Coupe decision...
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 14
From: Cincinnati OH
Coupe decision...
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.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 5
From: Nebraska
After lurking on this site for a while before we bought ours. I made the conscience effort to find a 2001 and up model. But that's just me. I was having a dilemma of spending that much money on a purchase with potential issues on parts that are unobtainable. That and the later wheel style didn't hurt either. From being on this site for a while now and knowing there are owners of the earlier years that have probably less menial problems with their cars than I do, I would suggest buy the one that has the take me home influence to you.
These are becoming increasingly older cars. I would always have this worry in the back of my mind about a car with very few miles on it. It didn't get driven, so did it get serviced? I understand the composition of materials have greatly improved over my life time 3-4 fold I'd still worry about tires, belts, hoses, bearings, seals, battery, Just the numerous little things that tend to dry up and go bad simply from non use. Unless you plan on not driving it too with the goal of a "like new"50 year old collectors piece sitting on your mantel, like the previous owners bought and never realized the true joy in these great little cars.
I think these tend to be like a good women. A little age and mileage is a good thing.
There's my $0.02
These are becoming increasingly older cars. I would always have this worry in the back of my mind about a car with very few miles on it. It didn't get driven, so did it get serviced? I understand the composition of materials have greatly improved over my life time 3-4 fold I'd still worry about tires, belts, hoses, bearings, seals, battery, Just the numerous little things that tend to dry up and go bad simply from non use. Unless you plan on not driving it too with the goal of a "like new"50 year old collectors piece sitting on your mantel, like the previous owners bought and never realized the true joy in these great little cars.
I think these tend to be like a good women. A little age and mileage is a good thing.
There's my $0.02
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 277
Likes: 37
From: Central Mississippi
Not sure about the previous comments on price, but personally after shopping for months for a low mileage C5, I think both are priced right. I decided on finding an '01-'04 just for the upgrades made. You can google updated C5 and find there were many changes made. I personally didn't like the factory "wagon" wheel on the earlier models. Not a deal breaker, but another added cost for me to replace. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Unless I missed a ridiculous deal over the last 4 months, I don't think you can do much better on a low mileage car. Good luck and keep us informed.
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Provided both cars would check out after an inspection, I would lean towards the '02. Lots of updates to the C5 platform happened in 2001 and the '02 would have all of those plus more that occurred in 2002.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Gotta agree with the above comments. I've got a 98 and will never part with it unless some sort of catastrophe happens, but if I were in your shoes, I'd go for the 02 over the 99. 30k miles is nothing. My 98 has 124k (of course the modded motor is less than 1k miles 
) but very little wrong with it and what problems there might be are mostly cosmetic. I wouldn't concern myself over a small mileage difference. One car is 15 years old the other is 12 yrs old. The advice given to you is correct. When you see the right one, you'll know it.
) but very little wrong with it and what problems there might be are mostly cosmetic. I wouldn't concern myself over a small mileage difference. One car is 15 years old the other is 12 yrs old. The advice given to you is correct. When you see the right one, you'll know it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
I'm surprised at the lack of concern over the previous damage to the 02 being expressed. Of course I own one of those pre 01 cars that you find sitting along side the road, broken down due to the archaic engineering and trouble prone sytems.
All that said, I wouldn't want to pay that high a premium for the low miles of the 99 nor would I want an 02 with a damage history. Too many good cars out there. Of course if one of them has your name on it, you have no choice but to pull the trigger.
All that said, I wouldn't want to pay that high a premium for the low miles of the 99 nor would I want an 02 with a damage history. Too many good cars out there. Of course if one of them has your name on it, you have no choice but to pull the trigger.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
I have a 99 and love it but I wouldn't pay that much for the 99 UNLESS, the dealer would include a 3 year bumper to bumper warrantee on it. EBCM issues would keep me from paying that much for a 99, even if it appears new. Go for the 02.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
Last edited by JR-01; Feb 5, 2014 at 10:41 AM.