billschroeder5842

Hey Corvette Brothers!

I'm thinking of buying a C5 but honestly don't know too much. I'd like to get your opinions and direction.

I've had several C3s and currently have a 89 and a 91 ZR1. My driving style is pretty sane although I do use freeway on ramps as my own personal quarter mile. I will not track, I won't race and I'm a mostly pretty stock kind of guy-- I try to do most of the work myself (yes, I do own shop manuals) and will tackle most issues. I would be taking this car on road trips to visit my college daughter (9 hours away).

I place a high value on dependability and will mod only a little-- if the engineers wanted it they'd have installed it from the factory! I tend to keep cars for a couple of years before I get something different.

My budget is 18kish, however I can move here and there depending on value, but cheaper is always a great accessory.

Any ideas you can share? Good years, bad years, options that are MUST HAVES and options that are way over rated? Thanks!

zone69

Welcome to C5 section there's some stickies on top of page you might want to read first they have lots of info on C5's good luck with your search I'm new to C5 only had mine for few months I do enjoy it more than my C3

JR-01

You should be able to get a nice, well maintained, low mileage car for $18K.

msandym

I have a 2002 and would recommend 2002 or later . Has a little more
Horsepower and replaceable items . Otherwise , just due diligence. From what I’ve seen , corvettes are generally well kept . Good luck ! I’ve seen a lot for sale on Facebook corvette groups .

JR-01

They upped the hp and torque in the 2001 model. It also has the replacement parts that are no longer available on pre '01 models. EBCM and SWP sensor and the TPMS are cheaper. Buy an '01 or newer if you can.

MSG C5

I would also recommend targeting 2001 or later due to the improvements. Depending on how large your shopping radius is, check out the C5 Cars for Sale section on the Forum. Some really nice, well-maintained Corvette enthusiast models are available for purchase.

DDaaryl

You should have no problem locating a 2002+ in your price range. Run away from anything that has been molested or "improved" with aftermarket mods. You will never regret when you find the reliability of vehicles not raced, tracked, or beat to death. There are just too many amateur mechanics buying mail order "stuff" and so many unmolested vehicles. Watch the ads, $35,000 invested, asking $18,500. Run away from those. Some day you may need a smog inspection and find out why it was sold "cheap".

billschroeder5842

Huh, Lake Villa... I grew up in Ingleside on Long Lake. Small world.

Black on Black is my #1 go to combination. Please don't tell me you drove it in the winter..... PM me and I'd love to see pictures. Maybe a trip home to see the family and a road trip back to Dallas in a C5???

ALLEGRO

Just as with any run of a generation of cars, the final years will be the most refined and possibly offer the best options.

That said, 2003/2004 might be a good target for you. Even with your budget you should find a great example and have lots of fun with it.

You can read a lot about features and options that people don't like or have had problems with. But for each of them there is probably someone like me that has not had a single issue. My 2003 AE has been so much fun for my wife and I and looking back, it has met every expectation we ever had. I know that there are countless others in the same boat that I am and have enjoyed many miles and smiles for years now.

Be diligent with your search and choose wisely. But, at the end of the day, it is a Chevrolet and can be repaired across the nation at at a reasonable cost. Plus, this community of the Forum is so valuable with insights and recommendations that any repair or mod can be made so very simple just for the asking.

It's a great car, still a technological marvel nearly two decades old, and one that you will enjoy for a long time

Good luck.

coia96vette

Do not drive it in the winter of course. Been just sitting in the garage with the battery tender on it. Car is all stock and has all options expect the 12 disc changer. All service records and car fax. totally unmolested with both tops and a blast to drive. Will really miss it if I have to sell it.

billschroeder5842

Cars are happier in Texas than in Illinois. Just Say'n.....

Keep me posted. I'm searching and am interested in what you have.

billschroeder5842

Thanks- this is great advice.

coia96vette

Have to wait until this damn weather clears up to get it out and take some better pictures to send you. They are calling for 1.5" of rain followed by up 6" of wet heavy snow. YUCK!! Moving to Texas sounds really good about now.

chasboy

get an 02-04, lowest mileage you can find. Your price point is right in there

SG Lou

I own a 04 A4 Coupe and couldn't be happier.
As JR stated, availability of new replacement parts is a HUGE Factor such as EBCM and SWP sensor, to name a few.
Good Luck in your search !

703

If your set on a C5 Stick to 01 & newer. For 18k your also in the C6 range so that is an option as well. As with any car, be patient and wait for the right one to come.

Ramets

Yep. Patience and service records a must. It took me 6mos. to find my 2003. It was 200mi. away but well worth it. Your price point is right on for a low mileage C5. My difficulty was finding the color I wanted. But it all worked out, and will for you too. Oh, one other thing, remember cash talks, if possible have your offer in your pocket. Good luck.

Fcar 98

Im not here to tell you what to buy because if you have bought a used car you know the risk that you take. Every thing you have heard here so far is true. But, I am an owner of a 1998. A year you are being told to stay away from. I have owned my car for 20 years and it is a great car. All the problems you hear about may happen no guarantee it will. Believe me when i tell you there are a lot of other owners of the dreaded early cars that are just as happy with their cars as i am. The problems that you are being told of do not make these car useless. Ever drive a car that does not have ABS. Every day you will hear of people that buy 97 to 00 cars and how happy they are with their cars. Just a little info you haven't heard.

chasboy

bobs77vet

you have lots of buying power there and a clean low miles 03 or 04 with 50K to 70k car, vert or coupe is easily in your range.


I have read but do not know for sure that the 04 C5 and the early c6s are the same mechanicals.

I was in your same position last august and went with a super clean fully optioned 04 vert with 70k, good luck

I think the HUD is a really cool feature and these cars so easily go fast its pretty helpful, I also bought a GTO compact spare and keep it in the car.