I am a child of the 80's (graduated HS in '87- 43 years old) and when I picture "my first vette", I have always seen a C4. Being 6'3'', after sitting in both, C5 is the answer. Now the tough part, how much do I spend? In looking at corvettes on dealers lots, craigslist private sellers, a local corvette specialty dealer, I have found the price for C5 corvettes to be all over the map. Corvette dealer told me he could do $19,500 on a 2001 red automatic with 35,000 miles (loaded with memory package/HUD)-test drove it-loved it. However, in the research I have done, the price falls off the cliff once these vettes hit 60,000 miles plus. I only put 6,000 miles on my daily driver as I have a 3 mile commute to work. This equals VERY low mileage if I use the vette in the summer. Decision time- spend the $19,500 and get a beautiful car OR spend about $14,000 and tack on some miles?

 

There are so many mint, low mileage C5s out there it is worth spending a little more for a 2002-2004 example.

Some sellers are asking silly prices, but others know the realism of the market. You can find a showroom-new condition C5 for less than $25K, you just have to be patient.


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i just bought a 99 convert with 127 on the clock for 13,000....i think i got a good deal.vettes go up and down in price.buy the one you want.20 gs for a low milage 01 is not a bad price at all.

 

Only advice I can give is get the car you really want - both in terms of condition, mileage, options, color, etc. Don't know how long you have been looking, but there are a lot of very nice used C5s out there for sale so be sure you pick one that just screams your name.

 

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

 

Make this your mantra: "Don't settle. Don't settle. Don't settle."
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My 98 C5 was a great ride for 103K miles before the price of repairs started looking like a newer car was a better bet. Motor and transwere still in good shape. 02-04 like some one else stated have some plus's vs the 97-01. I had a conv with a manual trans. mostly had the common problems, but most did not start until about 80K.
I would not buy a car with over 60K unless It was a sunday driver, and then be prepared to spend some money as the miles add up. (just like any car.)

 

Absolutely this. I test drove 4 different C5's before I bought mine.

 

Actually the big change was 2001 and newer, but the biggest variables in price seems to be the area they are selling in. Check other states for the year / options / mileage you want. Would be worth the trip to save a couple thousand $$
Mine came out of Texas for about 4K less than the same one here.

 

Eight. In four weeks. Ninth was a charm. Still is, after five years.
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Welcome to the forum and good call on the C5 - -

why not fill in your profile with your location so forum members can suggest cars that suit your search ?

 

Don't rush the purchase. You will know when you find "the one." There will be something different about it. You won't necessarily consciously know what that difference is but it will just feel right.

I looked at approximately 30 Vettes before finding "the one." It turns out I was looking for a Z06 and didn't know it until I saw it. Condition, maintenance records, options, and price just seemed to fall into place.

Be patient and don't be afraid to walk away from a deal if it doesn't feel right.

 

Buy the lowest mileage, newest, C5 your budget allows, with all of the options you want.

 

I agree. Spend money on the car you most want. Amount of money you are comfortable spending now. Don't agonize about whether the price/value in the future will or will not fall or rise. If you have the Vette you really wanted, who cares about the price of it, some years down the road. Cross that bridge, when you come to it, driving a beautiful C5!

 

In today's economy, I'd like to believe that most reputable dealerships will offer competitive pricing given mileage and age.

Any price difference will be negligible when compared to the amount you will spend on mods!
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This is the best advice you can get.

It's all about you, following the advice can lead to purchasing two very different cars.
I realize all this stuff is new to someone who has never owned one, so you may say "I don't know the differences between this and that so how do I know what I want?". Thats true but you can always ask here :-)

If you're even concerned by mileage then you have one don't settle point right there. Just an opinion on that, but when you're talking 35k its not the number you're looking at (because thats just about broken in in this car, if cared for they really last) its your concern about the resale value, thinking you may take a hit if you use it past the point where you have observed a drop off in price. Well there ya go, thats another settle point.

For someone else (who wasn't worried about buying with more miles) they would get a high mileage well cared for car for next to nothing (relative to the value, performance, fun factor...etc) and be happy as a pig in a poke. To be honest, as long as its in decent mechanical shape, you cant go wrong, its going to be a very singular experience, very fun.

It may look like there are a lotta options but basically (in order of what matters most)

Z06 or not
Manual v. Auto (no auto Z06's)
Color/Int

Thats really the only things that aren't easy to change.

You might add 2001 or pre 2001 (2001 was the year with the most changes to the car, and there were a lot, but the 97-00 either performed as well or will with very minor adjustment, but certain parts will cost more on the pre 01 cars).

The take home point is, don't get anything that has even one thing you're concerned about. Because you know as "sure as God made little green apples" you are going to see another car after you buy yours that has whatever that little thing you wanted and you will regret it and detract from some of the enjoyment in your car. It shouldn't (because we kinda know they're all great cars) but it will.

So
Read as much as you can here.

Ask about what you don't understand.

Remember that we have people in ...well...everywhere so you may be able to ask someone to go and look at a car for you if its far away. Ive done it (believe me its not that altruistic...."you mean you're asking me to take a ride in my C5, to go look at and maybe drive another C5?"...trust me for a lot of us thats a good day).

And the last and hardest part is (see line one ) having the restraint to wait till you find one that has no issues for you.

Good luck

 

Don't know if you're near KS but here's one you might want to look at just for poops & giggles. Who knows, maybe this would work for you.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...under-10k.html

 

We got lucky. The first one we looked at turned out being the one we bought. It was the color we were hoping for (torch red), low miles (32,000), every accessary available, thin spoke polished wheels, 6 speed coupe for $21,000. The seller was asking $25,000. When I pointed out that it needed tires and the drivers seat needed a small leather repair he eventually agreed on $21,000. Done deal.

 

I purchased mine last August 2011 2001 white convert 6 speed with less than 12,000 miles on it. paid in the high teens. switched the run flats with firestones and have been having fun every since!! shop around try to find 1 with low miles and make sure you like it. Take your time theres lots out there!

 

Very good advice! Be patient and get what you want the first time.

Personally I would get a lower mileage car.