New from Mesa, AZ
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Mesa, AZ
New from Mesa, AZ
Just a quick intro. I am in the Mesa, AZ area. LOOKING for my first car. Preferably a clean honest stock 2002-2004, low moderate mileage. Saved up a long time and am waiting for the right car. :-)
Some say consider a C6, but not sure my budget can handle one.
Any tips or pointers welcome!
Thanks in advance.
Marty
Mesa, AZ
PS. I can't seem to find a way to send a PM....maybe its disabled for new members for a while.....
Some say consider a C6, but not sure my budget can handle one.
Any tips or pointers welcome!
Thanks in advance.
Marty
Mesa, AZ
PS. I can't seem to find a way to send a PM....maybe its disabled for new members for a while.....
Administrator
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Moved to C5 General for advice on car buying. A good start would be to read the appropriate Sticky threads in the C5 General and C5 Tech sections. Lots of valuable information can be found there.
Cool Hand Luke of W MI
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,292
Likes: 181
From: Winona Lake, IN
Welcome to the CF and the C5 section. +1 for the stickies at the top of this page. There is a TON of great information there.
Reading there stickies will let you know what to look for when buying a C5. Also, there are some years in this generation that have some potential problems and some that have very limited availability of replacement parts/electronics.
Good luck in your search and have fun!
Reading there stickies will let you know what to look for when buying a C5. Also, there are some years in this generation that have some potential problems and some that have very limited availability of replacement parts/electronics.
Good luck in your search and have fun!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Mesa, AZ
Welcome to the CF and the C5 section. +1 for the stickies at the top of this page. There is a TON of great information there.
Reading there stickies will let you know what to look for when buying a C5. Also, there are some years in this generation that have some potential problems and some that have very limited availability of replacement parts/electronics.
Good luck in your search and have fun!
Reading there stickies will let you know what to look for when buying a C5. Also, there are some years in this generation that have some potential problems and some that have very limited availability of replacement parts/electronics.
Good luck in your search and have fun!
I have been doing my research. Initially, I was looking for an FRC when I discovered the electronic brake control unit and its obsolescence and not being able to repair. That's what pushed me to the Z06 in the 2001-2004 years. I like the looks of the hard top. So, that's where my heart is set. I also heard about the F55 option in the 2004, pretty much stuck with buying the magnetic shocks from GM at a hefty premium. Heard there were valve spring issues too....all that said, yes, while I *try* and watch my 2 year old grandson today, I am going to do the suggested reading to learn more. Last thing I want is an expensive money pit. I save my money this far, to spend a lot more money would be disappointing and take the fun out of a dream many of us have chased most of our lives.
Thanks again, I will continue to read up, and watch for the right car.
Kindest regards from Mesa, AZ
Marty
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,569
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From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Welcome to the forum. I echo what was said about the sticky posts. I think you have a good plan. '02 - '04 is a good year range, and will avoid some of the bigger problems. Do watch out for the fuel tank issue on the '04. If it's outside the affected VIN range or has been repaired, then it wont be a problem. If you're looking for a manual, then you'll also want to look out for the column lock issue. It certainly sounds like you're doing this right. Wait until you find the car that has everything that you want. I promise you that it is out there. I personally prefer the C5 over the C6, but that's just me. Finally, make sure that you get a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who knows Corvettes. There are lots of very helpful people, and good advice here on the forum, so don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. Good luck with your search. Let us know how it goes.
NCM Lifetime Member
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Cunningham, TN
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Welcome aboard Marty. You have already been given a lot of good information to process.
I have seen several threads recently of members locating some really nice C5's at very reasonable prices.
Don't settle, find the right car for YOU.
I have seen several threads recently of members locating some really nice C5's at very reasonable prices.
Don't settle, find the right car for YOU.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Mesa, AZ
Marty
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
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Welcome to the Forum. The years you're choosing are good years. Actually, all the '01-'04 are good choices. That said, if you can find an '03, they are the 1st year of the F55 "magnetic ride" cars, if that option appeals to you. It is also, apparently, the only year that the F55 can be tuned out, should you decide that the pricey ($700.00 neighborhood, EACH!) magnetic ride shocks need replacing with a more conventional (read; more budget friendly!) set of shock absorbers. Best of luck in your search......
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Mesa, AZ
I have a lead on a 2003 Black on Black Z06 with 70k miles and still has its 50th Anniversary badgets. Price is in line with NADA. Car Fax came back clean no accidents. Owner said something about rollers up front to help with dips? because the car is so low....
If its meant to be.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
Welcome Marty! What's your budget? Man, living in AZ I'd try to avoid a black on black car but I guess some people don't mind the heat.
In your first post you said you were looking for your first car so I thought you were a teenager. Then I saw you post about your grandson so I figured you must be a little older!
Have you looked in the C5 For Sale section here? Lot's of nice cars out there.
I too prefer the FRC/Z05 hard top look but ended up with a convertible because I did a trade deal for my car. I really like the vert and with the top up, it has the same FRC look. I'd love to find a removable hard top for it some day. Good luck in your hunt and have fun!
In your first post you said you were looking for your first car so I thought you were a teenager. Then I saw you post about your grandson so I figured you must be a little older!
Have you looked in the C5 For Sale section here? Lot's of nice cars out there.
I too prefer the FRC/Z05 hard top look but ended up with a convertible because I did a trade deal for my car. I really like the vert and with the top up, it has the same FRC look. I'd love to find a removable hard top for it some day. Good luck in your hunt and have fun!
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Cunningham, TN
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https://www.vettenuts.net/index.php?...t_detail&p=390
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Mesa, AZ
Hi ChiliPepper
I know, insane, Arizona, Black car. It will be in the garage, It has AC, yep, I'm 57. I saved up for my first Vette.
I have looked at the C5 section and have a WTB posted there.
My preferred budget is $15k-$20k. The car I found is right in the middle. It's about $100 above NADA. But its the right year, its Z06. I ran the Car Fax on it today and there have been 10 owners. No reported accidents. It was sold on the East Coast but migrated out this way.
Marty
I know, insane, Arizona, Black car. It will be in the garage, It has AC, yep, I'm 57. I saved up for my first Vette.
I have looked at the C5 section and have a WTB posted there.
My preferred budget is $15k-$20k. The car I found is right in the middle. It's about $100 above NADA. But its the right year, its Z06. I ran the Car Fax on it today and there have been 10 owners. No reported accidents. It was sold on the East Coast but migrated out this way.
Marty
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 8
From: Mesa, AZ
He's talking about lower radiator support skid plate wheels. Maybe not these exactly, there are a few variations.
https://www.vettenuts.net/index.php?...t_detail&p=390
https://www.vettenuts.net/index.php?...t_detail&p=390
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Many C5 Corvettes have skid bars that exhibit scrapes or grinding from frequent encounters with driveway concrete or other obstructions. The aftermarket has offered various solutions, including several different wheel types as well as steel sheathes to reinforce the lower skid bar segments where the wear is evident.
Mine are badly worn and, 11 years after purchase. I continue to ignore that issue.
Mine are badly worn and, 11 years after purchase. I continue to ignore that issue.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
Hi ChiliPepper
I know, insane, Arizona, Black car. It will be in the garage, It has AC, yep, I'm 57. I saved up for my first Vette.
I have looked at the C5 section and have a WTB posted there.
My preferred budget is $15k-$20k. The car I found is right in the middle. It's about $100 above NADA. But its the right year, its Z06. I ran the Car Fax on it today and there have been 10 owners. No reported accidents. It was sold on the East Coast but migrated out this way.
Marty
I know, insane, Arizona, Black car. It will be in the garage, It has AC, yep, I'm 57. I saved up for my first Vette.
I have looked at the C5 section and have a WTB posted there.
My preferred budget is $15k-$20k. The car I found is right in the middle. It's about $100 above NADA. But its the right year, its Z06. I ran the Car Fax on it today and there have been 10 owners. No reported accidents. It was sold on the East Coast but migrated out this way.
Marty
Last edited by ChiliPepperGarage; Jan 27, 2021 at 09:00 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 751
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2020 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
01 to 04 Z06 is a good way to go, especially for performance. No matter what you come across, drive it and check it out thoroughly. If it drives good and shifts good without anything weird going on, the C5 is a solid car, so you should be pretty safe.
