What to look for!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
What to look for!
Hi there guys!
As my life soon turn in to 40ish im looking for a Corvette to ease my mind. Corvette has always been a favorite car of mine since the first posters on the wall at the age of 10.
Now i feel its time to take the big step and make an investment in a Corvette C5. I like the car design but dont have enough knowledge what to look for. Is there any weekness or anything else to look out for?
What i have been looking for is a C5 and not the Z06 model that is way to expensive for my wallet.
Is a Manual more prefereble over an Auto?
Anything with the LS1 engine i should know?
Coupe, targa or cab?
Is it safe to buy a high milage car? Found some exterior nice examples for 10-12k
Best Regards from a snowy and cold Sweden
KJ
As my life soon turn in to 40ish im looking for a Corvette to ease my mind. Corvette has always been a favorite car of mine since the first posters on the wall at the age of 10.
Now i feel its time to take the big step and make an investment in a Corvette C5. I like the car design but dont have enough knowledge what to look for. Is there any weekness or anything else to look out for?
What i have been looking for is a C5 and not the Z06 model that is way to expensive for my wallet.
Is a Manual more prefereble over an Auto?
Anything with the LS1 engine i should know?
Coupe, targa or cab?
Is it safe to buy a high milage car? Found some exterior nice examples for 10-12k
Best Regards from a snowy and cold Sweden
KJ
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Many people prefer the manual over the auto for a sports car, but it really depends on what you want - best thing to do is test drive an example of each tranny and see what suits your style and driving conditions there. I have had both types of transmissions and either one can be a fun time in the car.
Since you don't want a Z06, then your choices are the coupe (removable targa top) or a convertible. The coupe offers a lot of storage space and you can remove the roof panel for open air driving pleasure. While not a convertible by any means, it does give you the open air driving fix when you want it. The convertible is just that - true top down driving.
As far as the high mileage goes, it really comes down to how well the car was maintained and driven by the current/previous owners. The LS1 motor is pretty reliable, but as with anything mechanical, it is not bulletproof. Best bet is to have the car inspected by a very good mechanic you trust to see if there are any problem areas.
I have a bunch of Word files on the C5, including a Corvette Buyers Checklist that I could send to you if you PM me your e-mail address. They might help you in your decision making process.
Since you don't want a Z06, then your choices are the coupe (removable targa top) or a convertible. The coupe offers a lot of storage space and you can remove the roof panel for open air driving pleasure. While not a convertible by any means, it does give you the open air driving fix when you want it. The convertible is just that - true top down driving.
As far as the high mileage goes, it really comes down to how well the car was maintained and driven by the current/previous owners. The LS1 motor is pretty reliable, but as with anything mechanical, it is not bulletproof. Best bet is to have the car inspected by a very good mechanic you trust to see if there are any problem areas.
I have a bunch of Word files on the C5, including a Corvette Buyers Checklist that I could send to you if you PM me your e-mail address. They might help you in your decision making process.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Here ya go... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...st-read-2.html
Read post #35 on page 2... should get most of your questions answered.
Read post #35 on page 2... should get most of your questions answered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Yep, Vetteman's dead on. It really just comes down to what you like. I've had both autos and standards. Both will put a smile on your face. Coup vs vert? Again, personal preference. My only word of caution would be that a vert top WILL eventually show the signs an stress of being put up and down where it gets folded. Nothing you can do to fix it other than replace the top, but again it's all personal choice.
The key points I would stress would be to drive it AND have a qualified Corvette mechanic go over the car. Not just any mechanic, someone to regularly works and is familiar with Corvettes. Most mechanics don't really know them that well and know what to look for.
Congratulations on making the jump but just know, once you do.... that's it... you're hooked for life... but there are worse things...
OH, and welcome to the forum!
The key points I would stress would be to drive it AND have a qualified Corvette mechanic go over the car. Not just any mechanic, someone to regularly works and is familiar with Corvettes. Most mechanics don't really know them that well and know what to look for.
Congratulations on making the jump but just know, once you do.... that's it... you're hooked for life... but there are worse things...
OH, and welcome to the forum!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks for the great link Cactus Cat. Will keep me occupied for a week reading all threads.
Yes, But what i want and what i can get for 10-12k is not the same thing i think. Im in the opinion that a sportscar not should make the shifting by itself so therefore i will look for a manual. When it come to coupe or cab i think i go for a coupe. The summer season is really short here in Sweden and most days is cloudy and rainy.... (im not bitter...)
And there is another problem... The shipping to Sweden. A couple of years ago i imported a Chrysler Grand Voyager without problems but the "agent" was redicilous expensive. Im not really sure how to do this by my own without buy a ticket to the US and buy the car up front of the seller, read alot of scammer on the forum. Any suggestions to this little issue? I think its possible to ship out the car from both the east and westcoast but how get the car to harbour and what documents needed for export? The car i imported came with a title and bill of sale to use to registrate the car here in Sweden and there was no issues with the Swedish registration (after some paper work and documents sent from chrysler in germany)
Seems like a great forum and i appriciate all answers from you guys.
Yes, But what i want and what i can get for 10-12k is not the same thing i think. Im in the opinion that a sportscar not should make the shifting by itself so therefore i will look for a manual. When it come to coupe or cab i think i go for a coupe. The summer season is really short here in Sweden and most days is cloudy and rainy.... (im not bitter...)
And there is another problem... The shipping to Sweden. A couple of years ago i imported a Chrysler Grand Voyager without problems but the "agent" was redicilous expensive. Im not really sure how to do this by my own without buy a ticket to the US and buy the car up front of the seller, read alot of scammer on the forum. Any suggestions to this little issue? I think its possible to ship out the car from both the east and westcoast but how get the car to harbour and what documents needed for export? The car i imported came with a title and bill of sale to use to registrate the car here in Sweden and there was no issues with the Swedish registration (after some paper work and documents sent from chrysler in germany)
Seems like a great forum and i appriciate all answers from you guys.
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From: Schieding Connecticut
What to look for!
40ish! You are barely due for an oil change!
Buy a C5 because you love to drive and love Corvettes not because it will make you "younger". As the late, great Satchel Paige (famous black professional baseball pitcher) allegedly once said "how old would ya be if ya didn't know how old ya was?"
Buy the best one you can afford and drive it as much as you can.
"It's only money and we are going to be dead for a long time!" Me.
Buy a C5 because you love to drive and love Corvettes not because it will make you "younger". As the late, great Satchel Paige (famous black professional baseball pitcher) allegedly once said "how old would ya be if ya didn't know how old ya was?"
Buy the best one you can afford and drive it as much as you can.
"It's only money and we are going to be dead for a long time!" Me.
Hi there guys!
As my life soon turn in to 40ish im looking for a Corvette to ease my mind. Corvette has always been a favorite car of mine since the first posters on the wall at the age of 10.
Now i feel its time to take the big step and make an investment in a Corvette C5. I like the car design but dont have enough knowledge what to look for. Is there any weekness or anything else to look out for?
What i have been looking for is a C5 and not the Z06 model that is way to expensive for my wallet.
Is a Manual more prefereble over an Auto?
Anything with the LS1 engine i should know?
Coupe, targa or cab?
Is it safe to buy a high milage car? Found some exterior nice examples for 10-12k
Best Regards from a snowy and cold Sweden
KJ
As my life soon turn in to 40ish im looking for a Corvette to ease my mind. Corvette has always been a favorite car of mine since the first posters on the wall at the age of 10.
Now i feel its time to take the big step and make an investment in a Corvette C5. I like the car design but dont have enough knowledge what to look for. Is there any weekness or anything else to look out for?
What i have been looking for is a C5 and not the Z06 model that is way to expensive for my wallet.
Is a Manual more prefereble over an Auto?
Anything with the LS1 engine i should know?
Coupe, targa or cab?
Is it safe to buy a high milage car? Found some exterior nice examples for 10-12k
Best Regards from a snowy and cold Sweden
KJ