Should I get a 99' vette?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
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Should I get a 99' vette?
I am currently in high school and there is a red 1999 Corvette coupe with 58,000 miles for sale near me for 15 grand. I currently have the money to pay the price for it and the insurance will get taken care of with my job. My only question is will this be a very practical car to drive around at my age or should I look into something bigger?And if I end up getting this, what should I know about Corvettes before I begin driving it if there is anything?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I had a Corvette in High School.... I had a lot of fun but quickly knew that school was a higher priority... Owning a Corvette before you really have the necessary funds could be a life altering event... I would rather see you get an education then devoting your life to feeding a car that is 17 years old where problems can easily cost thousands to fix.
IM smart enough that you don't want to hear this, after all what red blooded high school kid doesn't want a corvette. I went to school and found my way to General motors where I spent my career designing them.
Bill aka ET
IM smart enough that you don't want to hear this, after all what red blooded high school kid doesn't want a corvette. I went to school and found my way to General motors where I spent my career designing them.
Bill aka ET
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
In my humble opinion... the 99's are the MOST problematic of the C5's ..
IF you are very capable of doing most or all of your own wrenching you may be alright... if you have to hire things done when they pop up, you better have DEEP pockets...
I would look for a 2001 or newer C5 there were many improvements and they are simply younger as well which = less trouble.
There is a "sticky" about what to look for in buying a C5... read it!
Make SURE you learn enough to know what you are getting into...
Good luck and have fun looking
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
In my humble opinion... the 99's are the MOST problematic of the C5's ..
IF you are very capable of doing most or all of your own wrenching you may be alright... if you have to hire things done when they pop up, you better have DEEP pockets...
I would look for a 2001 or newer C5 there were many improvements and they are simply younger as well which = less trouble.
There is a "sticky" about what to look for in buying a C5... read it!
Make SURE you learn enough to know what you are getting into...
Good luck and have fun looking
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
You know guys, think about it ?? He wants a 16 year old car ??? My first car (60 Impala) was 4 years old my next car was one year old a 69 Camaro SS with a 375 hp 396 // 4 speed !!!!!! all before I graduated and look how I turned out ???? WELL FORGET THAT LAST PART !!!!!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
LOL... I knew that statement would draw some flack
... I'm not saying ALL 99's are bad...I have just observed thru the years in the tech forum that MANY, MANY of the problem post are 99 models...
I didn't just pick the 99 out of my hind end...
I am SOOOOO glad your's has been GREAT... I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings...
... I'm not saying ALL 99's are bad...I have just observed thru the years in the tech forum that MANY, MANY of the problem post are 99 models... I didn't just pick the 99 out of my hind end...
I am SOOOOO glad your's has been GREAT... I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings...
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
LOL... I knew that statement would draw some flack... I'm not saying ALL 99's are bad...I have just observed thru the years in the tech forum that MANY, MANY of the problem post are 99 models...
I didn't just pick the 99 out of my hind end...
I am SOOOOO glad your's has been GREAT... I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings...
... I'm not saying ALL 99's are bad...I have just observed thru the years in the tech forum that MANY, MANY of the problem post are 99 models... I didn't just pick the 99 out of my hind end...
I am SOOOOO glad your's has been GREAT... I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings...
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Pro
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From: Ex suburban, now Chicago... IL
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
My 99.. 100,000 miles + .... 17 years old. No out of the ordinary problems, everything works as new... looks better than new. Some modest upgrades for aesthetics.. Every maintenance record and receipt since new.
Recent photos
Recent photos
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 191
From: Wilmington DE
Not at this time. I started off with a V8 Camaro in high school became too much money for maintence, gas to cruise with friends ect. Got into imports for college more economical to commute repair. Once I got out of college with a job then go for the sports car!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
My current vette is a 99 C5 6spd vert. Outside of a bad low volt battery, it has been absolutely trouble free. But I must tell you that I was extremely careful and spent about a year looking before buying. 50K is low mileage for a 99, but low miles aren't everything. Type of use and quality of maintenance, mods, accident history etc. can be more important than mileage in my opinion. If you buy a problem C5 it can literally put you in the poorhouse. If you get serious about this car I would suggest that you get back on this forum so experienced members can try to guide you through a check process to help you avoid making a bad buy. I'm not trying to dissuade you, just advising you that you need to be very careful so that you don't end up disappointed. Best wishes and be careful! Ask for the help, its free for the asking!
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Man I have to pay attention all this time and I didn't know yours was a 99 ?????? Hey guys look at me, Bill and I both have 99's and DD 's (oh this is going to get good ????)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I am currently in high school and there is a red 1999 Corvette coupe with 58,000 miles for sale near me for 15 grand. I currently have the money to pay the price for it and the insurance will get taken care of with my job. My only question is will this be a very practical car to drive around at my age or should I look into something bigger?And if I end up getting this, what should I know about Corvettes before I begin driving it if there is anything?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 495
Likes: 36
From: Houston Texas
I had a 98 vette senior year in high school (2008) Loved it to death. Until things started going wrong with it and my blockbuster paycheck wasn't enough to take care of it fully. Even just the tires were a handful. It would sit in the driveway weeks at a time. But when I did drive it, it was the best feeling ever. Had to sell it 4 years later to finish paying for college and plan for our wedding. Bought my 99 last year and glad I'm back in the drivers seat. Hindsight, In my opinion, unless you have the funds for maintenance & unforeseeable issues then hold off until later. I hate that I had to sell it but I knew at the time it was the wisest decision. Being older/more responsible, having a stable career and upon discovering this forum, all have made owning this vette even more enjoyable then before!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,671
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From: Newark DE
If you don't need to carry more than one person and can resist the urge to show off why not?
I almost wrecked mine a few times when I first got it seeing what it can do. It takes a lot of years to get your insurance back down if you mess up.
I almost wrecked mine a few times when I first got it seeing what it can do. It takes a lot of years to get your insurance back down if you mess up.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 579
Likes: 50
From: Chambersburg Pa
If you can avoid a car payment and the insurance is taken care of,go for it.I bought my first Vette,a 1964 Coupe the year after i graduated and still lived at home.In high school it was a 1964 Malibu SS with a back seat,which was a must have back in the days of drive in movies and what not,,,,hey i got some good memories like lots of us older fellows on here.
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You saved $15K and you are still in high school? That is quite an accomplishment in itself. Now do you really want to spend all that money you saved and most of the money you make in the near future for a car and everything that goes with it? Are you planning to go to college or vocational school? If so, buy a beater and save your money.
Would be a shame to spend all that hard earned money on a car when it could go to something much more important, like college tuition. But it's your life and you have to live with the choice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
If you want t go for it. Do worry about HS drivers with this much car though.
Check the insurance costs before you do anything. I would think insurance on a Corvette for a HS student would be rather expensive.
Check the insurance costs before you do anything. I would think insurance on a Corvette for a HS student would be rather expensive.