I've found myself recently browsing at C7's and pondering about upgrading my '04 to a low mileage 2019 C7, possibly a GS. There's really nothing wrong with my '04. It runs and starts like a new car. The original paint and interior are in great, like new, condition. It has been well maintained since I bought it back in 2013. However, it is getting a little older and parts may not be as readily available in the near future. I'm looking to retire in about 2 to 3 years, so I'm thinking that this might be a good time for me, financially, for a newer Corvette upgrade while I can still manage it. Part of me wants to hold on to the C5 as long as possible since it's been such a great car to own. The other part of me wants to move into something different and newer. I know that all newer model Corvette prices are very much inflated right now due to the shortage, so this may not be a good time to get one, too. One of the other concerns that I have is that if I do upgrade, the newer model I get may no longer be available for a GM extended warranty. Due to all the embedded electronic components, it can be quite pricey and time consuming to get anything fixed nowadays. At least with my C5, it's a much simpler car to repair, too.

How much longer will you be keeping your C5 around? Would you upgrade to something newer, if you have the means to do it?

 

I plan to keep my C5 until it I got too sick, or old to drive it, or die, unless it was destroyed in a accident or something.

Bought this car at 25 and worked 2 jobs to pay for it, I remember thinking I would be 30 years old before it's paid off, turning 44 this weekend.

If I had the means, I would keep my C5 and buy another Corvette, and that includes keeping both in garage.

 

I had the same thought as you several years ago. Instead of trading in on a C7, I decided to go all in on my C5. That was when I added the supercharger, and am still falling down the modding rabbit hole. Honestly, my plan is to keep this car until I die. I would really like a C8 some day. If I had to, I would consider selling my C5 to make that happen. However, if at all possible I would have both. There's simply no possible way that anyone would ever pay me what my C5 is worth to me.

 

 

I would sell mine for a very nice C2. I have loved that generation since l was a kid.

 

I kept mine when I got my C8 last year, but don't drive it a ton. I still love it and think it looks great. However with a deposit down for a C8Z it might be getting sold to make room unless I move in the mean time which in looking to do.

 

Hahaha.... A constant question runs thru my mind since childhood...a long long time ago. What's the next sports car to own and drive?.. can I afford Ferrari?... Or a 911?.. Perhaps Corvette. 🤔🙄.. Good luck with that one!

 

Maybe forever...maybe not...I love my C5, had it over a decade, modified it just the way I wanted it...and I still love it. That said, the C7 is a tempting upgrade...

 

I second everything MWWarlord said except I would not sell my c5......Its here to stay....I did buy it new so that factors into it as well as I know everything about the car......I may someday go for a newer model, but not at this time....

 

I plan on keeping my 2001 C5 until one us rolls over on our back and kicks our wheels up

 

Me too!

 

I'd love to keep the C5 as well, but there won't be room for an additional toy in the garage if I do get a C7.

 

I got my 2004 a couple of years ago. It's paid off and I've become a big fan of not having a car payment every month. Every time I see a C7 or C8, I'll get the itch to upgrade but then I think about having a significant payment for the next 3-4 years and I can't justify it. Mine was very well maintained by the previous owner(s) and I've invested in keeping it that way. I'm at 90,000 miles and, while it still looks great, there are a few very minor scratches that I see when I wash it. That helps take some of the stress off of daily driving it and I can enjoy it more. I'm sure a bank would loan me the money, but I don't want to be sweating every time I leave a newer C7 or C8 in a parking lot.

I'll maintain that a C5 is still the best bargain for a performance car and I can't justify several hundred dollars a month on something else that I feel is just a marginal improvement. There's no question that the later generations are better, but at 32 years old I'm far better off putting a car payment's worth of cash into the market every month for another few years. Any time I start to get bored with it, I just find something that's starting to age and work on finding an OEM+ replacement for it.

 

Let me check with the wife...be right back!

Dan

 

The C5 has no expiration date for me. I like driving and working on it. It handles nicely and is pretty quick. I plan on making it quicker. So it will stick around for a good long time.

 

Either till it dies (188K miles) or I do (Age 74).

 

In tell it pisses me off so much. It will end up where all my other cars r. at the bottom off a cliff. Had the tow truck backed up ready to go many times, but god damn it just keeps pulling me back in.

 

Yeah that's my take as well. A few years ago I was eager to eventually upgrade into a C7. But after the C8 debut, I look at the C7 as just a faster version of what I already have. And I don't use all of my C5's ability, it's my daily driver. So it's not worth it to take on a major car payment. Now if I could actually buy a 1LT C8 at msrp with a low interest rate, I'd be very tempted. But I would still keep the C5 as a daily, and the C8 would be my weekend car. Daily driving a vette takes its toll. My 110k mile C5 still looks nice, especially for a 20 year old car, but it's picked up numerous little paint scratches and rock chips etc since I first bought it with 45k miles. I don't worry about the small stuff anymore. But daily driving a brand new C8 would be stressful.

 

I had a new C5 back in 2002, did the H/C etc, sold it 10 years ago and regretted every day. Went through a C6 and most recently a Hellcat, I've driven all the different Generations and nothing is like the C5. Last year a purchased my 04Z and I'm never getting rid of it. I kept the Hellcat too, because I have kids now.

 

Honestly, someone will probably be reading my Will when it changes hands....I'll make sure it gets sold or put in the Will that it goes to someone that will take care of it. It won't stay in the family, no one is a "car person".