New/ Used Corvettes where?
Discussion
You'll probably have to travel a bit as C5s are still rare. Crownhill of Milton Keynes usually have a couple, Wayne is your man there. Bauer Millet in Manchester always have a few and have a good reputation at the moment. American dreams of Gloucester have recently started advertising in the Corvette Club magazine though I don't know anyone who has bought from them yet.
Have you looked through the CCCUK website yet ? As you may find one you like from a club member.
Have you looked through the CCCUK website yet ? As you may find one you like from a club member.
Here's a one with only 3,500 miles on it, www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=61081&f=100&h=0
If it still there or look for 'Classic American' in your newsagent.
(Thats if its still in 1 piece,looks like a 'new age travellers' site behind)
>> Edited by ZR1415 on Thursday 30th October 16:09
If it still there or look for 'Classic American' in your newsagent.
(Thats if its still in 1 piece,looks like a 'new age travellers' site behind)
>> Edited by ZR1415 on Thursday 30th October 16:09
Usually a few in the Autotrader. When I was looking, American Dreams in Gloucester had a few, but he didn't seem keen to sell. Unlike Chris Graham in Cheshire. Chris had the best cars available and is extremely helpful. I really wanted to buy one from Chris but his were too low mileage making them over my budget. Chris advertises in Top Marques and Classic American. Call him on 01270 780232.
If you want anymore info or to look at my car you're more than welcome but I'm a novice so am still learning myself
Mark
If you want anymore info or to look at my car you're more than welcome but I'm a novice so am still learning myself
Mark
Thanks for the replies,
Are there any known problems with these cars?
How do they compare with my Esprit for running costs, performance, comfort etc.
Are they a practicle every day ride?
Sorry for all the questions but I just begining my search and as far as american auto goes I'm a Newbie.
Rgds
Dictys
Are there any known problems with these cars?
How do they compare with my Esprit for running costs, performance, comfort etc.
Are they a practicle every day ride?
Sorry for all the questions but I just begining my search and as far as american auto goes I'm a Newbie.
Rgds
Dictys
I have a customer with a silver 2000 ragtop auto for sale early spring if that is of interest. We don't sell cars but I often hear of Vettes of all ages for sale.
Drop me a line privately if any of the above is of interest.
The one thing you will notice with Vette's is that they are remarkably cheap to run. A Vette is a genuine daily driver with genuine supercar performance that wont cost you an arm and a leg on repair bills. They are developed and produced to GM corporate standards which are the same as all of their trucks and busses. The net result is a vehicle that is virtually bullet proof.
There are no real issues with the C5, early cars suffered from noisy fuel pumps, if you buy an import from the US then this will probably have been fixed as it was a warranty issue. All C5's have handbrake problems as the self adjusters don't work very well. We have had a couple of early cars with ECU problems but that is rare and the cause has been fixed on cars later than 98.
If i can be of assistance drop me a line!!
>> Edited by blackzr on Friday 31st October 09:24
Drop me a line privately if any of the above is of interest.
The one thing you will notice with Vette's is that they are remarkably cheap to run. A Vette is a genuine daily driver with genuine supercar performance that wont cost you an arm and a leg on repair bills. They are developed and produced to GM corporate standards which are the same as all of their trucks and busses. The net result is a vehicle that is virtually bullet proof.
There are no real issues with the C5, early cars suffered from noisy fuel pumps, if you buy an import from the US then this will probably have been fixed as it was a warranty issue. All C5's have handbrake problems as the self adjusters don't work very well. We have had a couple of early cars with ECU problems but that is rare and the cause has been fixed on cars later than 98.
If i can be of assistance drop me a line!!
>> Edited by blackzr on Friday 31st October 09:24
I've had my C5 Coupe for nearly two years. It is my only car and it hasn't let me down yet. I think of it as a practical 3-door hatchback which just happens to have a 350bhp engine in it and will do 175 with 0-60 in 4.65 seconds and 0-110 in 13.0 ! They're also less frequently seen than Ferraris and seem to generate a more positive response from the general public.
I've averaged 26 MPG with it over the entire period, servicing and parts costs aren't cheap but they aren't exorbitant either. They are designed for longevity too, there are plenty of cars that have passed the 100k mile mark with no problems especially if you stick to synthetic oil. I had a complete set of tyres fitted balanced and aligned for £540 including VAT. Aftermarket parts are becoming more widely available, the club is good and friendly.
There are one or two annoying problems with them that shouldn't be there, the most common one is that the fuel gauge can give an erratic reading and cause you to run out. This problem was only properly resolved on the 2003 cars and beyond. I have found that a bottle of fuel system cleaner in the tank once every 10,000 miles works wonders, you can also use the motorcyclists trick of resetting the trip meter every time you fill up then refilling the tank once you get past 300 miles - or 100 miles if you do a track day !! Adjusting the handbrake is unique and is best done yourself if you have the skills.
I was quite surprised by how much I enjoy the torque of good old-fashioned cubic inches too !
I've averaged 26 MPG with it over the entire period, servicing and parts costs aren't cheap but they aren't exorbitant either. They are designed for longevity too, there are plenty of cars that have passed the 100k mile mark with no problems especially if you stick to synthetic oil. I had a complete set of tyres fitted balanced and aligned for £540 including VAT. Aftermarket parts are becoming more widely available, the club is good and friendly.
There are one or two annoying problems with them that shouldn't be there, the most common one is that the fuel gauge can give an erratic reading and cause you to run out. This problem was only properly resolved on the 2003 cars and beyond. I have found that a bottle of fuel system cleaner in the tank once every 10,000 miles works wonders, you can also use the motorcyclists trick of resetting the trip meter every time you fill up then refilling the tank once you get past 300 miles - or 100 miles if you do a track day !! Adjusting the handbrake is unique and is best done yourself if you have the skills.
I was quite surprised by how much I enjoy the torque of good old-fashioned cubic inches too !
I have a 2003 Z06 which I imported from the USA. I got the car in May and it has been my daily driver / weekend drag racer / track racer since. It has just passed 15,000 and so far has cost me about £80. That is £75 for Mobil 1 and $6 for the oil filter.
The only supercar of similar price/performance/practicality at the moment is the Noble and even this falls down on the "can you get a set of golf clubs in the boot" test!
My 2003 Z06 cost me approx £45,000 on the road in the UK including buying in US, shipping, duty, VAT, SVA, Registering, Road Tax and years Insurance.
The only supercar of similar price/performance/practicality at the moment is the Noble and even this falls down on the "can you get a set of golf clubs in the boot" test!
My 2003 Z06 cost me approx £45,000 on the road in the UK including buying in US, shipping, duty, VAT, SVA, Registering, Road Tax and years Insurance.
Here's a Lingenfelter Twin Turbo from eBay that probably doesn't have such good consumption: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6168&item=2439192132
With a car like that how can you have 18,200 "carefully" driven miles ? Must be a woossy owner !
With a car like that how can you have 18,200 "carefully" driven miles ? Must be a woossy owner !
,and i bet the torque is incredible aswell..
Biggest differences from an Esprit, assuming you weren't in a V8 are more room inside and loads of torque at any rpm. Dealers are a rum bunch - you're average Lotus dealer is more "specialist" than "Astra diesel" so it will come as a shock dealing with these Vauxhall Johnnies. Happily you don't need to see them very often.
Points to watch out for include,
* Battery can be weak probably because it's just too small. No big deal in itself but you wont find one at Halfords.
* Tyres are OK but you need to deal with people who know what they are doing without getting ripped off.
* MOT needs to be done by someone sensible or they'll tear the bottom off your car getting it onto the ramp (even lower than the Lotus)
* Don't go round corners too fast! Experience counts.
Buy and enjoy!! How will you decide between manual/auto? Gaston
Points to watch out for include,
* Battery can be weak probably because it's just too small. No big deal in itself but you wont find one at Halfords.
* Tyres are OK but you need to deal with people who know what they are doing without getting ripped off.
* MOT needs to be done by someone sensible or they'll tear the bottom off your car getting it onto the ramp (even lower than the Lotus)
* Don't go round corners too fast! Experience counts.
Buy and enjoy!! How will you decide between manual/auto? Gaston
In reply to Gaston....
I have heard about the battery problem, but there is a replacement one that is supposed to fix the problem and this is a dealer warranty exchange.
Tyres are very cheap at about £250 for a front and £280 for a rear. This is ball park for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres fitted as standard. Try North Hants Tyres if you want some.
The standard C5 suspension height is fine regarding ramps. The only thing you are likely to hit is the spring loaded plastic chin guard which is designed for this very purpose.
Cornering is fantastic compared with a C4 Corvette and only my Scooby was better regarding all of the cars I have owned/driven.
I have heard about the battery problem, but there is a replacement one that is supposed to fix the problem and this is a dealer warranty exchange.
Tyres are very cheap at about £250 for a front and £280 for a rear. This is ball park for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tyres fitted as standard. Try North Hants Tyres if you want some.
The standard C5 suspension height is fine regarding ramps. The only thing you are likely to hit is the spring loaded plastic chin guard which is designed for this very purpose.
Cornering is fantastic compared with a C4 Corvette and only my Scooby was better regarding all of the cars I have owned/driven.
I am going to look at a Vette tomorrow, and will be checking it out - anything specific need making sure works or not broke (its a 2001 auto coupe) that would be good to know in advance?
Also does anyone recommend getting a specialist mechanic to view the car - eg for cylinder compression ect, that I am not mechanically minded enough..?
On another point, if buying from a specialist, does it need an HPI check/AA Check?
Any help appreciated!
Also does anyone recommend getting a specialist mechanic to view the car - eg for cylinder compression ect, that I am not mechanically minded enough..?
On another point, if buying from a specialist, does it need an HPI check/AA Check?
Any help appreciated!
[quote]I am going to look at a Vette tomorrow, and will be checking it out
[/quote]
Good luck with your hunt.
The only advice i've got is to make sure you try a manual as well as an auto before you make your mind up. I drove a couple of Auto's and then a manual and it helped make my mind up.
The Auto's are great cars but I felt there was something missing... until I drove a manual. There's something great about the NASCAR soundtrack and rowing through the gears... (And you get 6 of them in a manual)
Obviously it comes down to personal preferance and i'm a manual fan, but it's worth trying them both out before you choose.
[/quote]
Good luck with your hunt.
The only advice i've got is to make sure you try a manual as well as an auto before you make your mind up. I drove a couple of Auto's and then a manual and it helped make my mind up.
The Auto's are great cars but I felt there was something missing... until I drove a manual. There's something great about the NASCAR soundtrack and rowing through the gears... (And you get 6 of them in a manual)
Obviously it comes down to personal preferance and i'm a manual fan, but it's worth trying them both out before you choose.
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff