Taking mine to the scrap yard tomorrow to see what she'll bring.
Pulling the trigger
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Green River WY
Pulling the trigger
Well I've been floating around for a few months doing research, and looking for my first Corvette. Decided I wanted a C5, best bang for the buck as you guys know. Was looking around and tripped across a very clean 1997 with only 35K on the clock, asking price $14,500. Only 200 miles away. It was the right color, auto trans ( which I wanted ) new tires and just clean inside and out. Wasn't really ready to buy but started looking into it. Found out he is a fellow Law Enforcement Officer who had bought the car for his dad who then passed away. Talked for a few days and made a deal at $13,500. got to get the money together and should pick it up later in the week, pending my final inspection of it. 
The only bad thing, It snowed here this morning.
The only bad thing, It snowed here this morning.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,671
Likes: 1,245
From: Southern Ca
Well I've been floating around for a few months doing research, and looking for my first Corvette. Decided I wanted a C5, best bang for the buck as you guys know. Was looking around and tripped across a very clean 1997 with only 35K on the clock, asking price $14,500. Only 200 miles away. It was the right color, auto trans ( which I wanted ) new tires and just clean inside and out. Wasn't really ready to buy but started looking into it. Found out he is a fellow Law Enforcement Officer who had bought the car for his dad who then passed away. Talked for a few days and made a deal at $13,500. got to get the money together and should pick it up later in the week, pending my final inspection of it.
The only bad thing, It snowed here this morning.
The only bad thing, It snowed here this morning.
,a little high $$$ but as long as your happy that's all that counts . 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 788
From: Windsor CA
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I don't think that price is too high at all for buying a low mile car were it sounds that you have all the history on it, I paid $15k for a '98 in Nassau Blue 18 months ago with 44k on it and could not be happier. Post up pictures when you get it!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Green River WY
Thanks guys, not worried about the Price, Have seen newer ones with a lots of miles for a lot more. Not to many 97's around with low miles, although I was OK looking at up to 100K, but not for that price. I am very happy with with the way things are going and hope it stays that way. Will post pics when I can.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 3
From: Boise Idaho
Two years ago I bought a beautiful '97 c5 with 34k on the clock.
It looked like a time capsule car, torch red with Zo6 wheels.
I drive this car from Boise Id. to Palm Springs Ca. and back every year.
It now is approaching 50k miles and all is well, no issues.
Don't listen to all of the negative BS and enjoy your ride.
It looked like a time capsule car, torch red with Zo6 wheels.
I drive this car from Boise Id. to Palm Springs Ca. and back every year.
It now is approaching 50k miles and all is well, no issues.
Don't listen to all of the negative BS and enjoy your ride.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 9
From: Gaithersburg Maryland
I just bought a 1997 Corvette with similar miles and just a little bit lower in price. Two things to be aware of: check to see if the seats have the 'rocking", I needed to get the plastic washers installed to pass MD inspection. You also need to check the date code on the tires. Mine had Goodyear run flats with about half tread on them. However, I forgot to check when they were made. It turns out they were 13 years old. I just put on new Michlien run flats.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
97' Vette Purchase
You stated that you've done research on C5's, and I will give you my two cents, I own a 99' FRC/Z51 and I really love my ride even though it has had a few gremlins that got resolved through the years. My point and advice is that C5's will always be timeless in appeal and design and 'ALL YEARS HAVE SOME ISSUES', so with that said when you go to see or purchase the car you've chosen, take along a good OBD reader and find out if it has any code issues. Someone will chine in and say, you can get that info from the DIC control. What if the seller says ' I don't know how to pull that up'. Take one along just in case. Good Luck !!
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Congrats on making the deal - sounds like a nice car with a good price. Hope the weather cooperates and you can go get it and drive it home soon.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Thanks guys, not worried about the Price, Have seen newer ones with a lots of miles for a lot more. Not to many 97's around with low miles, although I was OK looking at up to 100K, but not for that price. I am very happy with with the way things are going and hope it stays that way. Will post pics when I can.
As long as the deal sits right with you then that's all that matters.
Congratulations, and have a ball with it!!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 42
From: Pewaukee WI
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 61
Likes: 2
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
I just bought a 1997 Corvette with similar miles and just a little bit lower in price. Two things to be aware of: check to see if the seats have the 'rocking", I needed to get the plastic washers installed to pass MD inspection. You also need to check the date code on the tires. Mine had Goodyear run flats with about half tread on them. However, I forgot to check when they were made. It turns out they were 13 years old. I just put on new Michlien run flats.