Taking the leap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
Taking the leap
I just sold my '03 CLK55 AMG and am going to jump in to the Vette world. As much as I loved my benz, it didn't come in manual trans. I had a C4 Vette a while back and liked it, so thought I'd come back.
Question for you guys, I'm looking at a 2001 vert that has 126k miles on it. Is that too many if it's been taken care of? I really like the color and interior, I'm just wary about the miles.
There is another vert that I like as well but the color combination isn't as nice as the other. It only has 94k on it. It is a 2000 rather than a 2001. Both cars have the same options other than the color combinations. They can also both be bought for about the same price say 14,500 or so.
Advice?
Question for you guys, I'm looking at a 2001 vert that has 126k miles on it. Is that too many if it's been taken care of? I really like the color and interior, I'm just wary about the miles.
There is another vert that I like as well but the color combination isn't as nice as the other. It only has 94k on it. It is a 2000 rather than a 2001. Both cars have the same options other than the color combinations. They can also both be bought for about the same price say 14,500 or so.
Advice?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: woodville ohio
i bought mine with higher miles 140k buut be prepared to spend some $ if you are unsure of condition. i did a clutch, rebuilt TT, and a trans (trans was ok did that to support upcoming mods) higher miles should drive the price down also, 14.5 is more then i paid for my 99 frc
for whatever thats worth.
for whatever thats worth.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock Texas
Thanks for the info.
I just had a conversation with the owner of the 2001 vert with 126k on it. He is the second owner. He bought it in 2001 with 1200 miles on it and has had it ever since. Last summer he replaced the top, new seats upholstery, new rims and tires, and just had the head gaskets, serpentine belt, oil and ac tensioner pulley replaced. Doesn't leak anything any more. Only thing wrong with it currently is that the right front air pressure sensor is bad.
I just had a conversation with the owner of the 2001 vert with 126k on it. He is the second owner. He bought it in 2001 with 1200 miles on it and has had it ever since. Last summer he replaced the top, new seats upholstery, new rims and tires, and just had the head gaskets, serpentine belt, oil and ac tensioner pulley replaced. Doesn't leak anything any more. Only thing wrong with it currently is that the right front air pressure sensor is bad.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Camano Island WA
Hi! Welcome to the vette world! It is awesome! Here are a couple of things to know. First one is buy what makes you happy; if you like it, then get it. Second thing is buying a 2001 or newer is a good choice, because they had a little more power then the 1997-2000. The main reason for this is the intake on the 2001-2004 is the same intake put on the Z06. You can also purchase certain things for the newer years that you cannot for the older LS1. If the motor and vehicle overall for that matter have been taken care of, then you will be ok. LS motors are awesome, and even though there are a few quirks here and there, if maintained, they are bullet proof! Good luck with what ever you do!
Remember to wave!!
Remember to wave!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I would not worry one bit with that mileage.. there are thousands with much more mileage enjoying their C5 to the fullest.. we have plenty of guys with 300K and 400 K on the clock and still working like fine. AS I was saying the other day there are many who are just now modding their C5 motor for the first time. Lots of guys go with heads and a street cam, just to reinvent their ride.. rather than spending 40 or 50 K . its as much fun to play AROUND WITH A c5 ... AND save that money so the grandchildren can spend it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
I didn't let the milage scare me too bad when I bought mine. Two years ago I bought my 99 with 126,000 on the clock. It did need a few things done, but I repaired it my self. Think it's going on 146,000 now. Getting ready for another year of top down driving. Mine will go 5,000 between oil changes, on less than a quart of oil. Just look the car over good, you can tell how they've been taken care of, by the way they look.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
If your budget is 15K, then I think you're on the right track. That 2001 sounds like a good car for the value and mileage.
If I were jumping into a corvette from a benz, I would probably be looking for something with lower mileage, but its just a matter of how much you want to spend.
I would buy the color and option combination you want. Always telling yourself you actually wanted a different car than what you bought is not what you want when buying a corvette. Manual convertibles are hard to come by, so I would certainly recommend getting the one you're looking at.
2001+ cars are certainly desirable over 2000-older vettes, but I certainly wouldn't turn up my nose to a 2000-older vette if I came across a good deal on one.
If I were jumping into a corvette from a benz, I would probably be looking for something with lower mileage, but its just a matter of how much you want to spend.
I would buy the color and option combination you want. Always telling yourself you actually wanted a different car than what you bought is not what you want when buying a corvette. Manual convertibles are hard to come by, so I would certainly recommend getting the one you're looking at.
2001+ cars are certainly desirable over 2000-older vettes, but I certainly wouldn't turn up my nose to a 2000-older vette if I came across a good deal on one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
Depends on what you want to do with it.
As a stock daily driver, mileage would be a factor to me. If you are going to mod it, rebuild or replace motor, suspension, etc. does not really matter.
That is not to say you cannot go 200K plus on these motors if they are well maintained. But over 100K miles, you are going to definitelyneed to replace some parts. On a modded car, not really an issue, since you will probably want to beef up suspension, bushings, etc.
As a stock daily driver, mileage would be a factor to me. If you are going to mod it, rebuild or replace motor, suspension, etc. does not really matter.
That is not to say you cannot go 200K plus on these motors if they are well maintained. But over 100K miles, you are going to definitelyneed to replace some parts. On a modded car, not really an issue, since you will probably want to beef up suspension, bushings, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,215
Likes: 1
From: Orlando FL
don't worry about the mileage so much its a number. The car was designed to last.