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Buying a C5 need advice

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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 10:34 AM
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Default Buying a C5 need advice

This is my first post on what looks to be a great forum..........So be easy on me.

I have done some research (I’m going to buy a used C5) on this forum and this is what I can't seem to find:

1. Is a z06 that much faster than a regular C5?

2. How would you rate the C5s handling........would it be a good autocross car?

3. I love everything about the C5 except one thing a lot of people have them (at least were I live). What are some things I can do to make my C5 stand out? (with out looking gaudy)

4. How is the sound system on a C5?

5. What will the C6 coming out do to early 1997-2000 C5 prices?.....or have they already done it?
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by lamborghinineeder
This is my first post on what looks to be a great forum..........So be easy on me.

I have done some research (I’m going to buy a used C5) on this forum and this is what I can't seem to find:

1. Is a z06 that much faster than a regular C5?

2. How would you rate the C5s handling........would it be a good autocross car?

3. I love everything about the C5 except one thing a lot of people have them (at least were I live). What are some things I can do to make my C5 stand out? (with out looking gaudy)

4. How is the sound system on a C5?

5. What will the C6 coming out do to early 1997-2000 C5 prices?.....or have they already done it?
1) Yes especially off the line but not so much at the top end. Need MN6 to stay that close
2) Very good especially with the Z51 handling option
3) You can go from stock to rice; spoilers, aero kits, shark kit etc
4) Not bad; BOSE
5) C6 has already devalued the C5 re-sale prices as well as new pricing (Good fortune for us who just bought or a thinking of buying). My opinion is once the C6 is out and the hoopla subsides, the C5 prices (obviously no new ones will be available) will return to normal
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 10:49 AM
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Welcome to the forum. This is the place to get answers to all your questions. They all have been discussed at one time or another. I'll give you my quick opinion.
1. Yes
2.Z06 is excellant
3. Check member's pics for ideas
4.Very good, but can be upgraded.
5.C5 prices have taken the hit.

Good Luck on your purchase.
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 11:03 AM
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Lots of great deals on pre-owned C5's. Now is the time to buy. The actual market value of a 2002 C5 coupe is around $27K. You should be able to pick it up for $30K. Now here is how to dust a Z06, and just about match it in handling:

1. Make sure you get a C5 with the Z51 and an MN6.

2. Get rid of the RunCrap tires and put on some SuperCar tires (The same as the Z06) or other comparable tires (Tires make all teh difference in the world - ask anyone who has thrown away their RunCraps)

3. Then have LPE (or someone else) throw in an IC Magna SC (This is a pretty stable Power Mod)

If you do all of the above 3, a Z06 will be no match for you, unless they have the same mods you do.


One other other thing - Z06's do not come in verts just in case a vert is in the back of your mind.

Good Luck
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 11:41 AM
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Good advice and thanks for the welcome to a great forum!
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 11:49 AM
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let us know what you finally decide to do.

Good luck and here's a from Long Island
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 11:50 AM
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Sorry for the dum question but what is mn6 (is that manual transmition?)

and does the z51 handling package come without a fixed roof?
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 11:52 AM
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I would suggest a later c5 as in 01-04.
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 05:26 PM
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Wildman why 01-04?
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by lamborghinineeder
Sorry for the dum question but what is mn6 (is that manual transmition?)
Yes, it was the manufacturers code for the Six Speed Manual Transmission.
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Old Aug 14, 2004 | 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jaxgator
Yes, it was the manufacturers code for the Six Speed Manual Transmission.
A C5 is a fun car... you mentioned autocross.. a z06 would be fun... a great car... right out of the box...
Not sure where your prioritys are.. the stereo is average..not a killer sound system.. these cars are easily modified for appearance and performance... there are many many vendors who cater to the C5
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 02:54 AM
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I think others here have pretty much answered your questions, but welcome to the Forum!
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 07:10 AM
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Welcome to the gang--enjoy the hunt
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by lamborghinineeder
Wildman why 01-04?
Probably because it is 350 HP vs 345 HP to start with.
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by lamborghinineeder
This is my first post on what looks to be a great forum..........So be easy on me.

I have done some research (I’m going to buy a used C5) on this forum and this is what I can't seem to find:

1. Is a z06 that much faster than a regular C5?

2. How would you rate the C5s handling........would it be a good autocross car?

3. I love everything about the C5 except one thing a lot of people have them (at least were I live). What are some things I can do to make my C5 stand out? (with out looking gaudy)

4. How is the sound system on a C5?

5. What will the C6 coming out do to early 1997-2000 C5 prices?.....or have they already done it?
You have lot of good advice in this thread. Just to add a little bit. There were a lot of small improvements made on the 01 car and later.

If it fits your budget lean towards 01 and later years.
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 10:23 AM
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Thanks for all your help this is one of the most welcomed I have felt in any forum (and theres been a lot).

Just to clarify I was looking at the c5 changes on another site and it didn't look to be that much. Would it be really worth 5,000 (at least by my research) to go from a 98 to a 01?
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 10:31 AM
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Be careful about buying a 2001 C5/Z06. Some are known to be oil burners. If I were getting an 01 I'd check to see if it has had its rings replaced. (There is a TSB from GM about this problem.)

Any GM dealer can run the vin for you to get the car's service record. Actually this is better than a Carfax report in my opinion.

Tom
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by TCW
Be careful about buying a 2001 C5/Z06. Some are known to be oil burners. If I were getting an 01 I'd check to see if it has had its rings replaced. (There is a TSB from GM about this problem.)

Any GM dealer can run the vin for you to get the car's service record. Actually this is better than a Carfax report in my opinion.

Tom
I know the 01 was a problem for this but I have seen quite a few earlier models also. One of the friends in the club has a 00 redone under warranty. It was quite an issue by the time I got my car in July of 00.
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by lamborghinineeder
Sorry for the dum question but what is mn6 (is that manual transmition?)

and does the z51 handling package come without a fixed roof?
Z51 is a suspension option on Coupes and Verts and standard on FRCs (I think?). Z06s have the Z06 suspension (surprise) that is just a little bit more aggressive than Z51. The Z06 suspension can also be added to any Coupe or Vert.
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Old Aug 15, 2004 | 07:56 PM
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First, you are looking a great overall car. The Z06 is noticably quicker than a regular C5, but considering it has 55 more HP, it should be. In terms of handling, it is very good. Makes for a good autocross car, especially with the Z51 package. To make your car stand out, there are aftermarket wheels, high rise hoods, custom exhaust, custom interior, etc. Your imagination is the key.
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