Corvette C-5

[SamC.]

Oh the tragedy of it all, I am toying with the idea of purchasing a low mileage Covette C-5 series. No hard preference ( yet) of a coupe or ragtop. Any Pelicanites have any experience with the C-5, what say you?

Thanks much!

[cockerpunk]

performance bargain right now.

id go FRC personally. they do have some issues. something about brake masters on some years not being available anymore, and the seats are terrible. like all solvable issues, but something to be aware of. as always, look to the motorsports guys for what reliability issues they might have, they are the ones that actually find the issues, and then fix them properly. street car dudes dont know **** generally. id find the local or internet spec corvette group and ask them about C5s.

[Tobra]

Coupe

Incredible performance bang for the buck, and the A/C blows cold

[Chocaholic]

As a reminder:

[aschen]

Love C5s, never owned one but will some day.

I much prefer the hatch lines and usibility, which is a shame since Z06 is notch only.

They are cheap and plentiful enough that you can buy a really nice one. 6MT, Z51, lowish miles, cool color, later model....cant really spend more than 20k even if you try on a non z06. 15k buys a nice one.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Do it! I’ve been toying with the idea as well, they are about the best performance car bargain going right now. As much as I like the FRC the hatch is amazingly practical and less money. My son has a C6 and it’s amazing how much stuff it will carry. They are damn near bulletproof and the aftermarket is massive and reasonably well priced. My only big caveat is that the interior is crap especially the seats. If I get one someday it will immediately get a set of proper sport seats installed.

[ted]

If you keep it stock and don't go to the track should be a fun car.
CLB the column lock bypass is a fix that should be considered.
I had two C5Z, one track prepared and the other stock, both were fun.
If I were to get a vette I would like a stock C6Z for big power.
An automatic C5 convertible for cheap would be a fun cruiser.

All the info you would ever need is on the Corvette forum.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-corvettes-1997-2004-2/

[ckcarr]

Convertible all the way if you want a fun car.
But, they're all good.
Slight engine improvement in 2001 in base & convertible.

[wilnj]

With chop please.

https://youtube.com/shorts/vysCXxHe0yI?si=yZlvp0hnlefqxG2_

[berettafan]

I figured out why old guys like 'vettes'. it's not the 'I have money' aspect, it's the 'I can get in and out of this thing without help' aspect that is so impressive to their peers.

[RANDY P]

Buy a Z06.

Replace the valve springs (some defective) and disable the steering column lock (if not both already done). Get some DRM Bilsteins and beat the hell out of it.

done.

rjp

[aigel]

Step it up to the C6. It is the better bargain in terms of bang for the buck. You can get an early low mileage ragtop for under 25. BTDT shopping for a family member.

[aigel]

Said car …

[onewhippedpuppy]

The C6 is mostly a restyled C5, until you move up to the newer and more expensive LS3 models they are very mechanically similar. The C6 does have a marginally better interior especially if you get one with the 4LT interior package. My son has a 3LT car, it has the better (but still crap) power seats with adjustable bolsters but lacks the leather wrapped dash and door panels of the 4LT. But if you care, the aftermarket has options for upgraded interior bits as well. He also updated to the full Morimoto LED exterior lights which dramatically upgraded the look, the stock C6 headlights really date the car.

[aigel]

The base C6 has 400hp. Have to buy the C5 Z06 to get that power. And that’s never a ragtop. With the right options you can get better brakes too. The geezers generally equipped these well when they bought them new!

[onewhippedpuppy]

LOL fair enough. I tend to think of base power as a starting point, these things are so cheap to modify it’s silly. I’m also super partial to pop up headlights!

[JackDidley]

+1 for the C6. Ive been daily driving one for 3 1/2 years. Now at 104000 miles. The interior is still nice. LS2 is solid. Uses/leaks nothing. I beat on it at the dragstrip pretty often and it hooks on crappy street tires.

[aschen]

C6 is probably a better car and easier to find the right one.
Counterpoint: pop up headlights rule


I am sure there is an order of magnitude difference in numbers produced, but C5 corvette kinda feels like 1999 when you could buy a 3.2L 911 for like $3.50. I don't think they will every be really expensive but I think we are pretty near peak depreciation.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by aschen

Love C5s, never owned one but will some day.

I much prefer the hatch lines and usibility, which is a shame since Z06 is notch only.

They are cheap and plentiful enough that you can buy a really nice one. 6MT, Z51, lowish miles, cool color, later model....cant really spend more than 20k even if you try on a non z06. 15k buys a nice one.

I prefer the aesthetics of the C5 over the C4 or C6 or C7. I like the coupe better than the fast/hatchback, although I'm sure the later is more practical.

I've never been in one, but I have to imagine that compared to a Porsche, the interior and non-mechanical build quality would be lacking.

[wilnj]

Originally Posted by aschen

1999 when you could buy a 3.2L 911 for like $3.50.

Don’t remind me. I bought an engagement ring instead.