I am a long term member of of the Forum but own a ‘61 and have no knowledge of C5’s. My son has found a legitimate 1997 base coupe(no top down) black on black from a collector. It has been stored in a heated environment. This gentleman is the original owner and has many cars. He is selling them off for some income. It has less than 6 thousand miles. In excellent condition, looks new. Would $25K be a reasonable amount to purchase? It has been rejuvenated by an intermediary including tires.

 

If the mileage wasn't so crazy low, I would say that's WAY too much for a '97. Honestly, you're getting into C6 Z06 money at 25k. If you're specifically looking to buy a garage queen that only ever comes out for car shows, this might be an okay buy. However, if you're looking for a car to actually drive, you're much better off getting a car with closer to 50k miles on it. They're available in excellent condition for a lot less money. They're often more reliable as well as C5s can develop certain issues if they aren't driven. Again, it depends on what you want the car for. Be aware that if you actually put mileage on it, the value will plummet rapidly.

Something else to keep in mind, it's generally preferred to get a 2001 or newer when looking for a C5. There is a sticky that has a ton of useful information if you're looking to buy.

 

Too much if you plan to drive it. You are paying for ultra low miles and they will be gone unless you let it sit.

I would locate a later model with 30k to 50k mikes. You can get below $20k and have a car that has been cared for but not abused.

Sitting often is worse vs driving. Dry gaskets and seals. Cracked leather dried out couplers etc.

I agree 2001 and newer. It is the prime spot with 2002. The least issues and the most updated and standard equipment for the money.

A 97 with more miles is below $17k.

I’m sure it is a great car but one with a big price penalty just because of the miles.

 

1997 is a rough year for the Corvette. The mid-year changes manual is nearly a thick as the service manual. The ABS module basically unobtainable at this point.

 

If it’s going to used as a driver I would agree with the sentiments listed above. For that monetary range, and less, he could find an excellent condition low mileage car with all the model year gremlins addressed.

My advice would be to seek a low-ish mileage car that has been driven regularly and has a verifiable repair history.

2001-2003 is the sweet spot.

 

All the comments above are legitimate. I have a little different take. It is possible that the car is like new. I am the original owner of a 98 that has been flawless. None of the problems that you hear about the early cars. You are a car guy . You can tell if it has problems, take it and have it inspected. Yes it is a new car. If the son has intentions to keep it long term then that is the car. If you can get a better price thats good too. Good luck with your decision.

 

The truth is there is a good chance you will never see issues. But you can reduce your issues with cars that have been re engineered to eliminate them in the first place.

The only real issue on this car is it has low miles and they are asking a premium price. Once you drive it the depreciation will hit this car like a ten pound hammer. You can negate that penalty by looking at the cars 20,000 miles or more. It will save you much and give you repair money should something goes wrong. Note just because of low miles does not mean it will not have issues. Frozen Calipers failed brake master cylinders, oil leaks water leaks and more.

Also if it has mouse wire damage that could be an issues with cars that sit.

If you were going to buy this for a collection and not drive it ok but save your money and accept more miles if you plan to drive it.

 

Have to agree with the others - the price is too high even with the low miles and especially if your son has plans to really drive the car. There should be plenty of cars out there that have more miles but have been meticulously maintained and can be had at a more reasonable price.

 

So what write it off as junk. The OP laid it out. This car has been gone over. This certainly not a barn find. i agree it could be had for less but to write the car off in my opinion is a mistake.

 

It's not junk, but for that price it's not a smart buy. The OP wanted to know if $25k was a reasonable price. It's not.

 

no you're not

 

My bad, you're absolutely right. I was mixing up $25k and $35k in my head. $25k is still too much for a '97 though.

 

If you are going to buy the car, drive it 20,000 miles in eighteen months and sell it, probably too much money. If the intention is to keep the car for a long period of time...buy it. There is a vast difference driving quality and driving junk!

 

1997 C5 owner here. $25K is good if it is perfect and done, but even with the low miles it won't be perfect and it won't be done. Mine has 58K miles and I'm about $11K into restoration and aftermarket upgrades. Bone stock these have 285 at the wheel. Will you be satisfied with that? You can add 80HP with headers, x-pipe, exhaust, air intake, a cam upgrade with pushrods and springs and a custom tune. Now we're talking 365whp with a 3300lb car. You should be able to beat stock mopar and WRXs with that, but everyone else will take you to gapplebees, including Mustangs - which will (should) hurt your pride. Don't get me wrong, it will sound cool af, but you'll still say you need a supercharger and that will be an another 7 grand with fuel system upgrades and tune. On the way you'll probably have to replace the 30 year old MAF, air temp sensor, fuel pressure regulator, front bank O2 sensors, vacuum tubing that is old and make sure you don't sit down on the seat too hard, the flange on the seat that secures it to the track becomes brittle with age and will snap. I fixed my seats - it was $50 for the repair kit - but it required me using a dremel and a hacksaw and a few hours of labor which sucked.

Oh you want streaming music and hands free calls in the car with android auto or apple car play? Vettenuts sells the good double din bezel for $300. A decent head/deck is $500, the bose connector adapter is $70 and you'll probably pay someone to install that ****. $80 for a backup camera. Add another $600 for a decent tint job. If you're an idiot like me you'll get new wheels and tires, that's $3000.

Would I pay $25K for a prime low mileage C5 with the needed parts refreshed, exhaust hooked up, cammed with supercharger? Yeah. But the moment you get the bone stock 97 you realize that's day 1 of the journey and there is a long road ahead. If you do everything right with no unexpected bumps in the road tack on another $15K to modernize to relevancy. Keep in mind a 2022 Kia Stinger GT2 runs for about $25K. It has about 370HP in it's twin turbo V6 and does 0-60 in 4.7. It is true that something being cool is a perfectly legitimate reason for buying it. So there is that. Oh did I mention 97 C5s are notorious for having electrical issues?

 

Different people have different goals. The OP owns a C1. The '97 is an antique car and can be appreciated as cool in its stock form. It doesn't have to be faster than a Mustang to be cool. In fact, really the only appeal of the car listed at the price listed would be as a fully original, low mileage garage queen. Unless you're keeping the car forever, doing any such mods would absolutely tank any premium value that the car has. Plus, you'd never see any of the money spent on mods again. $25k would be too much for a modified '97 as well. I do agree it would cost more to buy and modify '97 to the degree mentioned. However, the market value on such a car would be MUCH LOWER. Based on market value, I wouldn't even consider a heavily modified '97 unless it was under $20k. Remember, you don't make your money back on mods when you sell a car. If anything, they make it harder to sell.

 

For the 97? If I were going to spend on a collectable C5 garage queen I would target a 1998 Pace Car or 2003 Anniversary Edition. The 97 is a stock dog and known for electrical issues. The resto-mod market is well established. Matched numbers on block and heads on a low miles build, making a turnkey well done clean and polished ride that drives like a modern sportscar - 100% there is a market for that. Honestly for a 1997 I would say that is better than a low mileage stock kitten that sits in your garage.

BTW I never said you would get money out of it that you put in. This is merely about market. It's also about affordable horsepower. I see 1997s with an asking price of $20k for 20-40K miles pretty often. I'd say you could probably pick one up for $15k-17k. Now add exhaust cam and a blower and you have a 500HP rocket. For me that is the beauty of the C5 - it's such a fantastic build platform. But as you said different people have different goals. My goal is to have something cool and drive it.