Looking for 1st C5
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
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Looking for 1st C5
My wife and I are saving to buy are first vette. We would like a C5 and are looking to spend under 20 grand. What should we be able to find in that price range and how many mile should we expect it to have for milage?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,753
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From: Orange County California
I Just got a 99 2 weeks ago with 40l for 22 grand and that is a good price on a well optioned coupe. It also had the exhaust, wheels etc.
I would wait just a few more month and for 20 you will find 99's at that price. Right now you can get a 97 or 98 but it will have higher miles probably and things like active handling and hud will be missing.
Either wait a few months or spend a few more. Lots of REAL nice C5's are now in the 22-25 range. In a few months they may be in the 20-23 range.
I would wait just a few more month and for 20 you will find 99's at that price. Right now you can get a 97 or 98 but it will have higher miles probably and things like active handling and hud will be missing.
Either wait a few months or spend a few more. Lots of REAL nice C5's are now in the 22-25 range. In a few months they may be in the 20-23 range.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield, Blown 402 Z06 Ca
I think you should spend the extra money like 25 to 30 grand and get the car that you want. I paid 31500 for my 2000 2 years ago and I love it. Anyway that you look at it the money will be well spent. 
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,434
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From: Press "2" for English
are you wanting to pay cash in full? or are you going to be financing any of this?
what alot of people are saying, and i agree, is wait another 4-6 months. c6 production is ramping up and as they begin to filter down to the dealerships, the c5 demand wil continue to drop.
we're seeing alot of this right now with brand new vettes. you will occasionally hear about someone who just bought a brand new car for $40k. i don't suppose that's going to get alot lower, but with new car prices like that, the older car prices have to come down to sell in that type of market.
if your looking right now, under $20k won't get you a whole lot. at least in corvette world. maybe a '97-'99, but like the others have said, probably high miles, no warranty, etc.
if you can wait a few more months, you can save maybe an additional couple grand and for about $25k, you might be able to find a '00 or even '01 with lower miles and possibly GMPP remaining.
this is all a gamble on what the car market is going to do but the one thing i feel confident in saying, and i believe most on this forum will back this up, is that the c5 market is not going to jump in the immediate future. the worst thing that can happen to you is prices will flatline. just wait a couple months and try to put together a few more $$$$.
what alot of people are saying, and i agree, is wait another 4-6 months. c6 production is ramping up and as they begin to filter down to the dealerships, the c5 demand wil continue to drop.
we're seeing alot of this right now with brand new vettes. you will occasionally hear about someone who just bought a brand new car for $40k. i don't suppose that's going to get alot lower, but with new car prices like that, the older car prices have to come down to sell in that type of market.
if your looking right now, under $20k won't get you a whole lot. at least in corvette world. maybe a '97-'99, but like the others have said, probably high miles, no warranty, etc.
if you can wait a few more months, you can save maybe an additional couple grand and for about $25k, you might be able to find a '00 or even '01 with lower miles and possibly GMPP remaining.
this is all a gamble on what the car market is going to do but the one thing i feel confident in saying, and i believe most on this forum will back this up, is that the c5 market is not going to jump in the immediate future. the worst thing that can happen to you is prices will flatline. just wait a couple months and try to put together a few more $$$$.
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You can probably find a '98-'99 for that kind of money, with about 40-50K on the clock. Still a good car as long as it has been well cared for.
