New guy looking for advice
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
New guy looking for advice
Hey Vette-sters:
I'm the new guy here looking for a little advice. I've never been one of those "car guys", but ever since I saw my first Corvette (and could actually think about affording one, sorta...), I've made it my short-term goal to obtain one, with the help of a loan, of course.
I'd like to stay under $30,000 at the most, but would really prefer something in the mid-$20's, C5. Is there any year that's considered the C5 Corvette "lemon", of sorts? Are there "gotchas" in these years, or something to look for?
I'm searching around both at used car lots (like Carmax) and Certified Preowned - the latter being a little too expensive for me, at least locally.
Thanks for any help.
I'm the new guy here looking for a little advice. I've never been one of those "car guys", but ever since I saw my first Corvette (and could actually think about affording one, sorta...), I've made it my short-term goal to obtain one, with the help of a loan, of course.
I'd like to stay under $30,000 at the most, but would really prefer something in the mid-$20's, C5. Is there any year that's considered the C5 Corvette "lemon", of sorts? Are there "gotchas" in these years, or something to look for?
I'm searching around both at used car lots (like Carmax) and Certified Preowned - the latter being a little too expensive for me, at least locally.
Thanks for any help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 12
From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Welcome to the forum! Read here for a few weeks and you'll learn quite a bit. There are many good cars out there in your under $30K range. Hell some leftover coupes aren't too much more than that. Only real issues that can come up are some 01s had oil burning problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
Welcome to the CF gang--you have come to the right place for sure. Search topics until your heart is content--and ask as many questions as you have. You will find a very helpful group of dedicated guys and gals--it's a great place to learn.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,494
Likes: 1,814
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
You can easily obtain your goal in the range you are looking and by reading here and by doing a search you can get most all of your questions answered! 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Thanks for the welcome. I am trying to decide between getting a less expensive Vette, but keeping my current vehicle, or selling my current vehicle and getting a nicer one. Advice from one member in another thread leads me to think that I should keep my current vehicle for day-to-day chores, using the Vette for those "special" occasions. If that's the case, then my price drops to under $20,000 for an early model C5 or late model C4.
What kind of mileage should folks like me look at as an upper limit? I found a Vette with 75,000 miles on it for $17,000. Does mileage significantly effect Vettes as they grow older?
What kind of mileage should folks like me look at as an upper limit? I found a Vette with 75,000 miles on it for $17,000. Does mileage significantly effect Vettes as they grow older?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
Reguardless of what you spend, not buying your ideal Vette at any time, is a surefire way to spend the rest of your time with the Vette kicking yourself in the butt. A Vette is a very, very personal thing for most owners and the one you really want, color, style, options, ets. is critical. There are many chaps, I am one, who bought a Vette that was not the right one, but I will settle for this one any way. I never stopped being sorry I did not shop for the right one instead of settleing.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Like a lot of folks here - I waited a very long time for the opportunity to buy a Vette. My suggestion is to take your time shopping and find a car that makes your heart flutter. This is a dream car - not something that you should compromise. Everyone has a different opinion - but the only that counts is yours. Get the newest car you can afford, with the lowest mileage. 
Personally I had to have a black car with a 6-speed. I wasn't sure if I wanted a convertible or a coupe. But when I found my car - after a good deal of soul searching, my heart started to flutter and I decided that I found my car. It's been a love affair between me and this car ever since.
Make sure you check out places like the VetteNet, Corvette Hound and certainly the C5's For Sale section right here. don't be afraid to buy an out of state car over the 'Net. I did! I used an inspection service, and flew out to drive my car back to Phoenix from Chicago. What a great way to get aquainted!
Good luck in your search! 
Personally I had to have a black car with a 6-speed. I wasn't sure if I wanted a convertible or a coupe. But when I found my car - after a good deal of soul searching, my heart started to flutter and I decided that I found my car. It's been a love affair between me and this car ever since.
Make sure you check out places like the VetteNet, Corvette Hound and certainly the C5's For Sale section right here. don't be afraid to buy an out of state car over the 'Net. I did! I used an inspection service, and flew out to drive my car back to Phoenix from Chicago. What a great way to get aquainted!
Good luck in your search!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
I agree with others that say "don't compromise." Pick a color and stick with it. Decide auto or manual and stick with it. Staying within your original buget should get you what you want. As far as keeping your old car, it all depends on how much you want to drive the Vette. It's either a daily driver or a closet queen. That's your choice. I would advise you to contact Ken at www.thevettenet.com. He will gladly help you find exactly what your looking for and at no cost to you. Welcome to the Forum. It's a neat place to discuss our passion. Lastly, when you find your Vette don't forget the .
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Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO.
Glad your with us! All years of the C5 are great cars, some have a few more problems, but they all are great cars. For the cash you've got you can do a 2001 Z06 and maybe enough for a mod or two. Have a great time shopping, it's like your firstborn but you don't send it to college. Goose
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
If you can arrange your own financing, and you should, then why shop at a dealership? You are funding them to the nth degree. Use that overhead charge as an incentive to get a better car. Buy from a private party either on here or autotrader, local paper, hemmings, net sources whatever. You can shop out your own extended warranty if you like for additional piece of mind.
Don't limit yourself to only saleslot material, there are better cars out there for better prices.
As already suggested, pick what color you really really want and stick with it. That included interior color and all other options. Since the tranny is such a difference in the car decide if you want the A4 or M6. Then Coupe, Vert, FRC, Z06 and go from there. DO NOT SETTLE on any car. Look at dozens until you are sick of looking at them before you buy.
If you find a car you just love. Walk away and then look at three others. If you still love the other, then maybe it's a keeper afterall. Don't drool while negotiating....
Don't limit yourself to only saleslot material, there are better cars out there for better prices.
As already suggested, pick what color you really really want and stick with it. That included interior color and all other options. Since the tranny is such a difference in the car decide if you want the A4 or M6. Then Coupe, Vert, FRC, Z06 and go from there. DO NOT SETTLE on any car. Look at dozens until you are sick of looking at them before you buy.
If you find a car you just love. Walk away and then look at three others. If you still love the other, then maybe it's a keeper afterall. Don't drool while negotiating....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
I appreciate everyone's replies. The consensus seems to be against settling for a cheaper vehicle - that makes sense. I did look at The Vette Net and I couldn't help but notice a lack of silver or dark metallic gray colored Vettes there. Either one of those two colors would probably be my first choice. Where those colors not available in earlier model C5s or something?