opinions please with purchase
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: tucson az
help with new purchase
This is the info from seller my main issue is everything that has been changed was it because of abuse, or the vette wasn't taken care of. I am in Arizona 110 heat during summer time thanks for your help guys/gals looking to buy it tomorrow so all the help today would be great I do know he doesn't have the 3.51 gears and suspension is stock soft not z51
* For sale is a 1997 Chevy Corvette, the first year of the C5 series. 5.7L LS1 and automatic transmission with only 78,700 miles. Car has always been well taken care of and regularly maintained. Power windows, door locks & seats, cd player, Corvette seat covers over original leather, Corvette floormats, Corvette door sill protectors. Chrome wheels, Nitto NT555 tires and K&N air filter. As of 7K miles ago, car received new fuel injectors, FAST intake manifold ($900), new water pump, new idler pulley, serpentine belt, fuel filter, B&M transmission shift kit w/control in car, radiator hoses, coolant flush, hood struts, spark plugs & wires, pillar-mounted air/fuel ratio gauges & LS2 throttle body. Intake really improved mileage and we now see close to 30 mpg on the highway, if driving sensibly. Extras include two tops (silver / tinted glass) and original LS1 intake manifold. Car has never been hit or in an accident
* For sale is a 1997 Chevy Corvette, the first year of the C5 series. 5.7L LS1 and automatic transmission with only 78,700 miles. Car has always been well taken care of and regularly maintained. Power windows, door locks & seats, cd player, Corvette seat covers over original leather, Corvette floormats, Corvette door sill protectors. Chrome wheels, Nitto NT555 tires and K&N air filter. As of 7K miles ago, car received new fuel injectors, FAST intake manifold ($900), new water pump, new idler pulley, serpentine belt, fuel filter, B&M transmission shift kit w/control in car, radiator hoses, coolant flush, hood struts, spark plugs & wires, pillar-mounted air/fuel ratio gauges & LS2 throttle body. Intake really improved mileage and we now see close to 30 mpg on the highway, if driving sensibly. Extras include two tops (silver / tinted glass) and original LS1 intake manifold. Car has never been hit or in an accident
Last edited by hopetogetvette; Oct 8, 2011 at 03:18 PM. Reason: not getting feedback
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Richmond VA
I don't believe they offered the Z51 in 97 so that should answer that question. It looks like most of the mods are not maintenance related. The intake, shift kit, throttle body are all performance mods. While you have everything apart for the intake, it probably is not a bad idea to replace the belts and hoses and coolant on a 14 year old car with 70K. Not sure what the price is, but it sounds like a nice car. Water pump and idler are the only questionable replacements, but again not a bad idea on a 14 year old car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kannapolis NC
Just my opinion, stock gears are fine for daily driving. The 3:15 adds a little quickness at the start. It's just a little extra value to me to find one with the 3:15 because you won't pay any extra.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I don't believe they offered the Z51 in 97 so that should answer that question. It looks like most of the mods are not maintenance related. The intake, shift kit, throttle body are all performance mods. While you have everything apart for the intake, it probably is not a bad idea to replace the belts and hoses and coolant on a 14 year old car with 70K. Not sure what the price is, but it sounds like a nice car. Water pump and idler are the only questionable replacements, but again not a bad idea on a 14 year old car.
It looks like those things were replaced because of the, "you're already there anyway so replace them while it's torn apart"My mechanic believes in this because it saves money in the long run. ie, you don't have the seperate labor costs to replace them when they go bad later on down the road.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: tucson az
That makes perfect sense looks like ill make on offer there asking 11500 for it what do u guys think with info from above again tops are peeling and leather seats are looking dry not torn yet
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I would ask why he added the mods. Were they for racing, or for bragging HP reasons with no intention of racing.
I wouldn't buy a car personally that was used for racing, but that's just me.
Look the car over good and if you can see if someone, from a local club, could look it over with you if possible.
Do a search here for common issues and ask about them. Oil sending unit, EBCM, (Traction control and ABS), rear driveline seals/leaks. Make sure everything works as it should and ask him to pull up codes from the DIC and look for past issues and ask about them if any exist.
Who is they? Dealer or private party? But 11,500 doesn't seem to be out of line to me.
I wouldn't buy a car personally that was used for racing, but that's just me.
Look the car over good and if you can see if someone, from a local club, could look it over with you if possible.
Do a search here for common issues and ask about them. Oil sending unit, EBCM, (Traction control and ABS), rear driveline seals/leaks. Make sure everything works as it should and ask him to pull up codes from the DIC and look for past issues and ask about them if any exist.
Who is they? Dealer or private party? But 11,500 doesn't seem to be out of line to me.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: tucson az
Private sale yeah I need to run codes the owner said he has not used it for racing autocheck says clean car oh ok ill ask about leaks and ebcm anything else thanks for your great feedback
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
It looks like those things were replaced because of the, "you're already there anyway so replace them while it's torn apart"My mechanic believes in this because it saves money in the long run. ie, you don't have the seperate labor costs to replace them when they go bad later on down the road.
my mechanic's philosphy also. always offers the option and makes appropriate suggestions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
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From: Knoxville Tn
I think it sounds like he's on the up and up. The mods are not excessive and are pretty muchalong the lines of a typical owner that wants a bit extra. 30 MPG with that rear end ratio is pretty good.
FWIW, you could likely part it out for over $10,000.
FWIW, you could likely part it out for over $10,000.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,283
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From: Katy Tx
dunno OP -- I'd think that car might be de-modded from a high hp n/a or even supercharger -- the pillar guages, fast intake, and trans upgrade just wouldn't be needed with no other mods. Does it have headers, or sound like a big cam??
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I agree with redrckt97, it sounds like he demodded the car. A Fast 90 intake is a waste on a stock LS1. No one would spend $900+ on an intake for a stock LS1. Even an LS6 intake is overkill but would make sense with headers and heads/cam. Ask him why he installed pillar-mounted air/fuel ratio gauges on a stock car. It sounds like the car was demodded and previously had forced induction, headers and possibly a cam. I would be careful.
Z51 was offered in 1997. Here is a useful link: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...97/97rpos.html
For your continued search if you pass on this one: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I agree with redrckt97, it sounds like he demodded the car. A Fast 90 intake is a waste on a stock LS1. No one would spend $900+ on an intake for a stock LS1. Even an LS6 intake is overkill but would make sense with headers and heads/cam. Ask him why he installed pillar-mounted air/fuel ratio gauges on a stock car. It sounds like the car was demodded and previously had forced induction, headers and possibly a cam. I would be careful.
Z51 was offered in 1997. Here is a useful link: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...97/97rpos.html
For your continued search if you pass on this one: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
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From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I would be real careful,as I agree it is probably a de-modded car. It still might be ok,but if the owner won't come clean about it,it would certainly raise a red flag for me.
And periods are your friend...
And periods are your friend...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: tucson az
No I've gone to dealers and test drove a couple of different c5 I've checked for collision vins are stamped and clear on this one I'm still talking with owner so not a done deal but with your guys help ill make sure ill get the right one