Hey gang,
Yet another newbie checking in with a quick question.

After 25+ years of drooling over Vettes I realized I can actually make this happen so I started looking around, checking prices vs. mileage/condition…you know the drill. And it hit me that I know nothing about Vettes, not really. I’ve been poking around here, picking up tidbits of info but most of the abbreviations are lost on me (H/C installation, Z06…?). Most sites assume more knowledge than I have.

So my question is: What’s a good resource to bring myself up to speed before making a purchase? Trying to avoid any buyers remorse here “Oooh, I didn’t know that was an option…” “Dang, I wish I woulda got that one instead.”

Right now I’m thinking 99-02ish C5 w/manual tranny but that’s as far as I’ve gotten in the selection process and would like to know what’s possible (even C5 is a new one on me, learned it here, I assume it means Corvette generation 5?) .

I’m not asking anyone to write me a book, just suggest one.

Thanks in advance.

 

You have 4 choses in models and it depends on your personal taste and wants. The 4 models are coupe, convertible, hard top and Z06. The coupe has a removable top that can be stored in the back area of the car. The convertible is....well a convertible. The hard top is a fixed roof vehicle. All of the cars very in weight by a few pounds and have the same horse power at the motor. The Z06 is the performance model. It is a hard top that weighs less and has more horse power.

I have a coupe but if I was buying a vette today I would get a ZO6 because they are like rocket ships that have landed on the Earth.

Good luck and I hope I answered some of your questions.

P.S. H/C instalation is an after market Head & Cam modification.

 

I'd make sure it has a Z51 suspension and HUD. You can mod the rest.

 

What's a good resource? Honestly I think this forum is best! That's where I've learned everything about Corvette's I know (I'm not expert but consider myself quite functionally knowledgeable of the C5).

C5= 5th gen, although I don't believe the C# moniker really started until the C5...not 100% sure though.

I think you'll be able to gain alot here - a thread like 'I'm looking to buy a 99, what should I look for?' will get you alot of great responses. I also believe there are books out there on what to look for in used vettes - I'd peruse through the store and supporting vendors (all the links are on this site) and see what you can come up with.

If you want to learn more about the history of the Corvette itself, the book 'All Corvettes Are Red' (often abbreviated ACAR here) is the best one.

With regards to actually finding your car, there are a few main options that I'd recommend (and others will have more) that way you can assemble your list -

Memory - provides seat, A/C, mirrors etc. memory functions and also allows a telescoping steering wheel

HUD - heads up display - projects vehicle information the inside of the windshield

Things that I personally wouldn't want to be without -

Dual Zone A/C - passenger can adjust the temp

12 Disc CD changer

Roof package (clear and painted roof)

6-way power seats (I believe it was always standard for driver but not always for passenger in 99/00 - not 100% sure).



The other thing I can recommend is if you locate a car, feel free to ask someone from the forum to tag along with you or meet you to look at it...it happens very often and many of us are very familiar with all the little problem signs etc.


Well, I hope that's a good start and that we'll soon be welcoming you to the family!!

 

If you scroll a few pages (I don't know if the search function is working yet.), someone did a nice thread a couple of days ago.It had almost all the abbrieviations used on the board. Spend some time reading the posts here and you will learn quite a bit quickly. I'd suggest listing a price range instead of listing a year range for what you want. I came here a couple years ago looking for info. and was astonished at the discounts on new C5s. I ended up getting $11,000 off MSRP. There are very few C5s left on the lots right now. They stopped building them in July. Check www.corvetteking.com and www.kerbeck.com . BTW- H/C means that the car has high performance cylinder heads and camshaft and C5 does mean fifth generation Corvette 1997- 2004. See you're learning.

 

Wow! Three answers in the time it took me to type. Nice place here. eh?

 

Yeah, a really nice place.
C5- 6 Speed , HUD, Memory, 2 Tops, Z51( without EMT's).
GREAT and HONEST People.
An Exclusive Society.

 

Made o glass, have you been shopping at www.autotrader.com and EBAY? between shopping those two places and the referring to the un-disputed best place on the interenet (THE CORVETTE FORUM), you should be able to make a very wise decision!
Check out my post "showin off the ride", I got it off of EBAY.
It won't be long now until you are showin' off yours!!!!

 

How about an '02 Z06? No oil consumption issue and you do not need to worry about as many options and its goes out of the box, add a few mods and, bang, your king of the hill...

Get out to the dealers and drive a few, with the C6 release and time of year you have plenty of time to decide what YOU like.

Of course, this forum will help with anything - VIN checks, mods, quality issues, etc.

Check this site out for some interesting facts...

http://www.idavette.net/

 

No matter what you get, once you get one, you're gonna want more, more, more!!! I suggest you go to a dealership that will let you test drive a few. Try them ALL out. Manual and Automatic, Coupe, Vert, Z06, Hard top...... Then make your decision! Good luck! If you're not too far away, you should run up to Bowling Green, KY (where we are right now) to The 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Corvette Museum! It ends tomorrow afternoon.. Lots of Vettes to see here!

 

First, the Corvette Forum and others are a wealth of information.
Second, go to KBB.com, go to the used models and look at the option list, go to the build a car section and build a Corvette on line. That way you will see how many option packages are/were available, their cost, and exactly what components are in each package, and what mandatory equipment came with each package.
If possible, go to your Chevy dealer of choice, see if they have any previous year Corvette brochures to give you. They are loaded with little tidbits of information. If you have any friends with fairly new Corvettes, see if you could look through their Owners Manual, and the video that came with their new Corvette. Both are loaded with information.
On books, The Little Black Book of Corvettes is a wealth of information on previous year Corvettes,I think the current edition should cover 1953 - 2004, lists all the options, their Regular Production Option (RPO) Codes, and how many of each option/Vettes were manufactured for any given model year.
Look at the top of the Corvette Forum page, see "Store" in it you will find a section on Books and Manuals. You should find plenty of Books available on the Corvette. One that I haven't read but heard good reviews on is "All Corvettes are Red", it covers the development of the C5, I think it was written by Dave Hill, the current Corvette Chief Engineer.
Hopefully by the time you go through all this, you will have a better idea of the wealth of information that is readily available, and where to start looking for it. Good Luck in your search!

zo6vettepilot

 

Do you want performance or your hair blowing in the wind? Performance get the Z06 but convertibles are very cool. Of course I didn't want my hair blowing in the wind too much (trying to keep what I got left) so I bought the Coupe with the removable top. I don't see a big need for the 2 top option in tennessee for the coupe so if you want only 1 top, go with the glass. The HUD or Heads up Display is a must have. Active handling for sure and I think the higher gear option would make you happier in the end cause you would get a much nicer launch from start. Pick your color carefully because you will be forced to defend it for the rest of it's life. Many people talk about the earlier models eating oil so go with the newest model you can afford to avoid that.

Pick carefully and use the knowledge of the forum. If it takes awhile to find the right one that's o.k, just make sure it's the right one for the right price. Good luck and can't wait to see the pictures of your new ride when you get it!

 

You've found the best place for knowledge, now good luck on finding your Vette!

 

Holy cow,
Talk about a quick response!

Thanks for the tips guys. VERY Helpful. I'll check out the sources mentioned (this board included). I'm in no big hurry (anxious, yes - but hurry sometimes = regret) I'm more concerned about finding the right car than the "right now" car. Honestly, I'll probably be doing my homework & shopping til spring.

my50thvette mentioned Bowling Green...less than an hour away, If the weather cooperates, I'll swing by tomorrow.

Also, I mentioned the year earlier - and madeouttaglass suggested posting a price instead. I'm thinking $20-30k depending on the year/mileage/options/and what tugs at the heartstrings... A pristine '97 with all the right options will be more appealing than an '02 that's not quite what I'm looking for.

Thanks agian.

 

If you're only 1 hour away from Bowling Green, you HAVE to go there! I drove 12 hours each way this past spring to see the museum and factory across the street(and meet quite a few Corvette Forum members.). I'm sure the factory will be closed this weekend, but I'd highly recommend going back for a tour and watching them put these machines together. If you are willing to spend up to $30K you should also know that brand new '04 base coupes are going for about $34K.

 

Keep in mind that not all models are available each year. The coupe came in 1997, covertible in 1998, hard top in 1999, and the Z06 in either 2000 or 2001 (don't remember which). The only reason I mention this is because it took me a while to convince a friend that the 1997 hard top on ebay was mis-labeled.

 

Hello again,
Thanks to all your tips I picked up "All Corvettes Are Red" and test drove a couple today.

You know, I said in my first post that I’d been drooling for years – Truth is I’ve never known anyone that owned a Vette, never even sat in one until today. I really thought I knew what to expect (had a 455 Trans Am & a 440 Roadrunner at various times).

Wrong, I was absolutely 100% blown away - can’t even describe the thrill. Just a leisurely drive (honestly) – great feel, unreal throttle response, and the HUD is really slick.

But, now I have another problem…First I drove a beautiful bronze colored ’01, matching magnesium wheels, black leather, coupe, 6spd and thought “No need to look any further” But then checked out the Nassau blue AT…Hmm, anyone else like ‘em all?

Kind of a pointless post but I haven’t been excited by a car in a long time, thought someone here MIGHT understand.


Thanks again.

 

Welcome to the Forum ...and good luck finding the right new ride!

Here's a site that has a ton of information on the C5s as well as the other generations: Corvette Model Center.

 

Believe me, we understand! I've had a few TA's too. Comparing my 71 455HO TA M22 to my 2003 Vette is impossible. They're both great cars. The 2 just don't compare on any level.

You can get a great education in a few weeks just reading this forum. I'd also suggest attending a Corvette club meeting or event in your area. Most Vette owners are eager to show off thier Vettes and answer questions. IM me anytime.

 

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