Buying my first Corvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Worcester MA
Buying my first Corvette
Hi All,
I have an opportunity to buy a mint condition 97 C5 with only 62K original miles for $13,000. I found out today that the A/C does not work so I asked the seller to knock a little of the sell price which he did the new sell price is $12,700.
My questions is do you think the $12,700 is a good price for this year Corvette. Vehicle also comes with 2 sets of rims, OE and aftermarket.
Thanks for your input.
I have an opportunity to buy a mint condition 97 C5 with only 62K original miles for $13,000. I found out today that the A/C does not work so I asked the seller to knock a little of the sell price which he did the new sell price is $12,700.
My questions is do you think the $12,700 is a good price for this year Corvette. Vehicle also comes with 2 sets of rims, OE and aftermarket.
Thanks for your input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Make sure you go through the used corvette checklist that they have listed on here.
Check the codes 97-00 have certain things that once they go wrong cannot be repaired like the EBCM. If you see a code for that your anti lock brakes will never work. Also check the water seals around the targa. Feel the carpet behind the seats. Look for the differential to be leaking on the left side. Check the seats to see if they rock back and forth. With the exception of the EBCM all those are easy but expensive fixes.
Check the codes 97-00 have certain things that once they go wrong cannot be repaired like the EBCM. If you see a code for that your anti lock brakes will never work. Also check the water seals around the targa. Feel the carpet behind the seats. Look for the differential to be leaking on the left side. Check the seats to see if they rock back and forth. With the exception of the EBCM all those are easy but expensive fixes.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Worcester MA
Thanks Baxsom,
I did review the check list which was very helpful. From what I gather the car is still drivable if the anti locking breaks are toast. I test drove the car in the rain the other day and did notice a few water drops leaking past the seal, but for a 16 year old car I kind of expected some leakage. I read that some silicone grease may help with this.
I did not notice the rear diff leaking but will take a look this weekend.
So how about the price? is $12,700 a decent deal.
I did review the check list which was very helpful. From what I gather the car is still drivable if the anti locking breaks are toast. I test drove the car in the rain the other day and did notice a few water drops leaking past the seal, but for a 16 year old car I kind of expected some leakage. I read that some silicone grease may help with this.
I did not notice the rear diff leaking but will take a look this weekend.
So how about the price? is $12,700 a decent deal.
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How good the price is really depends on what it is going to cost to get the A/C up and running again. Could get expensive. But if it is a fix that doesn't run into a lot of dollars, I'd say the price is OK.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 22
From: Portland OR
If the AC needs major repair then that $300 savings will not go very far to help.As far as the price,if every thing else is OK then it doesn't sound like a bad deal.You might want to call a dealership and ask what a worst case repair would cost.GL
Fred
Fred
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Worcester MA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
Price don't seem bad to me. Around here if you find a C5 under $16000.00 they need some work, or are very high miles, and they will still need some work. Just because the air don't work, don't automatically think it needs a compressor. My car with 143,000 miles has a seal leak, and I have to add refrigerant every spring after it sits all winter. It still works great when charged correctly. I can add a lot of gas with what a shop charges to replace the compressor. I can't do that kind of work anymore.
Go for it,, if the car is what you want ! It's your money, spend it the way you want.
Go for it,, if the car is what you want ! It's your money, spend it the way you want.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Cookeville, TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Don't be afraid of a 97. I paid a little extra for mine but it was in brand new condition with 19k miles on it. My ac did not work and it only cost $75 to have it recharged and checked for leaks. Just be prepared to change all fluids. You will spend a lot more for an 01-04 car in the same condition.
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Kentucky
When all is said and done and I've looked at all the cars I can't afford, I realize I will always do the right thing. I let my wallet be my guide once I find "the" car. From that point of view it's an easy decision to make.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Worcester MA
Don't be afraid of a 97. I paid a little extra for mine but it was in brand new condition with 19k miles on it. My ac did not work and it only cost $75 to have it recharged and checked for leaks. Just be prepared to change all fluids. You will spend a lot more for an 01-04 car in the same condition.
Thanks.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 435
Likes: 5
From: New Salisbury Ind
I just paid $14.5k for my 97, 88k miles, so far replaced ww pump, adjusted one head lite door, still need to replace one sagging door hinge, and clean the k & n free air filter, otherwise perfect. Came with two sets of rims, original and zr-1 aftermarket, custom interior, new tires, $1500 tune up(plugs, wires, belts, hoses) headlite motors replaced, ww motor replaced, a/c serviced, and alignment done by previous owner. Like you, this was in my price range, would have liked a newer one, but way too expensive.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
price is around going rate and fair
just get a tally of how much you will have to replace. the $300 off will cover your AC pump, but, i would replace the radiator while i was at it. 15yrs is a lot of age and debris on a plastic end tank rad.
tensioner pulleys may also be shot
fuel filter, plugs, wires, air filter, all likely replacement items
jack up car and check wheel bearings for run out, inspect brakes
few things off the top of my head that haven't been mentioned
just get a tally of how much you will have to replace. the $300 off will cover your AC pump, but, i would replace the radiator while i was at it. 15yrs is a lot of age and debris on a plastic end tank rad.
tensioner pulleys may also be shot
fuel filter, plugs, wires, air filter, all likely replacement items
jack up car and check wheel bearings for run out, inspect brakes
few things off the top of my head that haven't been mentioned