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I had a buddy going through cancer who had a '91 and he wanted me to buy it from his wife when he was gone. But then he told me that the C5's were so much better. Knowing nothing about the C5's I did some research and liked everything I read.
The LS1 motor, first aluminum small block
The transaxle
The quietness and absence of squeaks and rattles
The fit and finish
But seeing one in person, I knew it was the right car, so I sourced a 2000 Convertible, 6 speed, mostly loaded, low mileage Florida car. I feel pretty lucky every time I get in the seat.
After retiring and traveling full time for over 6yrs. we settled down, and I needed a toy. I knew I wanted a C5 because of the styling, but it took me 6mos. to find the right one for me. It was a very low mileage 2003 without a ding, rock chip, or scratch anywhere. I've had it for a little over a year now and it still puts a smile on my face whenever I take it out.
I've always wanted a Corvette for as long as I can remember, whether a C3 or later a C5, C6, or C7.
When we found ourselves in a position where we could afford one my wife picked it out. Seriously.
She found one at a dealership online so we went and test drove it.
She liked that she could get in and out of it easily and enjoyed how it drove so she asked me if I wanted the car.
Uh, "Yes I do."
We took it home that day.
The *** end was and is definitely on my list of LEAST favorite things of the C5, coming from owning some C4s, C5 rear is uhmmm cartoonishly big....I purchased a C5Z for the body lines though, the FRC body-style is one of my favorite Corvette designs
I knew first hand the blood sweat and tears that went into this build. In my 40 years career, I never witness the passion that exists from the engineers, techs, project managers, and directors.at the Corvette design studio. With 7 proprietary design in every C5 built, I had to buy one as a graduation ( retirement ) present. My wifes comment when I brought it home? OH another red car.... LOL. Prior was a very controversial Twin Turbo Dodge Stealth, which stood out like a sore thumb in the Warren MI. GM parking lot. One of my engineering team mates called it my
Evil-Twin... thus the screen name.
Still relevant tho. C5s didnt stop being attractive in 2014 (well, with the C7, thats questionable haha)
I had to have a C5, Ive wanted one since I was 16 changing oil at Jiffy Lube. I looked at many C6s in moments of weakness. But real sports cars have flip ups. The C5 butt is the best part of the car, I cant get over dem hips. There is literally no other car that I can look at and just be excited about, aside from the C5. Most of the special editions 911s come close, but thats because I like cars with hips.
I wanted for the longest time an 00+ Silver on red M6 coupe with HUD and dual climate
A lil buzzed internet searching and 8yrs later I ended up with an 02 Z06, Quicksilver on black with HUD and Dual Climate. Skipping on the targa, but after owning an MR2 for 4yrs, I am over roof leaks anyway.
To answer the thread title, I chose my car because of proximity, cost, value of car vs purchase price and the condition of the platform. Shes got some cosmetics, but she is a solid 10' car, with mods and because shes a 10 footer, I am not too hurt about putting her on the track for HPDE days.
I can only blame this "related thread" c**p for all these threads returning from the dead. Wish it had never been created. Personally, I have that function turned off.
p.s. why did I buy my C5? It was 1997 and I had 3 possibles - Mitsu VR4, Supra Turbo and C5. Then the Dollar took a dump against the Yen and suddenly the Supra and the VR4 were north of $50k, whereas a C5 coupe started at a hair below $40k. Extra for a 6 speed C5 over the auto in those days. Also, I was turned off the VR4 because either Car & Driver or Road & Track destroyed a clutch/flywheel in performance testing. Not a good sign, IMO.
In the end I bought a C5 coupe with all the options for the '98 model year. Around $44k IIRC.
On the other hand, if I had bought a Supra Turbo back then, it would be worth a lot of money today. A pristine example today will fetch about, you guessed it, $50k.
Last edited by jackthelad; Feb 13, 2019 at 08:12 PM.
I can only blame this "related thread" c**p for all these threads returning from the dead. Wish it had never been created. Personally, I have that function turned off.
p.s. why did I buy my C5? It was 1997 and I had 3 possibles - Mitsu VR4, Supra Turbo and C5. Then the Dollar took a dump against the Yen and suddenly the Supra and the VR4 were north of $50k, whereas a C5 coupe started at a hair below $40k. Extra for a 6 speed C5 over the auto in those days. Also, I was turned off the VR4 because either Car & Driver or Road & Track destroyed a clutch/flywheel in performance testing. Not a good sign, IMO.
In the end I bought a C5 coupe with all the options for the '98 model year. Around $44k IIRC.
On the other hand, if I had bought a Supra Turbo back then, it would be worth a lot of money today. A pristine example today will fetch about, you guessed it, $50k.
Just some insider stuff.. When the C5 came out, the high water mark for A4's was due in a large part to the former Corvette buyers survey. GM polls former Corvette owners and surveys their opinion on a list of subjects... ( for this they receive a very nice limited edition package of proprietary VIP Corvette owners special literature in a very nice full color Hard back folder. ON another note, the production numbers on MN6 was ramped up because of the demand, and the 800 dollar over charge by many dealers who had placed MN6 orders.
Bill aka ET
ON another note, the production numbers on MN6 was ramped up because of the demand, and the 800 dollar over charge by many dealers who had placed MN6 orders.
Bill aka ET
Had an honest dealer. Although it was then the hot new item, I paid sticker price with no "dealer markup". Something nice about driving it back then - you got a lot of double takes as there were very, very few C5's on the roads. Incidentally, the dealer's demo car was a '97 auto in green with the optional "glass" roof. I got both roofs with mine, as my demo run was in the summer, and the A/C really struggled with the sun load through the roof in 95° weather. The only option I passed on were the mag wheels - just thought they were too pricey, given the DC area's poorly maintained roads. Probably would have had to wait longer to get one that way as it turned out.
Had an honest dealer. Although it was then the hot new item, I paid sticker price with no "dealer markup". Something nice about driving it back then - you got a lot of double takes as there were very, very few C5's on the roads. Incidentally, the dealer's demo car was a '97 auto in green with the optional "glass" roof. I got both roofs with mine, as my demo run was in the summer, and the A/C really struggled with the sun load through the roof in 95° weather. The only option I passed on were the mag wheels - just thought they were too pricey, given the DC area's poorly maintained roads. Probably would have had to wait longer to get one that way as it turned out.
I have both tops also, Ive had the clear top on maybe twice in 20 years... Its a sauna in the summer but the Lexan top is nice at night especially on a clear night in the country, away from city lights with lots of stars in the sky. ( I know the stars do not come and go, they are always there ) The launch of the C5 saw a lot of MSRP sales, and in many places dealerships a premium was added. GM frowned on that practice, but never pushed it . Some insider here, cost to manufacture v MSRP 7000 dollars.
Bought the second car I looked at. Originally wanted a MB SL500 which in retrospect would have been a ridiculous car for a 49 year-old. My 99 targa with 42k in PM was in great shape when it was shown to me in the back of the detail line at the dealer. Wasn’t really sure what the deal was with the magnesium on the wheels but I noted that it meant something. The nearly brand new Michelins ultimately made the deal. $1000 worth of tires on a 1 owner car in great shape was too good to pass up. Didn’t even know the options before buying. Z51 and other options were a bonus when I learned to read the codes the next day. Great car so far. Easy to work on and will be a hell of a lot easier to maintain than some staid roadster. A bonus is that people generally move over when they see you coming out of respect for the car or what they think it is. Downside is that it attracts every kid with a deathwish and an STI. No, I don’t want to race your Impreza!
And here's my evil twin, '92 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo. These things were way ahead of their time w/ twin turbo, all wheel drive, all wheel steering, etc. had mine since '95 and it's in perfect shape.
And here's my evil twin, '92 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo. These things were way ahead of their time w/ twin turbo, all wheel drive, all wheel steering, etc. had mine since '95 and it's in perfect shape.
Four seats too... It was a nice car, nicely engineered. Chrysler Mitsubishi collaboration. It was heavy. It was my rebellion purchase. My revolt with GM to Lee Iacocca spending 1 billion dollars on Chryslers engineering design department.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
) The launch of the C5 saw a lot of MSRP sales, and in many places dealerships a premium was added. GM frowned on that practice, but never pushed it . Some insider here, cost to manufacture v MSRP 7000 dollars.
In 95 era that is quite impressive.