These last couple months have been a huge learning curve as far as learning about the Corvette Marquis. An MGB guy for almost 10 years, I found that I wanted to switch to something I've wanted for 40 years, a Vette. I found an '87 Vert for $1800.00 in the Fall and grabbed it and started to make it roadworthy again... Not a huge chore but I can see it being costly. Now, even though I love the style of the C4's both early and late and I could pick a good low mileage, beautiful condition car up for what I can sell my "B" for I am now finding myself looking at everything C5 related. Auto Trader, Kijiji, Craigslist etc. and I think I know my path. Thanks to JPEAK from here as well, for the wonderful conversation the other day which really opened my mind to look at the C5's.
BUT!!!!
As my title says, How do you guys do it? There has to be dozens of different styles, shapes, everything regarding C5's. How do you choose what is best for you and in your price range? Do most of you buy on a whim or do a ton of research before buying the perfect for you C5 Corvette? There just seems to be so much more one can do with the C5's
I really should give the '87 a chance and get it on the road though, shouldn't I? or should I just sell it in the condition I have got it to, precede with the sale of my '64 B and sell my 74.5 B, and find a C5 that will keep me happy for years? What sells you on C5's? Do you fit it or does it fit you?

Thanks

 

I've owned a ton of 4th gen f-bodies before my Corvette. I wanted to switch it up. I almost bought a LS3 C6 instead, but then thought it over, and decided I wanted a Z06 just so it would be a little different than the average vette. I basically just knew I wanted the Z06 because of the performance and styling, narrowed my search down, and found a decent deal on a clean one. Just go out and test drive a few and see what one you like. They're really coming down in price now and can be picked up pretty cheaply. My friend just picked up a 50th anniversary vert M6 with 97k miles for $12,500.

 

There really arent that many things you cant change. I'd just decide on a color, Vert v. coupe, manual v.auto, Z06 v. other, everything else you can pretty much change later.

One thing Id avoid is getting something other than what I wanted (not exact color, or vert when I was looking for a coupe because I found one "that was in great shape and less money"). There are a lot of C5's out there, just look for the one that has what you want that is in your price range, and as always....the newest/lowest mileage that is in your budget.

They are mostly very similar, hard to pick a bad one

 

Buy the one that speaks to you.

 

I could not afford a 50's or 60's vetted. Did not like the handling on the 70's and had too much trouble getting in and out of the C4's.

Process of elimination and what I could afford.

I think the basic things you need to decide: Z06, Coupe, or Convertible.

Then automatic or Stick Shift.

Then colors...

The search will take as long as you are specific about what you want. When I looked I was more interested in Coupe, Stick, and condition; less so about color.

Looking is part of the fun.....

 

Had to be a FRC for me.I just love the hardtop body.
Just got got home from going out to birthday dinner
in it.Bought it over 5 years ago and still love it.

 

i would also suggest that you pick up a copy of the corvette black book. it comes out every year, so you can get an "old" one like a 2010 for $10 or less ( the latest edition sells for around $20. check amazon. it is pocket sized and covers year to year and the changes each year along with production numbers, colors available, interior combos, options, rpo # and cost, etc. it's pocket size andx very handy to give you a place to start.

 

There are 3 shapes to the C5. FRC, Targa Coupe, or vert. Nothing changed on them like they changed the C4 through the years to include engines, the Crossfire, several variations of the L98, Lt1, Lt4, and of course the LT5.

C5's had LS1 and LS6. HP was jumped by 5 in 01, which a good exhaust will give you more than that.

You went and jumped into a serious money pit and you will never get your money back if you rebuild what you bought. I put 5K into 56K mile 90 that really didn't need anything but basic maintenance stuff, so I can't imagine what you've gotten yourself into.

So you have two choices

Sell it and take your losses now

Or charge on and put a ton of money into it and keep it for a long time and get your money back through pure enjoyment.

I would cut my losses personally and get a C5.

 

I did a ton of research, decided on a C5 Z06, and ended up buying an '01 coupe almost by accident.

I looked at CL and AutoTrader for months and I could never find what I wanted. There were some nice cars, but when I called the guys wanted too much for them.

One day I did my usual CL search, but I accidently left out "Z06." Up pops a Navy Blue Metallic '01 Z51 coupe in my price range, low miles, 90 miles away, with mods I could never afford to do myself. Even though it wasn't a Z06, I bought the car.

 

Pics of your "B's" please! I had a new one one back in '73. Had a '61 Bugeye Sprite before that. I liked the British cars for years. Still do.

My decision to buy the latest 'vette came one hot summer afternoon when I was tuning on my motorcycle and test riding it. After awhile, I was dripping with sweat and my old worn out knees were hurting from kneeling down tweeking carbs.

I started thinking about the old days and flying around back roads with the top down in those little cars and started looking for one. B's, TR4's, etc. but, remembering the '76 'vette I had made me think that I just haven't really had a hot rod car in my life so, the search changed to another 'vette so I could have a V8 to play with.

Had to have a vert and, with how I hate to be over heated, it had to have a light colored interior so I wouldn't burn my butt every time I got in it. Hence the decision to get the '04 CE vert that's residing in my garage now.

Good luck with whatever you decide on!

Sonny

 

Sounds funny but it is true man. To the OP only 3 diff bodys on the c5. So look at the places you are looking at, Then find the type of body you like best, Then the year to a point in relation to the $$$ you have to spend.... Robert

 

Hey Klutz, I thought the handle sounded familiar. I'm Underdog over on the MGE. Glad to see you here, this is a great place to learn about Vettes and C5s. Be sure to check the for sale and tech sections also.

My plan was also to liquidate the B for a Vette. I originally was looking at clean late C4s but then I saw my C5 coming up at a salvage auction I buy from. About the same time I decided a C4 was going to be a pain in the butt geting in & out. Plus everyone I talked to said go for a C5 cause you won't like a C4.

So I got my dream car. It's the exact color I wanted, Vert, 6spd and 70K seemed like reasonable miles. Some assembly required but that's the way I get most of my cars. So now I have a Vette that will be done by spring and the B never left. I would still sell it for the right price but now doesn't seem the time.

If you have any doubt whatsoever about how superior the C5 is, I reccomend the Chevy film that describes in detail the thought and engineering that went into the C5. It was posted here and after I watched it , I was even more pleased with my decission. I'll find a link and post it.

Little story about buying mine. It's an online auction first off. One other person wanted it too and I ended up paying about 2 grand more than I thought it was worth but I had to have it. So I get it home on the trailer and hook my jumper pack to it and it fires up. The PO had installed a Bassani X pipe and Corsa mufflers. The sound isn't like some loud muffler Camaro or Mustang. This thing growls at you. Then I put a CD in the Stereo and cranked it up. There I was sitting in this wrecked Vette smiling ear to ear. Laurie was standing there and I said..."I don't care what it cost. This is the coolest car I have ever owned!"

Good luck with your search and selling the others.

Jim

Added link to the video thread...enjoy

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-corvette.html

 

There is so much to learn and so little time to learn it...trying my best though

 

I've always loved corvettes since I was a kid, always wanted one but couldnt afford one when I was younger. I had a 97z28 for the last 14 years and finally sold it to get an 03 zo6. I've always like the c5 frc body style, then really fell in love with the C5z when it came out in 01. I've wanted one of these for 10 years now, I really didnt even consider any other body styles when I looked for it. This last year I finally had the money to get one as primarily a weekend car, plus prices on them are pretty reasonably these days. If you find yourself wanting all sorts of c5 go fast parts for your c4 maybe just look into getting a c5 instead. Performance was my #1 priority in searching for one, so I only wanted the c5z. I was looking at prices of them for 6 months or more, then spent a month to find the one I wanted. Luckily there were several that had the options I wanted in this part of the country, I only had to drive 2 hrs to get mine. There are so many available out there that you should be able to find one that has everything you are looking for.

 

I'm on my 7th vette. Haven't found my perfect one yet. Maybe one of these days I'll find a keeper.

 

I just wrote you the longest response and a misclick sent it to cyber space. I am SO pissed!!
Long story short. I wanted a regular coupe, drove my Z06, tested a brand new coupe a few days later and was totally hooked and never looked back. It's my first hot car after 50 years of driving and love every second with it.

 

Always had fords, but needed a 2 seater...red corvette had my name all over it

 

Jim, why am I not surprised to see you here.
Thanks everyone for your responses so far, great information. As far as my '87 being a money pit, yes it could be and that "Was" the plan. I don't like to drive anything that doesn't look great regardless of how it runs. I've put a fuel pump, a replacement used tire, a used exhaust and plugs and wires on the car so far as well as taken the dash apart and replaced burnt out bulbs and cleaned up the electrics. The car runs well, stops well and seems to be a good starting point, but alass.. It really isn't going to be the two year project that I was looking for, or that I'm used to. Paint, seat repair, seals and tires are needed and that itself will run over 8 grand so it's prety much a no-brainer. My Wife is on board with moving up as well, and letting this one go. Luckly there is no snow up here right now so taking a few out for a test would work right now. There certainly is a lot to choose from if you look at the marketplace here, but we're also about 20% higher then what they are going for down in the States.
And, I imagine another convertible would have to be the main search.... But...

 

The reason I sold our C4 was the seat/tub issue - I had a mint car with low miles - The older we got the harder it was to get in & out of - The C5 design was a perfect choice for my wife & I - Now my wife is having a difficult time getting in & out of the C5 because it is so low! So it's either sell the C5 or air bag it Hell to get old but sometimes you just have to paly the cards that your delt

 

I did a lot of searching and researching before I bought any of my Vettes. For the C5, I really wasn't interested in a vert, so it came down to a coupe or FRC/Z06. I wanted the extra storage space, so I went with the coupe. Then it was just a matter of deciding which options I wanted and which I could live without. From there, it was a matter of finding the right car with the right mileage at the right price.

Sometimes it takes a while, but the wait is definitely worth it. Just do your homework and make sure you thoroughly check out whatever car you are considering.

As far as the C4 goes, they are fine cars regardless of what many on the C5 side of the house may say - I had four of them and liked each one a lot. But compared to the C5, there are a lot of differences - improved technology, more HP, better performance, better ergonomics, better fuel efficiency, etc. It just comes down to which generation calls to you.