Give him a call. He buys and sells a lot of Corvettes. He's a really nice guy and would be happy to show you the car. I talked to him several times when I was looking, but found mine before I could get out to his place.

Btw. White with red guts is a "historical" color combo. It's the color combo of the original C1...but yeah...it's pretty red!

I will say, though...it's probably an easier sell than millenium Yellow. I love it, but it can be a tough sell.

 

Don't know how I missed that. Sorry.

 

The guy with the Millenium Yellow car texted me and has dropped his price by $1K. Guess that SC guy didn't buy it yesterday. I believe I am going to pass on this as you guys have convinced me my interests lie more in a convertible than a coupe.

BTW - I did call Barry (?) at VetteCity and talked to him about that 2000 White C5 Convertible with the BLOOD RED interior. Unfortunately, he had no information on maintenance history of the car. I would have gone and looked at that one if he had maintenance history on the car....

 

I think that's a wise choice. I don't get a warm, fuzzy feeling from the seller.

 

I wouldn't put so much weight on maintenance records.
A car with records has just as much chance of crapping out on you as one without records.
Sure the records are nice to have but if a car is solid it is solid even if there are no records.
If a car has been abused beyond belief but was taken to the dealer for oil changes, it was still abused.

 

This sweetheart is in Florida.

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/ctd...841924154.html

It's a little spendy, but if you want low miles, this one's for you.

 

Happen to ask for the VIN? - some of the history will probably show up.

 

I'm starting to think you are now my personal Corvette Shopper! And I want you to know I appreciate it! I took a look, its an automatic and black. Can't do either. Love black and had black before, but its damn hot down here in the south!

 

**** - No, I didn't ask. Probably should have, though. When I talked to Barry, he was in route to somewhere else, so I didn't speak with him for very long. I did get on his mailing list so I will know what new Vetts he gets in on a regular basis.

Beer - You have an excellent point about maintenance records, but I like buying from someone that can give me a history on the car. Its important to me and its usually important to the next buyer if I'm selling a car down the road. I remember when I sold my 850i, I had pictures of the V12 teardown and buildup (that I personally performed) and every friggin receipt for all the parts I bought over a 3 year period. The buyer was out of New York and didn't even care about flying down here and looking at the car personally. I sent him pictures of everything and we talked at length for quite some time about everything I did to the car. He subsequently mailed me a check, arranged for a transport and has been happy ever since. I like to be a happy buyer, the more I know about the car, the better I feel about my purchase.

 

Sounds like a really nice, well cared for car and the price is not bad.

The C5 is a fairly reliable platform overall. The engine is one of the best. I have had three C5 coupes and each was a thrill to own. Yes there is some buffeting with the targa top off, but it is not bad at all, at least to me.

If the car checks out OK, make him an offer. You’ll definitely enjoy a C5.

 

Same here but it was a saturn sky. Liked that little car but too small and no trunk. Selling it Friday. Vette is much more roomy.

 

Trust me I get it. I recently bought a 98 with zero records but it was pretty solid. As I have been going through the car I have figured out who owned the car and it's history. I even found all of the inspection and emissions reports and everything. They were shoved in the back under the carpets and stuff. It didn't change the car for me since it's not a documented show or collector car. I bought it to get to and from work with the most fun/$. Good luck with your search!

 

Daniel, if you like convertibles, hold out for one. I thought a targa would be the best of both worlds, but my personal experience with a C5 coupe jives with your concern - it wasn't much fun driving with the top off at more than around town speeds. This may have been a function of my height (I was basically up against the underside of the top), and if you look at the windshield header, it appears to be below the B pillar hoop, which at first blush doesn't help with what I'll call an aerodynamics issue. There was what I call cavitation, with the wind buffeting in a very annoying fashion. This could be ameliorated slightly by adjusting the side windows, but never to my satisfaction. If something light was in the cargo area, it would float around such that I would have to stuff it in the footwell of the passenger seat. This is only my personal experience, and others have commented that it wasn't an issue for them. So if you do decide to look at a coupe (regardless of which specific one) at the very least try it with the panel off and see what your experience is.

 

Agree with everything you indicated. Convertible it is for me!

 

PM sent

 

x2 tons of any yr with low(er)mi too. Multiple owners means nothing they are just going to depreciate anyways. Same as a Miata, money pit

 

Good advice. Had the same experience. I've had both the C5 coupe and convertible, as well as several Miata NC convertibles. The Miatas were a blast to drive and IMO the most comfortable from the wind incursion stand point. A great little backroads cruiser but just to small for me out on the interstates. I think if you re trying to recapture some of the Miata top down fun, you may be happier with the C5 convertible. Driving the coupe with the targa top off just wasn't the same for me. Lots of cabin buffet at speeds above 40mph. I alleviated some of it by purchasing a device that allowed the hatchback to be driven slightly open to alleviated the back pressure.

 

I may ruffle a few C5 feathers around here, but my advice is going to be buy the newest Corvette you can afford. Even though the C5 is a beautiful car, (I have a 97), they have made improvements every generation. Anyway you look at it, C5's are getting old and require maintenance, some more than others. If you know how to work on them, not so bad. But if you have to go to the dealer everytime you need air in a tire, it can get a little expensive.

I'm 66 now, on my eight Corvette and have never taken out a car loan. Personally, if I could afford it, I would be driving a C7 or C6. And yes, the convertibles are the best, at least here in Florida.

 

I don’t know. I’ve had them all, a C4, 2 C5’s, a C6 and C7, and as you said, each was progressively better. More features, performance, comfort etc. If your budget allows, or your plans are to track the car, then the latest and greatest is certainly the way to go. But they are more complex, especially the C7, and along with that complexity, more expensive to maintain or repair. I’m starting to lean the other way. At a point it has all become overdone IMO.

I’m probably showing my age, (69) but I’m starting to appreciate the simpler lines and features of the C5. From a performance perspective, it certainly was no slouch, and from a styling viewpoint, I still think it can hold it’s own with any of them. For me styling and comfort has always trumped performance. I love seeing a well cared for car of any vintage, but the C5 was kind of a breakthrough design, at least for the Corvette. Finally the USA had a world class sports car. There are still some very affordable and pampered examples out there that one can feel proud to own. I think it’s destined to become a timeless classic. Most have about bottomed out wrt depreciation, and I think the nicer ones represent a good buy. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a nice one. And compared to the price of a C7, one should have plenty of extra dollars for any unexpected repairs.

 

Well said. Much wisdom is spoken here...