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 sold my C5 right before COVID and have regretted it everyday since. Im now searching for a C5 or C6 replacement.

Although you have a C5 and C8, you are still attached to the C5 from your comments and should hang on to it for the time being. You're not ready just yet to let her go.

 

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.

 

Once you sell you car that you have had since new you will always have a regret.

 

So true. Lotta sentiment with this car too. It's my first new Vette (had a used one prior to this), plus associated with my late father, RIP (and who once had a '63...which pretty much gave me the itch to become a Vette fan). I kept it at his house for a year or so while I lived in the big city and didn't have parking options yet, and he got to enjoy it even though he barely drove it. Gave him joy to just sit in the driveway and listen to tunes, start 'er up & hear the rumble. Plus he occasionally drove around the block to get coffee, visiting the ladies at Wawa and show off a little.

Vette4fl: I planned on selling, eventually, yes. At some point soon will test the waters to see the response. Would like to at some point this year. I wouldn't mind trading + cash for a nice bay boat though, who knows...maybe stars will align. Or I keep it and enjoy it. Again, 1st world problem for which I feel very fortunate to even contemplate.

 

There's always going to be a market for a good looking 400hp 3100lbs RWD coupe that has a stick. Assuming gas will always be available, the C5 Z06 is a modern classic.

 

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.

 

I added a new (ordered) C7Z in 2019 and decided to keep my C5 convertible. I am the original owner and had too much of an emotional investment into customizing it to my liking to either trade or sell it. All of my friends who also owned C5s wish they never got rid of theirs either.

Like your C8, my C7Z M7 wZ07 package is a completely different driving experience than my C5 convertible, but not in a bad way. My 2004 C5 drives and performs better now than when I drove it off the dealer showroom 19 years ago. It’s not as loud or aggressive as my C7Z, but it still a great driving experience.

If you have the room, I suggest keeping it and driving it on occasion. Mine has basically become my default golf cart.

 

KEEP IT! They made SO MANY of them and they're so popular that parts will always be available in one form or another. You can always make more money either with a job, cashing in investments or by being some form of entrepreneur but replacing sentimental value is impossible. Plus it's a damn good car.

 

The market is VERY strong for ZO6 right now, you have the best sports car now with the C8, which I assume is torch red also, but you can do a lot with the sales profits, as opposed to sitting in your garage ? just my own $0.02, but I have sold some Corvettes I now wish I hadn't ! But whatever, good luck !

 

I pinch myself sometimes....feel so lucky to even have this conversation. Thanks for the feedback!

 

That’s an amazing parking situation for a shared garage! No door dings with the big pillar buffer.

 

Do ya ever wonder what they are talking about?

 

Yeah lucked out. I zip tied pool noodles on that "cage" storage thing to protect door edges when opening.

Elekro: now that's funny. Probably, "Hey old timer!"

 

First of all, Congratulations!

I’ve had a manual transmission C5 about 10 years. During that time I’ve probably had 4-5 other cars too…..Lol. Yes, I think u will miss the Z06 but we can’t keep them all. Good luck

 

I think C5Z values will continue to go up, beyond inflation, in the long-term. They are not making supercars like this anymore.

I'm not one that thinks cars are a good investment, but I am looking to buy a C8Z when my # gets called up, and I can't see myself selling the C5Z because it's such an incredible car, I k know I would miss it, and I know that buying one again in the future will be expensive.

BTW:
https://www.hagerty.com/media/market...dium=spredfast

 

Thanks, that's really saying something if you're on a C8 Z06 list. What a car. I picked my C8 up at the NCM and a customer was getting their Z06 delivery. When that car was fired up....hold onto your hats! That sound! Amazing, truly amazing, and you're gonna love it.

You guys are convincing me to perhaps figure out a way to keep my car.... Maybe will hold off thru spring, we'll see. Have at least a few more months of parking situation sorted, so I've got time. Appreciate all the feedback.

 

Is it a burden to keep both?

 

If you sell it, you’ll find yourself regretting it down the road and looking to replace it. Keep it!

 

Whatever you decide, I believe that the decision point should come from somewhere other than where you focused the original question.

The choice to keep or sell the car should NOT be impacted by current or future values (they won't be going down, I think the covid bump nudged the market past the low point) nor should replacement parts be a concern. The C5s are really strong cars, hard to break, and spares or on par parts exist aplenty. Remember that these were the most numerous Corvette generation produced weren't they? The market and aftermarket runs deep.

The choice to set her free or keep her in the harem should be based purely on whether you appreciate and drive the car. If it is no great financial burden, it happens to be one of the most outstanding appearing Corvettes in history. I don't see a need screaming at you to sell it unless you decided to park something else next to the C8 which was SO awesome that it was worthy and you couldn't afford the extra taxes and parking spot such as.... a Ford GT or a Viper GTS or whatever dream car poster you had on the wall as a kid.

Otherwise, don't kid yourself because you don't at all sound ready to sell it.

I am looking to sell my 99 coupe this Spring. I have a Z06 which will be done as a project and back on the road. I have an S600 which needs work. And I don't see the need or wisdom to have two of the same generation Corvette in the driveway. Do I really want to sell it? No. I'm attached to it. And it is well modified already and a great driver. But she's climbing in miles as my daily, topping 120k now. Still strong and stable and well maintained. "But".... and now I'm married and we've got the dog for trips.... I see an SUV with a small turbo in my future. I probably won't feel so heart sick when the Z is running again. But to think of it right now is hard.