1999 Corvette
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Keep in mind you are buying a 10 year old car - has the routine maintenance been performed on this car? What history has the car through it's previous ownership?
I recommend that you do your homework on it. Pay for a subscription to Car-Fax and run it. Send a PM to CF Member Sponge Vette and request a service and origination history to see what work was performed while the vehicle was under warranty. Have someone really familiar with C5's take a close look at the car, it should be someone without any emotions about the car.
There is no way that anyone here can judge the car without seeing it - 53K miles isn't a lot on a 10 year old car, but if the car was just driven and not maintained - you could be in for a lot of expense.
The bottom line is to be an informed buyer so that if you decide to make the purchase, you'll not be surprised after you sign your name on the dotted line. Good luck!
I recommend that you do your homework on it. Pay for a subscription to Car-Fax and run it. Send a PM to CF Member Sponge Vette and request a service and origination history to see what work was performed while the vehicle was under warranty. Have someone really familiar with C5's take a close look at the car, it should be someone without any emotions about the car.
There is no way that anyone here can judge the car without seeing it - 53K miles isn't a lot on a 10 year old car, but if the car was just driven and not maintained - you could be in for a lot of expense.
The bottom line is to be an informed buyer so that if you decide to make the purchase, you'll not be surprised after you sign your name on the dotted line. Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Buying any used car is pretty much a crapshoot unless you know it's history. If you're unsure, run a Carfax and get an independant appraiser or mechanic to look it over for you. My 99 has been pretty much trouble free, knock on wood, but it's not my daily driver and I only put a few thousand miles per year on it. Doing some pre-purchase research will pay off in the long run. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: Eureka California
Buying any used car is pretty much a crapshoot unless you know it's history. If you're unsure, run a Carfax and get an independant appraiser or mechanic to look it over for you. My 99 has been pretty much trouble free, knock on wood, but it's not my daily driver and I only put a few thousand miles per year on it. Doing some pre-purchase research will pay off in the long run. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
There's lots of little things that you might overlook in the excitement of buying your first vette. Lots of things that may not work or work as well as they should. Take someone with you who knows C-5s. there are plenty of things that can go wrong on these cars. Don't be in a hurry.
Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
^^Good advice above.
Also read this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Good luck!
Also read this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Good luck!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I bought a triple-black 99 a 18 months ago with only 22,800 miles on it. I now have 47,00o on it, and although I have spent mroe on it, that it is worth, I plan on keeping mine for 10 years more!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
I've had my '99 for almost four years now and with almost 80k on it stuff does go wrong. Occasional codes that need addressed, TPS issues, water pump, leaky rear diff, etc. Buy a workshop manual and use the valuable info found on this forum and you'll be ok.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,541
Likes: 24,830
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Every car is different, so no way to tell you it will be trouble free. All C5s have common problem areas, and this one may or may not ever have those. Best you can do is just check the car over carefully and if possible find out its maintenance history.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
I flew 1,100 miles to get my first look at my '01 vert. I started it and drove 1,100 miles home against the advice of the seller. Unwise ? Probably. But it turned out great for me. Sure, it had some problems, but nothing that ever kept it off the road (HUD, worn seats, burned out bulbs, etc). I also registered for CAR-FAX and did a report on the car before I purchased. I discussed the issues mentioned with the seller, and I found the explainations reasonable. And even that some things mentioned in CAR-FAX were not accurate.
You're buying a 10 year old car. Use good judgement and remember, most anything can be fixed.
If you want a perfect car, buy a new one. I couldn't afford that option.
I hope you get as good a Corvette as I did. Good luck. Joe
You're buying a 10 year old car. Use good judgement and remember, most anything can be fixed.
If you want a perfect car, buy a new one. I couldn't afford that option.
I hope you get as good a Corvette as I did. Good luck. Joe
Last edited by GREENJOE; Mar 17, 2009 at 11:46 AM. Reason: spelling
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 4
From: Nouvelle Ecosse
I flew 1,100 miles to get my first look at my '01 vert. I started it and drove 1,100 miles home against the advice of the seller. Unwise ? Probably. But it turned out great for me. Sure, it had some problems, but nothing that ever kept it off the road (HUD, worn seats, burned out bulbs, etc). I also registered for CAR-FAX and did a report on the car before I purchased. I discussed the issues mentioned with the seller, and I found the explainations reasonable. And even that some things mentioned in CAR-FAX were not accurate.
You're buying a 10 year old car. Use good judgement and remember, most anything can be fixed.
If you want a perfect car, buy a new one. I couldn't afford that option.
I hope you get as good a Corvette as I did. Good luck. Joe
You're buying a 10 year old car. Use good judgement and remember, most anything can be fixed.
If you want a perfect car, buy a new one. I couldn't afford that option.
I hope you get as good a Corvette as I did. Good luck. Joe
JC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 1
From: Clayton CA
In January I bought a black '99 coupe with 28.5K miles. Mine is also a weekend warrior so the mileage will stay low. Haven't had a single problem with it. Had CarFax on it and also purchased it from a very reliable high performance car dealer. For my peace of mind, took it in for an early 30K service. Wanted all new fluids and filters and figured if there were any surprises, they'd show up then. About the only thing I noticed after purchase, was the stone ship situation. Damn! Had it detailed a few weeks ago. My detailer told me the chips are all part of the game.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
JCAM, I really wasn't saying a new Vette was perfect, but it's as close as we can get. Unlike a used car, it does come with a warranty. Athough by the time one figures out all the little "ins" and "outs" of a Corvette, the warranty will have expired. Joe