Looking
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
Looking
I am in the process of purchasing my first Corvette, the car I have wanted since I was a teenager. I am looking for a C5 or C6, manual, coupe. I live in Albuquerque, NM, and will consider transporting a car from its location to Albuquerque for purchase. I am a novice, so any suggestions, tips, or leads are welcome (wedorman1@comcast.net)!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
Your budget is a huge factor. The price range of C5's and C6's is likely $20k to $100k
Narrow or wide body -
Rules of thumb I think are good for purchasing pre-owned, especially a novice purchase:
Within your budget, always seek out the newest, lowest mileage, car you can find that you like. Then run a CarFax on it and if clean, have an independent Corvette mechanic check it over. Cars with remaining warranty are a definite plus !!
Use 2 or 3 independent sources to confirm value versus asking price - NADA, Blue Book, AutoTrader, etc.
If you have a local Corvette club, get in touch and ask if perhaps there is someone in their membership who might guide you.
Lastly be on the lookout for 'sales schemes' most especially on eBay, Craig's List and the like. If it sounds too good to be true - it likely is.
Narrow or wide body -
Rules of thumb I think are good for purchasing pre-owned, especially a novice purchase:
Within your budget, always seek out the newest, lowest mileage, car you can find that you like. Then run a CarFax on it and if clean, have an independent Corvette mechanic check it over. Cars with remaining warranty are a definite plus !!
Use 2 or 3 independent sources to confirm value versus asking price - NADA, Blue Book, AutoTrader, etc.
If you have a local Corvette club, get in touch and ask if perhaps there is someone in their membership who might guide you.
Lastly be on the lookout for 'sales schemes' most especially on eBay, Craig's List and the like. If it sounds too good to be true - it likely is.
The Consigliere
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 22,993
Likes: 6,042
From: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
If you get a chance to test drive a C5 Z06 do so. Very fun driver.
As to the C6s, I agree with the above comments - you need to decide narrow body or wide body, newer the better.
As to the C6s, I agree with the above comments - you need to decide narrow body or wide body, newer the better.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 14
From: Lower Macungie Township ; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,750
Likes: 172
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
I see others have already mentioned your budget, and for a good reason.
If you don't tell us your budget limit, it's really impossible for us to provide any advice, except to buy the newest car you can afford.
Budget?
If you don't tell us your budget limit, it's really impossible for us to provide any advice, except to buy the newest car you can afford.
Budget?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,750
Likes: 172
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
Ok, now that I know you're good up to $35k, I'd say there is no question, you should look for a 2008. Many advantages over the C5, and many advances, and changes, over the '05 to '07 C6.
Improved interior, LS3 engine, improved transmission, NPP, and other advances as well.
A clean, reasonably low mileage, '08 is in your future.
Improved interior, LS3 engine, improved transmission, NPP, and other advances as well.
A clean, reasonably low mileage, '08 is in your future.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,921
Likes: 777
From: Huntsville AL
Also, the option packages can have a big impact on price. If you don't need HUD, heated seats, and stuff, you might save a few thousand. And most people don't like the built-in navigation, so you might save a little on a car without it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
Ok, now that I know you're good up to $35k, I'd say there is no question, you should look for a 2008. Many advantages over the C5, and many advances, and changes, over the '05 to '07 C6.
Improved interior, LS3 engine, improved transmission, NPP, and other advances as well.
A clean, reasonably low mileage, '08 is in your future.
Improved interior, LS3 engine, improved transmission, NPP, and other advances as well.
A clean, reasonably low mileage, '08 is in your future.
The '08 is probably the sweet spot in today's used C6 market. It has the LS3 engine which provides more HP. I've had my '08 for 5 yrs and it has been flawless and without the nitty little problems experienced with other vettes I've owned. Although, I can afford to "trade up" I have not done so for this reason...good luck!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 19
as a really new owner, to some extent like you. I didn't fall in love with them until the flip up headlights went away though. I got my first one this week. 2LT coupe with a targa top (wanted a convertible but couldn't find one in my price range and age) actually after driving it with the top off liked it better than a convertable. manual trans. Previuous owner put aftermarket exhaust and a cold air intake on it. Friends say they added about 50 HP(I have no idea myself) it has plenty of get up and go for me.
My main advice is: if you have something particular in mind, it will be there you just gotta wait until it shows up. My biggest thing was price and age. took a little while and I almost settled for something not quite what I was looking for a couple times over the last month. Then it just popped up. I had driven 5 before mine was just sitting there. I took 1/2 day vacation, was at the dealer when they opened and with the help of a friend who has been a vette guy for years had it purchased before lunch.
Wait for what you want it will come. Don't settle.
My main advice is: if you have something particular in mind, it will be there you just gotta wait until it shows up. My biggest thing was price and age. took a little while and I almost settled for something not quite what I was looking for a couple times over the last month. Then it just popped up. I had driven 5 before mine was just sitting there. I took 1/2 day vacation, was at the dealer when they opened and with the help of a friend who has been a vette guy for years had it purchased before lunch.
Wait for what you want it will come. Don't settle.
Last edited by recentlydivorced; Aug 15, 2013 at 09:03 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Be patient don't rush the process. Decide what options you want. Also since you havn't had a Corvette don't under value some of the neat perks like HUD. Before I bought my first vette with HUD I always thought it was just silly. Now I wish it was available on all cars.
Autotrader, cars.com, carmax, and carfinder are all really great sources to find one.
Autotrader, cars.com, carmax, and carfinder are all really great sources to find one.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I don't know if this helps because I'm a first time corvette owner myself and wanted something to hold onto for many years so I purchased new.
I did take 5 weeks worth of research, phone calls, look-sees and drives though.
I don't know what it was but the moment I started the engine in my 13 grand sport I knew she was the one.
Sticker was $68025 without taxes etc.( 3LT and about $5000 in extras) got her down to $46,500 out the door with a 2003 Mach 1 mustang as collateral included in that price. That ride home was a dream come true for us.
I now know the difference between a muscle car and a world class sports car and I never could've imagined the world of difference.
I hope you find your dream too
I did take 5 weeks worth of research, phone calls, look-sees and drives though.
I don't know what it was but the moment I started the engine in my 13 grand sport I knew she was the one.
Sticker was $68025 without taxes etc.( 3LT and about $5000 in extras) got her down to $46,500 out the door with a 2003 Mach 1 mustang as collateral included in that price. That ride home was a dream come true for us.
I now know the difference between a muscle car and a world class sports car and I never could've imagined the world of difference.
I hope you find your dream too
Last edited by LineageGS; Aug 16, 2013 at 10:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,750
Likes: 172
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
33% off MSRP, "out the door", would also include, dealer prep, profit, and taxes, etc.
That would mean you actually got about 35% off MSRP.
Pretty hard to believe.