There's a really good book that you can find on line for cheap called "All Corvettes Are Red". In it, the author discusses how Corvette engineers were charged with designing a car that surpassed the C4 in almost every category, based on factual measurements. There are a few items that I noticed when I was comparing the two models. The C5 has a quieter ride and feels very tight, devoid of the squeaks and rattles that seemed to be present in all the C4's I drove. The C5 is much easier to get in and out of. The power increase of the LS engine is noticeable when compared to the former LT1.
On the other hand, I liked some handling characteristics of the C4. When pushed to the point where the rear tires break away, I felt the C4 was much more predictable than the C5, but it takes a lot more to get the C5 to break loose. Still, it's the one area where I liked the C4.
At the end of the day, it's what YOU like that will tell if you prefer the C4 or the C5.

 

My goal is to get one by this time next year. Any advantages to a convertible vs targa?

 

When I wanted the Vette I got now, I set a goal in June to get a Corvette by the next year. I ended up getting it in July. Very happy.

 

Yes, Verts are more expensive than coupes (targa). Given your budget limit, IMHO I'd go for a coupe to get the newest, lowest mileage, best condition car for the money. If you find a vert in the same condition as the coupes and everything else is equal, at the same price, the vert is a better buy.

 

What lies did you catch. ...?..

 

I am doing the other way around, bought my C-5 last year and now looking for a C-4 and have been patient, had an 84 bought new and sold it after 25 years to a friend and asked him to sell it back to me, so I am waiting for an answer and also looking for another one in case he does not sell it.

 

I too, was in your shoes, was at the Rolex 24, 2014 with my pops, I knew I wanted a Corvette, my pops has an 07 LT2 m6, so natrally, I was considering a C6, but, we were parked next to a Z-16, and he was also spending the night, [yes we're race junkies] in the corvette corral and I fell in love with that vette. Long story short, I told pops the Z-16 is the one, he said you're going to have a hard time finding one of those, after 10 months[and willing to go nationwide to find one] I drove mine home from the local Toyota dealer of all places. I too wanted low mileage, but mine was a 92,000 mile 1 owner car with the exact upgrades I was going to do, backed by service records from new etc. I could'nt be happier, I drive this car daily to work 140 miles per day, and could'nt be happier! "0" problems! $16,800 out the door! Be patient your car is out there! Also, this forum has all the vital info you need to make an informed purchase! THANK YOU C5 forum members, you guys are the BEST!!!

 

I never push my corvette or any of my vehicles. I do not race them. I get passed going the normal speed limit.

 

This forum is great. Everyone here has been EXTREMELY helpful!

 

Was it hard for you guys to remain patient when looking for your c5s?

 

meant to respond a few days ago....
and i've honestly meant to start a thread called "stories/buying a used C5"...but haven't gotten around to it.

i think you can find a C5 for $11k (or under). just be patient.
honestly for me in my area (IA) i didn't see a whole heck of a lot of C5s for sale (we are not a very populated state). i drove 2 C5s: a '99 w/ 70K miles on it, that was listed for $17,500. the dealer would not budge on the price. the problem w/ these cars at this price is it's harder to finance them (interest rates in our areas for cars older than an '06 is 7% and fewer months). honestly i think that sort of puts a damper on the sale of those cars. the '99 drove nice, AC worked and all, and honestly being my 1st C5 test drive, it looked awesome, and drove like a rocket!!!! since they wouldn't budge on the price, we walked away. drove 1.5 hrs to see it.

about a week later i drove was a 2000, that was listed at $10K, it had 96K miles on it, but looked in good condition. gave it a quick test run. fell in love with it. and bought it the next day (i should say that our bank did a VIN check and it checked out ok). it's been in the shop in the a couple of times for the 2 months i 've had it (passenger window motor, brake/turning lights/ serpentine belt problems, and of course my AC doesn't work (compressor)). paying for these was a bummer, but then i sort of remembered that it is a 15 year old car. my mechanic said he thought it was a good deal, got it for a good price, and things break and you maintain them. as my wife says: you wanted a "quirky sports car, you got a quirky sports car". it really is fun to drive.
i think the only thing i would really recommend is making sure you have someone look over the car you are interested in and be willing to walk away if you don't think it's a good deal.
it's funny for me, when i drive it around and park it and walk away, i think: man nothing looks like this car out there, and honestly there are not many in my area at all!!!!

the other funny thing about my story, so after i buy the 2000 and am enjoying it, for the next 3 weeks i keep getting emails from the dealership who had the '99, 1st it was the sales person i worked with, then the finance manager, then the manager. it was funny.

i should also say, that from early in the summer of 2015, i was looking at a couple of high mile C5s, and i did ask some opinions from folks here on the forum, and got some good advice...i think the main thing everyone will say: have the car checked out, just to see what you are in for....good luck....

 

Avoid both and get a FRC, preferably a Z.

Shakey

 

re: vert vs coupe vs FRC

i think this is really based on what you want or need(?)

i am not a fan of convertibles, honestly. so looking for those was not a priority for me. i was mostly looking for coupes (now i did want a glass roof which i got, but the '99 i looked at had a solid roof, and honestly it felt claustrophobic in there for me! for me there is something about the airiness of the glass roof! now i will say, i haven't seen a lot of FRC in my area, but shortly before i bought mine, there was a FRC z06 for sale in the chicago area, that was in my price range, i really thought about it (and it looked cool!!!), but it was gone the next day when i was looking for it. the price was too good for it to last i figured.

 

I don't see what state you live in but in Ca. convertibles are more practical. They have a trunk, top up, or down (I have a carpeted divider) top up or down in 15 or 20 seconds. I have had coupes and targas and any significant storage is eaten up by the roof panels.
I bought this from a friend. It was ordered with every option, 6 speed manual, magnesium wheels, magnetic red paint, Z51 and such.
Hold out for what you want, there's a bunch out there!
I would pay attention to the underside of the front facia and radiator support. If it's free of scrape marks and scratches, it was probably well cared for.

 

I drove a C6 with the "glass" roof. It is actually plastic and it felt and looked very cheap and flimsy. If I were to buy a coupe, it would have to have the color matched solid removable top.

Shakey

 

I live in southern Wisconsin. There are a few around Madison and a $9000 1998 up by green bay.

 

That was a concern I had when I got mine last September from out of state. Just to keep it convenient I went with dealer financing which was at 10%. Sign and drive, no hassle.

Got home and refinanced with the local credit union at 3.03%. The loan officer didn't even ask to look at it; all he did was look up the NADA value. Payment was the same but I cut a year off the term.

I would DEFINITELY consider a credit union as a valid financing source.

 

yea, our local credit union seems to be emphasizing NEWER cars ('06 and newer) for low interest rates...i even looked at a few C6s b/c of that (well in ads, not in person). but in the end most C6s that i saw were in the $25K range, so i didn't want to go that high...it was sort of funny to dream a bit about them though, i knew nothing about C6s, so did a bit of research on them etc....but i'm happy w/ my C5....

 

I wouldn't run from one with that mileage. My car has 146,000 miles and don't use any oil in 6000 miles. I bought the car for 12,900 4 years ago with 120,000 miles. Nobody that sees my car believes it has those miles on it. NO I wouldn't take what I paid for the car today. I did put new tires on it last year and rebuilt the seats last winter. I love driving the car, too bad it's about time to put her to bed for the winter. The only Vette I've seen around here in the last couple years for your budget was wrecked. Vettes in my neck of the woods sell pretty high. Verts and Z06s tend to bring about the same $$$ around here. My buddy bought a 03 AE Vert last year with 26,000 miles and paid $26900.00 plus tax, up near Chicago. I went with him to pick it up, and drove it about 1/2 back home. My car actually rides better, believe it or not. My car has the Z51 performance package and his has the selective ride control. Go drive that car with 168k , you might just get surprised.

 

Don't get one...they are slow, ugly, only seat 2, terrible gas mileage and are out dated. Buy a prius and save on gas mileage and pick up the hot tree hugger chicks.