Need your 2 cents!

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 21, 2013 | 10:57 AM

#21

Black C5 LS1

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 195

Likes: 3

From: Ponchatoula Louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh 2 Fun

I find it strange that some of those repairs had to be done at such low mileage......
Save your money and get an '01 or newer. Won't be that much more, if any.
....and I'm 6'5" with a coupe and have no issue with headroom OR shifting my six speed.

(on every point)
Targa top has plenty of headroom, and I have enough room to shift. I worked at a car wash back in the stone age and there were cars I could NOT even fit in or drive (Porche 914 and AMC Gremlin come to mind). I'm very comfy in my M-6 LS1.

Nov 21, 2013 | 01:54 PM

#22

big_g_hall

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 36

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

I don't know where you all are finding these deals at... But here is what I'm working with.

Phoenix (there are no good cars in Tucson...):
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/search...21001&hasPic=1

There is nothing...

...at least not that I can afford...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4191538626.html

Last edited by big_g_hall; Nov 21, 2013 at 02:20 PM.

Dec 2, 2013 | 06:00 PM

#23

big_g_hall

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 36

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

I keep seeing cars I like but they are all 1999 or 2000. Is it simply that the 98-00 is still very good, but the 01+ is even better? I mean, they are all ls1's after all...

Dec 2, 2013 | 07:55 PM

#24

Red rag

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 1,671

Likes: 1,406

From: Central Ohio

A lot of people will steer you toward a 2001 and newer, but if your budget isn't as high as this I feel you'll be fine with a 1998-2000. I bought a 1999 last year, not so much because of budget, but because I loved the car. One of the key issues with the pre 2001 was the EBCM issue with the ABS. while there is no doubt this is true, I decided to take a chance with this. It's not my DD so I don't need to rely on the car daily.

If your decision is based on price, just make sure you have some funding/ skills to repair if so. Make sure to have the car checked (I didn't) to be sure it's sound. I could pretty much tell with mine since it was pristine with <19k miles. I overpaid a little because unfortunately it was in a Mercedes showroom, but I'm happy!

Have patience, it took me months to find what I wanted. Keep an eye on the for sale forum on here as well. This is the time of year to buy around here because of the weather, but Tucsons economy may be different? Good luck and don't rush into one!

Dec 3, 2013 | 09:56 AM

#25

wbrands

Pro

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 565

Likes: 143

From: Bedford VA

Lots of '01+ Vettes on AutoTrader for less than $16k but you'll have to up your mileage requirement to somewhere around 100k. Find one that works for you and don't be afraid to travel to get it. I went 500 miles for my latest find and couldn't be happier. Nice road trip home with my new friend!

Dec 9, 2013 | 02:40 PM

#26

big_g_hall

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 36

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

Ah, gotcha. I had a 99 T/A with 75k and no major problems, so I didn't expect the pre-01's to fall apart internally.

I found a nice 2003 coupe with 41k for $19500 (private seller). A little over my budget, but this seems like a good deal...no?

Dec 9, 2013 | 02:55 PM

#27

CQRT

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 24,499

Likes: 312

From: Scottsdale AZ

That doesn't seem unreasonable if you have the records indicating it's service and care . . if you had a TA, you ought to be able to judge the condition . . if it's up North in Oro- I'd say great . . .if it's south of Golf Links I'd say be careful . . .

Just my 02 - -I have an 02 with 70k miles I'd part with for $18 . . .but I'm 2 hours away . . .

Dec 9, 2013 | 03:55 PM

#28

50 ANV C5

Racer

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 389

Likes: 204

From: LIMA OHIO

6'6'

im 6'6 with 15 size shoes , the automatic is the way to go , i love shifting but i also love driving and being comfortable , there is room in a vert even at your height , good luck

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

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

Dec 9, 2013 | 03:58 PM

#29

big_g_hall

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 36

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by CQRT

Haha, you are spot on. I don't buy cars south of Orange Grove...

The one I'm looking at is up in Deer Valley, so you are probably closer. PM me some pics of yours? I'm looking for an automatic coupe.

Dec 10, 2013 | 12:17 AM

#30

cbhood

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 183

Likes: 3

From: Lompoc Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_g_hall

...at least not that I can afford...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4191538626.html

I saw that Z51 was reduced to $18900. Seems like a good deal to me.

Dec 10, 2013 | 01:33 AM

#31

jdot

Drifting

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,371

Likes: 1

From: Somerset Kentucky

There used to be a place that sold Vettes exclusively and I think they were in Arizona. It's been a long time but I think they were called Corvettes USA if I recall correctly. They used to be on the net all the time but I haven't seen any ads from them in sometime but I live in Kentucky. The prices are going to keep coming down on C5s AND C6's so hang on.

Dec 10, 2013 | 02:22 AM

#32

olbear1962

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 4,095

Likes: 42

From: Pewaukee WI

Good information, as others have said '01 or newer. I went with an '02 due to the oil consumption issue on the '01s. Lots of good cars out there for sale, good luck and please post pic's when you find the right one for you

Dec 10, 2013 | 11:52 AM

#33

CQRT

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 24,499

Likes: 312

From: Scottsdale AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdot

You may be thinking of "Chev's and Vettes' that operated in Scottsdale . . that was one seriously fun palce to go look at cars -- but they closed about 6-8 years ago . . not sure what happened to all the stuff, but they had a warehouse full of parts as well.

Dec 11, 2013 | 12:41 PM

#34

moe24

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2013

Posts: 971

Likes: 0

From: new orleans louisiana

St. Jude Donor '14

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_g_hall

...at least not that I can afford...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4191538626.html

Most of us vette owners had to travel to get one..I know I did..down here in new orleans all the c5 vettes where going for $20k and up so I had to take a ride out to houston Texas to get mine

Dec 11, 2013 | 12:44 PM

#35

Beltis

Cruising

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 13

Likes: 0

people always say they get their c5s for so cheap, but i literally look everywhere and I never find one as cheap as most people say they get them for, though I still find em cheaper than Bluebook value.

Dec 11, 2013 | 02:08 PM

#36

kgie1217

Pro

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 538

Likes: 6

From: Knoxville TN

St. Jude Donor '14

I bought a 1998 Convertible for $18K. It was immaculate and only had 30K miles on it. So, your mileage may vary in the area you are in.

Dec 11, 2013 | 08:51 PM

#37

El original

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 3,146

Likes: 203

From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by cessna10

At 6' 6" you may be riding with top down only. I am 6' 1"
and there is not much space between the top of my
head and the headliner in my coupe

It truly depends if you are long in the leg or torso. I am 6'2" and have losts of room...In rereading OP 6'6" is pushing the envelope in every direction. IMHO. Rob

Dec 12, 2013 | 12:53 AM

#38

Dixiecrat

Pro

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 721

Likes: 0

From: Lexington Kentucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by envyz06

I may be off but I still think that is too much for that car.

Dec 13, 2013 | 12:12 AM

#39

big_g_hall

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 36

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beltis

Haha, I was thinking the exact same thing... The average corvette here in Arizona appears to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $2000+ over excellent kbb! The best deal I've seen is a pristine-looking 2000 coupe with 100k miles for $12900... Sold in just a week. And I've looked at hundreds of vettes the past couple weeks.

I decided that I'd be better off upping my budget than buying a high-ish mileage car.

Dec 13, 2013 | 10:41 AM

#40

bighank

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 2,332

Likes: 31

From: Silver Spring MD

Get a convertable... most headroom of all C5s

I am 6'3" and tried the coupe, HT (before it was a Z06), and the vert.
I have the seat all the way down with the back released and all the way back. Then I put the seat all the way back. Mine is an automatic also as my wife doesn't drive a stick.
In the coupe and HT hit my head when the car hit bumps. Go out and try all three before you buy one. Never buy a car without driving it.

Reply Share

First
Prev
2 / 3
Next
Last

Forum Jump