Hey guys. Found yall via Google!

Anyways. I've had trucks all my life (not very long, at 23). Currently I'm driving a 2005 Silverado. Its a 2WD LS Crew Cab. 5.3L V8, nothing fancy. I have another pickup, a '93 C1500 w/ a 5.3L LS Swap. Anyways, I'm a bit burnt out on driving pickups ALL THE TIME and after driving my buddies daily driver '94 Coupe, I think I would like to try out the Vette world. However, I'm more partial to LS engines and prefer the roomier interior in the C5. I will admit though, the ECBM and Stability Control, and whatever else problems I've read about have me concerned. Sounds like a lot more headache than the common problems in a Silverado...which is just gauge cluster stepper motors, evap solenoids, and little doodads like that. Everything else Ive seen, like headlight motors, seat bolsters, and stuff like that is no big deal...I build new emergency vehicles and do most, if not all, of my own mechanical work...so diving in feet first is nothing new to me. I've already found the metal gears for the headlight motors, blood pressure cuffs for seat bolsters, and some people contemplating bypassing a troublesome ABS computer entirely.

I found a 1997 Corvette Base Coupe FS/FT locally. It has 46K on the clock and is Torch Red. Looks great inside and out. I'm talking to the guy about a possible swap. My '05 Silverado for his '97 Vette. Would this be a bad deal? My truck books for $11,900 (05 Crew w/104K miles) and while the Vette books for $16K (all KBB numbers) I've noticed they don't usually sale that high.

Just looking for some opinions. It's anybodys guess right now but I have been researching a lot so I would be informed if It went through.

I was also eye molesting a beautiful Competition Yellow '94 Coupe locally, MINT inside and out, but the place wanted my truck plus $1K. I walked.

The way I have been figuring this...is its kind of a bucket list thing. I'd love to have a fun car to drive that is enjoyable to get around town in. Sure, I may miss my crew, but I may miss a fun experience, too.

Thanks guys! I appreciate any general insight yall may have on this possible swap or for someone considering a 'Vette

My truck:



The '97 Coupe in question:

 

Louisiana, get the Vette. Why did you have a truck to begin with? Only issue is the old gen Silverados are really dated compared to the 2008+ ones, so why would a C5 owner want to swap? C5s aren't dated. Unless he needs it for business reasons, you may be trading in for a problem Vette

I've have a latter build 97 for over 10 years now (bought w 4,600 miles), and I won't trade her for a 2004 considering I now everything inside and out about this specific one. Good thing about 97s, is it is only ABS and traction control and nothing else. Yeah, I get the STS warning every now and then. I can clear it in my sleep and am on my way, everything re-engaged and operational.

Only issue with 97s, is earlier build ones don't communicate with dyno tune programs (mine did)

 

If you can get it for an even swap, go for it.

 

My previous daily driver, a '98 S10, couldn't move its own weight down the road. I also had an ATV at the time. Got frustrated, bought the '05, and was like 'Hell yea, I can tow 5000lbs with 6 people in the truck now!!!!'

Well, two years and three months later...I usually haul everyone else and their junk for some rhyme or reason And I sold my ATV. So if I ditch it for a car I can stop that nonsense...my lowered '93 step side can tow and haul just fine, but nobody else needs to know that. Generally all I haul for myself is the occasionally odd piece of furniture or something to that tune. Hindsight is 20/20, but I probably should have just bought a C5 two years ago, LOL.

Personally, I don't see how the '05 Silverado could be much more dated than the '97 Vette. Now, comparing both to their newer counterparts, absolutely. But to each other, not so much. BUT, I don't own a C5, so maybe I can't make a fair judgement. The fellow said he needed a truck and I notice he has an older (looks to be early 2000s) Suburban and to me my '05 seemed a perfect fit. The Vette is said to be very clean and other other pictures seem to indicate its very well taken care of and occasionally showed. He said he's interested so I'm waiting right now to set a time and place to meet and check things out in person. We are both tied up with work until the weekend. Trying not to get my hopes up just yet

 

I have a C5Z as well as a '05 Crew Cab Sierra. I wouldn't trade my crew for a '97 C5 if given the opportunity, that's for sure.

 

If you cna get an even swap I would do it. But, I am a vette guy. I have no use for that kind of truck. I just call up friends and buy a 6-pack of beer. Speaking of which, this weekend I need to move a couch.........so, what kind of beer?? J/K

 

If you have your other truck as back-up for the days you need to haul something, I'd say go for it.

Not to throw a wrench into your plans but have you considered the cost of ownership? At 23, insurance might be a show stopper. Just something to consider.

 

I thought the same thing. Called my agent and, to my surprise, the insurance is cheaper than my truck. I priced full coverage. Go figure.

 

I too am a truck guy (had one for the last 30+ years) but gave ot to my son last summer...

I;d grab the 97 (it has 2000 style wheels on it already lol) for an even trade...

I;m going to Carlisle in a few weeks looking for an El lCamino (to use as a super light duty daily driver truck...One may be hard because i do not want to pay classic car prices because I intend to drive it daily...

Bob G.
64 72 76 79 88 (35th ANC) and 98 Corvettes

 

The fellow said he bought it in 2004 and drove it for 3 years then just lost interest. He bought the new wheels for it, red fuel rail covers, K&N air filter, and had the driver seat recovered. It's always been covered up in his driveway.

We shall see.

 

I've also had trucks all my life but prefer cars for most driving. I've never understood the "need" for city people to own a truck although they are needed a couple of times a year for most families, moving events etc... But that is my personal grind.

Any hoo, a couple of years ago I was chasing the dream up at a local casino that had a new c6 in my favorite color (yellow) up for a give away. In the end I didn't get the c6 but I did win a 2010 f150 extended cab. a nice catch but it was a gas model sports truck and I wanted a diesel. I do run a ranch and do some heavy towing at times.

The original game plan was to use the new gasser as a trade in for the new diesel but as it came time to do so I lost interest in the new diesel ($40k+) and fell into a great deall on a very low mileage 05 Duramax/allison for 25k$, That, at least in my mind , left enough value on the table to justify trading the gasser for the corvette that I always wanted, and so last December I came home with a MY 2004 c5 and I couldn't be happier.

The PU was much newer but the mileage and condition of the trades were very close and so the KBB were almost the same, it took a while but I work the dealer down and I ended up having to pay the tax on the trade and drove it home. I probably could have done better on a private deal but as soon as it took it on the inital test drive I was hooked, other cars just didn't measure up.

You WILL like the c5,

 

Thanks for the info guys. I will see how it goes. Honestly, I dig the car, but I'm not impressed with the apparent failure rate of some expensive and no longer produced parts. Granted, it may not happen, but I'm not sitting well with a car that seems like it's becoming obsolete due to lack of electronics to fix it. I will be keeping this in consideration until I hear back from the seller.

 

Keep looking, you will find a c5 that fits your situation. Individual problems a side, these are some of the best performance automobiles avaible, period.