High mileage C5s
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I would suggest that you, when forming a buying decision consider that the high milage cars you see around here are generally very well cared for, which is expensive as the cars wear. Not many cars on the market with that kind of milage can hit a road trip without questions, the ones posting here don't have those concerns, unless it rains.
I can't support the comparison with pick up trucks, but do agree the shared drive train parts are good. They were not built as pick up trucks, rather as high end Chevys that have the maintenance costs of other cars capable of easy high speed. They are designed for ease of assembly and to please the new car buyer, not for ease of repair.
I can't support the comparison with pick up trucks, but do agree the shared drive train parts are good. They were not built as pick up trucks, rather as high end Chevys that have the maintenance costs of other cars capable of easy high speed. They are designed for ease of assembly and to please the new car buyer, not for ease of repair.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
My bad, I thought you meant a lot of things went wrong with your car after you bought it...I didn't get the preventive maintenance part
FWIW, my current Corolla had 148K when I bought it...it now has 285K and I have done nothing but the usual, plugs, oil, filters, tires, etc. The car has never left me stranded. Now I realize it's no C5, but it goes to show that high mileage cars aren't necessarily a money pit, or a bucket of problems...am I looking to put 300K on a C5, probably not, but I would expect one to go 200K without too much trouble...
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
And then some. Leak between trans and diff at mating area. Also one axle seal leaking. When removed the diff fluid looked like grey never seize. Turned out posi clutch outer tangs had worn completely through the aluminum housing.
Diff had never made a noise to indicate any issue(s). To expedite repair I ended up purchasing a used diff from a 2003 with 32,000 miles on it, installing it in the car and rebuilding the original diff (which is sitting in a storage container in the garage).
We have four C5's in the family so it isn't a bad thing to have a spare diff.
Diff had never made a noise to indicate any issue(s). To expedite repair I ended up purchasing a used diff from a 2003 with 32,000 miles on it, installing it in the car and rebuilding the original diff (which is sitting in a storage container in the garage).
We have four C5's in the family so it isn't a bad thing to have a spare diff.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 26,040
Likes: 157
My bad, I thought you meant a lot of things went wrong with your car after you bought it...I didn't get the preventive maintenance part
FWIW, my current Corolla had 148K when I bought it...it now has 285K and I have done nothing but the usual, plugs, oil, filters, tires, etc. The car has never left me stranded. Now I realize it's no C5, but it goes to show that high mileage cars aren't necessarily a money pit, or a bucket of problems...am I looking to put 300K on a C5, probably not, but I would expect one to go 200K without too much trouble...
FWIW, my current Corolla had 148K when I bought it...it now has 285K and I have done nothing but the usual, plugs, oil, filters, tires, etc. The car has never left me stranded. Now I realize it's no C5, but it goes to show that high mileage cars aren't necessarily a money pit, or a bucket of problems...am I looking to put 300K on a C5, probably not, but I would expect one to go 200K without too much trouble...
I bought a garage queen after using a '96 Z28 vert as a daily driver.
It doesn't see rain, food, smoke or drinks and certain restaurants because of parking.
First 2 months of ownership I honestly thought I should have bought something with more miles and a couple of dings. I've now gotten use to being limited on how often I'm in it and now completely appreciate it's flawless and always clean.
A daily driver vs garage queen are so completely different when it comes to ownership. Your decision is to decide what works for you.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
As painful as it's going to be to wait, I just can't see spending money replacing parts on a vehicle I don't intend to keep. I will wait and get the garage queen. Even considering how reliable (overall) the C5 is, you never know what will need to be replaced. This will also allow me to stash more away in savings, so when I do finally buy one, I won't have to finance much and/or I will certainly have enough to give me the flexibility of getting a really nice one, even if I have to spend a little more to get it. For the time being, I'll work on my garage project....it's nowhere near being "Corvette worthy", but it will be when I'm done with it....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
Keep the corolla as a daily driver and wait till you can afford a low mile garage queen. The car you have now is worth nothing but keeping it enables you to keep a low mileage purchase relatively low.
I bought a garage queen after using a '96 Z28 vert as a daily driver.
It doesn't see rain, food, smoke or drinks and certain restaurants because of parking.
First 2 months of ownership I honestly thought I should have bought something with more miles and a couple of dings. I've now gotten use to being limited on how often I'm in it and now completely appreciate it's flawless and always clean.
A daily driver vs garage queen are so completely different when it comes to ownership. Your decision is to decide what works for you.
I bought a garage queen after using a '96 Z28 vert as a daily driver.
It doesn't see rain, food, smoke or drinks and certain restaurants because of parking.
First 2 months of ownership I honestly thought I should have bought something with more miles and a couple of dings. I've now gotten use to being limited on how often I'm in it and now completely appreciate it's flawless and always clean.
A daily driver vs garage queen are so completely different when it comes to ownership. Your decision is to decide what works for you.
Oh the Corolla ain't goin anywhere...they're great cars....good on gas, reliable, and when you're done with them, you just sell them for parts....they're throw-aways....when I wear this one out, I'll buy another one...but it will be the workhorse so my garage queen stays nice...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Stick around the forum and keep an eye out in the FS section for a nice cream puff car. Just keep in mind that there are cars sold here where someone who's cared for it like a first born male child, simply wants something new. They do come around. And usually those folks are pretty realistic about the value of it and ask accordingly. I find this especially true in the C6 section.
I've never purchased a car here, but I had come close. I've found some 'really' nice cars at prices just a shade over my budget, more than once. I'm pretty sure I won't buy the wrong car for me. My next one will be 100% clean. After having seen so many sold here for very reasonable money, I'm convinced there's choices out there at every mileage level, every trim level, and bargains. Just have to be patient and keep looking.
Probably this is especially true if you look at cars out of your budget; after you get to see a bunch of sales here and get more familiar with the people in the Gen-FS section as to who they are and how they care for their vehicles (by reading a lot of threads by everyone), You can get a pretty good idea of what price you should expect to see for it to be a great deal, and then you won't feel pressure from yourself to jump on something you're not 'really' sure is a good deal.
I've never purchased a car here, but I had come close. I've found some 'really' nice cars at prices just a shade over my budget, more than once. I'm pretty sure I won't buy the wrong car for me. My next one will be 100% clean. After having seen so many sold here for very reasonable money, I'm convinced there's choices out there at every mileage level, every trim level, and bargains. Just have to be patient and keep looking.
Probably this is especially true if you look at cars out of your budget; after you get to see a bunch of sales here and get more familiar with the people in the Gen-FS section as to who they are and how they care for their vehicles (by reading a lot of threads by everyone), You can get a pretty good idea of what price you should expect to see for it to be a great deal, and then you won't feel pressure from yourself to jump on something you're not 'really' sure is a good deal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96,209
Likes: 75
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Stick around the forum and keep an eye out in the FS section for a nice cream puff car. Just keep in mind that there are cars sold here where someone who's cared for it like a first born male child, simply wants something new. They do come around. And usually those folks are pretty realistic about the value of it and ask accordingly. I find this especially true in the C6 section.
I've never purchased a car here, but I had come close. I've found some 'really' nice cars at prices just a shade over my budget, more than once. I'm pretty sure I won't buy the wrong car for me. My next one will be 100% clean. After having seen so many sold here for very reasonable money, I'm convinced there's choices out there at every mileage level, every trim level, and bargains. Just have to be patient and keep looking.
Probably this is especially true if you look at cars out of your budget; after you get to see a bunch of sales here and get more familiar with the people in the Gen-FS section as to who they are and how they care for their vehicles (by reading a lot of threads by everyone), You can get a pretty good idea of what price you should expect to see for it to be a great deal, and then you won't feel pressure from yourself to jump on something you're not 'really' sure is a good deal.
I've never purchased a car here, but I had come close. I've found some 'really' nice cars at prices just a shade over my budget, more than once. I'm pretty sure I won't buy the wrong car for me. My next one will be 100% clean. After having seen so many sold here for very reasonable money, I'm convinced there's choices out there at every mileage level, every trim level, and bargains. Just have to be patient and keep looking.
Probably this is especially true if you look at cars out of your budget; after you get to see a bunch of sales here and get more familiar with the people in the Gen-FS section as to who they are and how they care for their vehicles (by reading a lot of threads by everyone), You can get a pretty good idea of what price you should expect to see for it to be a great deal, and then you won't feel pressure from yourself to jump on something you're not 'really' sure is a good deal.
Buy a one owner low mile car that is well documented every time if you can find them.....
I found a Marauder in Arizona with only 17,000 miles on it a few years back from a one owner that's had zero issues.....
I also have an 04 C5 that I bought new sitting in the same garage with about 26,000 miles today and it's only needed a battery and a new set of tires so far besides a few mods...
~ Find the right car from the right previous owner and you're quest is over......
Last edited by Dave1; Nov 5, 2016 at 08:53 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 93
From: Boulder City NV
I would just wait until you are at the position to get the "garage queen".... I went through the same thing. I was so antsy to get a Vette, but wasn't in the right spot financially I had rationalized buying a C4 when I had my heart set on a C5. A good friend of mine talked me out of it (he has had 7 vettes). So I sat tight for another 14 months and took care of what needed to be taken care of. Then I bought a super low mileage cream puff garage queen. 
Buying a cheap one only to ditch it and get a nicer one makes no sense to me. As some have already stated in many more words, you get what you pay for. My advice, buy the cleanest lowest mileage car you can afford. Where I live the nicest C5's run from 23-28k. Although everyone's situation is different, a "3rd car" or "toy" should never be a financial burden.
Buying a cheap one only to ditch it and get a nicer one makes no sense to me. As some have already stated in many more words, you get what you pay for. My advice, buy the cleanest lowest mileage car you can afford. Where I live the nicest C5's run from 23-28k. Although everyone's situation is different, a "3rd car" or "toy" should never be a financial burden.
I just bought #12 !!! (gotta make a few payments)
A Pewter '99 'vert w/only 56K orig miles, a fairly clean 3 owner car with a good Carfax..is it perfect ? naw..the best yet ?? who knows..Like most of 'em that I owned previously owned I presume I'll sink way more in than I'll ever get back, but when I flop the top and hit the road.. WHO CARES..
Last edited by SaxyVette; Nov 6, 2016 at 06:59 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
You have surely given the best advice, but for some to own the dream perhaps means settling for a less-than-perfect car. In my case I'd still be waiting (at 72). Being a realist I flop and swap as best I can. I guess I'd rather have a less than perfect vette over no vette at all..FWIW over the course of the last 32 years I've owned 11 Corvettes, some were cherry, some were beat..none were perfect.
I just bought #12 !!! (gotta make a few payments)
A Pewter '99 'vert w/only 56K orig miles, a fairly clean 3 owner car with a good Carfax..is it perfect ? naw..the best yet ?? who knows..Like most of 'em that I owned previously I presume I'll sink way more in than I'll ever get back, but when I flop the top and hit the road.. WHO CARES..
I just bought #12 !!! (gotta make a few payments)
A Pewter '99 'vert w/only 56K orig miles, a fairly clean 3 owner car with a good Carfax..is it perfect ? naw..the best yet ?? who knows..Like most of 'em that I owned previously I presume I'll sink way more in than I'll ever get back, but when I flop the top and hit the road.. WHO CARES..
Your 99 looks great.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 508
Likes: 59
From: Oscoda Michigan
I bought my 00' coupe a year ago this month. I have put 5K miles on it since. Its at almost 88K now and the only failure has been the O/P sender. It was a "cheap" car that I bought too see if I would even like the C5, I was a C3 fanatic before. I had planed on keeping it a year and if I like the platform upgrading to a Z06. I love this car and will keep it for a long time. That said I am glad it worked out that way because I hate paying sales tax twice on a big ticket item. My carfax report indicated that it was fairly well maintained during its life which is why, I believe, I have had so few problems. I have changed all the fluids/filters serviced the brakes to my liking and tuned it up. I think it helps, financially, to love working on cars if you own ANY older vehicle. Good luck with what ever you decide but I can tell you I am still kicking myself in the backside for not switching to a C5 10 years ago. Mike
Last edited by mike48750; Nov 6, 2016 at 09:10 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
I bought a 02 one owner with 98,000 I had driven about 10 cars with lower mileage before I purchases this car, but this car was the tightest had fewer rattles just felt and drove better than the rest. I was willing to pay more for a lower mileage car but could not find one that just felt unmolested.
Also, use the sticky in this forum during your search as a check list when looking at a car. Look and drive a lot of cars, be willing to travel a couple hours to see a car and walk away if it's not the one! Do not be in a hurry, but when a car hits the market be ready to move. The hunt is half the fun.
Also, use the sticky in this forum during your search as a check list when looking at a car. Look and drive a lot of cars, be willing to travel a couple hours to see a car and walk away if it's not the one! Do not be in a hurry, but when a car hits the market be ready to move. The hunt is half the fun.
Last edited by C5blk; Nov 6, 2016 at 09:30 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: apple valley CA
I just picked up this 98 with 172,000 miles for $7000. It's a manual 6 speed trans. Previous owner took excellent care of it and maintained everything very well. He also took it to a corvette specialty shop every 6 months for "check ups". It runs and drives fantastic. Feels and drives like new. He just had seats reupholstered, not too long ago. I'm loving it so far and feel better seeing some of these last so long. I almost didn't get this "gem" due to the high mileage. I'm sure glad I went for it.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,056
From: CA
I'm thinking of selling my 2000 Coupe Z51, Red, 6 speed, 70,000 miles. Always garaged inside, always covered outside, Original owner. All factory GM repair parts. No mods (literally none except for AGM battery). I'll let you guys know.
Michael
Michael
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: apple valley CA
I switched too
I bought my 00' coupe a year ago this month. I have put 5K miles on it since. Its at almost 88K now and the only failure has been the O/P sender. It was a "cheap" car that I bought too see if I would even like the C5, I was a C3 fanatic before. I had planed on keeping it a year and if I like the platform upgrading to a Z06. I love this car and will keep it for a long time. That said I am glad it worked out that way because I hate paying sales tax twice on a big ticket item. My carfax report indicated that it was fairly well maintained during its life which is why, I believe, I have had so few problems. I have changed all the fluids/filters serviced the brakes to my liking and tuned it up. I think it helps, financially, to love working on cars if you own ANY older vehicle. Good luck with what ever you decide but I can tell you I am still kicking myself in the backside for not switching to a C5 10 years ago. Mike
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
I chose 75k as my high mile mark because I wanted something that had at least a set of tires run on it, but wasn't too worn. That was 3 years ago, but a sub 100k car can be had for $13k right about now around my area.
My car wasn't perfect, but it is nice and cleans up well. It's a car, I have treated as such.
My car wasn't perfect, but it is nice and cleans up well. It's a car, I have treated as such.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 768
From: Waterford WI
5 years ago I bought a 2001 convertible with 165k on it off this forum for $11k. It had clearly been cared for. Two previous owners. It was immaculate--looked like a 50k mile car. I drove it two years and 22k miles with NO repairs. I regret I sold it. A friend bought it and now has 210k on it. He did put a clutch in it because he was auto crossing it. At 210k he says it needs a quart of oil every 2200.
My point? Look until you find the right car. I looked for nearly a year, because I refused to make an unnecessary mistake. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
My point? Look until you find the right car. I looked for nearly a year, because I refused to make an unnecessary mistake. I would do it again in a heartbeat.