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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Originally Posted by vette4fl
Sounds like you already decided when you got the C8. From a practical standpoint sell the Z now while there’s a strong market for them and parts are not a selling impediment.
Good advice. Strike the selling market when the prices are still up.
If I were you, I would just plan on keeping the C5 forever. You WILL regret it if you ever sell it. As you've said the C5Z06, and the C8 are totally different. Another question to ask is what would you do with the money you got for selling? Would whatever that is bring you more enjoyment than the Vette? Remember, once you sell it, it's gone forever. These cars are all about fun and enjoyment. They speak to you on an emotional level. If practicality is your main concern, why buy a Corvette in the first place? Just my $0.02. Life is short, do what makes you happy.
Z06 super practical! I can put a road bike (bicycle) in the trunk of my Z06. Turns a few heads when I hoist it out after driving to meet pals at group rides.
Even put a small Honda portable generator (in its box) in the passenger seat one time when needed it due to power outage. Now THAT was large and took some shimmying....but got it done. The look on the HD guy's face at the loading area was pretty funny, he'd certainly never seen that before.
Here's some pics of various locales over the years, east & west coasts....
Originally Posted by MWWarlord
If I were you, I would just plan on keeping the C5 forever. You WILL regret it if you ever sell it. As you've said the C5Z06, and the C8 are totally different. Another question to ask is what would you do with the money you got for selling? Would whatever that is bring you more enjoyment than the Vette? Remember, once you sell it, it's gone forever. These cars are all about fun and enjoyment. They speak to you on an emotional level. If practicality is your main concern, why buy a Corvette in the first place? Just my $0.02. Life is short, do what makes you happy.
Last edited by SLO VETTE; Jan 16, 2023 at 01:05 PM.
Z06 super practical! I can put a road bike (bicycle) in the trunk of my Z06. Turns a few heads when I hoist it out after driving to meet pals at group rides.
Even put a small Honda portable generator (in its box) in the passenger seat one time when needed it due to power outage. Now THAT was large and took some shimmying....but got it done. The look on the HD guy's face at the loading area was pretty funny, he'd certainly never seen that before.
Oh...well that's you answer then! The C8 is your "fun" car, and your C5 is your "practical" car. It's a perfect pairing!
The C8 is comically short on storage space on interior. As in, there's none. The pass-through of the C5 to the trunk super handy for stashing a backpack or small pouch of music CDs (yes, CD's....I still listen to them ). The C8 "frunk" and rear compartment is ok though. Just don't put ice cream in the back when driving home from the grocery store....
Originally Posted by MWWarlord
Oh...well that's you answer then! The C8 is your "fun" car, and your C5 is your "practical" car. It's a perfect pairing!
My .02 is don't sell it. Based off of your reasons why you like it, you'll definitely regret it. The newer the cars I drive, the more I like my old cars. Must be the drive by wire and EPS systems but they all feel soulless to me. Although I should drive a new ND Miata before I say that blanket statement.
You should only sell if you need the money from it. Otherwise you will regret it.
As far as a future demand, I think there will always be a demand for a C5Z just like say a 1970 LT1. In fact, as the years go by the value may increase.
Better make sure you like the C8 better than the C5 before you sell it. In my opinion they are two different animals. You never know what you have till its gone.
Took the words from my mouth. These are really two different cars. They're both Vettes in name only. I won't buy anything without a stick. The drive is that much better with one. Keep it until you can't is what I would offer. I sold everything I had and moved to Florida. Now I'm back in the midwest wishing I still had my warehouse and cars. It was a lot of moolah to keep and maintain them.
Prices are high but it isn't a seller's market anymore. Not like it was anyway.
Side note on the Vette. I was going to use mine to run up to a buddy's place an hour and a half away. He just called and said there was snow on the ground there. So, no Vette ride tomorrow. Oh well.
First and foremost… what’s the last 5 of your VIN? Second. If you aren’t in the recall range you have a keeper. If you are in the (fuel tank cross over) VIN range I’d sell it UNLESS it has been repaired/replaced with documentation.
The 2004 Z’s will be very sought after in the years to come. And until then they ARE a blast to drive and own.
Keep it and enjoy it UNLESS you need the money (and/or the said crossover pipe has been or needs to be addressed).
just my $0.02 coming from another ‘04 Z owner in the 128xxx VIN range.
Originally Posted by SLO VETTE
Am debating keeping my '04 C5 Z06 (which I've had since new) or selling. Car has about 47k miles, and is very, very nice shape (I'm fanatical about it). Torch red/mod red. Was a dream car for me, but I just got a C8 and that's a whole different amazing experience. Still love the Z06, spent all day driving it today on errands and taking the long way to wherever I needed to go. So visceral, and a very different and special car.
Pros: love the car in every respect. Value seems to be doing fine these days for nice examples, so sale price presumably would be ok. I'd be thrilled to be able to hand this car down to family, esp. my nephew....but he's 2 and, well, I got him smiling & sitting in the front seat so far and holding the wheel, but it's a long way from getting him addicted to Vettes! Lord knows what cars will be like in 20 years. As for looks....timeless. I think this shape will age really, really well. Not sure I can say same for C8?
Cons: spare parts will get harder to source in years to come. Who's the buyer for this car in years to come if I chose to keep it? Can't figure that one out. Which means market steadily goes down. I'm also very challenged for storage, had to shuffle a private parking situation to ensure nice & safe indoors for now, but at added monthly expense. Which gets me to the final negative: the expense of keeping a car that doesn't get a lot of mileage (~1-2k/yr, maybe).
Thoughts by those who have similar 1st world problem? What did you end up doing?
I do have the crossover tube issue. Replaced all new fuel pumps a few years ago, boy was that $$$! Now have plenty of fuel rail pressure (to spec), and car runs flawless and fast. But i can now only fill with 15 gallons instead of 18. I got quoted about $4k to fix it with all OEM GM parts by local dealer who’s very reputable with Vette services, but…just isnt worth pursuing for me at this time. 3 less gallons at fill up….oh well.
Originally Posted by I’m Z one
First and foremost… what’s the last 5 of your VIN? Second. If you aren’t in the recall range you have a keeper. If you are in the (fuel tank cross over) VIN range I’d sell it UNLESS it has been repaired/replaced with documentation.
The 2004 Z’s will be very sought after in the years to come. And until then they ARE a blast to drive and own.
Keep it and enjoy it UNLESS you need the money (and/or the said crossover pipe has been or needs to be addressed).
just my $0.02 coming from another ‘04 Z owner in the 128xxx VIN range.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.