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

 

The gas mileage is what’s going to surprise you! I get 24.5 driving to work, (mine’s an auto) have gotten 28.5 on trips. Down side is you have to use super or premium.
Insurance is high and if you should have a fender bender. OUCH!

 

Gas mileage is pretty good on the C5 - if you manage to keep your foot out of it. But what's the fun in that?

I bought a 99 vert just over a year ago. So far, mod costs far outweigh any maintenance costs

Welcome to the forum

 

IF your buying new you shouldnt have to worry about too many things. Just make sure you find a service manager that knows Vettes. There are many horror stories about dealerships and their lack of knowledge or respect for the persons car. That being said be pepared to spend many hours detailing and staring at your car. Be perpared to spend many ours reading about your car here on the forum.

Welcome soon to the Family

 

Welcome to the best Forum on the 'Net!

Owning a Corvette has some additional cost associated with it - oil changes for example, take 6.0 - 6.5 quarts of Mobil 1. Tires due to their size are considerably more expensive - rears can be $300 or more depending on what you buy. But the biggest expense is more than the routine stuff - once you get sucked in, you cannot stop buying appearance and performance mods. It can really add up, too!

But that's half the fun - the other half of the fun is driving it of course! It's far more than a machine - it's a lifestyle, it's the friends you make both online and at Corvette gatherings, it's a machine that will plaster a smile on your face from ear to ear - known around here as a "Perma-Grin"!

It's a feel good car that will make you happy when you slide into the seat. The car is not perfect, and it certainly has it's issues. But all of that seems to disappear for me when I start it up and listen to those four pipes rumbling! You'll find yourself driving past plate glass windows and catching a glance of this beautiful car, and pinching yourself when you go out to the garage and coming to the realization that you own an American Icon - "The Only Sportscar That Matters!"

 

That about sums it up. Welcome to the forum! Now go find yourself a deal.

 

I would recommend budgeting in an extended warranty. With all of the technology in these cars, there will be problems (most are more of a nuisance than major mechanical) that are not inexpensive to have repaired.

The actual maintenance costs are very reasonable. Tires can be expensive, and short lived based on driving habits (at least rears ) .

But definitely buy one. You won't regret it

 

I purchased my 2002 coupe in May 2004. My first vette and this car has exceeded all my expectations. Yeh, there's a few faults but as the other post claims, all that dissappears once you turn the key.

My car has 28,000 km's on it (Canada eh!) and it has the 6 year extended warranty. Worth every cent. Already the following has been replaced under warranty. Water pump, transmission seals (all), left rear exhaust cannister. The dealer mechanic also checked the transmission synchro's since they are known to have problems. Seems the shifting fork has plastic pieces on it that wear down and don't properly engage the gears. This can cause grinding of the synchro and destroy it.

To sum this up, I would highly recommend having the C5 checked for all these and more before purchase. I am fortunate to have an awesome dealer close by that has the utmost respect and talent for taking care of corvettes.

Enjoy all the dress up stuff too.

 

Welcome to the forum and enjoy!!

 

 

very well said.



Actually one other thing to look out for. I am not sure if you want a stick our Auto, if you end up getting an Auto, make sure you get the performance option rear-end.. which is a 315 gear, the option code is G92...if you don't and you get an Auto, you'll have the standard POOPY 273 gear.

if you get a 6speed manual, then a standard 342 gear comes with all of them regardless of the year C5 you get.

probably more info than needed, but something to think about.

welcome to the forum

Good luck

 

There is nothing quite like it.

 

You will definitely be surprised. The mods are what are costing me money. Thing is everyone puts a smile on my face. Gas mileage is unbelievable at 80 mph I get 30 mpg. I'd like to see a Honda do that!!!! Service as far as GM states it's first service is at I think 50k then 100k But many take care of those items long before those limits. Get the car you'll be amazed.

 

And welcome to the forum.

 

There is, of course, the "Vette Tax".

In case you haven't heard about it, it's tacked on to any parts. For example, if your Miata needed a bolt for twenty-nine cents and your Corvette needed the exact, same bolt....for the Corvette it would cost you $49.95.

 

If you find the car you are looking for, you should consider an extended warranty. Repairs can get expensive (just had a seal replaced where the transmission and rear differential mate on mine and it cost the extended warranty company $660 to fix it). So far my main problems have been the rear differential leaks and the transmission leak, plus mine had excessive oil consumption which required replacement of the rings (thankfully done under warranty). Other than that, it has been pretty troublefree. Tires are somewhat expensive too.

Mods can get expensive - simply because there are so many nice ones out there.

 

Welcome to the forum

I don't think I could have said it any better than blacksedan did. With that said, there are some very reputable after market warranty companies that forum members have dealt with and had great success. The warranty will probably be between 1 and 2 thousand extra so you might consider budgeting that in upfront for some piece of mind if you think you need it. There is surprising little to do for a corvette as far as routine maintenance and the gas mileage will simply blow you away considering what this car is capable of.

Paul

 

This is my first Vette - bought just 6 weeks ago (2001 A4 Coupe with a 4 year extended warranty) and this is the most fun I have ever had with my clothes on!!!

If you decide to modify your car, then just think of your Vette as an EXPENSE - NOT an INVESTMENT and you will be fine!

It's the best expense I have ever had. Nothing but Grins.

Enjoy - and welcome to the forum! Lots of good people here.

 

1st of all, welcome to the forum....
i use mine, 04 vert with mn6, as a wekend driver, so gas mileage is not a big factor, but so far, it ranged about 20ish...insurance is somehow cheaper than my previous bmw or honda s2k, by big margin....if i use it on a daily basis, i would pay $600 per 6 months with decent coverage....mechanical problems? i am sure most of them are worked out already, but i keep having passenger side window not working....i fixed it twice, and happened again, so i am gonna give it up for a while....

i don't know if you are looking at new or used, but you need to hurry for new ones....my favorite dealer, which is a corvette mega store, is running out of almost every 04s....my only recommendation would be "buy one from who knows vette"....

good luck with your purchase....

 

Thanks for all the great info guys. I'm glad to see that the gas mileage is so much better than I expected! I hadnt thought about the extended warranty, but that's really good advice. If I can, I'll be sure to get it.

I know all about the mod bug Even my miata (in the short time I've owned it) has gotten more money for toys thrown at it than I care to admit.

I havent made a real decision one way or another about whether I'll go stick or auto. I've got a C5 coupe parked outside my apartment right now that I get to drive, and it's a stick and I do love it. However at the same time, I am not the best at it. Most of my cars have been automatics (even my miata is, believe it or not). So really that will just depend on what I find that I like. Of course, I havent driven an A4 corvette yet, so I might not like it, we'll have to wait and see.

Anyway, again, thanks for the input, it's been great. How much do you find oil changes cost? Fully Synthetic, or dino?

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?

edit: oh yea, and I'll prolly be getting used (price, man, used are just cheaper).