newc0der

I am brand new to Corvettes and looking to add a C5 as a second car for nice weather days. It will be my first sports car as well. I have been reading everything I can on the site, and so far I know I would like a black C5, preferably a coupe, with an automatic transmission (given the traffic in my area) and as close to original as possible (although not a deal breaker). I would like to stay around 10k, but could go up to 15. I am not very mechanically inclined, although I am hoping to learn how to do simple items myself. I have my eye on this car available here, but would like to hear what everyone thinks. Should I keep looking or is it reasonable given the mileage. From what I can tell, seems to just be a base C5, although as I said I am very new to these cars.

FX VETTE

That one is fairly reasonable, I think they could come down more on the price. Previous owner appears to have had their hands all over that car (painted the wheels & calipers, switched exhaust, put on an interesting shifter, etc.) with exception to the engine bay as far as I can see in the pics.

FX VETTE

Oh, and welcome to the CF!

Evil-Twin

Its very hard to offer a good feel for a car through a few pictures.. The pictures show a nice car, but how about the history... maintenance, how many owners, Carfax.. .. how about codes.. You said you read everything you could, does that include the stickies at the top of the page.. 82,000 miles is not a lot of miles.. But its how those miles were applied.. This could be a nice car, or it could become a money pit. There is no way of determining this through some photographs. It looks like the seats are original and not a lot of seat time on the passengers seat. Does everything work.? Can you get a 30 or 60 day warranty from the dealer.? Can you handle a few 1000 dollar break downs 3 months from now.. The car is 17 years old.. 12K is about the right money..
I know I'm not a lot of help but I do know these cars very well.. but I really do not have much to work with other then the photos you provide.
What I would say is I they make you a deal you cant refuse, then go for it... There is no way of telling what is around the corner for this car. Again 82,000 miles is normally not anything to worry about.. lots of 300K and 400K C5's on the road.. one with 650K was just given to the Corvette Museum

Good Luck
Bill aka ET.

newc0der

Thanks, had not noticed the painted calipers, etc. only the shifter. Afraid of what else might have been done and it does not seem like this is a deal so probably should keep looking. Appreciate the insights and thanks for helping with the newbie questions.

FX VETTE

Sure thing no0b. Good luck with your search.

70RT440

Personally, I would drive a very hard bargain. 13 grand is a little on the high side for an 82,000 mile automatic coupe.

There are usually really good cars for sale here on the site. I'd leave my options open.

This auto convertible in Canton, GA is only 3,000 dollars more with four new tires and rebuilt seats and 58,000 miles.
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto...900351764.html

chasboy

I agree with Bill about what you can determine from pictures. That being said, I don’t like the look of it. There’s so many C5’s out there. Have you driven this car?

Kevin-2001C5

I would probably keep looking. A little more money and you could find a lower mileage car.

newc0der

Thanks guys, I have not driven the car but believe I am going to pass on that one. I really like the one in Canton, however I have always owned silver cars so really going to hold out for a color I like better, otherwise I think it gives me a good example to reference. I will check out the for sale here periodically and keep searching/researching in the mean time.

Robrote

You should be able to pick up a base auto for 10K. The lower the miles, the higher the cost. In the two years I've owned my car, it seems like every little known issue these cars have, my car experienced it. Luckily, they are pretty easy to work on and parts for the most part are relatively cheap and available. They are certainly addictive when you drive one.

Good luck with your search. I like the black one, but not at that price.

chasboy

I’ve always been of the opinion that I buy the best car I can afford, and to be ‘color flexible’. My Z06 was black, and I’d had enough of the care. When I got this one, there was a black one and this pewter available. Both were comparable price and mileage wise. I’ve not had many of any particular color, this one was a one-owner, so I have not looked back. Your last sentence is a great motto !

Vetteman Jack

The car does not look bad from the pics, but is priced too high IMO. Be patient in your search - when the right car comes along, you’ll feel it. As E-T mentioned, read the applicable stickies at the top of the page in both the C5 General and C5 Tech Sections. Tons of very useful information to help you in your purchasing decision.

Beer:30

Welcome.
Are you dead set on an auto?
You mentioned traffic but if it is a nice weather 2nd car are you really going to be driving in traffic?
I DD a 6 speed in some of the worst traffic around and it's not a big deal with the gearing and torque.

mfi2000

If you can drive a stick I would go for a low mileage stick convertible that has not been screwed with. I bought a 99 vert six speed silver that was almost all original except for intake and exhaust with 38000 miles for 15K...Car was spotless. Those are the ones to go for.

newc0der

It’s been 15 years since I drove a stick so not sure how I would do anymore with it. I would be worried I would end up doing damage while figuring it out again.

RXTbone

I bought an auto - and glad I did. I've owned plenty of sticks, but at the end of the day - it's nice to just cruise town without the work. I don't regret it. I do wish I had gotten into a 'Vette earlier. The car is fun and manageable on the daily. The only thing I fell back into was appreciating horsepower, now I want more. But, I remind myself that in a few years, they'll be plenty of electric cars that will smoke a high powered 'Vette. So I appreciate it for what it is. Wait on the car and color you want, and be willing to drive and get it. I've had to drive over 120 miles for my last two cars, but was glad I did. And try and and find an unmolested one, if that's what you're looking for. They're around. Good luck!

Phanni

It might be a great car, however, for that kind of money, I'd try to find a 2001 and up. There are a couple of parts that are made unobtainium* in the early years. (EBCM, SWPS, etc)




*(no longer available from dealers and unrepairable)

friou

If you are still looking for a black C5, and I dearly love black C5's (I have one), just be aware that keeping them looking good is a nightmare (my personal opinion) and a dirty C5 seems, to me, to look worse than most other colors. Just my .02 on the color deal! Good luck with your search!

jackthelad

My previous vehicle was a black Mustang. You are right, you almost have to wash a black car after every trip. That's why I went with a silver C5 - they just sort of go grey when they get dirty, but they still look great.