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 and I like the style of the car, but the car is 16 years old with about 33000 miles (still a very nice car). The C7, I drool over every time I see one. I think I need someone to talk me into or out of the problem. Both cars are what I call "disposable income" so neither one is "necessary". I know that financially it makes more sense to keep the C5 but life is too short not to do some things once in a while. Just a FYI it wouldn't kill us to get the C7 but it would put a dent in our savings. Pros and cons to each option welcome! HELP!! Thanks and ALL ideas and opinions are welcome!!

 

Split the difference and buy a perfectly good used c7 car.

 

Damn good advice right there.

Since this isn't your daily driver, if I were in your position, I'd customize the C5. Upgrade the things that are worn out or that irritate you. Upgrade the interior; add some custom wide body fenders and new wheels; add some go-fast parts, even if you don't go fast all that often.

However, it's your life so do what you want. If you just have to have a C7, I'd follow PDT's advice and get a slightly used one.

 

Well, here is my opinion and experience having owned Corvettes all my life...I ordered a 2007 vert and went to BG to watch it being built. At that time I was 54 years old and about to stop working (which I did). Fast forward 10 years and I'm looking at my 10 year old, 6,500 mile C6 that looks exactly like it did when I sat in it in BG. I decided that I would like a C7 so that's what I did. I consider these vehicles a "toy" and totally unnecessary even though when I was much, much younger they were daily drivers for me. If it's not a financial strain then treat yourself, like I did...If it is a strict financial decision, keep the C5 and just enjoy it. Good luck!

I agree with PDT as there are MANY lightly used 7's out there for "reasonable" money.

 

What's the point? It's not like you'll drive it if your C5 milage is any indication. Why have a car note to watch the car sit in the garage? You'd be better off looking at an undriven paid off C5.

 

I kept my C-5 when I bought my barely used C-7.
Love 'em both.

 

I was in this same dilemma for a couple of years. I ended up buying a new C7 in 2016. I really like the C7. By all measure it is one of the best Corvettes made. After getting a couple of minor "appearance issues" resolved it has been flawless.
Now the problem. I just cannot let my C5 go. I absolutely have and always will believe that it is the Corvette version that was made for me. The C7 sits up on the lift and periodically I get it down and drive it. Then it is back up with the Battery tender and cover on it and the C5 gets driven at least two to 3 times a week.
If you do end going with a C7 you will need to come to terms with the C5. If you sell it you will miss it. If you keep it I will bet that you end up driving it more than the C7.
Tuff decision.
By the way, who left the door open over on the C5 board and let you out.
VH

 

Red light flashing / Dent on savings.

Wait till it's not a dent on savings.

 

I think you'll find very few people on here will actually try to talk you out of it, especially since it sounds like financially you'll be perfectly fine with the purchase. A lot of us on here have owned C5s (and C6s) before getting our C7s and I think most would agree that the C7 is a lot better car then previous generations. I can almost guarantee that if you drive one, you'll be hooked and will want to buy one right away.

 

And we have the winning answer right there my friend. You don't want to be sitting on the front porch when you're 85 saying "I wish". Good luck on your decision.

 

I had my 2004 Z06 for 10 years (purchased new) so it was also paid for, but it was a 10 year old car and it was starting to develop some problems like the AC.
I ordered a 2014 Stingray and traded the 2004 on it... Back then the 2004 was still worth $25K, and the new Stingray was only $55K, so basically half the car was paid for.
I am still completely satisfied with the base car, and would recommend you start out with the same.
Coming from a C5, it will still be a definite upgrade without breaking the bank...
I could have paid the difference in cash, but the loan interest rates were so low, I borrowed the money since I still had CDs that paid more than the loan interest...Might not be true today..

 

I recently sold my 08 C6 that I used as my daily driver...I loved the car, but it was 10 years old, and the mileage was starting to pile up, along with maintenance and repairs. I picked up a certified barely used 16 C7 Stingray...I couldn't be happier, and have the piece of mind of a warranty. I am a little worried about the A8/torque tube issues though...I sure wish they had that issue sorted out.

 

Whatever you do DO NOT test drive a C7...

Your decision would be made in 3 seconds.

 

Life is short, make yourself happy, fall in love with a car all over again, live with no regrets, get what you really really want... my usual 2¢! FWIW, my C7 Stingray Z51 made me forget all about my 500hp Jaguar XKR...

 

 

Loved my C5 for four years. Saw a 2016 C7 with same Torch Red and Chrome wheels like I had on the C5 and purchased it on the spot. Only had 1400 miles on it in July 2017. Best deal I ever made. Wife loves it as much as I do and she hasn't even driven it yet. Just looks like it's going 90mph sitting still. Put my C5 up for sale and never looked back. You won't regret it. the C7 drives fantastic compared to the C5 and my 2004 was in great shape with only 45k on it. Love them both.

 

Here's how I'd assess your situation; you already said you could afford one (C7) but also said you were concerned about putting a dent in your savings. Those are facts. You also own an old C5, paid for. That's a fact too.

We already know that you've done this before (buying a Corvette). So we know you like Corvettes. That's also a fact.

It sounds to me as if you're in need of a financial assessment, more than anything else. I'm of the opinion that everyone's financial risk meter is different. Thusly, you're experiencing caution on your risk meter. That's what I'm getting from what you wrote.

I couldn't begin to advise you without a lot more stats, regards your financial picture. I'd advise you to hire a CPA, for an hour of their time for an assessment of where you stand.

I am trying to make reasonable financial decisions based on quality of life going forward. The new C7's expenditure was one of them.

Very few people who want and buy new Corvettes can treat the purchase of one in a ho hum financial "whatever manner" - although many do, who should not. Observing what I read on this forum, I'm of the opinion that many people who buy new Corvettes, also have broken risk-meters. Many have no financial business going $60K +/- out of pocket or in debt for a silly car.

 

I got that part too, from what the guy wrote....

​​​​​​​One huge piece of advice I got many years ago was; "Don't buy new cars, unless you're a millionaire. You can't afford them." So far, that advice has served me well.

It might be that the guy seems to want to hoard Corvettes? I would remind him that he can only drive one at a time. The carrying charge ongoing expense wise, and opportunity missed use of that money, does add up!

 

I was in your EXACT situation just a few weeks ago. My 02 C5 Vert was not only my baby, but was a Show winner quite often (which I like showing my Vette). A guy came up to me, offered what I paid for it 2 years ago, and I was telling him its not for sale...and he said..."why not - you could always get yourself a C7"...and that is where it all went UP hill from there...

I sat my butt in a C7 and in literally 10 seconds, my C5 was sold and I bought a 14 Z51 two weeks later. Now I LOVED LOVED LOVED my C5, I mean I loved it like no other car...but the second I bought my C7, I didn't even remember what color my C5 was...hand to god, Im telling the truth.

Get a nice used, low mileage C7 and I promise, you wont look back, not even for a second...

 

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.