So a buddy of mine has been eyeing a C5 Corvette that has been sitting on the back of a huge grassy lot (with many other cars) owned by a classic car restoration shop. He is interested in possibly picking it up as kind of a fun and cheap beater project. My buddy, who is fairly mechanically inclined, is a frequent customer of the shop and is fairly acquainted with the shop-owner.

The shop-owner doesn't know too much about the car other than it's a 2000 C5 Corvette base model that he purchased along with a bunch of other cars as part of a "package" estate sale, or something to that effect, not too long ago. The shop owner stated that it had been caught in a mudslide which appears to have been the case. I had a chance to give it a quick once over, and combined with my knowledge of C5's being the owner of an 02Z, here's what I saw:

The good:
- Car is super dirty, but the body looks straight and the paintwork still seems very good. The interior, minus all the dirt, seems to be in really good overall condition.
- The shop-owner supposedly had a generic key (without a resister pellet) made for the car and stated that although he was never able to start it, the engine cranked over.

The bad:
- Car has obvious signs of mud/flood damage based on mud still caked on the wheels and around the bottom of the door stills. The carpeting does have a layer of dried up dirt/mud so it's likely that the car had been caught in at least floorboard-deep water.
- For whatever reason, the plastic panel below the steering column was removed with some of the wiring is hanging (nothing seems cut).
- The actual circuit board of the BCM still has the 3 plugs plugged into it, but the metal BCM housing was completely separated and placed aside. The shop-owner believes the automotive locksmith or whoever may have once fiddled with the BCM/fuse box area to get the car to start, before giving up.

So during initial discussions, the shop-owner gave the impression that he was willing to let the car go for cheap just to get it out of his lot. Obviously, it would be sold as-is. My buddy is looking to possibly pick it up for the right price and if there is a fair chance we can get the car running again. The car basically looks like it had been running and driven all the time before suddenly being caught in a mudslide and abandoned.

At the moment, we are optimistically hoping that, for the most part, it will just need a replacement BCM and new keys cut by a dealership.

How reasonable would this assumption be? What would you guys pay for the car?

Pics: https://imgur.com/gallery/twpAANC


Thanks

 

If the right price is 2 to 3 thousand then go for it.

 

I'm guessing the car is mechanically sound. If so, and the problem would be alot of electrical issues or you get lucky. He better be beyond an expert in electrical troubleshooting and understanding how the vet system works. It could easily tack on thousands of dollars.JMO

 

I would say there is way more than enough knowledge on this forum to solve any and all problems you could encounter.With the right attitude and respect for the other members I have been fortunate enough to have solved all the issues I have encountered.Some weren't so easy but were finally fixed.ALOT of very helpful members that will go out of there way to help.Can't name them all but I am most certainly glad that all this information is available.My hats off to all of them.As far as the car,if he wants a project I say just dive on in if the price is right!!

 

I'm embarking on salvaging my late Uncle's '99 C5. Sort of similar to what you're looking at in that mine hasn't been used for 8/9 years and is very dirty with being inhabited by some rodents. I seem to have seriously dodged many bullets with 99% of the wiring unscathed. However, I know I'll need to work through various issues. Already seen I need a new fuel pump and that a few things aren't working but so far minor items like a headlamp not going up and the hatch not popping open. There will be more, maybe much more but I'm staying positive.

Really posting to agree x100 with what you say.Fantastic info through this forum and people seem very helpful and interested. BTW I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland so parts are harder to come by but not impossible.

I say your friend should go for it!

 

Any thing can be fixed. Take a look at the engine oil on the dip stick and see if it's clean. Before I would buy that car I would put a battery in it and check to see what works and doesn't work. If the dash works that would be a sign that the mud did not get too high. As long as everything is connected you can get a scanner and check to see what kind and how many codes are set. If the mud was up to the dash you will have your work cut out for you.

 

I’d run away. These cars have maddening electrical issues when they are NOT flooded. Amd everything is expensive. Another issue is that some of the electronic parts are not made anymore. Spend $8k on a high mile C5 that runs and you will be much happier. Or your friend.

 

Flood cars go on the "never" list. As mentioned C5s have enough "normal" electrical issues. Add in a flood and you're destined to chase issues way more often than you'll ever use it. PLUS, floods are the most disgusting things that can happen to a car. Floods carry dead bodies, blood, feces, mold, bacteria, prostitute buttholes, used syringes, and every other disgusting thing imaginable. You can skin your knuckles on a car 10 years after a flood and lose your whole hand to an infection. Absolutely not.

 

These cars have about a dozen computers on board. Flood damage would be a hell no to me.

However.... This could be the perfect candidate for a Vette Kart!!!

If you don't want it, PM me the digits.

 

Bonesbrakr is right - a couple thou tops. Then if it has too many electrical issues you can get the money back by breaking it.

 

Like the guy that took an acid trip from a moog? https://gizmodo.com/man-restoring-a-...-ac-1835070994
But if you find any decent prostitute buttholes send them my way.

 

Vette Kart.

You know you want to!

 

And flood waters are not ALL bad. They can leave good things, too. Why, just consider this example my good man!

https://gizmodo.com/man-restoring-a-...-ac-1835070994

 

Looks like the car was a submarine for awhile. I'm guessing the water was to the top of the doors. That being the case, I would pass. Everything electrical got soaked.

 

As the proud owner of a 98 I bought "dirt cheap" for $3500 that a local Vette repair shop said there was "no way it could go wrong" I second the above advice. I've now got well over $15k invested in a car worth $10k at best that I was going to flip. The only winners in this deal are the seller and the parts houses.