Perceptions
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Besides everything that has been mentioned so far, part of the perception is:
Rarely a day goes by that someone does not ask me what year mine is. When I say I have driven it every day for 17 years they all say "No Way"! The C6 was a step back in design IMO and the C7 is cool but really "cluttered" (looks like they tried to combine the front, sides and back of 3 designs into one) - not nearly as "stylish" as the C5 on the exterior.
- Most people view it as a second or third car. The average person around here drives a $55,000+ new pickup truck or SUV (or two) as their DD and they assume that everyone else has the same thing. So when they see me drive up in a Corvette, they look at that as a "luxury" purchase. They cannot imagine how someone could/would buy a sports car without owning a tank first!
- Most people who drive a Corvette, even as a DD like me, keep them looking pristine which further adds to the perception as most of the primary vehicles around here are always filthy. People have a hard time imagining how you could keep a DD looking that good all the time (they would not). Most people will never even "detail" their primary vehicle "once" much less almost daily as I (many of us) do.
- Most of us park them off by themselves in parking lots which sends the signal that "we" place special value on them ourselves.
- Unless you are able and willing to perform most or all of the maintenance yourself - from mechanical to detailing - most people would be at the mercy of the local Dealership and Detail shops which could get real expensive, real fast! (i.e. if they owned a C5 and kept it looking/running like we do, it "would" be a rich man's endeavor!). Most vehicle owners do not even belong to a Forum to learn "anything" about what they drive - to them it is just "transportation".
Rarely a day goes by that someone does not ask me what year mine is. When I say I have driven it every day for 17 years they all say "No Way"! The C6 was a step back in design IMO and the C7 is cool but really "cluttered" (looks like they tried to combine the front, sides and back of 3 designs into one) - not nearly as "stylish" as the C5 on the exterior.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 244
Likes: 103
From: Pueblo West CO
I think a big part of it is (as someone else alluded) that car enthusiasts tend to maintain their cars. So my 18 year old Corvette still looks all shiny and new.
I've pointed out to more than one friend that I only have about $40K invested in a ridiculously fast daily driver sports car, which is less than most of them have in their 4x4 trucks.
I've pointed out to more than one friend that I only have about $40K invested in a ridiculously fast daily driver sports car, which is less than most of them have in their 4x4 trucks.
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 think a big part of it is (as someone else alluded) that car enthusiasts tend to maintain their cars. So my 18 year old Corvette still looks all shiny and new.
I've pointed out to more than one friend that I only have about $40K invested in a ridiculously fast daily driver sports car, which is less than most of them have in their 4x4 trucks.
I've pointed out to more than one friend that I only have about $40K invested in a ridiculously fast daily driver sports car, which is less than most of them have in their 4x4 trucks.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 601
Likes: 79
From: Georgia
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 19,980
Likes: 74
News flash: ALL new vehicles are getting insanely overpriced. It makes the C5 look like even more of a bargain...creating an even more solid floor in values. 
I went to a Chevy dealer to inquire about a repair and walked through the showroom. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw window stickers on the econo-box Chevy (Sonic? Cruze?) saying the car was $22,000! And this was not even the top trim level! I believe it was $25,000 with top trim level.
I was thinking wow...I saved $3,000+ by buying a C5 with 19,000 miles over a new Cruze/Sonic with something like 170 hp (?), econo-box style, and 50%+ depreciation within a few years of ownership. It made me feel like the C5 is the greatest deal on the planet. 
I went to a Chevy dealer to inquire about a repair and walked through the showroom. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw window stickers on the econo-box Chevy (Sonic? Cruze?) saying the car was $22,000! And this was not even the top trim level! I believe it was $25,000 with top trim level.
I was thinking wow...I saved $3,000+ by buying a C5 with 19,000 miles over a new Cruze/Sonic with something like 170 hp (?), econo-box style, and 50%+ depreciation within a few years of ownership. It made me feel like the C5 is the greatest deal on the planet.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
I have been out of corvettes and doing other stuff for 20 years but going to look at a 99 tomorrow. Been considering a vette again for a couple of years but have been getting a new business off the ground. I was considering a c6 but in the end I like the c5 styling and I think they are more timeless and in the end I can get a lot nicer condition lower mileage c5 than what I can find in a c6 so it is a no brainer to me. Car is supposed to be pristine so wish me luck on finding the right car tomorrow.
Last edited by Doug Doty; Feb 5, 2017 at 07:29 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 769
From: jefferson texas
I have been out of corvettes and doing other stuff for 20 years but going to look at a 99 tomorrow. Been considering a vette again for a couple of years but have been getting a new business off the ground. I was considering a c6 but in the end I like the c5 styling and I think they are more timeless and in the end I can get a lot nicer condition lower mileage c5 than what I can find in a c6 so it is a no brainer to me. Car is supposed to be pristine so wish me luck on finding the right car tomorrow.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
Good luck!! I too had been away from vettes for quite a few years pursuing other automotive interests. Got back into vettes a little over a year ago with a new to me '99 C5 and couldn't be happier (with the exception of having some real go arounds with a dealer shop trying to rip me off on mechanical work). Looked at all the various later gens of vettes and decided that for me the C5 represented the best value, and of course, by far the best looks! Take care and once again, good luck!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 613
Likes: 103
From: Farmington Arkansas
I must admit that I am surprised by the many compliments since I bought the Vette. And yes the Ladies are impressed. Hate this! I'm looking for a lady driving a Vette to hang out with. Cause that would be the BOMB! LOVE my ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
7 hours on the road was wasted, the seller was calling the car "Pristine" and "Car Collection Worthy", it was not Had paint work on left rear qtr. gouges down the driver door edge and clear coat scratches too deep for correction. It was likely a good car for the money but I done the trip based on the info provided and description. Be specific and ask for pictures of the flaws specifically. It has always been my rule but this car collection pristine description knocked me off my normal game plan.
I was calling on a car (non Corvette) listed as "VERY reliable transportation" and found out it needed a transmission by asking that question. Sellers are prepared to answer the question "What is wrong with the car?". They don't expect you to ask the same question phrased as I suggested and often reveal what they wanted to avoid admitting.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 769
From: jefferson texas
7 hours on the road was wasted, the seller was calling the car "Pristine" and "Car Collection Worthy", it was not Had paint work on left rear qtr. gouges down the driver door edge and clear coat scratches too deep for correction. It was likely a good car for the money but I done the trip based on the info provided and description. Be specific and ask for pictures of the flaws specifically. It has always been my rule but this car collection pristine description knocked me off my normal game plan.
Last edited by friou; Feb 6, 2017 at 10:26 AM. Reason: spelling
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 411
From: Somewhere in the middle of Kansas
One other thing is if you don't follow the progression of the vette from c5 through c7 you are not likely to have a clue what year it is. You might think a C5 is newer than a C6 because you haven't kept up with the body changes and the order. A nice C5 is timeless design that still looks fairly fresh. Even the interior, which everyone complains about as poor quality looks more appealing to me than a C6. A C6 is kinda boring to look at interior wise in my humble opinion. At any rate, what bang for the buck!!!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 471
Likes: 69
Beautiful designed cars will stand the test of time and the corvette line has always done a good job with this over the years. Better than any other American made cars. There is something special about the C5 lines and that beautiful butt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
News flash: ALL new vehicles are getting insanely overpriced. It makes the C5 look like even more of a bargain...creating an even more solid floor in values.
I went to a Chevy dealer to inquire about a repair and walked through the showroom. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw window stickers on the econo-box Chevy (Sonic? Cruze?) saying the car was $22,000! And this was not even the top trim level! I believe it was $25,000 with top trim level. I was thinking wow...I saved $3,000+ by buying a C5 with 19,000 miles over a new Cruze/Sonic with something like 170 hp (?), econo-box style, and 50%+ depreciation within a few years of ownership. It made me feel like the C5 is the greatest deal on the planet.
I went to a Chevy dealer to inquire about a repair and walked through the showroom. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw window stickers on the econo-box Chevy (Sonic? Cruze?) saying the car was $22,000! And this was not even the top trim level! I believe it was $25,000 with top trim level.
I was thinking wow...I saved $3,000+ by buying a C5 with 19,000 miles over a new Cruze/Sonic with something like 170 hp (?), econo-box style, and 50%+ depreciation within a few years of ownership. It made me feel like the C5 is the greatest deal on the planet. Nissan Micra with AC, taxes, delivery fees; around $18K (I'm in Canada), and will be worth half that the next day, disposable as soon as warranty is over.
Z06 with little depreciation; $22K
Hm, easy choice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
I get this too, in fact I purposely avoid taking it to some places to stay modest and not come across as bragging or showing off. But I think it has very little to do with the car being a C5 or that owners take care of them. Here in the forum, we are all diehard enthusiasts, but a small microcosm of humanity.
Outside in the real world, I think you simply find that the name Corvette has always stood as something of a luxury to own. I'm sure the folks giving these comments of incorrect perception just go along with that and have absolutely ZERO clue as to the age or generation of any corvette. You could have a 1984 C4 and I'm sure you'd get the same remarks.
Outside in the real world, I think you simply find that the name Corvette has always stood as something of a luxury to own. I'm sure the folks giving these comments of incorrect perception just go along with that and have absolutely ZERO clue as to the age or generation of any corvette. You could have a 1984 C4 and I'm sure you'd get the same remarks.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
I use mine to get groceries. People can't believe the amount of cargo space it has. They always ask what year it is.
When exiting to the main road, waiting at the light, I notice adjacent traffic slowing down to take a look. I guess I do the same thing.
When I see another Vette owner I still assume that they are doing something right.
When exiting to the main road, waiting at the light, I notice adjacent traffic slowing down to take a look. I guess I do the same thing.
When I see another Vette owner I still assume that they are doing something right.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 775
Likes: 76
From: Mooresboro NC
