Undecided
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 204
From: Sunnyvale CA
Greetings all, Came from the C5 section and have a dilemma: Ok I need some help and opinions! I have been toying with the idea of moving up to a C7. The problem is the C5 is payed for +5 and I like the style +5 of the car, but the car is 16 years old -3 with about 33000 miles -3 (still a very nice car +2). The C7, I drool over every time -10 I see one. I think I need someone to talk me into or out +/- 0 of the problem. Both cars are what I call "disposable income +3" so neither one is "necessary +3". I know that financially +3 it makes more sense to keep the C5 but life is too short -4 not to do some things once in a while. Just a FYI it wouldn't kill us -4to get the C7 but it would put a dent in our savings +4. Pros and cons to each option welcome! HELP!! Thanks and ALL ideas and opinions are welcome!!
+5 +5 -3 -3 +2 -10 +3 +3 +3 -4 -4 +4
Answer is 1.
<------------ 0 -x----------->
Keep your baby.
Last edited by bimmerborn; Jul 20, 2018 at 07:51 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
I still prefer to buy new cars, but I don't trade unless there is a car that I really like better than what I have, so I end up driving most of my cars for 10 years or more. I drove my 77 Corvette until I traded for 1987 IROC and kept it from 1987 until I bought my 2004 Z06 new in 2003. (you do the math) Kept my 2004 until I traded it on a new 2014 Stingray. Ended up a millionaire anyway with all the money I saved by driving my new cars for so long..
I do remember what color my C5 was. Torch Red just like my 2014.
I do remember what color my C5 was. Torch Red just like my 2014.
I swore off buying new vehicles almost 20 years ago, and had bought used ever since. My 2006 Mercedes Benz turbo diesel sedan was bought used nearly -65% off msrp, but was a low mile cream puff. My Class C diesel RV, was bought @ -25% off what it sold for new, but was only 9 months old and 5K miles!
Then, I was faced with the desire for a C7. Although it doesn't make financial sense to buy new, it's near impossible to get what you think you want on your Corvette buying used. So, since I found my new C7, at a -17% discount off msrp, and I'm in "quality of life mode" as an elderly person, and I wasn't violating the advice Dave Ramsey gives about being able to buy new - what the heck, I bought new!
BTW - I paid cash for my 1st 1977 C3 new in 1976. Same for my new C7.
I like your way of selling used at $25K, and upgrading Corvettes to $55K. That's extremely good advice to upgrade dollar wise IMO too!
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; Jul 20, 2018 at 08:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Lots of good reasoning and advice above. I've had a C4, C5, C6, and now a C7. All were purchased new except the C7. Due to a medical condition I couldn't easily drive my manual C6 so I bought a 2016 C7 Z51 A8 with only 2739 miles on it. Located about1200 miles away, a friend with a C7 flew up and drove it back.
I really couldn't be happier with the car. It looks and runs like a brand new car and is a HUGE improvement over both the C5 and C6. My reasoning was that with my medical condition I needed to get out of the house more and this car definitely provides that incentive. I'm also a big believer that we've worked hard for wherever we are in life and nothing is guaranteed so we need to treat ourselves to a few goodies once in awhile.
I also agree that your C5 memory will fade very quickly once you get a C7. It is just that great of a car. My recommendation ...get a great used C7 and don't look back.
By the way, I sold my C6 for $24,500. The C7 listed for $72,000 and I got it for $52,000 less $800 for 1/2 the cost of an extended warranty.
I really couldn't be happier with the car. It looks and runs like a brand new car and is a HUGE improvement over both the C5 and C6. My reasoning was that with my medical condition I needed to get out of the house more and this car definitely provides that incentive. I'm also a big believer that we've worked hard for wherever we are in life and nothing is guaranteed so we need to treat ourselves to a few goodies once in awhile.
I also agree that your C5 memory will fade very quickly once you get a C7. It is just that great of a car. My recommendation ...get a great used C7 and don't look back.
By the way, I sold my C6 for $24,500. The C7 listed for $72,000 and I got it for $52,000 less $800 for 1/2 the cost of an extended warranty.
Last edited by FunDriver; Jul 20, 2018 at 08:50 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 559
there is a world of difference in the speed , quality electronics handeling interior and general car goodness. I had a c6 which I loved and that car was not comparable to the c7. drive the c5 for nostalgia but step up to the c7 for a world class sports car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
If you're happy with your C5 I would just stick with it. (I remember taking my kids when they were young to see the C5s built in Bowling Green, have great affection for those cars and for the line workers who were very nice to my kids as they took the tour. If you saw your C5 built, that's worth something.)
But C7 is the next great thing . . . .
You really will be happy either way.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 252
Likes: 103
From: O'Neill (Home of St. Pat's Weekend) NE
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 252
Likes: 103
From: O'Neill (Home of St. Pat's Weekend) NE
THANKS TO ALL AND I REALLY MEAN IT All other comments are also welcome and I know that it comes down to MY ultimate decision so just hearing others voice their ideas and opinions is very helpful.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 801
Likes: 259
From: Gambrills, Maryland
Wrestled with a similar dilemma going from a C6 to C7 last year and opted for the C7. With that, it may be a different situation.
I will say that my C6 was not my "dream car" when I got it- It was discovered as a low milage steal that was a great car but not how I would have ordered given the opportunity. Fast forward 5 or so years and I was looking at either customizing the C6 to my liking or going with a new C7. Neither made smart financial sense but was something of an obsession for me!
I had been looking at the C7's out there (honestly, the GS) and stumbled onto the "perfect" car thanks to Mike Furman at Criswell Chevy who is local to me now. The kicker was it was not a GS but a Z06 and at a phenomenal price. Between the bottom line price and the fair trade value, it made more sense for me to upgrade. I emphasize my original thought that the C6 was not my ideal car to begin with.
Finances are a significant factor for most. For me, customizing the C6 was an exercise in diminishing returns as I would be making the car into something it wasn't to fit my likings. I will say that I personally LOVE the C5 so if it fits the bill for you and makes you smile, the jump to a C7 would be a very a tough call...
/r
Allen
I will say that my C6 was not my "dream car" when I got it- It was discovered as a low milage steal that was a great car but not how I would have ordered given the opportunity. Fast forward 5 or so years and I was looking at either customizing the C6 to my liking or going with a new C7. Neither made smart financial sense but was something of an obsession for me!
I had been looking at the C7's out there (honestly, the GS) and stumbled onto the "perfect" car thanks to Mike Furman at Criswell Chevy who is local to me now. The kicker was it was not a GS but a Z06 and at a phenomenal price. Between the bottom line price and the fair trade value, it made more sense for me to upgrade. I emphasize my original thought that the C6 was not my ideal car to begin with.
Finances are a significant factor for most. For me, customizing the C6 was an exercise in diminishing returns as I would be making the car into something it wasn't to fit my likings. I will say that I personally LOVE the C5 so if it fits the bill for you and makes you smile, the jump to a C7 would be a very a tough call...
/r
Allen
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,644
Likes: 7,717
From: NJ
Always wanted a vette. Waited for kids to be self sufficient and out of high school before buying my 08 C6 cash.
fast forward 3 years later (while all my friends bought 14 C7s and I desired one but felt great about OWNING my C6). 3 people close to me, oldest 45 youngest 37, died from sudden illness.
that right there is a wake up call. Also remembering I lost my younger sister when she was 17...
life is too short to play that game, within reason.
I put down the 20k from the sale of my C6 and financed the new Z06. Great decision. And I dont regret it one bit.
ps. The C5 was a great car. Now it's old and in the "tween" stage of not old enough but still somewhat newer.... terrible place to be imo.
one drive in a C7 and I cant imagine you wouldn't upgrade....
fast forward 3 years later (while all my friends bought 14 C7s and I desired one but felt great about OWNING my C6). 3 people close to me, oldest 45 youngest 37, died from sudden illness.
that right there is a wake up call. Also remembering I lost my younger sister when she was 17...
life is too short to play that game, within reason.
I put down the 20k from the sale of my C6 and financed the new Z06. Great decision. And I dont regret it one bit.
ps. The C5 was a great car. Now it's old and in the "tween" stage of not old enough but still somewhat newer.... terrible place to be imo.
one drive in a C7 and I cant imagine you wouldn't upgrade....
