it safe), plugs at 100 (did mine plus wires at 75 and they looked new). Book says flush cooling system at 150, but I myself did that and a brake flush at 75K. They just don't take much to keep up.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,341
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
As far as maintenance goes, C5s are pretty low maintenance cars. For a DD that you don't track or run at the strip you're looking at the usual oil and filters every 3K. If it's an auto service it and the diff every 50K (book says if not driven in harsh conditions you can go to 100, but I think it's so cheap to do play it safe), plugs at 100 (did mine plus wires at 75 and they looked new). Book says flush cooling system at 150, but I myself did that and a brake flush at 75K. They just don't take much to keep up.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
Thats what I was hoping to hear. I'm doing a 60 mile round trip commute with a 70MPH speed limit the whole way to work so its going to get a lot of highway miles but very little around town type driving. I got all my crazy driving out of my system before I bought the C3 so its pretty much going to be a commuter car and grocery getter. lol If its in as good a shape as I think after my first look over I may b driving it home tomorrow
Over 100K on the clock, but, Looking and Driving like 30K.... Florida car, no rust, garaged, well maintained.
Some of the upgrades that I have done in the last year are ... B&B Bullets, JB's CAI, silicone coupler, mod MAF, Hi-Temp silicone plug wires, P+2 plugs, 180 T-stat, Mobil1 and 93 fuel.
GMPP D/S Rotors, GMPP ZO6 Calipers, GMPP pads. Braided SS flex lines.
C6 ZO6 Shocks and Swaybars, new mounts and bushings, new Endlinks.
All new Tranny and Diff fluids.
As I said, "Well maintained",
New "Z" Rated UHP ... 168mph.... Generals.... that's fast enough...
A recent Dyno run showed 332 rwhp (tq mgr off), 305 rwhp (engaged).
Multi Award Winner.
I am asking 19K, well under "Bluebook" pricing.
Let me know if you are interested.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
You will love the C5. I haven't driven a C3 but the C5 is about the perfect mix of a commuting, daily driver possible, newer technology car with the fun sports car part too. It's just an easy car to drive and will treat you very right if you treat it right.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.