Whats a 97 worth?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti MI
All you guys are smoking crack and if you believe the dealer then thats your fault. I checked the bluebook about 2 weeks ago and it said $19,000. Which is still cheap since I paid $45,000 brand new.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 62,195
Likes: 28
Cruise-In II Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Originally Posted by Fordolet
The car is in good condition. Its a middle-aged man who owns it. He drives it every day to work and takes good care of it. I have been seeing the car almost every day for the past 3.5 years. As with that kinda mileage it needs some work, like the drivers seat is kinda worn and its a little dirty inside. Its not a show car by any means. I have seen it covered in salt, and it gets regular baths in the rain. Car is always garaged.
Had a convo with him about the car and he told me he is thinking about a new C6, and is gonna trade this one in. I asked him to tell me when he is ready and i will give him what the dealer will give him. So thats where i am at. Waiting for him to make up his mind on what he wants, and praying he gets screwed at the dealer.
so time will tell. My hesitation is not so much with the car, but cani drive it, and afford to keep it. If something happens i wanna be able to bail comfortably. btw i am 22 and no 
behind the wheel 
Had a convo with him about the car and he told me he is thinking about a new C6, and is gonna trade this one in. I asked him to tell me when he is ready and i will give him what the dealer will give him. So thats where i am at. Waiting for him to make up his mind on what he wants, and praying he gets screwed at the dealer.
so time will tell. My hesitation is not so much with the car, but cani drive it, and afford to keep it. If something happens i wanna be able to bail comfortably. btw i am 22 and no behind the wheel 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: baton rouge la
a 97 for 10K???????????
I dont see this happening. In fact I dont see you purchasing a mint condition 1993-1996 for less than 15- 17k.
78 thousand miles on an ls1 engine thats been maintained properly is nothing.
If you're looking to get something for nothing, you're probably going to end up with nothing or close to it.
I dont see this happening. In fact I dont see you purchasing a mint condition 1993-1996 for less than 15- 17k.
78 thousand miles on an ls1 engine thats been maintained properly is nothing.
If you're looking to get something for nothing, you're probably going to end up with nothing or close to it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 832
From: Naples Florida
Originally Posted by I X L R 8
a 97 for 10K???????????
I dont see this happening. In fact I dont see you purchasing a mint condition 1993-1996 for less than 15- 17k.
78 thousand miles on an ls1 engine thats been maintained properly is nothing.
If you're looking to get something for nothing, you're probably going to end up with nothing or close to it.
I dont see this happening. In fact I dont see you purchasing a mint condition 1993-1996 for less than 15- 17k.
78 thousand miles on an ls1 engine thats been maintained properly is nothing.
If you're looking to get something for nothing, you're probably going to end up with nothing or close to it.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: St. George Utah
I just paid $22k for a 97 with 2,700 miles on the clock. 6spd, selective ride, and all the other options except CD changer....looks and smells like brand new. It all depends on the milage and the condition. I paid more then the dealer trade in value, but where are you going to find a brand new C5 or $22k? I'm very happy and you should be too if you can get yours for under $10k. Just check it out and check for current and history codes. Have fun!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti MI
Originally Posted by 98vert6spd
for 10 grand id buy it
light it on fire
and drink bear around it
light it on fire
and drink bear around it
I don't know about the lighting on fire part but buying it for $10,000 and drinking beer around it sounds cool.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Mars
Don't be put off by some of the negative stuff here. Believe me, here in the UK, used prices for many cars have taken a dump and so often you take your car to the dealer for a px and they offer you a pitiful price on px. Some people can't be bothered advertising their car, having people call up to come and see it, kick the tyres and so forth and if he's an MD, he's probably too busy. You either advertise at market value and have loads of timewasters and test pilots coming to tell you it's not worth that or you put it in cheap and have everyone believe there's something wrong with it. You can't win.
Once you get to his (see also my) age and you've got a good income, the price differential means far less and it's just easier to part-ex the car and collect your new one, hassle free, the same day so if the dealer is going to give him $10k, why not sell it to some eager enthusiast for the same price and then negotiate a bit more off the purchase price of the new one. Why not even let the eager buyer make a profit if he wants rather than the dealer.
To you it may not make sense but to me it does.
Once you get to his (see also my) age and you've got a good income, the price differential means far less and it's just easier to part-ex the car and collect your new one, hassle free, the same day so if the dealer is going to give him $10k, why not sell it to some eager enthusiast for the same price and then negotiate a bit more off the purchase price of the new one. Why not even let the eager buyer make a profit if he wants rather than the dealer.
To you it may not make sense but to me it does.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Corvette mag just published an article on C5's - they have the following estimated values for a 97 -
crummy condition - $15,400
decent condition - $16,500
great condition - $18,800
fabulous condition - $20,000
Be careful that it has not been in an accident - that can change the value. If you can get the VIN then create a new post asking for a Carfax - someone on the forum can usually do those for free. Good luck...
crummy condition - $15,400
decent condition - $16,500
great condition - $18,800
fabulous condition - $20,000
Be careful that it has not been in an accident - that can change the value. If you can get the VIN then create a new post asking for a Carfax - someone on the forum can usually do those for free. Good luck...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Ashburn VA
Originally Posted by ptdrummer54
Corvette mag just published an article on C5's - they have the following estimated values for a 97 -
crummy condition - $15,400
decent condition - $16,500
great condition - $18,800
fabulous condition - $20,000
Be careful that it has not been in an accident - that can change the value. If you can get the VIN then create a new post asking for a Carfax - someone on the forum can usually do those for free. Good luck...
crummy condition - $15,400
decent condition - $16,500
great condition - $18,800
fabulous condition - $20,000
Be careful that it has not been in an accident - that can change the value. If you can get the VIN then create a new post asking for a Carfax - someone on the forum can usually do those for free. Good luck...
I just sold my 97 6spd with 85k for 18k and that was a steal for the kid buying it (a point I had to keep reminding him everytime he came up with some sob story about why he couldn't afford it and offer me less). A C5 for 10k in running condition with no damage is complete 
(sorry for being so harsh) Remeber you get what you pay for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
i got my 97 about a year and half ago for 23k with 23k on the clock. that was a pretty decent deal then. Im very happy with the car.
10k for a 97 seems like hes living in wacko land...unless it looks like a burnable beater...
10k for a 97 seems like hes living in wacko land...unless it looks like a burnable beater...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Not bad
Originally Posted by chevypowr
I bought my 97 2 months ago for $17.5k with 41,635 miles. I thought I got a good deal... guess not huh.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 0
From: Ypsilanti MI
Originally Posted by chevypowr
I bought my 97 2 months ago for $17.5k with 41,635 miles. I thought I got a good deal... guess not huh.
Like I said before my car only has 40,000 miles on it and I only drive it about 5,000 miles a year. That means they probley took good care of it. I bet most of these cars have scrapes under the front. I know I do. But who looks under your car? If your planning on it being a show car then I'd do something about it. Congrats.
