Hi All,

I'm looking for C5 buying advice. I have my eye on a stock 2002 vert with 66k miles for $20k. It's no trailer queen, but it is definitely easy on the eyes.

The body and top look pretty good for the years and miles; so that's not a concern.

My question is more mechanical. What should I be looking for with respect to problem areas?

One of the salesmen from the dealership took it out and drove it with me as a passenger. He drove like a complete maniac, and I was shaken up by the experience. So, when it was my turn to drive, I was pretty distracted. All I remember was his driving, which was loud, bumpy, rattly, loose, etc. I thought a C5 would be more refined than the C3 I drove 25 years ago. Maybe I'm just getting old?

It's got a check engine light with P0442 code, which might be anything from the gas cap seal to the EGR plumbing.

Any thoughts, recommendations, or things to look for would be helpful. And thoughts about costs to tighten it up are appreciated.

But, also, thoughts on the C5 driving experience would be welcome. As a reference, current wheels are a year old Caddy CTS, which is quite civilized. Is the C5 as wild and wooley as my recent experience, or did I experience a rough car?

Thanks for your help.

 

for me, i would keep looking if it aready has problems who knows what else it mite have. And if the dealer is driving it like that then i would have walked away how can you sell a car that your beating up infront of the buyer. good luck an i hope you find the right one

 

The C5 is way way more refined than any C3. It sounds like this car has been badly abused if it is as you have described.

My 2001 C5 Vert is by far the quietest. tightest & best handling Vette I have ever owned and I have owned about 25 of them in all series from C1-C5.

 

Thanks Mastertz. Yeh, the salesman was not helpful. But I liked the car's color combo and price.

 

RJRSW, thanks for the input. You should know with 25 vettes worth of experience. That's what I though. What would be the most likely to account for the looseness I experienced?

 

well where you at cause i know a dealer that can find just about anything your looking for

 

Try and get a service history on it and a carfax.

 

Sounds to me like abuse and $20,000 was no particular bargain.

I bought a nearly mint very loaded 2001 Vert in January from the original owner who is a retired attorney here in Tucson who lived about 10 miles from me. It had a complete service record, was maintained by the dealer where he bought it, nearly new tires and all the original paperwork including the window sticker and I paid $13,000.

 

RJRSW, that is a *sweet* looking ride! You got an outstanding Vette compared to the prices here in New England. I would love to find a deal like that around here.

 

jrose7004, thanks. The Carfax is clean. Don't know about the service records. It is a 2-owner car. Can I just bring the VIN to a GM dealer and get that?

 

Does sound like the car has some issues and besides, I'd question the salesman driving the car like that in the first place.

There are a lot of very nice C5s out there in that price range. Before you jump in, do some searching for other examples and test them out.

I've got some Word files that may help you out, including a Corvette Buyers Guide. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address.

 

My biggest suggestion for you is to not be in a rush to buy. Take your time and wait till you have found a really nice car at a really good price!

Don't be afraid to go outside your area to look for the car. We get a lot of people from all over the US coming to the Southwest to buy their cars. There are a lot more nice cars to choose from in this area and that also makes the price better.

 

Vetteman Jack, thanks for the offer! I PM'd my email.

 

RJRSW, good advice. Being impulsive at this point would not get me a good car. And I would consider flying out west, or elsewhere, to drive back a good ride.