Are C5 prices much higher than a year ago at this time ? I presume C5s are in the same boat as the general used car market. I decided to get an '02 or '03 Z06 or base coupe M6. Z06s outnumber base coupes listed online by at least 2 to 1. Wondering if C5 prices will subside as the summer comes and rolls along.

 

It has been an exciting year for prices, hasn't it? Corvette magazine keeps a pretty constant eye on this stuff, but of course regional influences can affect the prices. For me, this was going to be the year I bit the bullet and bought an expensive Corvette. Then I watched during Christmas time, as the good deals got bought up, then the prices made a huge uptick. Examples I was able to consider moved up and out of my range. I hate to think that this might be a temporary thing, and that a sizable investment could fizzle later on. I decided to be careful, lower expectations, and investment, until things settle down. I am still enjoying my choice.

 

This was going to be the year I bought my first Corvette. Do you recall what prices were in December ?

 

I think that there are still deals to be had out there, but it's going to be critical to be ready to move quickly when the good deal pops up. There are an awful lot of folks out there who have the quick funds and an ability to travel to the deals, and they are ultra-competitive with those abilities. I was willing to travel on a short notice to check out a hopeful car as the local area didn't offer competitive offerings. We have seen this website hook hopeful buyers up with members who volunteer to run over and check out those "deals" for those of us who cannot make the trip ourselves. Risky, and not without liability for those who choose to get involved. But an option some buyers manage to be comfortable with.

 

Yes, last year I had cash saved up to buy a cheaper C5 so I would have a project car and something to work on as a hobby since we were all not doing as much due to Covid. I chased the prices all year, every time I had another $1000 to add to the budget the prices were up again, finally found a car to buy but by then I was about $5000 past my initial budget but I did also decide to spend more and get a better car
They have went up so much since I got mine I have considered selling it as its in great condition and relatively low miles

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ere-we-go.html

 

Retail Pricing is all over the Map. Just purchased a Base 2004 Spiral Grey Metallic Coupe with the following options. Magnetic Selective Ride, Preferred Equipment Group and high polished aluminum wheels. It’s all original except for an aftermarket Corsa exhaust and new Michelin ZP AS/3 tires. The original exhaust and tires came with the deal which I stored in my attic. Total miles is an unbelievable 1,186 miles. Yes, 1,186 miles. The gas pedal is still rapped in factory plastic which appears to never been removed from the dealership prior to to the sale back in 2004. I paid $24,000 plus sales tax and DMV fees to register etc. I ordered a CARFAX report prior to purchase which produced all positive results. The CARFAX report showed a 33,360 retail value. I have no immediate plans to either hold or sell at this point. I currently own a 1967 Restored Corvette Convertible and a 2014 Corvette Torch Red 7 Spd manual which both keep me very HAPPY.

 

That's incredible, pricing is all over the map indeed. Dealer or private seller ? Auto or manual ? Interior ? Both tops ? Since I've been looking for a C5, most of the cars I liked (in FL) were closer to your area, east coast 2-3 hours from me (presuming you're still in 32901).
I'd enjoy seeing pics if you'd be inclined.

 

Congrats on your purchase. Sounds like a great C5 find.Any pics?

 

To DRV Vette
Private Seller. Husband passed away from COVID. Automatic. Both tops. Gray interior in mint condition. My zip is 32940. Sorry, have not taken any pictures yet. Just purchased the Vette last week. Worked with a clay bar today and then applied a Ceramic Car Wax today. Send me your email address and I’ll try to snap some pics for you this weekend.

 

PM sent

 

Last week i found a listing, 2002 base coupe M6 Light Pewter/black 24k miles, I called the dealership, they told me it was a manager demo, was in excellent condition but had already sent the car to auction but the auction was delayed,so it was sitting at the auction facility and woiuld go on the block Friday. Salesman texted me one still picture and a video of the detail tech vacuuming the interior, that was it, thats all i had of the car. He checked with the manager and told me i could have it for $22k out the door but i had to pay upfront by Wednesday morning without seeing/driving it because they would have to pay to have it hauled back from the auction. Of course i had to pass even though the car looked cherry in the pic exept for what appeared to be a six inch smear/smudge/scratch just below the right headlight.. It had what looked like factory body color splash guards, never seen that on a Vette.

 

Yes, it seems like C5 prices, just like almost all the other used cars, have taken a jump in value. I'm not sure that this increase will subside by the end of summer - a lot depends on how the new car manufacturers can recover from the current shortage of cars.

 

Demos are new cars that have been driven by the dealership's staff or as test-drivevehicles by interested customers. Often they are used as a salesperson's personal vehicleand can have hundreds to several thousand miles on them. Seems to me the dealership is telling you a FISH story. Why would a dealership send a 19 year old Vette with 22 miles to the auction unless there are “problems” the dealership did not want to deal with

 

I found that same car again online at a small family owned used car lot in another part of Florida. They claim its immaculate and have many more pictures and it does look brand new inside and out, 24,000 miles odometer. No surprise - it's $5,000 more than what i would have bought for from the big dealership.
It has these funky looking splash guards front and back that look factory or dealer installed, i presume no holes were drilled into the quarter panels/fenders and they could be removed without knowing they were there.

 

just wanted share why used car salesmen get a bad rap. went with wife to chevy to look at blazers and i notice a yellow 2003 z06. of course there was salesmen behind before i can even look for one. told him this was my dream car and ran into money so i'm ready to buy. So he stated the car is hard to find and we want a fast sale. it's going for 32k with 55k miles. i asked him was it maintain he said absolutely. the car was very clean. started my inspection of the normal issues of the c5. engine bay stock damper had wobble very slight, looked at M/C dirty fluid, belts where stock. antifreeze was low, diff had seepage by seal, 6mn has the hard to put in reverse, turned on air conditioner right side not as cold. tires had low thread but not in safely mark and last i asked him are parts available because it an old car. absolutely he said. negotiation. had an effort of 25k. he said man thats a tough. i said im ready to buy. and what did he do went and talked to manager. 5 min later came back and the first thing i said was how was your coffee.. he came back with 30k. i told him that coffee must be good today. i came back with 26k. i said can u grab me a donut. finally wife is yelling at me because she said quit ******* with him i have to find a car. he came back with 29.5k i told him i would of bought it if you would of brought me a donut.

 

It is fishy now that you mention it. They sent the car to auction within a few days of posting it online and never posted pictures of it. I pressed the salesman about that, they told me all it needed was new TPMS sensors and that this was a once in a lifetime offer, I had to pay without seeing hearing touching driving the car except that one still picture they texted me.
I just discovered the small dealer that has it now just raised the price $1,000. Still not sold.