Looking to purchase a C5
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Looking to purchase a C5
I've found a 2000 FRC with 58000 miles car looks clean inside and out. Dealer is asking 17,800 and would like to know if this is a good deal. The car options are 6spd, no HUD, plain seats, chrome wheels and an upgraded exhaust. Other than that its a plain FRC with a clean carfax. What do you guys think?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,926
Likes: 30
From: Not where I want to be!!
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19
Price sounds fair, low miles and a 6spd are a plus. Friend of mine just paid 21,800 for an 04 w/58k and a 6spd. Offer them 16 see what they say. Good luck. 
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Windham NH
Seems high to me, given the mileage, relatively few options and state of the economy in general combined with the time of year/season.
My 2000 was loaded with all kinds of goodies and had about 20K less miles when the economy had yet to nosedive (last April). I have no BlueBook opened as I suggest this, and I don't know if the FRC's might not bring a premium (personally, I dig the targa or vert) but to me, if I really liked the car, I'd be offering somewhere in the $16K-$16.5K range, assuming it's got a clear CARFAX and maintenance paperwork.
Good luck and Happy New Year.
Dave
My 2000 was loaded with all kinds of goodies and had about 20K less miles when the economy had yet to nosedive (last April). I have no BlueBook opened as I suggest this, and I don't know if the FRC's might not bring a premium (personally, I dig the targa or vert) but to me, if I really liked the car, I'd be offering somewhere in the $16K-$16.5K range, assuming it's got a clear CARFAX and maintenance paperwork.
Good luck and Happy New Year.
Dave
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 14
From: Gig Harbor WA
Depends where you live -- and we don't know where that is because you didn't fill in your profile.
If you check NADA or KBB, you have to put in your state because prices vary accordingly. As described, in my area, your car as described is worth about $15K. Happy hunting.
If you check NADA or KBB, you have to put in your state because prices vary accordingly. As described, in my area, your car as described is worth about $15K. Happy hunting.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
Anyway, if it's real nice and you prefer it that way, then pay a little extra for it. It's worth it as long as that's how you want it, just make sure you don't buy a garage queen then 2 months later it's all scratched up from driving.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
The car does have swirl marks but no deep scratches that could be buffed out. I checked KBB and it lists it as 17,600 for retail and about private party as 13,200 fair 14300 good and 15200 for excellent. I would think the way the market is it would be lower. He said he has other buyers but the car has been listed for well over a month. What is truly a fair price on the car.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,136
Likes: 24,734
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I think that price is high. Offer them around $16K for the car - if they don't take it, walk away and see if they stop you.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
The car does have swirl marks but no deep scratches that could be buffed out. I checked KBB and it lists it as 17,600 for retail and about private party as 13,200 fair 14300 good and 15200 for excellent. I would think the way the market is it would be lower. He said he has other buyers but the car has been listed for well over a month. What is truly a fair price on the car.
Considering it's not perfect, I'll just assume it's considered "average condition". Manheim is showing $13,300 for avg auction, and $14,850 for avg retail.
Of course, maybe your car is a bit nicer than avg? I'd say $16K is probably pretty fair...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: PSL FL
The car does have swirl marks but no deep scratches that could be buffed out. I checked KBB and it lists it as 17,600 for retail and about private party as 13,200 fair 14300 good and 15200 for excellent. I would think the way the market is it would be lower. He said he has other buyers but the car has been listed for well over a month. What is truly a fair price on the car.
One last word of advice, a dealer is always going to tell you that there are others who are looking at the car. I would bring in the KBB and show him what you have found. Excellent condition warrents a $15,200 price so that is what I would offer. There is no doubt they picked this up for a lot less then that and will still turn a profit on you which is a good deal for everyone and since the dealer has had the car so long, I would think they may haggle you up to $16,000. Let us know your outcome and good luck. I hope it works out for you at your comfort level.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
If there are swirl marks on the car that means the dealer already did a lot of prep work before they put this out on the lot. Check in some out of sight spots for scraps and abuse such as the underside of the car (rockers, front spoiler, etc). I would also check the inside such as under the seats, under the floor mats, any place that you can see some discoloration unless its black of course. Look in the corners of the interior.
One last word of advice, a dealer is always going to tell you that there are others who are looking at the car. I would bring in the KBB and show him what you have found. Excellent condition warrents a $15,200 price so that is what I would offer. There is no doubt they picked this up for a lot less then that and will still turn a profit on you which is a good deal for everyone and since the dealer has had the car so long, I would think they may haggle you up to $16,000. Let us know your outcome and good luck. I hope it works out for you at your comfort level.
One last word of advice, a dealer is always going to tell you that there are others who are looking at the car. I would bring in the KBB and show him what you have found. Excellent condition warrents a $15,200 price so that is what I would offer. There is no doubt they picked this up for a lot less then that and will still turn a profit on you which is a good deal for everyone and since the dealer has had the car so long, I would think they may haggle you up to $16,000. Let us know your outcome and good luck. I hope it works out for you at your comfort level.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
What kind of warantee with the dealer give you. Make sure you get a 3 month warantee on EVERYTHING --- Then offer $16K
You can always go up in price a day later ---- but get the Warantee in writing just in case the tranny falls out out you start getting a lot of codes from the computer.
Good luck
You can always go up in price a day later ---- but get the Warantee in writing just in case the tranny falls out out you start getting a lot of codes from the computer.
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Kind of a mediocre price. As stated a dealer has plenty of wiggle room.I got my 2000 FRC this time of year last Jan. for $18,600,,,when the book price for them was $23,300! Mine had HUD and 55,500 on the odometer! You should be able to low ball around the suggested $15,XXX And maybe come up a little at a time. Make a game out of it,,don't be too anxious to get it and you should get a MUCH better deal!! Good luck and let us know how it goes!!