Still Looking
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Ill.
St. Jude Donor '14
Still Looking
Go to look at a few cars this past weekend see one that is pretty nice 2004 black coupe with a few mods asking price 24,995.00 26000 miles... ask the guy is price negotiable says no I say ok and walk out... Googled the vin later that day car came up for sale in my area for 18700.00 same exact car same exact mods..The car dealer bought it and really inflated the price.This car shopping really sucks..... Oh yeah found a 2003 z for sale 16000 miles go to see that the same day the car smelled like stale pot, car was dirty the owners name sounded familiar well did some research on the name and they are in trouble with the law and were on the news.. I cant seem to win And the only reason I am looking again is the deal I have Might not go through now Seller says he might not want to sell after EVEN giving him his asking price,about a month and a half ago. hE said he would let me know by the end of the week
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 13
Watch the classifieds here and buy something out of state, don't be afraid to fly somewhere and drive the car home or even have it transported. Shopping locally for a Vette can be mind-numbing depending on where you are located....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,498
Likes: 1,817
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 669
Likes: 31
From: Webster NY
Very true. When I was looking, all the cars in my price range with lowish miles seemed to be on the west coast or were out of my price range etc... It took me a year of "just browsing" and then another year of looking at just C5s before I found mine. I was lucky and bought my car from a forum member in the same state ~4hrs away. Be patient and you will find the right car. Once the snow melts and people start driving them a lot more will pop up on the market.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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Just be patient - the right car will show up. And I agree about being willing to travel a distance to find the car. I found mine here on the forum and flew from mid-Missouri to Atlantic City, NJ, bought the car and then drove it home. Had a great time on the trip.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
sell car
Go to look at a few cars this past weekend see one that is pretty nice 2004 black coupe with a few mods asking price 24,995.00 26000 miles... ask the guy is price negotiable says no I say ok and walk out... Googled the vin later that day car came up for sale in my area for 18700.00 same exact car same exact mods..The car dealer bought it and really inflated the price.This car shopping really sucks..... Oh yeah found a 2003 z for sale 16000 miles go to see that the same day the car smelled like stale pot, car was dirty the owners name sounded familiar well did some research on the name and they are in trouble with the law and were on the news.. I cant seem to win And the only reason I am looking again is the deal I have Might not go through now Seller says he might not want to sell after EVEN giving him his asking price,about a month and a half ago. hE said he would let me know by the end of the week
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Ill.
St. Jude Donor '14
No I am trying to keep it from 2002 to 2004 lower miles coupe preferably black but I would consider other colors. with minor mods such as cold air... Nice wheels... Custom exhaust. Thank you though!!!!!
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Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Kentucky
I'm thinking of selling my 2004 Black on Black auto coupe. It has 45K miles and the only mods are new mats, chrome letter inserts and gumby wheels. Pictures can be found in Albums under Quick Action. I'm in Kentucky in case you're interested. I'm thinking of moving up to a C6 so DW says this one must go first. Garage kept, no smoking, no snow driving. $20K
Last edited by jdot; Mar 19, 2014 at 08:22 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 305
From: Carmel Indiana
another 
for Autotrader. I looked for 3-4 months for specific year/color/ interior/ 6-spd and found two, each about days drive. Got ours about 7yr ago.
Its 2003, black, tan interior, vert, 6-spd. 42K miles We are looking at selling in the fall to move up to C7. . .maybe. We would probably ask $20-22K and be flexible. So just have fun surfing the sites everyday for what you want.
for Autotrader. I looked for 3-4 months for specific year/color/ interior/ 6-spd and found two, each about days drive. Got ours about 7yr ago. Its 2003, black, tan interior, vert, 6-spd. 42K miles We are looking at selling in the fall to move up to C7. . .maybe. We would probably ask $20-22K and be flexible. So just have fun surfing the sites everyday for what you want.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I found mine on Craiglist about 3 hrs away, C5 2001 with 45,000 miles. Very hard to find right options, color, trans, price, and withing a reasonable driving distance. I would be careful flying somewhere. Some guys advertise the car as being mint and when you get there, mint to me and them is two different things. I would get loads of picks before I flew off to look. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Just hang in there. You'll find the right one and you'll know it when you see it. I looked for about 6 months and finally found the one I wanted about 3 hrs away (at least it was in the same state). I drove over one weekend to test drive and speak with the owner. All was good. I told him I'd take it and be there the following weekend. He still owed some on his loan so I got with his loan officer before I went by and made all necessary arrangements. When I picked up the car, it was already paid for, insured and ready to roll. Took wifey with me and she followed me home. You'll know it when its right.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 357
Likes: 1
From: Dallas TX
I looked for two years before i bought my first C5....when it was totaled three weeks ago i was seriously afraid of another long wait...luckily i found one here on the Forum that was perfect...car is in Cali I am in Texas so flying out and driving back.
Problem is i am getting a little anxious as I am paying cash ( yes like a good neighbor State Farm was there!!0and sent the guy 1k and basically haven'y heard from him since.
Scheduled to fly out there on april 11th so fingers crossed i didnt thro a grand out the window
Problem is i am getting a little anxious as I am paying cash ( yes like a good neighbor State Farm was there!!0and sent the guy 1k and basically haven'y heard from him since.
Scheduled to fly out there on april 11th so fingers crossed i didnt thro a grand out the window
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Ill.
St. Jude Donor '14
I looked for two years before i bought my first C5....when it was totaled three weeks ago i was seriously afraid of another long wait...luckily i found one here on the Forum that was perfect...car is in Cali I am in Texas so flying out and driving back.
Problem is i am getting a little anxious as I am paying cash ( yes like a good neighbor State Farm was there!!0and sent the guy 1k and basically haven'y heard from him since.
Scheduled to fly out there on april 11th so fingers crossed i didnt thro a grand out the window
Problem is i am getting a little anxious as I am paying cash ( yes like a good neighbor State Farm was there!!0and sent the guy 1k and basically haven'y heard from him since.
Scheduled to fly out there on april 11th so fingers crossed i didnt thro a grand out the window
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Ill.
St. Jude Donor '14
I'm thinking of selling my 2004 Black on Black auto coupe. It has 45K miles and the only mods are new mats, chrome letter inserts and gumby wheels. Pictures can be found in Albums under Quick Action. I'm in Kentucky in case you're interested. I'm thinking of moving up to a C6 so DW says this one must go first.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
From: Chandler Arizona
I am also looking, in the Phoenix area so more selection. Even so not finding much that isn't priced sky high. In the "Buying Guide" on this site, says to pay KBB value. But sellers here (and in the So Cal area) are generally 20% or MORE above book.
My car preference is: 2001 - 2004, coupe, automatic, yellow/red/white (no black or dark color, too hot in summer here for that).
For instance, there are 2 Yellow coupes, 2002, 112K/113K miles (a little higher than I would like). Both have HUD, CD changer, etc. Both priced ~ $14,900. KBB says $12,500, that is private seller and top condition.
I don't want to come across like I'm trying to low ball, but book value is book value. I don't want to pay too much and find myself underwater IF I have to sell for some reason.
Am I just off base and the premium prices are normal.
Thanks,
Russ
My car preference is: 2001 - 2004, coupe, automatic, yellow/red/white (no black or dark color, too hot in summer here for that).
For instance, there are 2 Yellow coupes, 2002, 112K/113K miles (a little higher than I would like). Both have HUD, CD changer, etc. Both priced ~ $14,900. KBB says $12,500, that is private seller and top condition.
I don't want to come across like I'm trying to low ball, but book value is book value. I don't want to pay too much and find myself underwater IF I have to sell for some reason.
Am I just off base and the premium prices are normal.
Thanks,
Russ
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Ill.
St. Jude Donor '14
I am also looking, in the Phoenix area so more selection. Even so not finding much that isn't priced sky high. In the "Buying Guide" on this site, says to pay KBB value. But sellers here (and in the So Cal area) are generally 20% or MORE above book.
My car preference is: 2001 - 2004, coupe, automatic, yellow/red/white (no black or dark color, too hot in summer here for that).
For instance, there are 2 Yellow coupes, 2002, 112K/113K miles (a little higher than I would like). Both have HUD, CD changer, etc. Both priced ~ $14,900. KBB says $12,500, that is private seller and top condition.
I don't want to come across like I'm trying to low ball, but book value is book value. I don't want to pay too much and find myself underwater IF I have to sell for some reason.
Am I just off base and the premium prices are normal.
Thanks,
Russ
My car preference is: 2001 - 2004, coupe, automatic, yellow/red/white (no black or dark color, too hot in summer here for that).
For instance, there are 2 Yellow coupes, 2002, 112K/113K miles (a little higher than I would like). Both have HUD, CD changer, etc. Both priced ~ $14,900. KBB says $12,500, that is private seller and top condition.
I don't want to come across like I'm trying to low ball, but book value is book value. I don't want to pay too much and find myself underwater IF I have to sell for some reason.
Am I just off base and the premium prices are normal.
Thanks,
Russ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
When I was searching for my Vette, I included craigslist both locally and from surrounding areas that I could drive to in one day. Depending on the part of the country you're in, I saw that the prices did have some variance. Price will depend (of course) on condition, age, seller eager-ness, etc. Also keep in mind that winter is coming to an end and warm season is just around the corner, so prices will be going up. I also have noticed that prices on C5s have pretty much bottomed out. I googled and found that there were a total of 248,895 C5 Vettes produced. Not sure how many Vettes are left out of those, but I'd guess 75-80%. So the pool is shrinking and I don't think prices will move that much in the future.
