Did you settle for less?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 595
Likes: 2
From: LA/OC border, probably sittin' under the patio, by the pool...smokin' a cigar! SoCal
No settling for me. Looked all of the country for a Sebring Silver 6spd 'vert Z51. When I did find one, there were always issues. Just when I thought I would never find what I was looking for, one shows up less than two miles from my house! One owner car. Perfect! Did pay about a 1000 more than I wanted, but was worth the extra dollars to me to be able to talk to the original owner, who had all maintance records since new.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
No. Got the exact car I wanted which is a long story. Paid a couple grand more but what is that in the long term? I considered a C4 for less money, work and agravation...maybe but absolutely convinced I made the right choice.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
From: Massapequa NY
Didn't settle at all. I wanted to a few times but wife convinced me to wait and keep looking. I found the exact car...very low miles(6800). 6 speed triple black convertible. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 7
From: Greenville Texas
Every time I want to have "fun" with a manual, I roll with the Camaro for a few days.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,986
Likes: 24,718
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I was debating between a C5 Z06 and a coupe and when I saw the car I ended up buying, I had no doubts it was the right choice. I really did not want to spend the amount C6s were going for at the time and I got one heck of a deal on the C5 with only 8500 miles on the clock.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 263
Don't think I settled really, though I did want a C6Z I couldn't afford it so I looked into C5's. In a situation like that given the money you have I don't see it as settling so long as you find the C5 your looking for.
There were a few higher mileage SWZ's I saw and even called a guy to see if it was still for sale but it had already been sold. Thankfully so because I decided to hold off until I found the one I was looking for. 4 months later and hundreds if not thousands of online listings (was stationed in Japan at the time so any vette I saw would have to be bought nearly sight unseen) I finally found a 30k mile 2001 SWZ with a clean carfax and 1 previous owner at a Carmax in Vegas.
Some have said I paid a bit more than I should have given other color Z's were thousands less. But I was ok with that and I couldn't be happier especially now that she's paid off. Also, prior to spending 4months looking for a SWZ I didn't even know Chevy made a white Z let alone seen one in person. I have yet to see another SWZ in person and I got her in August 2009, so to be a little honest I think that's pretty awesome.
There were a few higher mileage SWZ's I saw and even called a guy to see if it was still for sale but it had already been sold. Thankfully so because I decided to hold off until I found the one I was looking for. 4 months later and hundreds if not thousands of online listings (was stationed in Japan at the time so any vette I saw would have to be bought nearly sight unseen) I finally found a 30k mile 2001 SWZ with a clean carfax and 1 previous owner at a Carmax in Vegas.
Some have said I paid a bit more than I should have given other color Z's were thousands less. But I was ok with that and I couldn't be happier especially now that she's paid off. Also, prior to spending 4months looking for a SWZ I didn't even know Chevy made a white Z let alone seen one in person. I have yet to see another SWZ in person and I got her in August 2009, so to be a little honest I think that's pretty awesome.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 91
From: Indiana
The first time I really wanted white or yellow but found a good deal on a black 97. It did have alot of options and had the right transmission and the right price. This year I sold it and was looking for a white or silver convertible but settled on a blue couple with tan interior. Definately did not want tan. The only options on it are polished wheels, z51, and most importantly 6 speed. I do miss the fog lights, climate conrtol, and sport seats my 97 had. This car seems cheap but it only has 19k miles. I gave up options and colors for low miles and low price. The only deal breaker for me is I always have to have manual trans.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 7
From: Columbus Oh
I really wanted a c2 but couldnt find one in my price range. My second choice would have been a c6z but that was also out of reach. Once i decided on a c5z because of budget, i got all i wanted. Although, if i could do it again, i would have either saved a little more and got the c2 or at least bought an already heavily modified c5z. Ive spent too much on mine and im not close to done. I am, however, done for a while so i can save for a nice 66 roadster.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Lansdale PA
I would have to say I didnt settle, or maybe I did. My car needed a bunch of work, but it is a one owner car bought, serviced and traded in at the same dealer.
I work on cars as my hobby so for $7000 under budget on what I was willing to spend made it the perfect car.
The reason I say I did settle is that it had more mileage on it than I wanted but I couldn't beat the price for how good this car actually is.
It has 87,000 miles on it, but it has the the HUD, memory package, sport seats and the wheels I wanted.
I work on cars as my hobby so for $7000 under budget on what I was willing to spend made it the perfect car.
The reason I say I did settle is that it had more mileage on it than I wanted but I couldn't beat the price for how good this car actually is.
It has 87,000 miles on it, but it has the the HUD, memory package, sport seats and the wheels I wanted.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
I got exactly what I wanted ('98 PC) including the the '00 thin spokes in place of the yellow wagons. HUD was on the list but not available for '98 - might add it later. And to top it all off, I got it about $7k cheaper than the going rate. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 864
From: So Cal
Me too. 
3rd Corvette. Looked for 6 months for an immaculate showroom new low miles Torch Red Vert, '02-'04, with at least a few of the upgrades I wanted. Finally found this one. Had to buy it sight unseen with a lot of trust in the seller's word.
Turned out he was 100% truthful. Best buying decision I ever made. But, as I learned more about C5's I (surprise!) made a number of additional upgrades and more will likely occur.
Unless I fall in love with the C7 this will be the keeper.
3rd Corvette. Looked for 6 months for an immaculate showroom new low miles Torch Red Vert, '02-'04, with at least a few of the upgrades I wanted. Finally found this one. Had to buy it sight unseen with a lot of trust in the seller's word.
Turned out he was 100% truthful. Best buying decision I ever made. But, as I learned more about C5's I (surprise!) made a number of additional upgrades and more will likely occur.
Unless I fall in love with the C7 this will be the keeper.
Last edited by B747VET; Oct 1, 2012 at 12:21 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
Ha ha ha! Sounds like me. At a car show, I found a car that looked pretty much like the one I wanted. I took a pic and made it my screen saver! It had BSMs, though, and I hate BSMs, but they're easy to photoshop out.
Maybe just as well. The first time my wife drove my A4, she got a speeding ticket. We'd had the car for just a month, and this was her first time driving it. All this just 3 days before Christmas. "Happy Holidays! Sign here." In the 5 years I've owned the car, that was the only speeding ticket we've gotten on it.
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Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: La Plata Maryland
MD Events Coordinator
When I started the search for my C 5 I knew that it had to have a manual transmission, less than 50k, and it needed to be black or silver coupe. Looked for about a month and found the one I went to Trenton NJ to pick up. I think that I did better than expected.
Black 2002, manual, 27k , coupe, with all kinds of options, for less than I expected to pay...
Black 2002, manual, 27k , coupe, with all kinds of options, for less than I expected to pay...
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 41
From: Chesterfield (St. Louis) MO
I pretty much got what I was looking for as well - an 04 CE ZO6 with 2800 original miles on it. Part of the reason why I went this route (as opposed to an LS3/LS7 C6), is because I didn't want to settle for an abused car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 65
This is my 4th corvette, I have had a 2 C2's, a C3 and now a C5 (04 Vert) it is by far the most enjoyable.
My last C2 was a 66 frame off that became a garage queen, a slave to a factory correct restoration. The C5 I drive now is a joy, easy to maintain cheap to do simple mods to and the wife love's to go places in it.
So if the question is do I have 2nd thoughts about buying a C5 nope.
My last C2 was a 66 frame off that became a garage queen, a slave to a factory correct restoration. The C5 I drive now is a joy, easy to maintain cheap to do simple mods to and the wife love's to go places in it.
So if the question is do I have 2nd thoughts about buying a C5 nope.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 568
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, Oregon
Oldtimer
My first Vette I didn't really know what I wanted, got a '97 Coupe as a starter, loved the Torch Red.
After a year or so I started looking a fully optioned Torch Red vert, found the '03 A/E and quickly changed my mind on color. The A/E has everything I wanted and more, 3.15's and all.
After a year or so I started looking a fully optioned Torch Red vert, found the '03 A/E and quickly changed my mind on color. The A/E has everything I wanted and more, 3.15's and all.