What Corvette should I get? (First timer)
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 119
Nothing ugly about a late model C4, small and personal, with a cool wrap around fighter jet cockpit. And that clamshell hood only came in the C4. The steering is also heavier than my C5Z, which feels great. That said, I can't stop driving my C5Z! Fortunate to have both.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 6,509
From: Melbourne, FL
It will be. A C4 with the LT1 is a LOT sportier than an overweight German pig. Power may be similar, but weight is a huge difference and the C4 will be FAR faster than the BMW.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
My 2004 Z06 113k miles wholesale value is $10,000. You can find a Z06 for $12,000 just be careful and make sure the transmission and motor are in good condition. These cars might not hold their value but they sure are expensive to fix when it involves the transmission. I paid $15,000 for mine a few years ago. Look up the cars KBB used car value. You will see prices are typically too high for these cars. Don't lose your patience you'll find the right car for the right price. Look nation wide. There is nothing wrong with flying out of town and driving the car back home. Actually very fun.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I don't think .3 seconds in the quarter mile is worth the step down in comfort and daily driving and I feel like my 540 would take a c4 on the highway
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,252
Likes: 176
From: Blessed are the cracked. For they are the ones who let in the light.
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Avoid the Black,Red, yellow, White and pewter ones..And all the coupes and verts too. And the dark blues. 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 264
From: Jasper GA
I looked at several C5s that were a little over 10k, most with over 100k miles. While I'm new to the C5, I wouldn't be afraid of high mileage. Corvettes strong, reliable and CHEAP to fix if you're used to BMW prices. After two Porsche 928s, I consider any other car cheap. Try $1200 for a radiator. If you want a C5, you can definitely find a good one for your budget if you're not afraid of a little work.
I had a C4 ZR-1 and loved it. Yes different engine but pretty much everything else was standard C4 and it's a wonderful car. Stick with 90+ for the better interior and you can get a nearly perfect car for 10k. Anyone who says it's ugly is wrong.
I also had an E36 M3 convertible, mint, low miles, actually sold it for quite a bit more than your budget. Bulletproof, drove it everywhere, really a good car but never bonded with it. No personality. I would love an E60 M5, but have a bundle in your maintenance account.
I had a C4 ZR-1 and loved it. Yes different engine but pretty much everything else was standard C4 and it's a wonderful car. Stick with 90+ for the better interior and you can get a nearly perfect car for 10k. Anyone who says it's ugly is wrong.
I also had an E36 M3 convertible, mint, low miles, actually sold it for quite a bit more than your budget. Bulletproof, drove it everywhere, really a good car but never bonded with it. No personality. I would love an E60 M5, but have a bundle in your maintenance account.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
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Here's my take: At that price point, you're looking at a higher mileage early years C5 which poses some problems, mainly being lack of availability on some key components (ABS Pump and Steering Wheel Position Sensor being the killers). IF you can find a used ABS Pump, it's going to cost you dearly. The PLUS side of it is that retrofits of the 01-04 ABS Pump have been successfully completed, but it takes some work.
A $10K C5 is going to need some work and not be perfect, so don't expect that. Deals can be found though, they're definitely out there.
If you consider the C4 at all, stick with the 94-96 range as they're the top end of the spectrum, especially the manual trans 96's as they were ALL LT4 equipped and can nearly run side by side with the C5. Personally I love the C4 also but it's a totally different animal than the C5 is. My suggestion would be to take one for a drive.
A $10K C5 is going to need some work and not be perfect, so don't expect that. Deals can be found though, they're definitely out there.
If you consider the C4 at all, stick with the 94-96 range as they're the top end of the spectrum, especially the manual trans 96's as they were ALL LT4 equipped and can nearly run side by side with the C5. Personally I love the C4 also but it's a totally different animal than the C5 is. My suggestion would be to take one for a drive.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I looked at several C5s that were a little over 10k, most with over 100k miles. While I'm new to the C5, I wouldn't be afraid of high mileage. Corvettes strong, reliable and CHEAP to fix if you're used to BMW prices. After two Porsche 928s, I consider any other car cheap. Try $1200 for a radiator. If you want a C5, you can definitely find a good one for your budget if you're not afraid of a little work.
I had a C4 ZR-1 and loved it. Yes different engine but pretty much everything else was standard C4 and it's a wonderful car. Stick with 90+ for the better interior and you can get a nearly perfect car for 10k. Anyone who says it's ugly is wrong.
I also had an E36 M3 convertible, mint, low miles, actually sold it for quite a bit more than your budget. Bulletproof, drove it everywhere, really a good car but never bonded with it. No personality. I would love an E60 M5, but have a bundle in your maintenance account.
I had a C4 ZR-1 and loved it. Yes different engine but pretty much everything else was standard C4 and it's a wonderful car. Stick with 90+ for the better interior and you can get a nearly perfect car for 10k. Anyone who says it's ugly is wrong.
I also had an E36 M3 convertible, mint, low miles, actually sold it for quite a bit more than your budget. Bulletproof, drove it everywhere, really a good car but never bonded with it. No personality. I would love an E60 M5, but have a bundle in your maintenance account.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 6,509
From: Melbourne, FL
It wouldn't. It would get destroyed by the c4. That said, the c4 is much more sports car feeling than the newer corvettes. They ride rougher, are more direct, and give a lot more feedback. The C5 is a wonderful grand touring car, it's fast but to me it takes a lot of upgrades to make it feel sporty.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
It wouldn't. It would get destroyed by the c4. That said, the c4 is much more sports car feeling than the newer corvettes. They ride rougher, are more direct, and give a lot more feedback. The C5 is a wonderful grand touring car, it's fast but to me it takes a lot of upgrades to make it feel sporty.