Help me decide on this C5 Z51 FRC
 

I've been searching for my 1st vette for a few months now. I've driven a couple of C5Zs and love them although I'm open to non-Z C5s too. Found a FRC locally for sale and it looks clean and has low miles (~22k). Seems like it's fair priced at $17,990 (asking). I called the car dealership (non-GM) and asked if they could send me a pic of the build sticker. They weren't able to do that, but they were able to confirm that it had the Z51 package. KBB.com suggests the value should be considerably less than what they are asking but I still tend to think that it's pretty fair for the condition. I know the FRC is desireable and I don't think the Z51 package was put on all of them. I'm hoping to go drive it and put my hands on it this afternoon. What do you guys think about this one?

1999 FRC For sale

I think all FRC's were Z51 equipped, but I could be mistaken. The car is priced high, but I'll bet there's some wiggle room for a motivated buyer. Offer them $16k and take it from there. Good luck, and welcome. :cheers:

If you are in this price range, suggest hold out for 2002+ Z06. They have worthwhile upgrades and less electrical worries. The 97-01 cars have some electrical bits that are getting hard to fix/replace when they fail.

You haven't supplied any details about the condition of the car and neither does the website.
Even so, the asking price is way high even if one assumes it to be a 'perfect' car.

dan k.

That was my initial search... 02-04 C5Z, but I just can't find many locally to look at. Found a yellow one that was clean, but I'm having a tough time picturing myself in a yellow vette (~$18k). There is another impeccable yellow one locally with low miles, but they are asking $26k. My budget is $20k or less.

maybe it's just me... but i run away from these ultra low mileage 20 year old GM's...

when i was looking i specifically wanted something with miles on it. i didn't want one that just sat.

All valid points so far. Thanks guys for your input. Nice to do the research now, so that I know what to do when I'm looking at the right one.

you've looked on facebook right? i'm looking at it now and there's lots of FRC's and Z06's...

for the same $ i'd be more into something like this... unless you want something all stock.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1c190573f9.jpg

oh wait, vortech isn't on it. i misread that.

Still, there's LOTS of FRC/Z06's in that high teen area.

Correction on the electrical bits comment: 97-00 (not the 2001)

No, I am not looking on Facebook. Checking out the classifieds here, CL, cars.com, autotrader, cargurus, and google (with time filter).

I'm impressed with the traction this thread has gotten. With that being said, the order of preference would be: C5Z, C5 base (targa), FRC.

FB marketplace and Car guru's is where i found the most. although i ended up buying mine off of here.

Lots of good opinions for different reasons. I do think all the FRCs came with a 6 speed and Z-51 suspension. The car does look pretty stock, which means it hasn't been dinked with. and you can do your own mods. I wasn't crazy about the FRC look , but I just bought a 2000 FRC a few months ago, and I really like it now. The trunk is pretty cool too. I think you should be in the $15,000 or less range though for a stock FRC, no matter the mileage. If you like the color and it's local, that means a lot.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b54759da96.jpg

Find out how long its been on their lot (look online)

if its been there coming up on a month or more, offer them 2000-2500 less than they want.

You and I both know they gave a dude 10k on trade in for it and anything over 12 is going straight into someones pocket.

The car looks like it has been well taken care of but may be a bit high on the price. If you can get them down say $1K or so, it would be a decent deal IMO.

That's a mint looking FRC. And would not think twice about the mileage. It looks very well cared for.
Like it better than the one that was built....unless you know who built it and was it tuned......
16 all day for me...but I am a homer 5C5's already. :lol:
Lowest mileage 8500, highest 60K
And the way I look at that Car fax that's a 1 owner with the dealer being the second....

As mentioned their are great deals to be had at the end of the year. And 20k will get you a really nice Z06 if your patient.
Or 4k for your mods, if you can get it for 16.....please get rid of those wagon wheels....they make baby Jesus cry.

1 owner cars to me are huge..and this has all the marking of one.:cool:
I find it hard to believe anyone would buy and register it and put on less that 150 miles. YMMV Hope it works out well.
Post back on it please. :cheers:

FWIW I've had 2 C5's:
2000 FRC with 130k miles, heavily used/modified, and very well taken care of.
Current 2004 Z06, purchased in June for $22k, 30k mile heavily modified cream puff.

I do suggest buying low mile as you can, as these cars retain the 'new car feel' for a long time. My 2004 looks feels and even smells like a newish car. That being said, don't be afraid of mileage if the car has been well cared for. These things are amazingly robust.

Be careful with modified cars; know what you are getting and be sure they were done right. There are some real hack jobs out there. I would not jump into a 'modded! heads/cam exhaust!' car unless you have a high level of comfort it was done right and tuned properly. You risk buying someone else's unfinished project.

That said, many owners really love their Vette and the mods have been done well.

good luck!!