Buying a 04 C5 - Need some input
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Buying a 04 C5 - Need some input
This will be my first vette and had some questions. An 04 with low miles, A4, HUD, Targa and one owner completely stock. I'm paying 25K for the car, does that seem like a fair price. Are there any inherent issues I should look for(besides the column lock and rear diff leaks)? I've lurked around the forum for a couple of months trying to get an education before getting in the water. There's a ton of information on this forum to digest. Thanks for the info.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 2
From: Chicago IL
This will be my first vette and had some questions. An 04 with low miles, A4, HUD, Targa and one owner completely stock. I'm paying 25K for the car, does that seem like a fair price. Are there any inherent issues I should look for(besides the column lock and rear diff leaks)? I've lurked around the forum for a couple of months trying to get an education before getting in the water. There's a ton of information on this forum to digest. Thanks for the info.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 33
From: somewhere in New Hampshire
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 2
From: Richmond Virginia
Column lock is 6-speed related, so no problem for the A4. Sounds like an ok deal to me I paid that last summer for my '02. Check the glove box for a build code label and look for Z51 as one of the codes. If it has that it will also have the G90 and G92 performance axle (3.15 ratio)and will also have the FE3 sport suspention. If it has all of that I wouldn't think twice about it. JMO however, some will say it's to much.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Sounds a little high but a fair price IMO if the miles are EXTREMELY LOW, the car is in excellent / near flawless condition, with like new tires/brakes, is a high option car like a Comm. Edition, has a clear title and has never had any paint work done. If this Corvette is exactly what you are looking for and you plan on keeping it for a long time then you should go for it. Make sure to read the link provided by RedSoxFan above.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
seems like a fair price to me also if it is a true low mileage car. i paid just about that a bit over a year ago for my 04 CE convert with 20,000 miles on it and felt that was a fair deal at the time. one factor that is usually ignore is the geographic area of the purchase as they tend to be a bit less expensive in an area where they are plentiful (like south florida or southern california, etc). run a carfax on it before you buy it if you can that will have a history of the car and five you an idea if it has been maintained (it will show dealer visits, etc).
Administrator
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If it is under say 15K miles, that is a pretty good price. I bought an '03 last September with 8500 miles on it for $25K.
I've got some files that might help you in your purchasing process, including a Corvette Buyers Checklist. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address.
I've got some files that might help you in your purchasing process, including a Corvette Buyers Checklist. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 597
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From: near Newburypot MA
Not many people here regret buying their vette, no matter what they paid,. Be sure you like the color, interior, transmission (auto vs 6 speed).
If you plan on keeping it for some years the price is not as important as quality - have a garage ... check it out ... repaired (engine, body, paint) vettes are not something you or most others DON'T want ... though they are cheeper (usually)
If you plan on keeping it for some years the price is not as important as quality - have a garage ... check it out ... repaired (engine, body, paint) vettes are not something you or most others DON'T want ... though they are cheeper (usually)
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
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A little nervous about the tank issue brought up here
Litte gun shy with the tank/crossover issue on the 04's. I certainly don't want to pay top dollar and then be out another 2K for something like that. The 04 had 18K miles on it. I pulled the dealer records and nothing done except oil changes,etc.. no repairs that I can find. I even called the dealer and they had no record of warranty or other repairs. Are there guys with 04's who have not had the tank issue? I also called a Chevy dealer near the dealership that I'm buying it from and they said they would give it a complete checkup and run diagnostics for $50.00 so I would do that anyway prior to the purchase. Thanks again for all the input. It's amazing the amount of info you can get from the members of this forum, that say's something about the owners of these cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,615
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
You got an exceptionally great deal. It must have been a distress sale or an uninformed seller. A friend of mine who is a car dealer had sold a mint 2002 Corvette Coupe 6spd with 20K miles with most options for $22,000 at the Manheim Auction last month and the dealer who bought it probably retailed it for much higher.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
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From: Fairfax Virginia
That is a fair price based upon the equipment and description that you've given. Quality cars routinely sell for higher prices than average cars. If you listened to all what ifs around here, you would worry yourself needlessly.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Red city in deep blue Oregon
St. Jude Donor '17
If everything checks out, pull the trigger.This is a snarling, barely controlled, hairy beast of a car that will put a perma-grin on your face for a decade, easily. 25K? Fair price, if as advertised.
Buy it, and crush the carpet under the "big-flat-pedal-on-the-right".
And.....WAVE to all other 'Vette drivers you meet on the road......It's the LAW!
Last edited by BAMvette; Apr 29, 2010 at 10:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Alameda CA
You got an exceptionally great deal. It must have been a distress sale or an uninformed seller. A friend of mine who is a car dealer had sold a mint 2002 Corvette Coupe 6spd with 20K miles with most options for $22,000 at the Manheim Auction last month and the dealer who bought it probably retailed it for much higher.
I got a good deal, and the car has had no problem so far and i have been told by few different mechanic it has no problems. if the car was a manual it would have been just perfect....
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
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From: Oceanside CA
Paid $22k for mine 5 mos ago... Absolutely love it--no problems at all... Still has original EMT tires (ugh!)... My seller had a must-sell situation and was NOT a car-guy...
I say if you feel it is the "one"--get it!!
I say if you feel it is the "one"--get it!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
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Paid $19.5K a few weeks ago for this 2004 coupe, six speed, both tops, all possible options and 40ish K miles for comparison;
