New from Texas
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 286
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
New from Texas
Hello all vette owners,
Im new to the forum from Houston Texas and currently drive a 2007 SILVERADO RST FBO 6.0 LQ9. Im currently in the market to buying a C5 corvette. i just have a few questions to ask the experts...
i have narrowed it down either a coupe or a zo6. Im in love with all the options the z06 has to offer but my budget doesnt allow me to buy a low mileage z06 (which is what i want since it will be my daily driver) so i stumbled upon a 1999 coupe with 48k asking price 17000 FIRM bone stock glass top 6 spd manual with i would say 9 on the exterior and interior. Also i have looked into some z06 from years 2001-2004 around the same price range but mileage in between 80k miles and 150k. So the question is in your opinion is the higher mileage z06 worth the cash, or should i just find a nice coupe with low miles?
Thanks
Im new to the forum from Houston Texas and currently drive a 2007 SILVERADO RST FBO 6.0 LQ9. Im currently in the market to buying a C5 corvette. i just have a few questions to ask the experts...
i have narrowed it down either a coupe or a zo6. Im in love with all the options the z06 has to offer but my budget doesnt allow me to buy a low mileage z06 (which is what i want since it will be my daily driver) so i stumbled upon a 1999 coupe with 48k asking price 17000 FIRM bone stock glass top 6 spd manual with i would say 9 on the exterior and interior. Also i have looked into some z06 from years 2001-2004 around the same price range but mileage in between 80k miles and 150k. So the question is in your opinion is the higher mileage z06 worth the cash, or should i just find a nice coupe with low miles?
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: spring tx
Got my 04 z 58000 for$ 19,000 two years ago. Havent had anything g wrong yet..look for a 03-04 there out there for not much more..i visiting houston now.might just move here.might bebest buds someday
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,533
Likes: 24,825
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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If you can find an '01-04 with lower mileage within your price range, that's what I would go with. Nothing against the earlier cars, but the '01-04s had a lot of changes made over the previous years. I generally go with a lower mileage car, but as with anything, it really depends on how well the car has been maintained.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
From: Tulsa OK
I think an '01 or later would be your best bet; However, I would require complete service records on any manual transmission car with over 50k miles.
Welcome to the Forum and good luck with your search, just don't get in a hurry. Be patient and you may hear from some "experts" and find the right car.
Okie
Welcome to the Forum and good luck with your search, just don't get in a hurry. Be patient and you may hear from some "experts" and find the right car.
Okie
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 286
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
Thanks everyone,
I appreciate everybody's feedback on my question. It seems all fingers are pointing to getting a newer model corvette because of changes on the models over the year and what not. I will keep my eyes open on finding one thanks guys
I appreciate everybody's feedback on my question. It seems all fingers are pointing to getting a newer model corvette because of changes on the models over the year and what not. I will keep my eyes open on finding one thanks guys
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 147
From: Houston Republic of Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14, '16
Welcome to the forum, I agree with everyone about the '01-'04 models. Be very patient and believe me you'll find something in your price range, be willing to pick it up and keep checking in the for sale section. When you find something, come back here and ask some more questions before you purchase. See you around H-TOWN, L8R ZFLASH
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
Welcome to the forum! I would keep researching and saving. You probably aren't too far off in price from getting a decent Z...yet the diff from a coupe to a Z in the fun department will be worth the wait. 
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Hey Maxx, I'm relatively new to the Corvette world as well, but in the 7 months I've owned mine, I've learned a TON.
Let me know if you'd like to me to take look at one for/with you (I'm local). Feel free to PM me with links/pictures/questions.
Oh, I went with the medium-mileage Z06 for a decent price and haven't regretted that decision.
Let me know if you'd like to me to take look at one for/with you (I'm local). Feel free to PM me with links/pictures/questions.
Oh, I went with the medium-mileage Z06 for a decent price and haven't regretted that decision.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 286
From: Houston Texas
C5 COTM Coordinator
Hey Maxx, I'm relatively new to the Corvette world as well, but in the 7 months I've owned mine, I've learned a TON.
Let me know if you'd like to me to take look at one for/with you (I'm local). Feel free to PM me with links/pictures/questions.
Oh, I went with the medium-mileage Z06 for a decent price and haven't regretted that decision.
Let me know if you'd like to me to take look at one for/with you (I'm local). Feel free to PM me with links/pictures/questions.
Oh, I went with the medium-mileage Z06 for a decent price and haven't regretted that decision.
Im still doing my homework on the C5 as it is and i wouldn't mind learning some things from people with experience with the cars. Ill PM you with any concerns i do have a few actually...
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 903
From: Republic of Texas
Welcome to the forum, and greetings to a fellow Texan.
When I bought my 02 last July, (coming from my 97) I considered the following:
- my 97 had 147K miles on it when I totaled it (mostly body damage) I sold it to a repair shop that has since repaired it and has it back on the road as a daily driver.
- My idea of "low mileage" was anything under 50K miles, but i would look at anything under 80K provided it was in good repair. For Corvettes, It's more about how well they were maintained and for most vette owners/buyers, it's easy to find out.
- 02-04 cars had the latest version of the LS1 including a revised cam profile. These are the only years I would look at.
- I preferred to look at private party cars vs. dealer cars.
- I was rather picky in the color department. Black, Spiral Grey and Silver were the only ones i was interested in.
I ended up with an 02 silver coupe with 48K on the clock and lots of options for ~$17K. Only thing wrong was a faulty window regulator which I fixed myself.
I would define your search NEEDS vs wants, then sit down and look through classifieds, ebay ads, and craigslist (the last is where i found mine) and keep in mind Texas has about 8 craigslist sites.
When I bought my 02 last July, (coming from my 97) I considered the following:
- my 97 had 147K miles on it when I totaled it (mostly body damage) I sold it to a repair shop that has since repaired it and has it back on the road as a daily driver.
- My idea of "low mileage" was anything under 50K miles, but i would look at anything under 80K provided it was in good repair. For Corvettes, It's more about how well they were maintained and for most vette owners/buyers, it's easy to find out.
- 02-04 cars had the latest version of the LS1 including a revised cam profile. These are the only years I would look at.
- I preferred to look at private party cars vs. dealer cars.
- I was rather picky in the color department. Black, Spiral Grey and Silver were the only ones i was interested in.
I ended up with an 02 silver coupe with 48K on the clock and lots of options for ~$17K. Only thing wrong was a faulty window regulator which I fixed myself.
I would define your search NEEDS vs wants, then sit down and look through classifieds, ebay ads, and craigslist (the last is where i found mine) and keep in mind Texas has about 8 craigslist sites.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,718
Likes: 13
From: Katy TX
St. Jude Donor '12
Welcome to the forum, and greetings to a fellow Texan.
When I bought my 02 last July, (coming from my 97) I considered the following:
- my 97 had 147K miles on it when I totaled it (mostly body damage) I sold it to a repair shop that has since repaired it and has it back on the road as a daily driver.
- My idea of "low mileage" was anything under 50K miles, but i would look at anything under 80K provided it was in good repair. For Corvettes, It's more about how well they were maintained and for most vette owners/buyers, it's easy to find out.
- 02-04 cars had the latest version of the LS1 including a revised cam profile. These are the only years I would look at.
- I preferred to look at private party cars vs. dealer cars.
- I was rather picky in the color department. Black, Spiral Grey and Silver were the only ones i was interested in.
I ended up with an 02 silver coupe with 48K on the clock and lots of options for ~$17K. Only thing wrong was a faulty window regulator which I fixed myself.
I would define your search NEEDS vs wants, then sit down and look through classifieds, ebay ads, and craigslist (the last is where i found mine) and keep in mind Texas has about 8 craigslist sites.
When I bought my 02 last July, (coming from my 97) I considered the following:
- my 97 had 147K miles on it when I totaled it (mostly body damage) I sold it to a repair shop that has since repaired it and has it back on the road as a daily driver.
- My idea of "low mileage" was anything under 50K miles, but i would look at anything under 80K provided it was in good repair. For Corvettes, It's more about how well they were maintained and for most vette owners/buyers, it's easy to find out.
- 02-04 cars had the latest version of the LS1 including a revised cam profile. These are the only years I would look at.
- I preferred to look at private party cars vs. dealer cars.
- I was rather picky in the color department. Black, Spiral Grey and Silver were the only ones i was interested in.
I ended up with an 02 silver coupe with 48K on the clock and lots of options for ~$17K. Only thing wrong was a faulty window regulator which I fixed myself.
I would define your search NEEDS vs wants, then sit down and look through classifieds, ebay ads, and craigslist (the last is where i found mine) and keep in mind Texas has about 8 craigslist sites.
I daily drove my Z06 for 8 years and 100,000 miles. Piece of cake. Like everyone said above, you need to know more about the maintenance of the car than just the mileage. Mine's got 113k miles on it and you would never know it by looking at it....
chris