Viper to C5
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 935
Likes: 103
Viper to C5
Hey Guys!
I currently own a very nice SRT10 Viper which I think I will be selling this spring. With an expanding family and new priorities it is time that my summer toy becomes something alot lower in value. I have always liked corvettes, and seeing C5's priced in the mid to high teens makes them very appealing as opposed to going to something less capable but newer in the same price range.
I'm looking for a 97-04 coupe, low kms, with a manual transmission. Main plans within days of ownership will be a cam, heads, headers, exhaust, intake, gears and all the maintenance items. I'd like to have a 400whp summer driver, although it is not a daily driver car for me. More of a toy that could be driven Monday to Friday when the weather is nice.
My total budget for the car and mods will be about $25k give or take.
Just wanted to say hi and hear if anyone had any heads up or advice for me!
I currently own a very nice SRT10 Viper which I think I will be selling this spring. With an expanding family and new priorities it is time that my summer toy becomes something alot lower in value. I have always liked corvettes, and seeing C5's priced in the mid to high teens makes them very appealing as opposed to going to something less capable but newer in the same price range.
I'm looking for a 97-04 coupe, low kms, with a manual transmission. Main plans within days of ownership will be a cam, heads, headers, exhaust, intake, gears and all the maintenance items. I'd like to have a 400whp summer driver, although it is not a daily driver car for me. More of a toy that could be driven Monday to Friday when the weather is nice.
My total budget for the car and mods will be about $25k give or take.
Just wanted to say hi and hear if anyone had any heads up or advice for me!
Last edited by Roddy13; Feb 17, 2015 at 01:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,827
Likes: 2,273
From: Brighton MI
With a $25k budget, you will have a lot to choose from in the C5 market.
If you don't care a lot about working on your own car, you can definitely save $ buying a car that is already modded the way you want. Just need to be sure the mods were done well.
Good luck with your search!
If you don't care a lot about working on your own car, you can definitely save $ buying a car that is already modded the way you want. Just need to be sure the mods were done well.
Good luck with your search!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
I'm getting the feeling that this guy wants a c5 not a c6 based on the fact that he wants something less expensive. He could also just buy a z06 and be at 400 horsepower, but he pretty clearly stated that he wanted a coupe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 9
He's ready to drop a load on mods and he's got 25K to spend.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 935
Likes: 103
25K was for the car and mods total. If I can grab a nice C5 for $16-$17k then that leaves me with $8-9K for mods. I'm up in Canada so prices are a bit higher. I'd rather have a built coupe for $25grand making 430 to the wheels than a stock C5 Z06 putting down less. Most C5 Z06's in my area are in the $23-$26k range, and I'm just not into stock cars.
I also wont buy one already modded... unless it just has basics like exhaust/intake etc. I bought one "nicely" modded car in the past to find out that the previous owners middle name must have been "Hack".
I also like the process of making a car mine, so I would happily build a base coupe into what i want! Also C6's are in the +30K range in my area.
I also wont buy one already modded... unless it just has basics like exhaust/intake etc. I bought one "nicely" modded car in the past to find out that the previous owners middle name must have been "Hack".
I also like the process of making a car mine, so I would happily build a base coupe into what i want! Also C6's are in the +30K range in my area.
Last edited by Roddy13; Feb 17, 2015 at 02:59 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 5
From: Central FL
01-02 Coupe is your best bang for the buck they are nearly identical to the 03-04 but generally a few grand less. I think if you search good and hard you can find a nice low mile 01 6speed coupe with some tasteful mods like CAI and exhaust for under $15k here in the states and you should have it modded the way you want for under $20k.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 935
Likes: 103
01-02 Coupe is your best bang for the buck they are nearly identical to the 03-04 but generally a few grand less. I think if you search good and hard you can find a nice low mile 01 6speed coupe with some tasteful mods like CAI and exhaust for under $15k here in the states and you should have it modded the way you want for under $20k.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 481
From: OK
It is your market buddy... have fun looking you may be surprised what you can find...looking forward to seeing pics of your new to you C5!
Don't forget the dealerships... lots of really nice C5's traded in and you know the dealership is getting them for cheap!
Don't forget the dealerships... lots of really nice C5's traded in and you know the dealership is getting them for cheap!
Last edited by 73Corvette; Feb 17, 2015 at 03:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 1,716
From: Everywhere and Nowhere at all
My thoughts exactly....? Is it paid for? are you looking to sell for more than $25K and keeping that money, re investing in a grocery getter for family?
Perhaps you could trade up/down w cash...? Unless you have a buyer for your Viper, that to me would make the most sense...
Perhaps you could trade up/down w cash...? Unless you have a buyer for your Viper, that to me would make the most sense...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
Hey Guys!
I currently own a very nice SRT10 Viper which I think I will be selling this spring. With an expanding family and new priorities it is time that my summer toy becomes something alot lower in value. I have always liked corvettes, and seeing C5's priced in the mid to high teens makes them very appealing as opposed to going to something less capable but newer in the same price range.
I'm looking for a 97-04 coupe, low kms, with a manual transmission. Main plans within days of ownership will be a cam, heads, headers, exhaust, intake, gears and all the maintenance items. I'd like to have a 400whp summer driver, although it is not a daily driver car for me. More of a toy that could be driven Monday to Friday when the weather is nice.
My total budget for the car and mods will be about $25k give or take.
Just wanted to say hi and hear if anyone had any heads up or advice for me!
I currently own a very nice SRT10 Viper which I think I will be selling this spring. With an expanding family and new priorities it is time that my summer toy becomes something alot lower in value. I have always liked corvettes, and seeing C5's priced in the mid to high teens makes them very appealing as opposed to going to something less capable but newer in the same price range.
I'm looking for a 97-04 coupe, low kms, with a manual transmission. Main plans within days of ownership will be a cam, heads, headers, exhaust, intake, gears and all the maintenance items. I'd like to have a 400whp summer driver, although it is not a daily driver car for me. More of a toy that could be driven Monday to Friday when the weather is nice.
My total budget for the car and mods will be about $25k give or take.
Just wanted to say hi and hear if anyone had any heads up or advice for me!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,495
Likes: 333
From: USA
The guy already said he's got his reasons for selling the Viper.... 
You can get one hell of a nicely modded C5 for $25k. I got my very reliable 460rwhp 2003 C5Z with 29k miles for $22k, over 3 years ago. In hindsight I feel like I got a deal of the century...but they are out there. $20k+ plus in mods later, she's all me.
You can get one hell of a nicely modded C5 for $25k. I got my very reliable 460rwhp 2003 C5Z with 29k miles for $22k, over 3 years ago. In hindsight I feel like I got a deal of the century...but they are out there. $20k+ plus in mods later, she's all me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
01-02 Coupe is your best bang for the buck they are nearly identical to the 03-04 but generally a few grand less. I think if you search good and hard you can find a nice low mile 01 6speed coupe with some tasteful mods like CAI and exhaust for under $15k here in the states and you should have it modded the way you want for under $20k.
I'd love to find a low mileage 01-02 6 speed for 15,000.
Just talked to a guy about his spiral gray 2003 with bolts ons and 98k mi, he's asking 15,000. It sounds like a nice car, but for that price, I wish it had less miles.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 5
From: Central FL
Hi, just curious what you would consider low mileage in your scenario. Like 50k miles ?
I'd love to find a low mileage 01-02 6 speed for 15,000.
Just talked to a guy about his spiral gray 2003 with bolts ons and 98k mi, he's asking 15,000. It sounds like a nice car, but for that price, I wish it had less miles.
I'd love to find a low mileage 01-02 6 speed for 15,000.
Just talked to a guy about his spiral gray 2003 with bolts ons and 98k mi, he's asking 15,000. It sounds like a nice car, but for that price, I wish it had less miles.
If the 03' is a nice car and well cared for 98k is nothing..if he's asking 15 maybe he'll take under $14k
Last edited by F&Yb0dluvr; Feb 18, 2015 at 09:33 PM.
Racer
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Former Vendor
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