When you bought your C5 did you settle for less then you really wanted because of price, or what was available at the time? Did you really want a C3, or a C6 or even a different C5 model?

I jumped the gun when I bought my C3 (Money Pit if you can't do the work yourself) that wasn't the case with the C5 I got the exact car I wanted at the price I was willing to pay. I looked at a 2000 pewter convertible two weeks before it was a beauty but I'm happy I waited.

 

Actually, I ended up with much more. A 2004 Z16 with less than 5000 miles on it and under budget.

 

Before I found mine, I drove nine other 'Vettes - in four weeks. Found exactly what I was looking for in Georgia, which I had shipped in to NC. Was more than I budgeted to pay, but as I said, it was exactly ...

.

 

Looked around for a while, had my brother, another Corvette owner, helping me, found a nice Pewter Metallic, 2000 Stock Coupe in Ohio, 33k miles (in 2007), a decent price, so I flew up there, drove it back home to Mississippi.

 

I was looking into a brand new C6 or used C6, and never really considered the C5's. I looked a little at them but really was more interested in going newer. Quite by chance I found the car I ended up buying, a 98 C5 Conv. It needed some work, but was cheap enough I could pay cash and have plenty of my c6 down payment left over. So yes, I settled for a few things, mainly auto and convertible, but, I'm not disappointed in what I got. I still have another car with the 6spd and all the stuff I might have wanted, so it's not like I have to do without.

After a ton of work, the car has turned into something pretty darn nice. If I did another 2 grand in work, it'll resemble a brand new C5, all but a few paint chips in the nose. I've had multiple people ask me if its a brand new one, so it's not rough by any means. Some days I wish it was a manual, other days like yesterday, I was glad it isn't... I really didn't want a convertible, but that was more from driving other convertibles I didn't like. This car I've have had the top down more in 3 months than I did my previous removable top car in 20 years. It was 60 degrees out (sunny) yesterday when I left a morning-noon cruise in, and left with the top down. I actually prefer this car with the top down.

My only issue with swapping for another car would be that I've done a LOT of little stuff that many people ignore. Also, everything has been done right, no shortcuts taken. I don't want to do all that stuff over again. What a pita. Every screw cover, every screw, every plastic trim piece, everything. This car is very close to what I'd call a cherry, and you can look really deep. A drivers seat cover and some foam, and this thing is finished, and I am very fussy. Might not really need the seat cover, but it will get one.

If I change my mind, I can easily get something else. Not a big deal.

 

I've learned that for the most part, it's much cheaper in the long run to get the car with the options you want up front rather than try to add stuff later. So I usually have a short list of options & requirements that I won't budge off of no matter what.

 

The only thing I settled for was the transmission. Its an auto over a manual. But I picked up a black on black 04 Z51 with 50k miles 3 years ago for 17k.

I'll keep the car until it gets totaled. Even still, I'll probably fix it.

 

No. Ordered and waited............

 

I settled for less. I really wanted HUD, Sport Seats, fog lights, and the Z51 package. I did get the color, body type, condition, transmission, and mileage I wanted for the price I wanted.

That being said, I still check listings all of the time for my own curiosity. I have yet to see any car that matches what I wanted in the months before or after I bought my car. There has been one car that almost matched, but it had 30k more miles and was listed for thousands more than what I paid. I am happy with my purchase.

 

This is very true. At least for me personally, upgrading the suspension isn't a big deal, but I probably won't ever add a HUD or fog lights.

 

Me too. Got exactly what I wanted except settled for the A4. Actually spent more than my budget but got a very nice car.

 

Coming from a silver Trans Am I wanted a white c5 Z

Fell in love with a silver C5 coupe. Liked the guy selling it. He was second owner who loved the car and had a binder with all the records of the work done on the car the he and the original owner had done.
Only thing I changed was the stock exhaust. I also want new wheels.

 

The only thing I compromised on was the tranny. I wanted a 6spd but ended up with a auto. The tradeoff was a car with less miles than I thought I would get with my budget. I did find a car that would have been a perfect match but the owner would not move on price and that manny transmission would have cost me 3k more. I am happy with my choice.

 

I live in the Seattle area. I wanted an Electron Blue Z06 that was lowered, with headers and exhaust, and low miles. I located one in Sacramento at a high end sports and exotic used car dealership on Monday evening. On Wednesday morning I was in Sacramento, bought the car and drove it back to the Seattle area in 2 enjoyable days. That was 2 1/2 years ago. I still think the car is wonderful.

 

I bought my 2004 new in the summer of 2004 about the time the 2005 C6 models were starting to appear on dealer lots. As a result, the dealers were making some good deals on the "leftover" C5s!

I was intent on purchasing a Mag Red II w/Black interior vert, however I was limited to dealer stock and what they could trade/acquire through their database.

I found a Mag Red II w/Oak interior vert, however as the salesperson was escorting me into the showroom so that he could check his inventor & database for one with a black interior/top, I saw, what was to eventually become my Medium Spiral Gray Metallic w/Black interior vert sparkling on the show room floor. It was the first time I had seen the color in person and was immediately floored.

As he searched his database, I told him "I just want to check out the cars on the showroom floor". The rest is history!

The only other thing I "settled" for was the A4 as my wife asked that I buy an automatic vs. a 6-speed. To date, she have never driven the car!

 

I am surprised to hear that so many people compromised on the transmission. I would think that the tranny has the biggest effect on the driving experience aside from body type. (coupe/vert/frc)

 

That's what I thought going in as well, however driving the A4 for the last 8 years, I really enjoy it. I added a COW tune and that really helped with the performance. I've owned a few 6-speeds and although they do provide the driver with a more "hands-on" experience, I don't miss the extra work when driving in heavy traffic.

However, I do plan to add a Z06 (C6 or C7) stable mate in the future, so I will get my "hands-on" fix at that time!

 

I was a novice when I bought my 99 C5 M6. I was looking at getting a C4 (just out of college and didn't want to spend too much). I came across my car for the right price. I really wasn't particular about the color as long as it was a manual. I've done quite a bit to it, to make it what it is today. If I were to do it all over again, it wouldn't be a black car (too hard to keep clean), I would def have waited for an 01 SWZ or an 03 Anniversary yellow Z. Those are the only two C5's I would rather have over mine at this point.

Love my car though.

 

I had to wait, because I couldn't justify spending nearly $50,000 on a car. When I saw a MY yellow coupe, I was hooked. Then that dang car was in my yard, and of course I got to take it for a spin. Now I'm REALLY hooked. I took a pic of it, and put it on my dresser. Someday....

A couple of years later, started the hunt for a low mileage, MY 6 speed Z51 optioned car. I looked for several months until she "showed up". It had 5200 mi, was pristine, all options and 2700 mi away. Plane ticket there, and an awesome voyage home. Glad I waited? You bet. I sure wouldn't settle for something that would just "do". I don't really think in the end you'll really be happy. The "bad" part...the hunt was really kind of fun!

 

I almost bought a '99 silver convertible with 118K miles for about $7K less than what I bought my '03 MY vert with 45K miles. The '99 was in good shape but interior showed a little bit of wear from the age and mileage. The '03 vert I bought is immaculate. A few nicks on the front bumper, but interior is perfect.

I am very glad I went with the more expensive nicer car. The way I see it is that I wanted a corvette that I could be proud of, and so getting one that was pristine was well worth the extra cost. I didn't want someone to say "Wow! Nice Vette!" and then they look inside and see a ripped seat, or wear marks in the carpet, hear the power steering pump whine or something and be a little disappointed.

Although, truthfully, If I would have paid cash instead of financing it, it would be hard to justify an extra $6,000. I've already spent $6,000 in mods! Coulda bought another daily driver car or motorcycle or something.

Nevertheless, I'm glad I waited.