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Generally speaking, rather than cheap, I rather put it as amazingly inexpensive for such a quality performance car. I guess you could probably, and rightfully so, call interior components like seat construction etc "cheap" but there was reasoning used by GM in making these choices. I believe Evil Twin, hope I'm not mistaken, a GM engineer involved with the C5, spoke at some length on these issues in previous posts some months ago, worth reading if you can find it. Overall, cheap no, but an inexpensive performance jewel, yes! Best wishes to all!
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Some may call the C5 cheap in some regards, but I tend to think of it as a real bargain. I have no squeaks/rattles in mine, the seats are comfortable for me, controls are where I need them, and the car runs like a top. Sure the interior could have been a little more luxurious, but I'm happy with it.
The only thing that is cheap to me is the prices being asked for them at this point.
I look at my own ride ....a 2000 coupe, everything works, looks beautiful, new tires, brakes, battery, plugs and wires etc. etc. with 140,000 miles. The car really moves but is only worth $10,000.???
Cheap? Lol no. Inexpensive and affordable to maintain? YES.
That's why I bought my car. Rotors and brakes for under a couple hundred bucks? Best bang for your buck for sure.
Easy to afford and maintain so I guess it could be considered cheap until you get lost doing "improvements or mods", then you have a money pit. Take a look at the prices of the aftermarket stuff sold around here and try not to laugh out loud.
when i bought my 2000 back in Aug '15, i thought i got a good price for it:$9500.
but yes, owning it got a bit pricey. serpentine belt, window motor, hazard/turning signal switch....of course the tire sensors were a mess when i got it...and of course my AC didn't work, and when I sold it in May it needed new tires....i thought about advertising it as: buy a LS1 motor, and get the whole car w/ it ....i did sell it for $8000, was glad to be done with it for now....when i sat down one day i figured out that the car cost me $5 a day to own....so in that regards, i didn't mind it so much. my younger son was bummed that I sold it, he was the one that usually went with me to look for corvettes, and we had the longest ride in it to one of his basketball tournaments last Nov. it was a fun car to drive, but I'm not sure i was really ready for a money pit at the moment....i miss it at times, other times when reality hits i don't miss it....ie: the first 10 weeks i had it, it was in the shop for 5!
Bought a 20k mile 04 vert 6 spd almost 2 years ago... we have spent about $3k since on the car...all just because we wanted to... NOT one single issue with this car so far...I have done several preventative things... LMC5 module, Ranger Method... etc. Not CHEAP but, a great value is how I like to look at it...
Easy to afford and maintain so I guess it could be considered cheap until you get lost doing "improvements or mods", then you have a money pit. Take a look at the prices of the aftermarket stuff sold around here and try not to laugh out loud.
Generally speaking, rather than cheap, I rather put it as amazingly inexpensive for such a quality performance car. I guess you could probably, and rightfully so, call interior components like seat construction etc "cheap" but there was reasoning used by GM in making these choices. I believe Evil Twin, hope I'm not mistaken, a GM engineer involved with the C5, spoke at some length on these issues in previous posts some months ago, worth reading if you can find it. Overall, cheap no, but an inexpensive performance jewel, yes! Best wishes to all!
I would be VERY interested in reading Ewil Twin's commentary on this. Does anybody know where I can find that thread?
My daily driver was a 70 nova with a big block and 4 speed no A/C here in south Texas. I got 6 miles to the gallon and had to tune the carb every time the weather changed. I drive in bumper to bumper traffic stop and go every morning. By the time I got to work I would have push the clutch in with my foot and both hands on my thigh. From my perspective my 04 is not cheap by any stretch. Ironic thing is that the guy I sold the nova to pay 4500 more than I paid for the vette. So cheaply priced yes but cheap as in crappy hell no.
I bought mine new and at that time they were the best bang for the buck. I maintain it and it is as good as it was 18 years ago. Some may think it is old and in car years it is. But looking at it and driving it it is far from old. Worth every penny I paid for it!!
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I look at my own ride ....a 2000 coupe, everything works, looks beautiful, new tires, brakes, battery, plugs and wires etc. etc. with 140,000 miles. The car really moves but is only worth $10,000.???
Very similar situation. 2000 FRC with 140,000 miles. Got it for a great price and insurance on it is cheap as well. I've had to fix a lot on it and there's still plenty of things that need attention but I'm more than happy. Incredible bang for the buck. It's my daily driver. I have no desire to have any other car.
