C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Buying a C5...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 25, 2010 | 06:39 PM
  #1  
klipsch88's Avatar
klipsch88
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Buying a C5...

I am in deep thought about buying a c5 z06. I would like to keep the price around $15,000. I was wanting some input on which year and mileage i should aim for and what to watch out for when buying one. I buy and sell used cars as a side job right now so i know not to go and buy one from a dealer but i am usually buying rather cheap vehicles that i can make money off of so i do not know what to be looking for in a corvette.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2010 | 07:13 PM
  #2  
SebringSixSpeed's Avatar
SebringSixSpeed
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Denver, North Carolina
Default

All I can say is that you will likely have to increase your budget another $6-10K for a Z06 unless you can find one with a salvage title. good luck. And if you want to actually learn more about C5 corvettes you are in the right place, just start reading.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2010 | 07:29 PM
  #3  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by klipsch88
I was wanting some input on which year and mileage i should aim for and what to watch out for when buying one.
The $15K budget will dictate that......
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2010 | 11:17 PM
  #4  
allngn_c5's Avatar
allngn_c5
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Western Burbs of Detroit MI
Default

For that price you'll be lucky to find one thats worth buying. Will most likely be trashed. High miles and or damage, paint faded who knows. Like someone else said, save a few more bucks and get a mid mileage 65K 02 zo6. Good pickup.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 01:00 PM
  #5  
Kingman99's Avatar
Kingman99
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Default

Hi

Keep in mind that the vette is a performance car so does anybody have to tell you anything further.

You can pick up a low priced vette but it will cost you. Either you pay now or you will pay a lot more later.

If l were looking today l would look for a garage queen and pay the price and it will be like buying a brand new car.

If your budget is firm then go out and buy a ricer!
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 01:09 PM
  #6  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by kingman

If your budget is firm then go out and buy a ricer!
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 01:42 PM
  #7  
BOHICA76's Avatar
BOHICA76
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Default

Funny, that's what I am asking for my '99 C5 red coupe with 116,000 miles and chrome rims, and HUD. Very nice condition.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 01:53 PM
  #8  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,465
Likes: 1,166
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by BOHICA76
Funny, that's what I am asking for my '99 C5 red coupe with 116,000 miles and chrome rims, and HUD. Very nice condition.
.......and the OP stated he's looking for a Z06....
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 03:20 PM
  #9  
tomurphjr's Avatar
tomurphjr
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
From: Yorktown Va
Default

Originally Posted by BOHICA76
Funny, that's what I am asking for my '99 C5 red coupe with 116,000 miles and chrome rims, and HUD. Very nice condition.
Originally Posted by lucky131969
.......and the OP stated he's looking for a Z06....
If it's an FRC, just throw some fake brake ducts and Z06 badges on it................


Just kiddin!!
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 05:20 PM
  #10  
BOHICA76's Avatar
BOHICA76
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
.......and the OP stated he's looking for a Z06....
I know, but he aint gonna find one for that price. Unless it has a salvaged title.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 08:10 PM
  #11  
Pete W's Avatar
Pete W
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 870
Likes: 7
From: Andreas Pennsylvania
Default

I have seen a lot of Z06's go for high teens to low $20's. $15k won't cut it, even in this market. I would think for $18-19k you could buy a mid mileage model that would look nice and perform well. You just have to be patient and keep looking. I bought my 2001 for 15k. I think I did ok, but it is not a garage queen, by any means. It does however have a lot of mods and is putting out more RWHP than the Z06.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Buying a C5...





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:33 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE