Zeek

Im going Saturday to look at this 99' FRC. Has 140k on it and the seats are tore up, but has had a lot of work done to the drive line. He's asking $9800....Seems like a decent price, but Ive hears some horror stories about the 98-2000 C 5's. This will just be a project toy and not my daily driver, so Im not overly concerned with the miles.

Here's the verbiage in the ad and a pic of the car. Good deal or pass?

This is a 1999 FRC corvette this is a rare car only made for two years it has the manual 6spd ls1 that is fresh only has 12k on motor the motor has forged bottom end and lots of upgrades the car is a beast it has a Mantic 9000 series twin disc clutch kit Texas speed long tube headers Texas speed catless xpipe Texas speed ms4 cam Texas speed double valve spring kit Texas speed timing chain and high flow oil pump Forged motor only about 12k on build Ls6 intake Stage II t56 6spd trans New tires the car is ready to go......

arthursc2

Looks nice on the outside except the headlights. Headlights and seats will set you back ~2k ish

9800 is probably more than I'd want to pay. Does he have details on the motor build? Still aluminum block? Details on the heads/cam? Dyno sheet?

If you could get it for 7.5-8k, I'd think thats a good deal. 9k, fair deal.

JALLEN4

Who built the engine and how would you know the quality of the job. If you purchase for $9,800 and spend a minimum of $2,000 on what you already know it needs, you now have $11,800 invested in a high mileage vehicle with other problems to be found inevitably. You can buy a very nice stock example for $14,000-15,000 that will be less problematic and will retain value far better long term.

cv67

x2, not a great deal not horrible either. have you drven it, you know what to look for

Hopefully the whole future value thing isnt an issue they are only gonna keep getting cheaper which is good if youre buying.

DDaaryl

Personally I'd prefer an original unmodified car over a questionable rebuild perhaps done by an amateur mechanic. Being "rare" means the body style and color combination was no popular so not many were ordered that way so that adds no additional value.

BlackHellcat

What? Just put stock lights & get some ridies covers for the seats. $2k? No way

arthursc2

Have you looked up stock headlights? they are ~400 per side, not including paint if they need to be matched. So $800, which is 8/10 of $1000

Ridies: 500-675, from their website

Mamo seat foam (we both know it needs it) is $75 for driver lower up to $300 for all foams, both sides

So, depending on condition of the seats and the headlights purchased, we are at $1375-1775, not including applicable shipping/taxes/installation for the less inclined to do so

The combativeness on this forum is unprecedented. Everyone wants to interject and try to prove everyone wrong. Seriously is "1375" that far from my statement of ~2k? Budget 2k, and whatever you save you save. Like, not outta the question, and he could easily spend 2k, as shown.

Thanks

grampi50

Those stupid "frog eye" headlights would turn me away...

flyingmfrc

If you drive the car and everything checks out mechanically and you feel confident of all the mods made, then it sounds like a pretty good deal to me. You can get decent racing seats for under $500.00. I purchased a red 2000 FRC last year with 114,000 miles and I'm very happy with it. I don't think the low numbers on the 99-00 FRC vettes was due to lack of interest. It was a pretty new concept that turned into the Z06 in 01. GM probably wasn't sure how the FRC would be viewed. The Z06 sure turned out to be a gem. The 2000 FRC was the lowest production Corvette model besides the 1953 and 1955. Who knows, maybe that will be special in time???

BAT

Exactly. FWIW, I was recently quoted from a local shop, labor only, to install new seat foam and skins.... $600-$800. Seat foam $300, covers/skins $600..... $1600 +/- for JUST new seats.

flyingmfrc

Brand new Cipher seats, $400 a pair.....I love them.....

knewblewkorvette

Asking $9800? Offer $8800 and drive her home

Zeek

I like those seats. That's what I had planned on doing.

I appreciate all the input.....I do not intend to "restore" this Vette and really dont worry about "resale value". I also hate the head lights, but can live with them, same goes for the wheels but I will replace them eventually. I plan on an offer of 7k but wont spend more than 8k (maybe 8.5). I like the car and will be doing a lot of mods to it, so the cheaper the better...

While I dont consider the FRC to be "rare", the are the predecessor to the Z06 so thats a good thing. I have already owned a 99 FRC and three C5's so I have a good idea of what Im looking at. Will keep yall posted on what happens after Saturday.

Robrote

$8,000 is my number. 8,500 if you reallly love it.

wscott62893

I've got a pair of manual (dual locking sliders) black leather seats in 9 out of 10 condition that came out of my FRC. I'll sell them to you for 375$....there, now your problem is solved. If it runs well and is mechanically sound, buy it! Spring is right around the corner.

So many guys are scared of buying cars that have been modified unless they were built by the top 5 mechanics in the country. There are plenty of "amateur mechanics" that will build there own car at a higher level of quality and precision then many professional shops. Whoops, I said it.

But there are also plenty of exceptions and guys out there that shouldn't be allowed to own a screwdriver, let alone work on their own cars....but that's why you take someone experienced to look at the car to help provide guidance if you can't make the call yourself

Skid Row Joe

Zeek, I don't think that you want to get involved in an open ended $$$ project. Sounds like a hack job to me. I'd rather be the seller of this pig than the buyer.

BlackHellcat

You are buying from the wrong places.

I had 2 C6 Vettes before this & didn't even get taxed that bad on them!

arthursc2

If you know some other place to buy the seat covers you suggested, or seat foam: all ears

As for the headlights; ebay and vettenuts, aside from sales forums: pretty much the going rate is $400 per side unless they are damaged. Add the $45 per side for brass gears and it gets pricey fast.

Zeek

Im gonna hit him with a $7k offer and see were it goes from there. After driving it, I will know better what its worth to me....

Zeek

I may take you up on that offer.....You gonna ship em to me for free...