demon340

Just started looking for my first vette, I'm a little all over the place, mid 90's C4, or 2003 C5's now I'm wondering if i should go for something like a ZO6. Ive always had high HP muscle cars. whatever i get has to be a manual trans. anyway your thoughts:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...odelCode1=CORV

Zeake

08 Z06 or 04 Z06 , I am months away from buying one.

PeteZ06

Don't get a mid 90s C4... although a cool car, the C5 is just such a better car is EVERY aspect.

Best thing is to go and test drive a C5 coupe and a C5 Z06 and decide for yourself.. I'm pretty sure you'll be buying the Z06 after driving both.

The car you posted is a dealer price.. that car can be had for less if you buy private.. Remember that if you buy from a dealer you'll pay another $1500 in taxes, where if you buy privately you'll end up paying only about $100 in taxes.

Verrückt ZR1

Higher mileage Z's just require more homework. Make sure you read the stickies at the top of C5 General. All the things to look for in one place. Good luck.

racebum

c4 is a terrible car. expensive to maintain and not a good performer.

c5 and especially the z06 is a great low cost street/track car

Shakeydeal

Hard to go wrong with a Z, and that one looks like a fine example. The price is a little high for those miles, but then again, it is at a dealer.


If your budget is enough to buy that car, I'm not sure why you would even look at C4s.


Shakey

bikeriderga

Too much money for a 100,000 mile car, but the C5 Z06 is the best of the C5 lot. Have owned both a C5 Coupe and a Z06 and there is really little comparison, in terms of performance and overall ride.

The C6 Z06 is a special car as well.
C4s are perhaps the least favorite Vettes in Vetteland.

demon340

I thought the least favorite was the 74-82 or so? Anyway I agree it's priced high from what KBB and edmunds seem to think. Some of the local ones on CL seem priced up there also. Might be fun to go for a test drive anyway!!

zeevette

Black/mod red is a great color combo, and with a little dickering, you should be able to get a great deal.

demon340

Carfax shows it from Texas most of its life, a few service issues early on. May look at it this weekend if it's still there. Anything over 15k and IL hits you with $750 tax, under that is $25.

Shakeydeal

I doubt you will get it under 15K, not from a dealer. I looked at a 2003 Z at a dealer well over a year ago. They wanted 28K for it and I made them an offer of 24K. They wouldn't budge on the price of the car, or the trade in offer. I walked. That damn car is still sitting there today for the same price. I guess they are pretty proud of that one.

bikeriderga

True, if you are talking about crappy engines and performance ratings. Those years were DOGS when it comes to performance!

However, the C3 body style is still considered a classic.

The C4s are really considered the least desirable body style. The high sills step up and over design make it really awkward getting into and out of the car.

About the only two C4s holding their value (or increasing in value) are the Grand Sport and the ZR1. ZR1 will probably become a classic due the Mercury Marine built motor and the influence from Lotus.

racebum

price isn't out of line for a dealer provided the car is clean, well maintained and has had some age work done. tires under 3yrs old etc

if you still have to do the springs, shocks, cooling system and fluid changes i would probably keep looking. so many c5s need 1-2 grand in work the second you buy them

you will never buy a nice car for bottom dollar but it doesn't mean you have to pay top dollar either

demon340

Ya i think your right but if its still there Saturday ill take a look. 100k is still a lot of miles but its a nice color combo so im guessing it will be gone by Saturday afternoon.

racebum

only if you're porky, it's a non issue with normal size people

the real problem with c4s is the lack of parts and the unstable suspension design. the cars did not make a very good use of traction. the front end was alright but the rear end had a lot of flex in it.

they are also expensive to make quick. more expensive to fix the handling issues which could only get so good

in fact it takes a heavily modified c4, like 7-8 grand give of take in mods to compete with a stock c5z when it comes to lap times. it's also going to be more difficult to drive and ride worse

demon340

Looked it over today, looks like a 100K + car. Was at the dealers overflow type lot with about 30 other vettes and classic cars, he thought it was on consignment and couldn't provide any maintenance details like clutch or valve spring replacement. I started it up sounded ok, oil psi looked good didn't take it for a drive, I'll keep looking !!

95wht6spd

Get the newest you can afford.
I have a 95 and an 02Z, both modded. They both have their +/-, and I like both for different reasons. The C5 is overall a better car, just like almost every other new model of car VS older model. You can get great deals on either, but the C4 prices are rediculously low.

racebum

c4 prices are low but parts for them are not

besides what you and i both know about how much better the c5 is c4's are old enough that bushings are cracking. rust may be setting in places. weatherstripping, hoses. as much as i just loved the Lt5 in the zr1 i would never buy one unless i married some wealthy woman who just let me have fun with her money

02BlownZ06

I just bought an '02 Z06 with only 19K miles on it AND it has a Magnuson Supercharger on it. It is the exact same color combo as this one and I paid $24,500 which I thought was a great deal for what I got. This thing is an absolute fire breathing beast. Only complaint I have on the car is interior noise. It is LOUD inside so I am planning some serious sound deadening. Handling and performance though is unreal!!

demon340

Sounds like you got a great deal! this one i listed is not in the same ballpark as yours sounds!