Owning a C5
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
I just like to drive mine! I have never really gotten in it, well not too much. I have a 01 bone stock auto, take off, and let it shift into 2nd and then just roll in to the throttle. When that thing gets to about 3500 rpm it comes alive! I get chicken and back out!
Before you guys start clucking at me let me explain something. I drove drag cars for a number of years starting with a 55 Chevy with power pack (WOW!) a 57 dual quad, 4sp. A 66 SS 396 Chevelle in Super stock, the same SS with a Big Rat 427 and ended up with a 331 running M/P. I know how a strong car feels! I just like driving mine down the Interstate knowing that I could blow the doors off probably 95% of the cars that pass me!
Before you guys start clucking at me let me explain something. I drove drag cars for a number of years starting with a 55 Chevy with power pack (WOW!) a 57 dual quad, 4sp. A 66 SS 396 Chevelle in Super stock, the same SS with a Big Rat 427 and ended up with a 331 running M/P. I know how a strong car feels! I just like driving mine down the Interstate knowing that I could blow the doors off probably 95% of the cars that pass me!
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
How much do you find oil changes cost? If you do it yourself - oil and filter. About $5 per quart for Mobil1 and about $6 for a filter. If you take somewhere (including the dealer - about $65 - $80.)
Fully Synthetic, or dino? C5's come factory filled with Mobil1 - and most guys seem to stay with that, although there are other synthetics out there.
Oh, and I might be moving out to California.. With miatas, in the 99-00 years, not all miatas were created equal. Not all of them were California-spec. Is that something I'd have to worry about with a C5 of any year? All C5's were created equal - by that I mean there aren't any special for California models.
Fully Synthetic, or dino? C5's come factory filled with Mobil1 - and most guys seem to stay with that, although there are other synthetics out there.
Oh, and I might be moving out to California.. With miatas, in the 99-00 years, not all miatas were created equal. Not all of them were California-spec. Is that something I'd have to worry about with a C5 of any year? All C5's were created equal - by that I mean there aren't any special for California models.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Welcome. 
I've had my '03 A4 for a couple of months now. Baldy above pointed out that the 2.73 is sort of "poopy", but it's the strongest Poopy I've ever seen.
It will still run and run hard!
Insurance is fairly high, but if you're 'of age' (meaning over 25 or married) and a good driving record, it's no higher than for any other car of comparable price. If I was a single male under 25, I'd have to rethink a Vette.
The Vette needs premium gas, but so do most other high end cars nowadays. And the gas mileage is great ... might even be better than your Miata (which is a great car, by the way).
Oil changes are expensive with Mobil 1, but you don't have to do it as often so it all works out about the same price.
Tires are another matter, especially if you 'drive' the Vette.
Oh ... and be prepared for the Vette to receive A LOT of attention.
I've had my '03 A4 for a couple of months now. Baldy above pointed out that the 2.73 is sort of "poopy", but it's the strongest Poopy I've ever seen.
It will still run and run hard! Insurance is fairly high, but if you're 'of age' (meaning over 25 or married) and a good driving record, it's no higher than for any other car of comparable price. If I was a single male under 25, I'd have to rethink a Vette.
The Vette needs premium gas, but so do most other high end cars nowadays. And the gas mileage is great ... might even be better than your Miata (which is a great car, by the way).
Oil changes are expensive with Mobil 1, but you don't have to do it as often so it all works out about the same price.
Tires are another matter, especially if you 'drive' the Vette.
Oh ... and be prepared for the Vette to receive A LOT of attention.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,265
Likes: 15
From: Syracuse NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
How much do you find oil changes cost? If you do it yourself - oil and filter. About $5 per quart for Mobil1 and about $6 for a filter. If you take somewhere (including the dealer - about $65 - $80.)
Fully Synthetic, or dino? C5's come factory filled with Mobil1 - and most guys seem to stay with that, although there are other synthetics out there.
Oh, and I might be moving out to California.. With miatas, in the 99-00 years, not all miatas were created equal. Not all of them were California-spec. Is that something I'd have to worry about with a C5 of any year? All C5's were created equal - by that I mean there aren't any special for California models.
Fully Synthetic, or dino? C5's come factory filled with Mobil1 - and most guys seem to stay with that, although there are other synthetics out there.
Oh, and I might be moving out to California.. With miatas, in the 99-00 years, not all miatas were created equal. Not all of them were California-spec. Is that something I'd have to worry about with a C5 of any year? All C5's were created equal - by that I mean there aren't any special for California models.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
Oh, and I might be moving out to California.. With miatas, in the 99-00 years, not all miatas were created equal. Not all of them were California-spec. Is that something I'd have to worry about with a C5 of any year? All C5's were created equal - by that I mean there aren't any special for California models.
And welcome to the Forum!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 4
From: Hayward CA
Say ravn....blacksedan87 explained very well. I love driving my BodaciousBlue EVERY time in get in her. Once you purchase your C5 you will know too. Be sure to get the exact C5 you have in mind such as exterior, interior color, all options, wheels, exhaust.....have fun 
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Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: New Baden IL
St. Jude Contributor
buying a Vette
I would suggest that you join the nearest Vette club in your area. A wealth of knowledge for the taking. For Mods, someone in the club has done it. For a Vette in the area, someone knows something about it. Trips, Mod parties and dealer discounts to name just a few. A Vette club is a win win situation. If the club sucks then run for president and change it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,339
Likes: 1
From: His name is Tandy Dillen. Altruism is the last Frontier.
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by ravn
Hey all. Obviously, this is my first post here on corvetteforum. So far, I've got to say, I've been quite impressed with how knowledgeable and friendly you all seem to be.
Anyhow, I think I may finally be able to afford my very first corvette. I want to get a C5 convertible(with the C6's out, the prices are dropping quite nicely on C5s). Before I take the plunge though, I was hoping you guys could tell me the REAL costs of owning a C5. I mean, I obviously know what car payments and insurance payments are going to be, but what are the maintenance issues that will come up? How expensive are they? Are there any other stupid little things that I'm not thinking of now that could make this car more expensive than I realize?
I've owned a V8 before ('89 Camaro IROC-Z), and I own a '00 Miata now, so I know all about gas mileage issues. That's not a concern. Anything else though?
Thanks a lot guys, and I am looking forward to becoming one of you
Anyhow, I think I may finally be able to afford my very first corvette. I want to get a C5 convertible(with the C6's out, the prices are dropping quite nicely on C5s). Before I take the plunge though, I was hoping you guys could tell me the REAL costs of owning a C5. I mean, I obviously know what car payments and insurance payments are going to be, but what are the maintenance issues that will come up? How expensive are they? Are there any other stupid little things that I'm not thinking of now that could make this car more expensive than I realize?
I've owned a V8 before ('89 Camaro IROC-Z), and I own a '00 Miata now, so I know all about gas mileage issues. That's not a concern. Anything else though?
Thanks a lot guys, and I am looking forward to becoming one of you
If you're considering a Vette and concerned about mod cost.........
There's a Vette tax. So everything you want to do to it will cost more than the Camero
If you're considering a Vette and concerned about ENJOYMENT cost.....
Well, here's where you make YOUR money.
Smiles per $ are much much higher on the vette. No comparison.
So it's you who has to count the cost, should you decide to do so. An automobile is rarely an "investment" in the pure sense of the word. But investing in enjoyment does have value. Try not to think of it as something out of which you'll get your money. You won't. I'll let the cat out of the proverbial bag. You won't.
But every vacation costs money. Consider the Vette Payment as a monthly vacation/enjoyment payment and move the hell on
$0.02
Welcome!
Michael
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
Again, guys, you've been great.
I'm probably going to hold off until I KNOW whether or not I'm moving, and where I'm moving to. If I'm going to California, then obviously I'm not going to get anything older than an '01. It's just too much of a hassle finding CARB aftermarket parts for a non-CARB car. If I'm going to, say, florida instead, then that opens up some new doors.
I'm definitely taking my time to try and find the right one (I want triple black, for example). If I have to drive 200-300 miles to get it, then so be it
I'm probably going to hold off until I KNOW whether or not I'm moving, and where I'm moving to. If I'm going to California, then obviously I'm not going to get anything older than an '01. It's just too much of a hassle finding CARB aftermarket parts for a non-CARB car. If I'm going to, say, florida instead, then that opens up some new doors.
I'm definitely taking my time to try and find the right one (I want triple black, for example). If I have to drive 200-300 miles to get it, then so be it
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 166
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Originally Posted by thevettenet CA
Actually, that's only partially true - all Corvettes from the 2001 model year on are 50-state cars. Prior to that, a new 'vette required CA emissions option YF5 to be registered. You can register an older 'vette in CA, if it has more than 7500 miles on the odo, and is relatively stock - they will pass emissions testing easily. But be careful with modifications - we have what is called a "visual" inspection, and non-stock parts such as intakes, headers, etc. can cause your car to fail if the mods are not certified for CA, even if it passes the "sniffer" test.
And welcome to the Forum!
And welcome to the Forum!
Wow, and I thought Massachusetts was tough..... 
Paul
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge VA
I'm originally from PA, and they actually have the same smog requirements as Cali, except they dont have the crap like the visual inspection (where you fail if you have a check engine light... even if it's not exhaust related). I havent lived in virginia long enough to really know what the process is like. I bought my miata in VA, so it came pre-inspected/emissioned.
The miatas were the same way as the vette's seem to be for the CARB stuff. My miata is actually a CA-spec car, even though it was purchased here in VA. Since lots of the north-eastern states follow the california requirements for smog, we get a lot of the CA cars.
The miatas were the same way as the vette's seem to be for the CARB stuff. My miata is actually a CA-spec car, even though it was purchased here in VA. Since lots of the north-eastern states follow the california requirements for smog, we get a lot of the CA cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
I just bought a 1999 A4. Make sure you purchase a manufactured backed extended warranty or buy a Certified pre-owned vette which will have an extended warranty built into the price already.. I bought from a dealership. GM has 3 extended warranties Basic,Value and Major gaurd coverage. I spent $1700 for the Major gaurd which lasts 2 years or 24,000 miles. My car has 42000 miles on it. Transmission won't shift from 2nd to 3 rd at fulll throttle, sometimes. and have some power seat issues. The dealership wants $1500 to fix the seats without the warranty. I don't know what the transmission would cost, which I will have to have done eventually. Anyhow, buy the Major gaurd warranty, not the basic or value gaurd as these warrannties do not cover power seats and a whole lot of other expensive things. If you buy from an individual make sure you have a transferrable warranty
Last edited by David426; Nov 21, 2004 at 10:53 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 344
My Vette gets better gas mileage than the wife's minivan. The oil changes are expensive if you look at the cost, but when you add up a year's oil changes it's not bad since Mobil 1 lasts longer and you need fewer oil changes.