So... I have ~15k at my disposal. I'm looking for a good sports car in this range, and the C5 and C6 caught my attention. I want to spend as little as possible on repairs and maintenance, but I understand that this is a high performance car and it's not THAT cheap. With that in mind, would a C5 or a C6 be better? C5s tend to be cheaper, I've noticed, but C6's are newer and therefore would be less prone to issues (looking at you, c5 electrical systems). Thoughts?

 

You only have 1 option unless you want a high mileage salvage title car.
The days of cheap cars are over for a bit yet

 

I don’t think you can buy a C6 for that kinda money unless it has tons of miles on it or ragged out. So if that is all you have to spend you should not be looking at a C6.

You should inquire or search on the C5 forum for issues and maintenance cost.

 

This applies to both the C5 and C6 generations. Then you will be spending a lot of money to restore a high mileage, beat on and neglected C5 or C6.

 

$15k is what you're spending for a nice C4 these days. You're quite a bit away from a C6, and frankly, a $15k C5 is likely gonna need a bit of work and money into it.

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Probably could get a decent C4 for that price.

 

I did. my main market is facebook marketplace (sketchy i know) and I've seen a lot of c5's under 15k that seem mostly mechanically sound. I don't care about cosmetics, so it gives me a little advantage there. But yeah, the c6 is looking like a pie in the sky dream.

 

maintenance on these cars is not cheap and with age these problems become more common. For example if your torque tube has issues, it’s 2k in labor to drop it. A balancer can be around a thousand, ps lines can be $500 with labor. You should really consider something more reliable with lower running costs such as a Miata if you want a fun 2 seater sports car that won’t break the bank. Tires aren’t cheap either on these cars.

 

For $15K you are buying a worn out C5 at best.......no way your finding a C6, and if you do, there has to be something seriously wrong with it for someone to only ask $15K. I suggest you double your money, finance or save,.....and wait for a C6.

 

Save up. $20k will by a decent C6, no point in buying a car you will hate.

 

Welcome to the forum OP.

Perhaps if you gave a little more info about yourself like (age, location, etc.) and your intended purpose (daily driver, drag race, auto cross, cruising around) of a C5 or C6 it would help explain the $15k. Maybe you plan on gutting the interior anyway to race it, as an example.
You stated you don't want alot of maintenance or repairs but sadly a $15k Corvette is not going to be without its fair share of problems, IMHO.

Anyway...best of luck to you.

Jason

 

I have been shopping for a Corvette convertible for some time now. This is my observation.

$20,000 to $23,000 will get a nice lower mileage fully optioned 2002-2004 C5 convertible.
$30,000 to $32,000 for a 2008-2009 base C6 convertible with 3LT
$37,000 to $39,000 for a 2011-2013 C6 Grand Sport convertible with 3LT

All cases require extensive travel utilizing airplanes or overnight road trips.

We are currently waiting for the owner of a 2013 GS convertible to clear his title. Once done, we will fly down, buy the car with title in-person, then drive the car back home. The car is costing us more than that $37,000 figure but everything about the car is perfect including the colors we like, the exceptionally low miles, the squeaky clean Carfax Report, all documentation, and vehicle authenticity (no mods).

If we could not afford more than $23,000, a very low mileage 2004 Commemorative Edition convertible could have sufficed for myself. My wife has more expensive taste for a Grand Sport which I am VERY HAPPY to comply.

If buying a C5 convertible, you really want a 2002-2004. The 1998-2001 convertibles have a more compressible center seal under the rear window in the convertible top which allows the extra thick canvas top sewn seamwork on the two sides to damage the paint on the toneau cover. I once owned a 2001 convertible and noticed paint abrasion starting. I learned about the solution and so I bought a later year gasket....problem solved before the damage was noticable to others.

1997-2000 have the earlier TPMS sensors which are terribly expensive.
1997-1999 sport seats have less foam cushion, hence are less comfortable.
2002-2004 assures you got all the improvements of significance in a C5....at least in the convertible.
I can't comment about differences specific to the coupe or ZO6.

 

I don't think you'll be happy with a $15k C5 or C6, if you can even find a C6 in that price range.

You can buy a nice C4 for that.

Keep saving for a nicer car. Cheap cars can cost more in repairs.

 

Like others have said, even if you could get one at that price, the ownership experience will deff not be a great one for you.Not Saying spending more money always = more enjoyment, but it usually does.
I got a pretty smoking deal on my GS a few years ago compared to the market values at the time and there certainly were reasons for it once I drove a few hours to go pick it up.
At that point I forced myself to live with the flaws due to the price and travel and efforts to grab the money prior to make the deal happen.

 

There are companies out there that finance used cars.
How about $15k down and finance the rest? I think it might be worth looking into just to get a better car.

 

For that kind of money you need to be looking at C4's.

 

Selling my 08 C6 for $20k! It's posted in FS forum.

 

Whatever you buy understand this, service and repairs are expensive to keep them rolling.

Anyone you ask will tell you, and whatever you buy get it checked out first?

 

You're not getting any decent Corvette, or sports car for $15k. Save your money & start looking again when you have $25-30k.

 

15k will buy a very nice C4.