HELP! Buying first Corvette
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7
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From: Whitesville Ky
HELP! Buying first Corvette
The time has finally come to make my dream come true. I'm looking to purchase the C5 model. Probably a 2000-2002. Other than the typical things to look for, can any of you give me some insights of what to look for to see if it has been taken care of? I'll be spending a lot of money and do not wish to get something that has been road hard and not respected. I welcome all insights! Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
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From: Richmond, Ky
The time has finally come to make my dream come true. I'm looking to purchase the C5 model. Probably a 2000-2002. Other than the typical things to look for, can any of you give me some insights of what to look for to see if it has been taken care of? I'll be spending a lot of money and do not wish to get something that has been road hard and not respected. I welcome all insights! Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 536
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From: Brisbane Queensland
My theory is that a car that has been looked after will have very little wrong with it. Buying a used car is always a gamble. If the former owner/s neglected to repair the little things, then chances are they certainly neglected or put off any major repairs.
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Read this sticky thread - tons of good info in there.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-files.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-files.html
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7
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From: Whitesville Ky
Read this sticky thread - tons of good info in there.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-files.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-files.html
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Whitesville Ky
Great insight!
Le Mans Master
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Often you can buy a better maintained car if you buy from a local party who has owned the car for a long time and has lots of maintenance records. This rather than a car lot where the car may have been purchased at auction.
Even better if you find one from a member of a corvette club.
Even better if you find one from a member of a corvette club.
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Look for a C5 that has been 'garage' kept.
Look for service records: oil changes, fluid changes, etc.
Look for codes in DIC.
They are out there, well cared for C5's. Don't settle, be patient, you'll find one. I flew 900 miles, to find mine, as have many other members. You just have to be patient.
Don
Look for service records: oil changes, fluid changes, etc.
Look for codes in DIC.
They are out there, well cared for C5's. Don't settle, be patient, you'll find one. I flew 900 miles, to find mine, as have many other members. You just have to be patient.
Don
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7
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From: Whitesville Ky
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Whitesville Ky
Look for a C5 that has been 'garage' kept.
Look for service records: oil changes, fluid changes, etc.
Look for codes in DIC.
They are out there, well cared for C5's. Don't settle, be patient, you'll find one. I flew 900 miles, to find mine, as have many other members. You just have to be patient.
Don
Look for service records: oil changes, fluid changes, etc.
Look for codes in DIC.
They are out there, well cared for C5's. Don't settle, be patient, you'll find one. I flew 900 miles, to find mine, as have many other members. You just have to be patient.
Don
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
Nothing else (almost) is as exciting as looking for and buying your first Corvette.
Look for the 2001 to 2004 as already stated. The unmodified usually will be in better condition.
Check the oil for color and smell on the dipstick. Look at the spot in the garage where the C5 is usually parked-look for oil stains.
Have the owner start the cold engine with the hood up-listen for unusual noises-piston slap ect.
Check the fender wheel opening at the top for cracks-feel with the finger the inside lip of the fender wheel opening. It seems that the rear fender will most likely have cracks. But this occurs rarely.
Look for over spray of paint on the chassis.
Be sure to pull a CarFax on it.
One owner C5s are usually the nicest.
Check out the owner's garage and house-is it neat and clean?
Be willing to pay more for better condition. Condition can be more important than mileage.
There are lots of low mileage C5s out there. Most are garage queens. Some have never been in rain nor snow--like new chassis with no corrosion at all.
I found a one owner,10k mile, 2001 convertible that never saw rain.
Look for the 2001 to 2004 as already stated. The unmodified usually will be in better condition.
Check the oil for color and smell on the dipstick. Look at the spot in the garage where the C5 is usually parked-look for oil stains.
Have the owner start the cold engine with the hood up-listen for unusual noises-piston slap ect.
Check the fender wheel opening at the top for cracks-feel with the finger the inside lip of the fender wheel opening. It seems that the rear fender will most likely have cracks. But this occurs rarely.
Look for over spray of paint on the chassis.
Be sure to pull a CarFax on it.
One owner C5s are usually the nicest.
Check out the owner's garage and house-is it neat and clean?
Be willing to pay more for better condition. Condition can be more important than mileage.
There are lots of low mileage C5s out there. Most are garage queens. Some have never been in rain nor snow--like new chassis with no corrosion at all.
I found a one owner,10k mile, 2001 convertible that never saw rain.
Last edited by phoneman91; Jul 19, 2014 at 08:39 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
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From: Redondo Beach CA
I second the condition part. Many people can bolt things together, but cosmetics require more skill, so are harder to put right. Once you need an artisan over a craftsman, everything bumps up.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
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From: Greensboro Nc
Condition over everything. That and, well make sure the headlights work. Pull codes as well, it will give you an indication of anything that is/was wrong with the car, giving you another bargaining tool.
Most importantly do not get bummed if you don't find one fast. After 5 disappointments I finally found mine (which happened to be one of the previous disappointments)
Most importantly do not get bummed if you don't find one fast. After 5 disappointments I finally found mine (which happened to be one of the previous disappointments)