Hello everyone,

I owned a 02 z28 for about a year or so and sold it. Since then I have been driving my wifes 04 SC Monte carlo and I really miss what I had. Well someone I know is selling a Yello 2000 C5 with z51 package. It has a few extra's like aftermarket exhaust and I think z06 Wheels. And it seems like a pretty good price at around 14-15k. He is the 2nd owner and is seling becuase of a move. But here is the thing. Am I going to be expecting too much of this vette? My camaro had the LS6 intake and heads and was pushing 342HP at the tires and was stock excpet K&N filter. (some were freaks of nature)

I do not see many 00 c5 vettes being sold so that could be becuase they either have been turned into ruble at the Junk yard or they are great cars and people dont sell em.

I dont think it would be that hard of a decision except I have this nagging knowledge that I can pick up a 09 model for 38k. lol I just dont want to have the payment.

So what do yall think? 10 year old car for 14-15k? It also hurts to think the new camaro will stomp it.

 

C5 is a great car in Oz they are about A$80K so 14K is a dribble in a bucket

 

the new Camaro, while a nice car, won't be stomping any C5 stock vs. stock. Slightly faster or slower depending on driver is what I've been hearing. And even if it did "stomp" a C5, it took it 10 years for the little brother Camaro to finally catch up

I would test drive the vette...the best way to really tell if you think its a good fit for ya.

 

Not sure how to take the reply but thanks anyway for it lol. (meant for sbadd99)

 

For me, there's more to a car than straight line speed. Your Camaro would get dusted by any stock C5 in the canyons.
For a few grand, you can easily get to the same RWHP.
And for a few grand more, you'll be right there with a new C6 for a lot less $$.

 

Oh dont get me wrong I hear what you are saying about it taking 10 years lol. I am just trying to consider the whole value for your dollar. I have driven many corvettes, vipers, XKR's, etc. And I like how the Corvette handles and the power. I could pick up an 01 c5 z06 for about 3 grand more but with more miles. So basically I am lucky enough to have a few options but then again that is the bad part as well. Too many options lol.

Also how about parts for the ls1. I know the prices for a camaro with an ls1 but as it is "corvette" how much of a premium do yall tend to see? (although its the same engine)

 

Yeah i understand. I come from a long line of drag racers but where I live now we lost our dragstrip so I have to get over that mentality. So we have Cone smashing instead.

 

im learning the hard way that the vette market is a tough one. ive never seen so many over priced cars in my life. i looked at a car yesterday that was 5k....5 GRAND..... over book. a 99 FRC with 56k, is a 15k car, not in the dealers mind, its listed for 19.9k. it also needed a lot TLC on the paint too.

its hard to find a vette when your on a budget, im at 15-17k and cant find a car to save me life.

 

I completely understand where you are coming from lol. I am looking at the 14-15k only because of friendship. Alot of them go for 24k and thats for an 01-02 with 80k miles on it lol.

 

Buy the C5 at a reasonable price and you can:

-mod it very easily to blow everything away
-mod it for looks alone, leaving the guts stock
-leave it as it, since its a great car already
-or somewhere in between

Whichever way you go, you really can't lose

As far as the "Corvette Tax" that is levied upon us for owning one of the best sports cars on the planet..well do your research beforehand. Map out what mods you would like to do and see if its realistic for you to own such a glorious machine. If you're good with a wrench, maintenance/repairs wouldn't be a huge issue either. I'm extremely biased as you can tell, but I see no downside coming from a Z28 and being into these type of cars. It seems like the next step for you. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Look at private party cars. Try AutoTrader.com, or the For Sale forum on this site. You may not have great selection in your area and may have to travel a bit to find the right deal. But it's out there.

 

Keep your eyes peeled. C5's are going for good prices if you run across the right deal. Most dealers are gonna price them high anyway. Biggest thing is to know your options. Check the option codes and see what your car has to offer, see if it is what you are in the market for.

Do you want an auto or manual?

Do you want Z51 or F45 suspension?

The list goes on and on.

The difference between a coupe and a Z06 is of course the engine in the Z06, but the bodies are different too. The Z06 is what Is referred to as a FRC, or fixed roof coupe. No removable Targa here. in '97 they made coupes only. '98 came the verts. '99 came the FRC's. they made these for '99 and '00. These were regular corvettes with fixed roofs, not Z's. Then in 2001 came the Z, but only with 385hp. '02,'03,'04 Z's had 405hp. I think the '01 and up coupes came with the LS6 intake anyway, so you aren't looking at a huge difference. beware of '99 and '00 FRC's with rear brake ducts, front screens, red LS6 fuel rail covers, and Z emblems added claiming to be Z's when they are not.

The Vette is a totally different animal to drive. I would have loved to have had a Z, for the fixed roof. I like the short back glass, and the coupes have a hatch.

As far as prices, like I say, keep your eyes peeled. One of my friends picked up a 99'FRC with 117K on the clock for $12K about 3 months ago in Orlando, FL.

Another guy here on the forum bought one with like 60K - a coupe - for $10K. Just have to know where and when to look

Good luck.

 

Well, I have a Hot Rod Z28, a 72. The thrill I get from driving my Z06 far surpasses the thrill I get from driving this:

 

Test drive the Vette and see how you like it. Your comparing apples to oranges when you compare a Corvette to a Camaro. As deimis said, the new Camaro wont stomp a stock C5 but it could beat it. Right now I wouldnt spend the money that they want for a new SS when you can buy a brand new C6 for the same price.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies.

We are limited for being too choosey since I live on an island lol but that's the nature of the beast.

I guess the big concern I had was the "Corvette Tax". Here just having a chevy is a tax in its self as everyone here is either an import or Ford Fanatic. Nothing wrong with those brands I suppose but I get a GM employee discount so I have always purchased from GM lol.

Thanks again for the replies. Oh and just as a FYI thing the new z06's go for nearly 100k here and the new camaro has a 15k markup rofl.

 

Just in case if anyone was wondering about the mods to the car I am considering here they are:

carbon fiber hood, black ZO6 wheels, 6 speed
LS1 eng, Vortex cold air intake, Borla race exhaust,super grippy tires ($1000), Bilstien sport shocks, C6 Z51 frt and rear sway bars and end links, A/C compressor and drier

The hood has since been painted and not just the bare CF look. I am waiting on him to get back to me about the mileage though.