C5 is the Answer
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Billings MT
I guess lady look was with me. I got my off ebay. 
My plan was to get a good daily driver sportier car, but when I saw the prices they wanted for Cadilic's, Lincolns, BMW's, and some Japaneses cars, I just could not pull the trigger for the prices were to high. So, I went to ebay and found the world of Garage Queen cars. For about 1/3 the price of new, you can get a great car. My car, a lady ordered it new and drove it about 2,000 miles a year and was stored in an a/c garage in Florida. The 2nd owner had to sell the car because his kids could not fit in the passage sit. He only drove in his small town. I had bid on maybe 20 other vetts, sticking with the nicer dealer cars, but I never saw one sell for the reserve price was never meet. The car I won had no reserve and was from a private seller. I put in a low bid, $5000 under book. I was kicking myself, because I found a get deal on a 2005 C6 the next day. It had everything I wanted and was priced $5k under book. I was hoping to be out bid, but only one more bid came in. So, I got a triple black vert. I love the car. It was not want I wanted, but the price sure was right. In a couple of years, I may sell it and look for a c6 garage queen.
My plan was to get a good daily driver sportier car, but when I saw the prices they wanted for Cadilic's, Lincolns, BMW's, and some Japaneses cars, I just could not pull the trigger for the prices were to high. So, I went to ebay and found the world of Garage Queen cars. For about 1/3 the price of new, you can get a great car. My car, a lady ordered it new and drove it about 2,000 miles a year and was stored in an a/c garage in Florida. The 2nd owner had to sell the car because his kids could not fit in the passage sit. He only drove in his small town. I had bid on maybe 20 other vetts, sticking with the nicer dealer cars, but I never saw one sell for the reserve price was never meet. The car I won had no reserve and was from a private seller. I put in a low bid, $5000 under book. I was kicking myself, because I found a get deal on a 2005 C6 the next day. It had everything I wanted and was priced $5k under book. I was hoping to be out bid, but only one more bid came in. So, I got a triple black vert. I love the car. It was not want I wanted, but the price sure was right. In a couple of years, I may sell it and look for a c6 garage queen.
Last edited by thmehr; Dec 26, 2012 at 10:23 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
I decided I wanted a C5 in July last year. I wanted one to modify so I could drive it daily and drag race it. I know a lot about cars, but didn't know squat about the C5.
I bought the first one I looked at for $10K. it was 50 miles from me and came up for sale on this forum.
It needed just a bit of TLC, tires, wheels cleaned etc. Everything worked!
I now have about $20K invested. Did all of the work myself and couldn't be happier.
if you can't work on your own car, then better wait for a low mile example in the color and condition you want. Still no guarantee it won't have issues, it is after all a car.
Ron
I bought the first one I looked at for $10K. it was 50 miles from me and came up for sale on this forum.
It needed just a bit of TLC, tires, wheels cleaned etc. Everything worked!
I now have about $20K invested. Did all of the work myself and couldn't be happier.
if you can't work on your own car, then better wait for a low mile example in the color and condition you want. Still no guarantee it won't have issues, it is after all a car.
Ron
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
A few months ago I purchased my first C5, my eighth Corvette. I had specific requirements about options and colors but my most important requirement was to be a convertible with manual transmission. In my area manual transmission is very rare. I ended up finding just what I was looking for 1/2 mile from my home. Purchased a one owner 02 Vert with 46k with clean history for $22k. Not a bargain, actually I offered NADA high book price because it was exactly what I wanted. Time will tell if it works out. I will only put 2500 miles a year on it so it should last a while but I am concerned about the cost to maintain this vehicle. I have encountered problems with the cooling fans and gas gauge already
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: Castle Rock Wa
Seat track bushings, air conditioning controller display, adjusters for air flow in the dash, broken seat surrounds, driver seat bolster leather getting a hole in it, skid rails in the front getting destroyed, bottom of the front fenders in front of the doors breaking loose when the scew heads get worn off from dragging on the ground. front of the door skin coming loose and needing glued back. water in the BCM when the air cond. drain gets plugged.
All of the above are common problems.
will you see any of them? maybe, maybe not. But the higher the milage on the car, more chance of seeing these things.
All of the above are common problems.
will you see any of them? maybe, maybe not. But the higher the milage on the car, more chance of seeing these things.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 969
Likes: 39
From: Northern VA
I am quite satisfied with my C5....here is why.
I checked with Consumer Reports very carefully and found that 2003s & 2004s are by far the most reliable and trouble free of the C5s. They were also rated much better than the first couple of years of the C6s.
I had 30k to spend (this was 6 years ago when prices were still strong).. And I picked up a one owner Anniversary Edition with 28k miles, all options, a manual transmission and the state of the art F55 Magnetic suspension. ( outstanding enough for Ferrari
& Mercedes to lease the technology)....although a bit more than most of the cars I checked out,.....it was EXACTLY what I wanted.
30k miles later...with some nice mods in addition several track, drifting, auto cross & drag days included.....it is the best sports car I have ever owned.
I checked with Consumer Reports very carefully and found that 2003s & 2004s are by far the most reliable and trouble free of the C5s. They were also rated much better than the first couple of years of the C6s.
I had 30k to spend (this was 6 years ago when prices were still strong).. And I picked up a one owner Anniversary Edition with 28k miles, all options, a manual transmission and the state of the art F55 Magnetic suspension. ( outstanding enough for Ferrari
& Mercedes to lease the technology)....although a bit more than most of the cars I checked out,.....it was EXACTLY what I wanted.
30k miles later...with some nice mods in addition several track, drifting, auto cross & drag days included.....it is the best sports car I have ever owned.
