Hi everybody been lurking for awhile gathering information on the C5. Well I finally found a corvette that was in my price range and close enough to be practical for a test drive (tomorrow) and got the wife's blessing to pull the trigger on the one I like. Thought I had everything solved when I found one other corvette in the area that is also in our price range. Here's my conundrum:

Option 1:
'98 Nassau Blue Coupe 38K miles 6 speed. Has normal wear on the seats. a small dent on the front quarter panel, and a small scratch on the rear quarter panel. Also the drivers side door does not unlock using the key fob (have read that is a common problem). Price: $16,500

Option 2:
'00 Torch Red 67K miles 6 speed. Only defect is small normal rock chips. This one has all the features including HUD, cd changer, dual tops, and climate control. It has the C5R lights and spoiler. Spoiler looks ok but the lights have to go! He will include the stock lights with the sale. Price: $16,000

I really do like the Nassau blue better than the red. The red does have nicer wheels. But the real question I ask is: Is it better to go older with lower mileage, or newer with more miles and more features?

I know its a long post, but hey its the first one gotta make it count right? Thanks for your advice, and if it helps I can post pictures of each.

 

Personally I'd go with the lower mileage.

 

How are you going to use the car - daily driver or weekend toy ? If a DD go with the lower mileage. Be sure to check the maintenance records, brakes and condition of the tires, all of these need to factor in price considerations. A set of tires will run you $800-1200. If all the factors are equal - go with the one that rings your chimes the most. Both cars have PLENTY of usable mileage left.

 

use should be considered carefully. if it will be a weekend cruiser you may want to go with the car with the most options for the money, by putting fewer than "normal daily" miles on it eventually it will even out and you will have a "low" mileage car for the age. as mentioned as a dd then the lower the mileage the better as you will be adding your own daily. is it just me or did everyone overlook the explanation of a small "dent". fiberglass usually doesn't dent, it breaks. can we assume the dent is in the plastic nose, not the quarter panel?? if it really is in the quarter panel, there is something wrong i would think.

 

So far, nobody has asked the most important question, "Which one does your wife like?"

 

All Corvettes are RED!

 

Generally people say "the newest lowest mile car that you can afford" but . . .

There's a lot to be said for getting as close to your exact preference as you can. In other words if you're looking for NB with Blk interior in a vert and you see a Red Coupe with less miles.....you'll probably be happier with the one thats closer to what you like.

38k v. 60k not much difference, if I buy again I will be looking for the lowest mile one I can find but it will have exactly the color and options I want.

My car had everything I wanted in it and 43k when I got it, its still a great car but if again.....Id look for lower mileage.





And if you fill out your profile someone may see that they are close to you and maybe take a ride and look one over with you....just a thought.

 

When I traded up from a C4 to a C5 I knew exactly what I was looking for in color, year range and options. I looked for 3 to 4 months and flew from Texas to Georgia to get the one I wanted. Be patient and drive a few. Ask some more questions and decide what you want. Wheels can be changed rather cheaply but options and paint are a little different.
I'm curious about the "dent" in the quarter panel.

Dave

 

Yes its going to be a daily driver. I was thinking lower mileage as well, but wasn't sure since the 2000 seemed to be in a better state of repair and has the convenience features.

Here's a picture of the front right it looks like the dent is on the nose clip of the car. Kind of hard to tell from the picture.

 

Oh and the wife likes blue better than red!

 

If it were me, I'd go with the '00 - yes more miles on it, but better condition, more options, newer car and less money. But, if it is not the color you want or if you feel it has too many miles, then keep looking.

 

I'd go with the car that is in the best over all condition. Sounds like the newer car has more options and is better condition. There's nothing cheap for a vette, and if you can't do all the work yourself on the older one, you may end up having a lot more in it when you're done. I'd keep looking to find exactly what you want. Neither one of those cars has any miles on them to speak of. The cars condition usally tells the tale on how it has been taken care of.

 

I think I would lean towards the newer one, just being newer has added value, and throw in the better options, and the big plus of having both tops, its really hard to say the older car is worth the same, especially if its damaged at all.
I would be a bit suspicious of the blue car being what its owner says it is, its not like most Vette owners to drive around with a car that has a damaged body, kind of a pride thing, even if it is minor.
Also in your pic it shows the Goodyear tires, are they original? Check the date codes, If they are they're junk.
If your not schooled in looking at Vettes take somebody with you for your first car, you don't want to spoil the experience with a money pit.
Ask on the forum for somebody local to go with you and check them out, and if they tickle that little brain bone that says "Walk away", LISTEN TO IT!!
Read all the stickies here they are wealth of information.
Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

 

Neither. I would test drive both, then go out and test drive several in your area with varying options. You may find you want Magnetic Selective Ride Control. You might want (or NOT want) the Z51 performance package. You may find you cannot live without a convertible. You may find you'd rather have an automatic for a daily driver. You may find a love/hate relationship with Body Side Moldings. Eventually you'll find "the one."

I drove nine Corvettes in two states before I had "the one" shipped in from Georgia. Good luck! and let us know how it turns out. Welcome to the forum!

.

 

That's because you'd be a chick magnet in the red one.

 

Ignore the mileage and go with the one that moves you(and your wife)
Their both low mileage in the grand scheme.

 

Yea when talking about corvettes mileage is an interesting factor to consider.

Since they are so well made compared to most other mass produced cars then 67k while seeming like a lot really isnt all that bad. I bought my 04 with 55k 3 years ago and now it has over 100k and it still runs like it did when I drove it off the lot.

If you take mileage out of the equation then it comes down to color, price, and condition. With those aspects it seems that you like the blue better but the 00 will serve you better and its cheaper and will cost less to have the body work done.

Good luck and let us know which way you go.

P.S.
Hoodie2011, just noticed you are in Crestview...I bought mine in Ft Walton Beach when I was stationed at Eglin.

 

Crestview, Fl.... small world. I lived out there for 4 months last year supporting a program at the L-3 plant. I saved up my per diem checks and bought my '98 when I got back. I miss that little town.

But like others have said, the mileage is nothing for these cars. I wouldn't even factor it into the decision. Go with the one you want more. NB is a beautiful color.

 

If you say the 00 is in better shape and more options, That would be my pick.

 

If those are the only ones to choose from I'd take the Nassau Blue for obvious reasons. However, the choice is yours. Some may say to wait and find a low mileage C5 without the faults you described of the ones you have located. They are out there and can be found in your price range. Only you will know when you find the perfect Vette for you. Good luck with your search!