Budget was a pretty big consideration for me. I traded a really nice Mustang GT for my black '99 coupe. The mileage was fairly low, and the car really looked like it had been taken care of. The black wasn't necessarily what I was looking for, but, damn it looks so good cleaned up! The general consensus is also against wagon wheels and bsm's, but I still like my chrome wagons. The car has an auto, black interior, F45 suspension, which I also like, HUD, basically everything except the memory package, and telescoping wheel. Drove home from Murfreesboro, Tn. grinning like a possum in a henhouse the whole way.

 

I wanted an M6 Vert and started looking at a 2005 C6 but the 2002 C5 I bought the same day I started looking had only 19k on the clock and was 10k less.
It was at a GM dealer, silver with a black interior came with HUD, Bose CD, climate control, polished 5 spoke wheels, Corsa catback with X pipe, SLP CAI and it looks like new down to the chasis.

I decided to spend the 10k difference on an A&A Vortech supercharger as well as euro tails, RK rear spoiler, grey marble interior kit, carbon fiber door bezels, gauge rings, chrome radio and AC *****, pillar pod with boost and fuel pressure gauges, padded leather console and C6 shifter and ****.

I also put in an 1100 watt rms old school Rockford Fosgate stereo with Kenwood 1/2 din EQ sub controls mostly from stuff I had sitting around.
I used my Galaxy Note 2 over the radio like a faceplate in a clean removable install as the head using the aux port mod and a PAC Interface for rca jacks instead of going the Double din route.
It fits perfect in the din and a half space and leaves me the volume **** open.
I also added the Sac City Big 3 kit that ties the battery alternator and fuse terminal together.
Did the CLB but I'm also going to run a big negative cable through the firewall from the battery to the negative terminal in the passenger footwell then over to the driver footwell terminal.
Good solid grounds help prevent future electrical issues like active handling almost caused a wreck today horror stories and other body computer issues.

 

Once I decided that I wanted a 50th AE, low mileage, 6 speed coupe, that is what I got. No compromise.

 

I waited 4 years to find the car I wanted.i really wanted a white frc.and towards the end I started to compromise. I started to consider a coupe and color but I thought about how long I had been waiting and decided to get what I really wanted.took 4 years but I got what I WANTED

 

Stripes. I'm not crazy about stripes in general. But they have grown on me over the years.

Kinda funny, I don't think I've ever seen a Z16 without the stripes but have seen a few Z06s with the stripes added. And most folks think I added the stripes to my car.

 

I compromised on the year. wanted a 2000 or newer since I hate 97-99 wagon wheels with a passion, But I ended up buying a 99 since it was cheaper but had the options I wanted(black & 3.15 perf axle) Put the Y2k polished wheels a little while after I bought it.

 

no compromises here , did exactly as my wife said .

 

Started looking for C6s in yellow/black or white/black red/black

Kept finding silver ones. Went to look a at pewter/black c6 as the price was right.

Car was beat. Had a very very clean quicksilver c5 on the lot.

If I was to go C5 I wanted torch/black 2001+ z51 6spd with good miles. Wanted a solid roof section car just to save the **** door panels that delaminate by the armrests.

C5 was a 2003 Quicksilver car that met all criteria , had a glass top (which I DO like).

Was more than I wanted to spend on a c5, but lower 44k miles and was VERY clean.

Ended up liking it more than the C6 and bought it.

Regrets: Kinda feel I should bought a newer car anyhow although I like the sleek c5, the interior does kinda suck. The Quicksilver looks blotchy under certain light and honestly that alone might make me sell it. I can't stand to have ****** looking paint on a pricey car. Thirdly I think it's old man boring and plain as hell box stock and not a slightly more youthful appeal as the c6. In fact I get badgered about it CONSTANTLY asking about my gray hair, my gold clubs, AARP card, etc etc.

I hate that. I'm 30.

Major regret? Color and offing my WS6 for a car that makes me feel old and pretentious.

Sucks A LOT as I've been a vette freak forever. Might try to off it for an early C3.

 

Sorry. Sounds like you had a horrible experience. It should not be like that when it comes to buying a Vette. Maybe you should give it another try.
My C5 makes me feel young. Of course, I am pretty old.

 

Idk. it's house/marriage time now. I think I missed the boat.

Love driving it.

It's a pretty car; I've added a few small touches, mufflers, slightly lowered etc. Have heads to work but I'm just in the air with it.

 

I wanted a Z06 because I love the shape compared to the coupe.

Originally wanted millennium yellow, but found a low mileage torch red, so that was my compromise.

A good one - as torch red is the fastest

 

No compromise, wanted a light color unmolested vert with manual transmission. Paid a few bucks more than expected but after 7 other Corvettes I knew exactly what I wanted and found it on a consignment lot a half mile from my winter home. Found out later a widow took it there after her husband passed. The good news is there wasn't a youngster beating it to death or adding aftermarket accessories.

 

^ I think this disconnect between retirees and 'youngsters' is what really ruins these cars.

NOBODY wants to be associated with the other. I hope c7s really do drop the age demographic but the cost says otherwise.

These cars are a great platform and made to be driven. Not putz around 5 under with your blinker on wearing a golf visor rocking your automatic and sipping you're coffee.

I get 'abuse' but the worst crime of all is the constant overload of tack on chrome/crappy louvers and adding extra painted and 'corvette' logos everywhere. I've actually been thanked before for NOT cluttering it up with crap like they usually see.

Maybe I DO need a different car. This only seems to exist in the late model crowd.

 

The median age of a corvette buyer is 55.
It's affordable at this point in life and insurance companies don't hose you since by 55
most of us have our "evil" self (like the charismatic Alex from Clockwork Orange)
well under control to keep us from killing ourselves
with a car like this unlike at 21! LOL!

 

I'll agree with you about not adding gaudy stuff on the exterior but I'm pleased with all the stuff I added to my interior
which is competent stock but looks low rent plastic and in need of refinement.

 

Consider: Back in the very early 70's, I purchased a new, leftover Corvette for 1/2 my gross salary. At the time I was less than two years in the workforce.
To achieve the same result today, a young person two years in the workforce would have to have an income of around $95,000 per year to buy a 2013 leftover. Hence, there's not a lot of young folks able to buy a new Corvette like many years ago.

 

Wanted either a:
(1) Blue
(2) Silver
(3) Pewter

Got Black and love it!

Thanks,Matt

 

I could not believe how cheap insurance is for my C5. I am sure my age has something to with it and they must take into consideration that I don't drive it everyday and only under the best conditions. I am more careful with it to the point of almost being paranoid about some texting teenager running into it. I have taken defensive driving to a new level.

 

I wonder if used C5s will cost as much as they did new like the other generations or if low inflation and the lack of collectibility will keep them cheap and the best value in sports cars.
My C3 was a daily driver with 100K miles on it and I sold it for what it cost new. Will that happen to C5s someday?

 

Couldn't resist. YOURS..... PS....... I have only 19,000 miles on my 15 year old car .....