Coupe decision...
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 330
Likes: 2
From: Visalia California
because spending nearly 20k on a c5 coupe doesn't seem worth it to me. that's c5z and c6 territory. yeah they have low miles, but these cars go forever too. hell my c5 has 231k and I beat on it regularly. like I said, its your money, everyone has different priorities.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 3
From: Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
I think everyone here is spot on! Especially when it come to the car 'speaking to you'. I've had my 98 for a long time now, but when searching, I saw dozens of cars, and when I saw mine, I knew instantly and drove it home that day. 
Zuti
Zuti
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Anyone who owns (or intends to own) a 10-15 year-old car and expects nothing to go wrong with it is just fooling themselves.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
My experience was pretty much the same. I searched for three months, looking at several dozen cars before mine appeared in a dealer ad one morning. I went and looked at it about an hour after it was posted and drove it home the next day. If not for a problem with the passenger-side window regulator it would have come home with me that day.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 341
Likes: 11
From: Auburn Hills Michigan
I just bought a 1997 vette with 30000 miles and i paid 14900 at a dealer if that gives you a better price idea...it came with brand new tires with a 5 year tire rim warranty 100% stock car....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 14
From: Cincinnati OH
Appreciate everyone's response. Have decided not to purchase either car at this time. I felt all along the 99 was overpriced. The price on the 2002 also seems high to me given the accident history. But even after looking some time, these 2 cars were about the best I had seen. Neither car really speaks to me, so will keep looking. Would love to find a deal like some of the forum members have found.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
My '00 coupe with 92k miles might have its issues, all but one extremely minor, but I've never been concerned about it leaving me stranded on the side of the road. The engine runs just as tight as it did when I bought it two years and 25k miles ago and I don't expect to have to worry about the motor for at least another 100k miles, if even then.
Anyone who owns (or intends to own) a 10-15 year-old car and expects nothing to go wrong with it is just fooling themselves.
Anyone who owns (or intends to own) a 10-15 year-old car and expects nothing to go wrong with it is just fooling themselves.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 120
Likes: 7
From: overland park kansas
c5 price
Hi All,
I've been looking for awhile for a C5 and have two possibilities I am interested in. Either color good for me, have not had either inspected yet.
#1- 1999, one owner, no accidents, 11,000 mi. Dealer was asking $21K, based on our conversation, believe I can get it for around $18.5. Car looks,drives great.
#2 - 2002, one owner, 30K mi. Car has accident in history from several years ago in which car struck deer causing damage to front corner. No frame damage, air bags did not activate. Price $18,750. Car looks perfect in and out and drives great.
My question: should the lower miles on the 1999 override the improvements that the 2002 has, considering accident. I plan to keep the car for a long time and drive in good weather.
My initial thought is the 02 is a better deal. This is my first Corvette purchase, so would appreciate any opinions.
I enjoy the forum and the wealth of knowledge here.
I've been looking for awhile for a C5 and have two possibilities I am interested in. Either color good for me, have not had either inspected yet.
#1- 1999, one owner, no accidents, 11,000 mi. Dealer was asking $21K, based on our conversation, believe I can get it for around $18.5. Car looks,drives great.
#2 - 2002, one owner, 30K mi. Car has accident in history from several years ago in which car struck deer causing damage to front corner. No frame damage, air bags did not activate. Price $18,750. Car looks perfect in and out and drives great.
My question: should the lower miles on the 1999 override the improvements that the 2002 has, considering accident. I plan to keep the car for a long time and drive in good weather.
My initial thought is the 02 is a better deal. This is my first Corvette purchase, so would appreciate any opinions.
I enjoy the forum and the wealth of knowledge here.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral Florida
Hi All,
I've been looking for awhile for a C5 and have two possibilities I am interested in. Either color good for me, have not had either inspected yet.
#1- 1999, one owner, no accidents, 11,000 mi. Dealer was asking $21K, based on our conversation, believe I can get it for around $18.5. Car looks,drives great.
#2 - 2002, one owner, 30K mi. Car has accident in history from several years ago in which car struck deer causing damage to front corner. No frame damage, air bags did not activate. Price $18,750. Car looks perfect in and out and drives great.
My question: should the lower miles on the 1999 override the improvements that the 2002 has, considering accident. I plan to keep the car for a long time and drive in good weather.
My initial thought is the 02 is a better deal. This is my first Corvette purchase, so would appreciate any opinions.
I enjoy the forum and the wealth of knowledge here.
I've been looking for awhile for a C5 and have two possibilities I am interested in. Either color good for me, have not had either inspected yet.
#1- 1999, one owner, no accidents, 11,000 mi. Dealer was asking $21K, based on our conversation, believe I can get it for around $18.5. Car looks,drives great.
#2 - 2002, one owner, 30K mi. Car has accident in history from several years ago in which car struck deer causing damage to front corner. No frame damage, air bags did not activate. Price $18,750. Car looks perfect in and out and drives great.
My question: should the lower miles on the 1999 override the improvements that the 2002 has, considering accident. I plan to keep the car for a long time and drive in good weather.
My initial thought is the 02 is a better deal. This is my first Corvette purchase, so would appreciate any opinions.
I enjoy the forum and the wealth of knowledge here.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 341
Likes: 11
From: Auburn Hills Michigan
personally i would go with the 2002 not only because of the options...which to me were not a deciding factor obviously i went with a 97...but because of the cheaper price and you can bang him lower due to the accident...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Stafford Va
If you haven't already, do your research on the '99. The dealer is trying to pocket a bunch of coin however; if you really like the car, then walk in with your research numbers and see if they'll work with you (they need to come way down).
WRT the '02, I run from damage; there's just too many cars out there to pick from and damage free. IJMHO, but look at 5 or more cars before you pull the trigger, I believe you'll be glad you did. The right car will come along at the right time; that timing and patience makes it all the more fun and usually worth while. Good luck.....
WRT the '02, I run from damage; there's just too many cars out there to pick from and damage free. IJMHO, but look at 5 or more cars before you pull the trigger, I believe you'll be glad you did. The right car will come along at the right time; that timing and patience makes it all the more fun and usually worth while. Good luck.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
If you haven't already, do your research on the '99. The dealer is trying to pocket a bunch of coin however; if you really like the car, then walk in with your research numbers and see if they'll work with you (they need to come way down).
WRT the '02, I run from damage; there's just too many cars out there to pick from and damage free. IJMHO, but look at 5 or more cars before you pull the trigger, I believe you'll be glad you did. The right car will come along at the right time; that timing and patience makes it all the more fun and usually worth while. Good luck.....
WRT the '02, I run from damage; there's just too many cars out there to pick from and damage free. IJMHO, but look at 5 or more cars before you pull the trigger, I believe you'll be glad you did. The right car will come along at the right time; that timing and patience makes it all the more fun and usually worth while. Good luck.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
In this case a 99 with 11000 miles. To a wrecked 02 with 30000. People take the blinder off the 99 is still like new. The price may be a little high for the 99. I sure there is room to work those numbers.
Last edited by Fcar 98; Feb 6, 2014 at 01:34 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
It is 15 years old compared to the 12 year old. Three more years of storage. Time does take a toll on cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
The previous owner drove it very little and maybe not at all for some of those years. I would have to find out how much he cared for that car or if it just sat in the corner of a shed for years at a time.