Hi Folks,

I am a newbie when it comes to Corvettes and, based on a corvette enthusiast friends advice, have been looking for a 2008+ Z51 for part time daily driving duties. I am basically looking for some inexpensive fun to drive to work part time to make driving to work suck less. I already have a garage queen exotic that goes to cars and coffee, etc. Right now all my 2008 finds have been a little out of my price range.

So my dilemma. I was presented today with an opportunity to buy a MINT 10/10 condition, original owner, 2001 Torch Red automatic, targa with 22,000 miles for $15,500. What are your thoughts? Ideally I will drive this car for 2-3 years then move on to something else. I figure I could probably drive it for that amount of time and put approx 8000-10000 miles on it and sell it for 12-13, if not more.

Thanks!

 

A mint 2001 with 22K miles for $15,500 is a great deal.

 

 

Had mine a year, also a 10/10. 42000 miles $16000. If say pretty good deal, check a car fax.

 

Almost too good to be true (assuming no major issues lurking).

 

Definitely sounds like it's worth exploring.

 

 

It is worth more. Why is he selling it to you so cheap?

 

 

Good luck if you purchase the car. Sounds like a good deal. I know it is late, but I'd suggest you at least look at the C5 Buyers thread (sticky at the top of the page) as well as the other stickies in C5 Gen and C5 Tech. Could help you out when looking at the car.

 

I would ****** that up in a heartbeat if miles, condition, and known history are all correct.

 

Sometimes it's nice to know the seller. You get a good idea how the car was taken care of and he will not try to screw you. Sounds like he is giving you a good deal. If the car had problems he would definitely want to sell it to someone he doesn't know.

 

As I am sure you know if you can find a 2008 close to your price range you will be getting the LS3, which is widely considered one of the best power plants GM ever built.

 

A C6 with 22K miles for $15.5? Not around here.

 

I won't say be weary here but knowing this you should be a little weary.

C5 owners - and doubly original owners - seem to think that tires made going on 20 years ago are ok for use, despite how much tread they have and how the car was stored. Check that the car doesn't need tires. If it's on it's original tires it for sure needs tires and need them back in 2006. If it's on replacements check how old they are as even tires on a car that's stored should be replaced every five to six years. With how cheap the car is a good tire budget shouldn't be a concern, but know that a **good** tire budget is $700-$2,000 depending on what you want and if you want to keep the run-flats. Additionally as you plan on this being a driver a C5 typically gets tire mileage in the range of 25,000-35,000 miles per set of tires with optimal alignment and non-spirited operation.

You'll also need to know any other services that have been performed. If the car is still rolling around with original DexCool and similar fluids that probably all needs to be replaced. My assumption would be that the owner has likely performed yearly oil changes at the least which is typical of these super low mileage cars but owners often neglect the other items on the car.

I personally think you're a little optimistic with the re-saleability down the road as C5s have hit a super low pricing floor and are likely to stay there but indeed if you plan on selling it a few years down the road then you're not going to come out too far behind. The only thing I'd be immediately turned away from is the automatic, considering the six speed in C5s is so well suited for the car and easily sees 30+ MPGs out of highway driven miles (the four speed auto struggles to get there unless it has a really good tune and is granny driven).

 

Ha, no sir not what I meant. He said he was originally looking at an 08+ and it was just out of his price range. I just meant if that is what he truly wants he should continue his search and that the LS3 is rock solid.

 

Buy IT!

 

is this the one in the Williamsburg area? If so, I know someone in the same club that has some familiarity with the owner and the car.

 

That sounds almost too good to be true.
( IF) Good title, no major wrecks, car fax looks good, then buy it.