New Member Saying Hey!
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Apple River, IL
New Member Saying Hey!
Happy Holidays to All!
Newbie here, been reading the forums for awhile but just joined recently. A C3 has been my desire for a long, long time; however, my expectations and the real rubber on the road just haven't blended together. When the C5 came out it was Vette love all over again (but the C3 still lingered in my head), but my goal now is to find a C5. Basically the budget is $20K, plus if necessary, but would like to have a healthy reserve to cover the unexpected! Would like a low mileage one but not worried about high mileage (say 100-110K) if it's been maintained and there are records! No plans to track it or drag it, retired so I'd drive it when I want to drive it, but reckon not more than 1.5-2.5K miles per year and likely garaged from mid-November to late March. I feel I can perform a lot of DIY maintenance items based on past experience (with cars, boats, and planes) within reason of course, I do know my limits. Leaning towards an AT (physical limitation) but a MT is fine too. So my post is looking for your thoughts, ideas, experiences, and just general preferences on what "your" choice(s) would be and... is my budget reasonable? Appreciate any and all feedback and please be respectful of others comments or opinions! Mucho thanks in advance!
Mark
Newbie here, been reading the forums for awhile but just joined recently. A C3 has been my desire for a long, long time; however, my expectations and the real rubber on the road just haven't blended together. When the C5 came out it was Vette love all over again (but the C3 still lingered in my head), but my goal now is to find a C5. Basically the budget is $20K, plus if necessary, but would like to have a healthy reserve to cover the unexpected! Would like a low mileage one but not worried about high mileage (say 100-110K) if it's been maintained and there are records! No plans to track it or drag it, retired so I'd drive it when I want to drive it, but reckon not more than 1.5-2.5K miles per year and likely garaged from mid-November to late March. I feel I can perform a lot of DIY maintenance items based on past experience (with cars, boats, and planes) within reason of course, I do know my limits. Leaning towards an AT (physical limitation) but a MT is fine too. So my post is looking for your thoughts, ideas, experiences, and just general preferences on what "your" choice(s) would be and... is my budget reasonable? Appreciate any and all feedback and please be respectful of others comments or opinions! Mucho thanks in advance!
Mark
Last edited by hook57; Dec 8, 2024 at 08:28 PM.
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Welcome to the forum. Yes, your budget is reasonable for a C5 with higher mileage - in fact, you should be able to get one for less than your budget. The choice of a manual or automatic transmission is really a decision you will have to make - I have owned both in a C5 and enjoyed them all.
Good luck in your C5 search.
Good luck in your C5 search.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 796
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
I have owned two C5's and six C3's. To work on a C3 you need a basic toolbox and no computer items. Working on a C5 can be more of a challenge. You are not going to change your clutch in an afternoon on your driveway by yourself. The early C3's performed well having big compression and horsepower. Later C3's from 1972 to 1982 looked nice but had low horsepower and were very SLOW. Rusty frames and bird cages are common problems owners now face if they cars were up north in the rust belt. Properly maintained the C5 with the LS motor will run more miles than the older V8"s. The ride, handling and performance of the C5 is far superior, C3 prices are high while there are still good deals on C5's if you are patient.
Last year I picked up a 2002 vert garage queen with 51K miles for $15k a few miles from my home. Except for being automatic it is exactly what I was looking for to replace my previous C5. Good luck with your search.
Last year I picked up a 2002 vert garage queen with 51K miles for $15k a few miles from my home. Except for being automatic it is exactly what I was looking for to replace my previous C5. Good luck with your search.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Apple River, IL
Thanks guys! Keep the ideas/opinions coming please. Agreed on the C3 regarding basic tool box needed. It's really one of the attractions of the early ones. The ones I've looked at were mostly represented okay (except for the last one and its price) which influenced my shift to the C5s. The 02 Vert garage queen would be a great find if I could do the same. Thoughts on the 98s or 99s? From my reading, there seems to be enough info/resolutions for those years if one runs into the EBCM or wheel lock issue. Would hate to pass up a decent one because of it. As for the MT versus the AT, I've owned more than a few (3 of my six Camaros were MT), but I'm an amputee (arm), older now, and those skills likely aren't what they used to be :0) ! Thanks again!
