This C5 good value?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 864
Likes: 134
This C5 good value?
There is a 1999 black C5 coupe with automatic and 101k miles for sale locally for just under $10k. I haven't found out much more than that...yet.
Dies this seem like a good or bad price? I realize I am asking you to make a great many assumptions, but please humor me.
Thanks
Dies this seem like a good or bad price? I realize I am asking you to make a great many assumptions, but please humor me.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 864
Likes: 134
It is. Extremely vague. That's all the info I have thus far. I'm just trying to gauge if the price is in the right ballpark.
I guess it's a little premature, but I think all of us would agree that the prospect of a new vette makes us more anxious than a kid on Christmas.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
It is. Extremely vague. That's all the info I have thus far. I'm just trying to gauge if the price is in the right ballpark.
I guess it's a little premature, but I think all of us would agree that the prospect of a new vette makes us more anxious than a kid on Christmas.
I guess it's a little premature, but I think all of us would agree that the prospect of a new vette makes us more anxious than a kid on Christmas.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Not many here would sell theirs for less than 10k........ Hows that for vague 
thats cheap IMO, must need stuff
make sure you know what your getting into
good luck
thats cheap IMO, must need stuff
make sure you know what your getting into
good luck
Last edited by Forcedvert; Sep 17, 2016 at 07:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 769
From: jefferson texas
Need so much more info to give you any kind of opinion. Not trying to put you off, but it could go anywhere from a really good deal to horrendous based on accident, maintenance, and ownership history as well as current condition of the car as assessed by a good C5 tech. Get the info and get back to the forum. If you get enough info together members will certainly pitch in to help you out. Best wishes!
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
There is a 1999 black C5 coupe with automatic and 101k miles for sale locally for just under $10k. I haven't found out much more than that...yet.
Dies this seem like a good or bad price? I realize I am asking you to make a great many assumptions, but please humor me.
Thanks
Dies this seem like a good or bad price? I realize I am asking you to make a great many assumptions, but please humor me.
Thanks
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
When they need a lot of work to be brought back to spec it can get real expensive. If you are skilled mechanically then It's not so bad but it is actually cheaper to spend a little extra for one that is in great shape.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,823
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If the car is in good shape, both cosmetically and mechanically, then it seems like a good price. Can't say much more than that.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Edmonton AB
Randy, that could be a "fair" price.
For reference..
We just bought a 1999 Nassau blue Corvette with about 90 000 miles on it for what equates to $11300 USD (I am Canadian)
Our car was in surprisingly good mechanical condition, and has no accidents. It just needs mostly cosmetic attention such as the odd missing clip etc, and a new harmonic balancer.
For reference..
We just bought a 1999 Nassau blue Corvette with about 90 000 miles on it for what equates to $11300 USD (I am Canadian)
Our car was in surprisingly good mechanical condition, and has no accidents. It just needs mostly cosmetic attention such as the odd missing clip etc, and a new harmonic balancer.
Last edited by deejbee; Sep 17, 2016 at 10:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
A friend of mine just bought a 98 with less miles. It has a highly modded interior, but the air conditioner did not work. (and a few other minor problems) for quite a bit less than that. He fixed the air and other known problems and has it listed at $10,000. Black coupe with red/black interior. It's now a pretty nice car. (in Tennessee)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles CA
You must find a reputable corvette mechanic, bring it to him, pay him to do a thorough inspection. Also, without maintenance records on that car I would probably walk away.
I would also suggest nothing older than 2002 because of known issues with problems and unavailable parts prior to that year. To me, 2002 was the sweet spot in terms of price and best odds of reliability. That's what I went with two years ago. Found a black coupe in pampered, senior-owned, one owner condition with 71,000 miles for $14,500 and 10,000 miles later it has been more reliable than I even hoped.
I would also suggest nothing older than 2002 because of known issues with problems and unavailable parts prior to that year. To me, 2002 was the sweet spot in terms of price and best odds of reliability. That's what I went with two years ago. Found a black coupe in pampered, senior-owned, one owner condition with 71,000 miles for $14,500 and 10,000 miles later it has been more reliable than I even hoped.
Last edited by speedmaster64; Sep 18, 2016 at 02:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 864
Likes: 134
Here is the thing...I've been bitten bad by the corvette bug...again.
I bought my 2000 coupe with 36k miles on August 1st. Then I saw how relatively inexpensive some c3s and most c4s are. I decided to get a stablemate.
Long story short, after seeing about 8 or 10 cars in the $5k to $6k range, I was consistently disappointed with quality. So I started to gradually increase my budget. Then I realized that some c5s are available at the $9k to $10k price point. The problem is that they appear to be of similar quality to the $5000 C4...not great.
I guess I should try the $8000 C3 or C4.
I bought my 2000 coupe with 36k miles on August 1st. Then I saw how relatively inexpensive some c3s and most c4s are. I decided to get a stablemate.
Long story short, after seeing about 8 or 10 cars in the $5k to $6k range, I was consistently disappointed with quality. So I started to gradually increase my budget. Then I realized that some c5s are available at the $9k to $10k price point. The problem is that they appear to be of similar quality to the $5000 C4...not great.
I guess I should try the $8000 C3 or C4.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
price is in the ballpark if the car checks out: Carfax, owner history, maint, condition, use etc. If it needs a ton of cash spent to bring it up to par...then no. If it's super clean, has been well kept and what you want...then certainly. I would make sure you research the C3, C4 and C5 well before you pull the trigger on a C3 or C4....may be worth saving and getting the C5. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
C5 was a big leap forward compared to previous generations - it's the first generation that was not a "flexible flyer" as the earlier cars were known. Price seems right. I have a 75k '98 M6 coupe owned from new, and I reckon its worth around $11k. Autos are worth less, in general.
Adding $1k/per year to your '99 price will give you a starting point for cars of different ages.
Adding $1k/per year to your '99 price will give you a starting point for cars of different ages.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 314
From: The Lowcountry South Carolina