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c4 Guy considering a c5

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Old May 9, 2011 | 07:39 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by vancityguy
one more question guys, in terms of reliability would a 97-99 c5 be as reliable or more reliable than say a 2001-2004 mustang?
Is this a trick question?

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Old May 9, 2011 | 08:27 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by vancityguy
so i've got a c4 which im keeping. i was going to possibly pick up a 01-04 mustang gt but got to thinking about a 97-99 c5.

so far i know the mustangs are about 7-9k approx. how far off am i from a c5? just needs to be in good condition.

i live in canada and everything is over priced here. for example a 98 c5 coupe for 20k w/120,000km on it. im thinking it is a 15k car is that about right?
Brother your in a primeeeee location being in Vancouver. The best bang for the buck vettes I found were usually on the west coast (Cali, Arizona, Colorado). 3 years ago I picked up a 01 vette in Jersey that had 87,000 miles (139,000km) for $14500. It was "mint" but wasn't a lump of coal either. You can now find a c5 with lower mileage for about the same price I paid, and let me tell you....IT IS WORTH IT!!! I've had Mustangs all my life, and now that I have the vette there is no going back. You won't be disappointed my friend!

Cheers
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Old May 10, 2011 | 12:46 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by 88yellow
I have a 1988 C4 and also a 2003 ZO6. the C4 is modified but it is alot more fun to drive than the ZO6, and it"s faster than the ZO6. I would sell the ZO6 before I would sell the C4.
so you are comparing your modified C4 to your bone stock Z06...
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Old May 10, 2011 | 01:42 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by vancityguy
ya i noticed the CA cars are all dirt cheap. here in vancouver our prices are sky high... def something to consider.

i still have my c4 so im debating getting a 01-04 GT and dumping the rest into my c4 still... will see what happens.
Sent you a PM.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 02:13 AM
  #25  
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I think you can find a c5 in the 15k mark as long as 100k miles does not scare you. These cars have held up great to miles, and mine is going to hit 100k this year. Have done nothing but normal maint. I did have to change the oil pressure sensor and the alternator (computer told me when it was weak, lol).

Only advantage I could see too the ruststang would be cheaper tires, lol. They also have a nice stock exhaust note. 305hp and heavier sucks though. I also beleive that they have an additional warning on the visor that states "if you attempt to take a curve in this car you will experience instant death"
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Old May 10, 2011 | 03:46 AM
  #26  
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Where exactly is a great place to look? Dealers seem to charge a premium and private sellers are hard to come by no?

How scary is the 100k mark? 15k is so attractive but the 100k does scare me a bit...especially hearing what everyone says about that much milage
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Old May 10, 2011 | 05:59 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by vancityguy
im keeping my c4 forever, has sentimental value.

my main concern is can i find a "good" c5 for 12-15k approx? i dont expect a showroom condition car, just in good all around condition.
You can definitely find GOOD C5's for that price range. Hell, you can find near mint 01-04 coupes for $15K. I even saw a Z06 for $14K on craigslist the other day.

I learned to drive on a C4 and I wish we still had it. It was stolen one summer. Took years before my dad finally replaced it with another Corvette. Keep it if you love it!

You're not likely going to drive it much, though, if you buy a C5. But whatever you do, DON'T BUY A NEW EDGE MUSTANG!!! The 01-04 Mustang GTs are piles of crap. Trust me. If you're going to buy a Mustang, get an 05+. The base C5 Coupe in any year is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the 01-04 GT in all respects. This is coming from someone with experience with all of these cars.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 06:04 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by 87 Ragtop
You will love it. But you will find there are things you'll like about your C4 too. I traded my C4 in on a G8 GT. It was a tough call, but I really didn't have the room to keep it I love the C5, but I do miss things like the Digi-Dash... I'm apparently in the minority that liked it. It's also much harder to see ones in decent shape so its nice if you have a good example. I hope to get another C4 someday, like you for nostalgic reasons. It was the Corvette I wanted as a kid!! Good luck finding the one thats right for you in the right price range
I don't know if you're in the minority of digi-dash lovers, but I can tell you that I didn't like it myself. It wasn't fast enough... Watching the speedo go from 0 to 20 to 35 to 45 was lame. If it was faster and the peak points went much further up (instead of cutting of in the early triple digits), I would have liked it more. One day I'm going to buy another early C4 and replace all the gauge areas with LCD screens and make a really GOOD digital dash.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 09:36 AM
  #29  
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I found mine online near Tacoma. 01 Coupe with 105k miles for 11k. Clean carfax and passed the inspection from a my buddy who works as a mechanic at the Chevy dealer down the street. I've had no problems at all with it and I ran it hard as a daily driver every day before I got stationed in Korea. My dad drives it for me now while I'm gone. Be patient and when you find the car you want at the price you want drive it, have it inspected, and do a carfax check on it. Good luck to you, and the Canucks.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 11:12 AM
  #30  
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I sold both my C4s to get C5 Z06.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 11:39 AM
  #31  
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Take your time and get the color, transmision, etc. that you are looking for.

You will find one in the price range you are shopping.

Good luck!
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Old May 10, 2011 | 08:36 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by vancityguy

my main concern is can i find a "good" c5 for 12-15k approx? i dont expect a showroom condition car, just in good all around condition.
that is a great price range for a coupe or roadster c5 up to 2004.

mileage might be up around 70,000 in that price range.
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Old May 10, 2011 | 09:00 PM
  #33  
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Not sure anyone answered your question about how long C5 engines are supposed to last?

C5 engines were designed to last 200,000 miles. One of the first such goals.
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Old May 11, 2011 | 02:53 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by 88yellow
I have a 1988 C4 and also a 2003 ZO6. the C4 is modified but it is alot more fun to drive than the ZO6, and it"s faster than the ZO6. I would sell the ZO6 before I would sell the C4.
A modded car vs a stock car. Not a fair comparison.

The C5 is a lot more refined than the C4, and the LSX engines are leagues better than the LT's.

Outside of a ZR1, you couldn't give me a C4 to keep.
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Old May 11, 2011 | 03:06 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by JustinStrife
A modded car vs a stock car. Not a fair comparison.

The C5 is a lot more refined than the C4, and the LSX engines are leagues better than the LT's.

Outside of a ZR1, you couldn't give me a C4 to keep.
Meh... I think you're being a little harsh. I do agree you can't compare stock cars to modded cars, but the C4s have their place.

I'd actually like to buy a 91 6-speed... I don't want an LT1, but I like the looks of the LT1 style C4s. So, the best compromise is a 91. I'd leave it 100% stock as well. I drove my friends 90 6-speed and it was so fun. Nowhere near as fast as my C5Z, but it just feels like a go-kart and honestly, the transmission shifts a lot nicer than a t56 (IMO).

I would like one to scoot around in. It wouldn't be the car I take my girlfriend out on a date with since my C5 is so much nicer and easier to get in and out of, but just for me to putt around in and maybe take to the road course, it would be pretty sweet.
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Old May 11, 2011 | 03:27 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by JustinStrife
A modded car vs a stock car. Not a fair comparison.

The C5 is a lot more refined than the C4, and the LSX engines are leagues better than the LT's.

Outside of a ZR1, you couldn't give me a C4 to keep.
if you want to call it comparing or what ever, I don't really care. I just said what I had and what I liked better, what is more enjoyable to me.
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Old May 11, 2011 | 04:19 PM
  #37  
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That's correct. That's why I'm saying I want a 91. No LT1, but LT1 body styling.
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Old May 11, 2011 | 10:31 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by vancityguy
oh okay, so u actually prefer the l98 motor.
Affirmative.

Honestly, I prefer the L98 over the LT1 for a lot of reasons. And if at any point I decide to change the motor out, I'll put an LM7 or LS1 in and have a reliable good looking C4. I'd even have an adapter plate made to bolt up to the stock getrag transmission in the C4. LOL

But the great thing about an L98 is that if you don't mess with them, they'll run forever.
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Old May 12, 2011 | 12:03 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by SCM_Crash
Affirmative.

Honestly, I prefer the L98 over the LT1 for a lot of reasons. And if at any point I decide to change the motor out, I'll put an LM7 or LS1 in and have a reliable good looking C4. I'd even have an adapter plate made to bolt up to the stock getrag transmission in the C4. LOL

But the great thing about an L98 is that if you don't mess with them, they'll run forever.
I have a different preference. I might be a bit older than you so when I was in high school the 84's came out. I fell in love with those big round tail lights. My first Vette almost 8 years ago now, was an 89. I loved the looks of it, but the L98 was a big let down for me. If I had my way Id choose the pre 91 body with an LT1 engine and of course a ZF 6. And youre right... the ZF transmission shifts better than damn near any standard transmission ever made IMO.
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Old May 12, 2011 | 04:31 AM
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Originally Posted by 81c3
I have a different preference. I might be a bit older than you so when I was in high school the 84's came out. I fell in love with those big round tail lights. My first Vette almost 8 years ago now, was an 89. I loved the looks of it, but the L98 was a big let down for me. If I had my way Id choose the pre 91 body with an LT1 engine and of course a ZF 6. And youre right... the ZF transmission shifts better than damn near any standard transmission ever made IMO.
LOL! Yeah, I learned to drive on an 85. I've had an LT1 and I hate them. Torque monsters, but they're a pain to work on and who loves opti?

I have an 03 Z06, so I don't need another fast car. Just something that's fun to putt around in.
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