1997 Corvette Value Question/Opinions
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 569
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From: South Shore, KY
1997 Corvette Value Question/Opinions
Hey guys, still in the market for a C5 and found one I really like. I would like some opinions from you guys on if it is a good buy or not. I have been shopping for about 7 months so I am fairly up to date with the market and pricing, but opinions from fellow enthusiasts are always a plus.
1997 Red 6 speed with black/firethorn interior.
Loaded with every option including HUD.
86K miles and just serviced including wheel bearings, clutch and a few other minor things.
Flowmaster exhaust.
1 owner.
No accident history and is in excellent condition.
C6 Z06 chrome wheels.
Besides what I mentioned it's stock.
Price is 15K.
Do you guys think that is fair? It seems priced competitively in respect to what I've seen in my searching thus far.
I'm going to check it out in a few days to see what I think.
Thanks in advance.
1997 Red 6 speed with black/firethorn interior.
Loaded with every option including HUD.
86K miles and just serviced including wheel bearings, clutch and a few other minor things.
Flowmaster exhaust.
1 owner.
No accident history and is in excellent condition.
C6 Z06 chrome wheels.
Besides what I mentioned it's stock.
Price is 15K.
Do you guys think that is fair? It seems priced competitively in respect to what I've seen in my searching thus far.
I'm going to check it out in a few days to see what I think.
Thanks in advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
97 with HUD ???? could be a conversion which is fine...
Not sure of the current values of C5's (my 98 6 sp convertible has 26000 on her clock in mint condition with SLP exhaust and 2000 wheels and I believe I could get maybe 18 for it..but I have not checked since I am not buying or selling any of myh Corvettes ...
15K for a 87000 mile 97 is top dollar in my opinion...
Bob G.
Not sure of the current values of C5's (my 98 6 sp convertible has 26000 on her clock in mint condition with SLP exhaust and 2000 wheels and I believe I could get maybe 18 for it..but I have not checked since I am not buying or selling any of myh Corvettes ...
15K for a 87000 mile 97 is top dollar in my opinion...
Bob G.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
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From: Los Angeles CA
I would try not to insult but try to get it close to 12,500. Anything between that and 13,500 would be a "good deal". Anything between 13,500-15,000 would be a "normal deal". In my opinion. I got a 1999 with 40k miles on it 3.5 years ago for 18,500. Yours has double the miles (mine has that mileage now) and 2 years older. But I would think a 1999 with those miles could be had for about 15,000 also.
If it drives good and you like it though then maybe it's just the right car. Still try to get it for 14,000 at least.
If it drives good and you like it though then maybe it's just the right car. Still try to get it for 14,000 at least.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,470
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
A lot of good points here. The price is top dollar for an 87K mile '97 C5 but to me a real plus about this '97 is the fact that it is a one owner 6 speed manual car that sounds like it has always been well maintained and cared for. Plus it was just serviced including new wheel bearings and a new clutch. You know where you stand with this car and I bet with a little haggling you may get him down another $500 or so.
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Not sure how a red exterior and a firethorn interior would look like.
I was never a fan of firethorn other than on silver. My 97 white one had firethorn and I gutted it and changed it to all black.
Price is high IMHO.
Heck, I would probably sell my A4 2002 with 95k on the clock that looks like new inside out , with a $1500 Pioneer and Kenwood system in it for $16k
I was never a fan of firethorn other than on silver. My 97 white one had firethorn and I gutted it and changed it to all black.
Price is high IMHO.
Heck, I would probably sell my A4 2002 with 95k on the clock that looks like new inside out , with a $1500 Pioneer and Kenwood system in it for $16k
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 138
Likes: 6
From: South West Michigan
I purchased my 98 vert with 49000 miles in excellent condition in northern Indiana one year ago for $17000 ( I thought mine was a little high in price).
Your price sounds a little high with those miles but I think regional location might play a little in the price.
You will find this forum to be an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience rolled in to one little 24 hour service station on the web.
Best of luck in your search for the C5 of your dreams!
Your price sounds a little high with those miles but I think regional location might play a little in the price.
You will find this forum to be an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience rolled in to one little 24 hour service station on the web.
Best of luck in your search for the C5 of your dreams!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: South Shore, KY
A lot of good points here. The price is top dollar for an 87K mile '97 C5 but to me a real plus about this '97 is the fact that it is a one owner 6 speed manual car that sounds like it has always been well maintained and cared for. Plus it was just serviced including new wheel bearings and a new clutch. You know where you stand with this car and I bet with a little haggling you may get him down another $500 or so.
I found a 2000 6 speed in red today that is 20 miles from my house that I plan to go see tomorrow. It has 98K and all black leather and the asking price is $13,900. I'm going to see what happens with this local one tomorrow and maybe it will turn out to be a better car and be a hell of a lot closer. Who knows if it works out maybe I will be able to haggle the local one down even lower.
Thanks again to all of you for the input, very helpful!!!
Last edited by got-20z; Apr 23, 2012 at 10:22 PM. Reason: ...
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Seems a little high on the price, but other than that sounds like a decent car. If you can get the owner down a bit, then go for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,470
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I found a 2000 6 speed in red today that is 20 miles from my house that I plan to go see tomorrow. It has 98K and all black leather and the asking price is $13,900. I'm going to see what happens with this local one tomorrow and maybe it will turn out to be a better car and be a hell of a lot closer. Who knows if it works out maybe I will be able to haggle the local one down even lower.
Good info on the 2000 model year: http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...000/index.html
The 2000 model year LS1 had some differences from the other years. Basically the same car as the 97-99 except for a cam change and the addition of pup cats:
This is the info I have on the different model year LS engines:
Year, Engine | Valve Lift | Duration | Lobe Separation | Timing
1997-1999 LS1 | .479/.472 | 207/199 | 117 | 113/121
2000 LS1 | .500/.500 | 209/198 | 115.5 | 112/119
2001-2003 LS1 | .479/.467 | 207/196 | 116 | 117/115
2001 LS6 | .525/.525 | 211/204 | 116 | 114/118
2002-2003 LS6 | .551/.555 | 218/204 | 117.5 | 115/120
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 569
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From: South Shore, KY
Bought the 2000 today!!!! Pics to come soon.
Got the guy down to $13,500 and I think I got a good car for the cash. Has a few bugs I have to work out but I'll get there. I will make a new thread with pics soon!
Thanks for all the information thus far!
Got the guy down to $13,500 and I think I got a good car for the cash. Has a few bugs I have to work out but I'll get there. I will make a new thread with pics soon!
Thanks for all the information thus far!
