C5's with +85K Miles......
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 33
From: Jacksonville Florida
GHOST66 I had some of the same concerns as you before I bought my high mile '04 Z. After reading the Forum for awhile and talking with some Vette owners I felt quite a bit better. These cars have a proven history of holding up well over time and miles. Mine has 95K miles and pretty much runs like a top. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have any costly surprises in the near future, but, so far, so good. Really loving the car.
I think you should be looking for a little lower price....as you and others have said already. C5s are really a bargain these days. One of the benefits of a down economy.
Good luck and keep us posted.
I think you should be looking for a little lower price....as you and others have said already. C5s are really a bargain these days. One of the benefits of a down economy.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 1
From: ON THE RED RIVER TEXAS
Not yet, they were closed Monday for the holiday so I didn't get to go look at it... It's about 1hr 45min from me.... I'm gonna try again this Monday.
Thanks Z, I been reading alot on these cars and trying to soak up as much info as I can... I think I'm ready to negotiate with a seller a bit better now.
GHOST66 I had some of the same concerns as you before I bought my high mile '04 Z. After reading the Forum for awhile and talking with some Vette owners I felt quite a bit better. These cars have a proven history of holding up well over time and miles. Mine has 95K miles and pretty much runs like a top. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have any costly surprises in the near future, but, so far, so good. Really loving the car.
I think you should be looking for a little lower price....as you and others have said already. C5s are really a bargain these days. One of the benefits of a down economy.
Good luck and keep us posted.
I think you should be looking for a little lower price....as you and others have said already. C5s are really a bargain these days. One of the benefits of a down economy.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
From: Dacula GA
High Mileage C-5s
I picked up a 2001 ZO6 4.5 years ago from the second owner with 76,500 miles on it. I researched the forum before I bought on what to look for. I have no regrets for the purchase, mostly small things you will need to address as I did, oil pressure sensor, ac control display goes dark, belt tensioner and other minor items needed repair. If you are somewhat handy these cars are not really that hard to work on if you have some patience and research the forum. Good luck with the purchase as others said get the most car you can get for your money there are lots of great cars for sale here on the forum.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 0
From: Location Location
I bought a 99 coupe with 90,000 miles in april (also for 15k!!).
The issues with the car I've had thus far:
The oil pressure sensor was and is out. Chances are any older C5 you look at will have this problem.
Car had a worn idle pulley when i bought it, belt would wander off to the side. Cheap replacement and it's been fine since (this was also in april.)
Blinker went out.
That's about it...it's my daily driver and is currently at 99,860 miles, can't wait to video it hitting 100k! My car has been taken care of by the previous owners and I think that is what is most important when buying an older corvette. Make sure the previous owners had pride in it.
The issues with the car I've had thus far:
The oil pressure sensor was and is out. Chances are any older C5 you look at will have this problem.
Car had a worn idle pulley when i bought it, belt would wander off to the side. Cheap replacement and it's been fine since (this was also in april.)
Blinker went out.
That's about it...it's my daily driver and is currently at 99,860 miles, can't wait to video it hitting 100k! My car has been taken care of by the previous owners and I think that is what is most important when buying an older corvette. Make sure the previous owners had pride in it.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 12
From: Tampa Florida
I have had my 1998 black coupe for 12 and a half years and have put 152,000 miles on it. First 110,000 miles no major problems.
Transmission blew around 125,000, then oil sensor went out 3 times, new A/C pump, leaking o'ring, leaking rear axle twice, busted air pump, leaking radiator, had to replace alternator, left headlamp actuator, A/C compressor, left window motor, A/C temperature actuator and head assembly unit. I still drive it once or twice a month (I just can't let it go!), but now my daily driver for the last 5 years is a 2006 yellow coupe (no problems after 36,000 miles)
Transmission blew around 125,000, then oil sensor went out 3 times, new A/C pump, leaking o'ring, leaking rear axle twice, busted air pump, leaking radiator, had to replace alternator, left headlamp actuator, A/C compressor, left window motor, A/C temperature actuator and head assembly unit. I still drive it once or twice a month (I just can't let it go!), but now my daily driver for the last 5 years is a 2006 yellow coupe (no problems after 36,000 miles)
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 138,704
Likes: 177
From: Poor pathetic little excuse for a boy
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 2
From: Harrisburg Pa.
either market areas vary greatly in prices, or i'm not looking close enough. you won't find that car around here for that kind of money. of course most are looking for basically unmodified too.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 1
From: ON THE RED RIVER TEXAS
Yea. Thats a hell of a deal for that car! How long were you looking and what were they originally asking for that car?
I can't find squat around texas with that low of miles for that price.....
Sweet Car.. Congrats!
I can't find squat around texas with that low of miles for that price.....
Sweet Car.. Congrats!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Saco Maine
Thanks guys, it is modified. I can see the allure of an unmodified car but I really like how this one looks/runs. It's got the cam, x-pipe, free flow cats, Z06 exhaust, custom red stitched seats, rotors and calipers, and some other things I can't remember. I did get a great deal but to be honest with you guys, I bought it from a relative. Since we're family, he gave me a great deal. I'm not sure what a car like this would go for around here. I'm very happy with the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
00 vert with 84,000 on the clock and no major problems. Changed the Oil Pressure sensor was the only thing that has failed. Runs strong and I have added CAI, LT Headers, HF Cats, X-Pipe, Z06 Ti's and had the PCM tuned by Chuch at COW. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Worth noting that 6spds. drive higher prices than the autos (for comparison sake).
Just returned from 3,200 mile roadtrip in my '98 with 95k miles and with the few mods it has and a caring maintenance history it drove better than a new car the entire way. Excellent mileage and didn't burn an ounce of oil as far as I could tell on the dipstick. Many times a car with 100k miles if maintained and driven like you care for it will be in better shape than a car with 1/2 as many miles so knowing the previous owner can be just as important as the qty. of miles.
Just returned from 3,200 mile roadtrip in my '98 with 95k miles and with the few mods it has and a caring maintenance history it drove better than a new car the entire way. Excellent mileage and didn't burn an ounce of oil as far as I could tell on the dipstick. Many times a car with 100k miles if maintained and driven like you care for it will be in better shape than a car with 1/2 as many miles so knowing the previous owner can be just as important as the qty. of miles.