What Corvette should I get? (First timer)
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Cruising
Joined: Mar 2018
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What Corvette should I get? (First timer)
Hey guys, I'm looking to get a C5 corvette this summer because it's what I can afford while I'm in college. I'm looking to spend around $10k, does anyone have any suggestions about what year and what to look out for? I really want a Z06 and would definitely prefer a manual over an automatic. But are automatics still fun and decently modifiable? I have a Bmw 540i right now and would have no problem doing most repairs myself if that's something I should be worrying about. I'd appreciate any input, thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Garland TX
Refer to the sticky at the top of this section. Honestly, if you really want a Z06 then wait until you can afford one. While you will be happy having a Corvette you won't be satisfied until you buy what you want.
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Look at these stickies - they will help you in your search for a C5. And yes, automatics are still fun and can be modded. I have had two manual C5s and now have an automatic C5 and I still thoroughly enjoy driving the car.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ion-files.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...must-read.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ngths-etc.html
However, if you really want a Z06, you may want to wait a bit, save up some more for the car and get what you want.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ion-files.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...must-read.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ngths-etc.html
However, if you really want a Z06, you may want to wait a bit, save up some more for the car and get what you want.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
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From: USA
ZO6s bring the top dollar. 10,000.00 will probably not get you into a ZO6 unless it is very very high miles or something major wrong with it.
With your budget I would try and get the newest C5 2001 and up for the EBCMs sometimes being repairable. I purchased a 2001 for less than 10,000 almost four years ago, it had a major oil leak that was keeping it from selling to most buyers. I fixed the leak myself and the car has been going strong for the 3+ years.
My car is a automatic and it suits my needs just fine. There are a lot of threads here about guys modifying the A4 cars. I have had manual Corvettes starting in 1969 and now just prefer the automatics for my needs. Yes I am old.
Good luck finding your Corvette.
With your budget I would try and get the newest C5 2001 and up for the EBCMs sometimes being repairable. I purchased a 2001 for less than 10,000 almost four years ago, it had a major oil leak that was keeping it from selling to most buyers. I fixed the leak myself and the car has been going strong for the 3+ years.
My car is a automatic and it suits my needs just fine. There are a lot of threads here about guys modifying the A4 cars. I have had manual Corvettes starting in 1969 and now just prefer the automatics for my needs. Yes I am old.
Good luck finding your Corvette.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Avoid 97-00 like the plague.
Got a 97 in the shop right now that's diagnosed as bad ECM. Find me an ECM anywhere in the country rebuilt or used. Try.
Steering position sensors that cost $400 used and they aren't keyed, big dice roll even if you have a Tech2.
Abs module for $1400 used please?
Tire pressures sensors triple the price of 01+
Countless early years parts I could say are difficult to find, then again all c5 steering racks ($220 + $400 core) and factory ps pumps are unobtainable or very expensive (Ac Delco is $500). Fuel door release actuator out of production, manual A/C control panel, seat switch is repro only and junk, and the non sport seat (lumbar) switches aren't available at all. Headlight motors (repros or junk dice roll rebuilts from Cardone) for when the linkage is so bad simple gear swaps won't work. Early fuel pump?
$10k is a bottom feeder car. Has many excuses and sure to cause bankruptcy unless you're a gearhead and can do a lot of work yourself.
Personally I'd pass on any $10k early C5.
Got a 97 in the shop right now that's diagnosed as bad ECM. Find me an ECM anywhere in the country rebuilt or used. Try.
Steering position sensors that cost $400 used and they aren't keyed, big dice roll even if you have a Tech2.
Abs module for $1400 used please?
Tire pressures sensors triple the price of 01+
Countless early years parts I could say are difficult to find, then again all c5 steering racks ($220 + $400 core) and factory ps pumps are unobtainable or very expensive (Ac Delco is $500). Fuel door release actuator out of production, manual A/C control panel, seat switch is repro only and junk, and the non sport seat (lumbar) switches aren't available at all. Headlight motors (repros or junk dice roll rebuilts from Cardone) for when the linkage is so bad simple gear swaps won't work. Early fuel pump?
$10k is a bottom feeder car. Has many excuses and sure to cause bankruptcy unless you're a gearhead and can do a lot of work yourself.
Personally I'd pass on any $10k early C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
At that price and if you really want a vette, I would look for a nice c4. That would be your best bet. You can get a $10K c5, but..........
Last edited by o2bnkc; Mar 7, 2018 at 08:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2,082
From: Lehigh Valley PA
Go C4 - you can get an outstanding C4 for that budget, yet you will get (most likely) a troubled/beaten C5 for that budget. The C4 is a fantastic car, very sporty, and still turns heads when you drive by.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,279
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
Avoid 97-00 like the plague.
Got a 97 in the shop right now that's diagnosed as bad ECM. Find me an ECM anywhere in the country rebuilt or used. Try.
Steering position sensors that cost $400 used and they aren't keyed, big dice roll even if you have a Tech2.
Abs module for $1400 used please?
Tire pressures sensors triple the price of 01+
Countless early years parts I could say are difficult to find, then again all c5 steering racks ($220 + $400 core) and factory ps pumps are unobtainable or very expensive (Ac Delco is $500). Fuel door release actuator out of production, manual A/C control panel, seat switch is repro only and junk, and the non sport seat (lumbar) switches aren't available at all. Headlight motors (repros or junk dice roll rebuilts from Cardone) for when the linkage is so bad simple gear swaps won't work. Early fuel pump?
$10k is a bottom feeder car. Has many excuses and sure to cause bankruptcy unless you're a gearhead and can do a lot of work yourself.
Personally I'd pass on any $10k early C5.
Got a 97 in the shop right now that's diagnosed as bad ECM. Find me an ECM anywhere in the country rebuilt or used. Try.
Steering position sensors that cost $400 used and they aren't keyed, big dice roll even if you have a Tech2.
Abs module for $1400 used please?
Tire pressures sensors triple the price of 01+
Countless early years parts I could say are difficult to find, then again all c5 steering racks ($220 + $400 core) and factory ps pumps are unobtainable or very expensive (Ac Delco is $500). Fuel door release actuator out of production, manual A/C control panel, seat switch is repro only and junk, and the non sport seat (lumbar) switches aren't available at all. Headlight motors (repros or junk dice roll rebuilts from Cardone) for when the linkage is so bad simple gear swaps won't work. Early fuel pump?
$10k is a bottom feeder car. Has many excuses and sure to cause bankruptcy unless you're a gearhead and can do a lot of work yourself.
Personally I'd pass on any $10k early C5.
This photo is of 3 1998 coupes. One has 80 plus thousand miles One has 48000, and one has 38000 miles. None, Has the dreaded early car Problems. Now the early cars do have the problems that are stated above. But, there is no guarantee that these problem will raise there ugly head. So to avoid like the plague is a bit much. Buying any used car is a roll of the dice. Every day you will hear of people that buy an early car and could not be happier with it. 20 years with mine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 800
Likes: 45
From: San Diego CA
This photo is of 3 1998 coupes. One has 80 plus thousand miles One has 48000, and one has 38000 miles. None, Has the dreaded early car Problems. Now the early cars do have the problems that are stated above. But, there is no guarantee that these problem will raise there ugly head. So to avoid like the plague is a bit much. Buying any used car is a roll of the dice. Every day you will hear of people that buy an early car and could not be happier with it. 20 years with mine.
I got my mint 00 FRC for 15k with 23k miles. I was looking at 10k cars for about 2 or 3 years and they were junk. In my area of course, which is southern Commifornia. But back east you might be able to find an okay C5 for that. A C4... meh, they are good cars too. But nothing compared to a C5. I came from a 94 C4 that I put quite a bit of work into. It was a fun car and my first Corevtte. Don't be afraid of 97-00 cars. I use to work at Chevy and saw many of those cars with well over 200k miles on them. If I were you, I'd save a couple of more grand and get a decent C5. Z06 in the 10-12k range will get you high mileage junk, unless your lucky.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Brighton MI
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
One thing to think about, most of the stuff posters above have mentioned as problems of C5's will not keep it from going down the road just fine. Bad EBCM, brakes still work just fine. ... maybe no traction control,ABS or active handling. Bad Steering Wheel sensor, no active handling (that's a blessing IMO). Flip up headlights are easy to fix if you are a little mechanically/electrically able.Tire pressure monitors, tire gauge cost $2 at AZ Also, look around you will probably be just as happy with a base coupe or convertible. They still go fast enough to get you in lots of trouble!
Last edited by UM Rebel; Mar 9, 2018 at 10:00 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 233
Likes: 40
From: Clarksville Tennessee
My suggestion is to test drive the one you want regardless of price. See how it feels, take notes of what you like. Then go drive some in your price range. See if those compromises are ones you can live with. The c5z has a tighter ratio gear box and a better power curve. Those 2 combinations give a much better seat of pants feel. If your not dead set on a vette, 10k is a nice e36 or e46 m3. You could even get into a z4.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the help guys, I really want something sportier and more powerful than my 540i so I'm not sure a C4 is really a step up. Has anyone driven an e46 m3 and can compare the feel of one to a C5? I also see E60 M5's in my price range but I'm pretty tired of Bmw unreliability and I'm hoping Corvettes are a lot more reliable
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 516
From: Gilbert, Arizona Currently Own: 1998 Coupe YouTube: My Corvette Life
Don't get a C4. I bought my 98 for $8k. 115k miles, but that's fine by me. it still has plenty of life left. Just make sure the owner has records of the vehicle's maintenance history. If it's been treated well it should be fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
I was on the fence about getting a pre '01 model because of the lack of replacement parts for them, and I was actually leaning towards getting one if a nice one popped up when I was looking to buy, but now that stuff worries me more and more. I know a lot of the things that can go wrong with the pre '01s don't render the vehicle undriveable, but still, who wants to drive around in a Corvette with a bunch of broke **** and idiot lights going off? I'd rather spend a little more on an '01 or newer model and not have to worry about it. I know there are a lot of low mileage pre '01s out there, and a person may get lucky and not have any of the no longer made parts go bad, but if one of them does, you're stuck with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
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From: Central Florida
Nooooo c4, whatever you do.
Jmho ugly
Le Mans Master
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