C5 Corvette, Would i be Nuts.....?
Discussion
After owning my S2000 for nearly 3 years (longest I've ever kept something!) its time for a change.
For the last 6 months I've struggled to find anything in my budget that takes my fancy!
However having spent a bit of time in the USA recently, I've suddenly decided what i need in my life is a Corvette
My absolute Max budget is £12K, Maybe £13K at a push
This will just about get an early C5.
Although there is not a lot of choice in the UK.
Yes it will be LHD, and parts i guess would have to be imported from USA.
But the 5.7L LS1 makes up for that, and IMO they look and sound cool as f
k!
It would literally be a weekend car, maybe two drives a month, and garaged (if it fits!)
Why are there so few in the UK? (don't think I've ever seen one in the UK)
Surely they are not overly complex machines, and not too much to break? (can't be any more unreliable than my S2000)
And so would i be nuts to buy one?
Are they pretty depreciation proof? as so few around?
Anyone have one?
Cheers
For the last 6 months I've struggled to find anything in my budget that takes my fancy!
However having spent a bit of time in the USA recently, I've suddenly decided what i need in my life is a Corvette
My absolute Max budget is £12K, Maybe £13K at a push
This will just about get an early C5.
Although there is not a lot of choice in the UK.
Yes it will be LHD, and parts i guess would have to be imported from USA.
But the 5.7L LS1 makes up for that, and IMO they look and sound cool as f
k!It would literally be a weekend car, maybe two drives a month, and garaged (if it fits!)
Why are there so few in the UK? (don't think I've ever seen one in the UK)
Surely they are not overly complex machines, and not too much to break? (can't be any more unreliable than my S2000)
And so would i be nuts to buy one?
Are they pretty depreciation proof? as so few around?
Anyone have one?
Cheers
Edited by Bristol spark on Monday 20th February 19:05
Unfortunately, prices of all American cars are on the rise because of the poor exchange rate and duties, shipping and VAT costs.
When I bought my C5 Z06 in 2004, the dollar was 2.2 to the £ but now it's 1.6 and adding 10% import duties and 20% VAT makes these cars quite expensive, hence the lack of recent imports, because they are not that cheap in the US so the shipping, duties and conversion to UK lighting costs make it hard to make a profit.
The cars are largely bulletproof and simple to maintain. The main issue is damage to the plastic and the computer sits under the battery so can have issues. They need healthy batteries to keep things sweet but stock batteries fit.
Smaller parts are easily obtainable from places like Rock Auto (US - taxes paid) but for larger parts, shipping costs are the killer. However, Ron at STS Imports does a container every month to defray such costs.
You're likely to be stuck with an auto as manuals are rare but don't let that put you off as autos are great fun with an engine that size. The manual box in the C5 is no great shakes either and is actually an impediment.
They are a little big in narrow lanes but stick to B roads and you'll be just fine. The consumption is about 20 round town but up to 30 or more on a long run.
These cars will cover vast mileages but the UK doesn't like big miles but I think there will always be someone who wants a Vette. I certainly do...
Oh and check tyre sizes and availability of such sizes as some are hard to get nowadays.
When I bought my C5 Z06 in 2004, the dollar was 2.2 to the £ but now it's 1.6 and adding 10% import duties and 20% VAT makes these cars quite expensive, hence the lack of recent imports, because they are not that cheap in the US so the shipping, duties and conversion to UK lighting costs make it hard to make a profit.
The cars are largely bulletproof and simple to maintain. The main issue is damage to the plastic and the computer sits under the battery so can have issues. They need healthy batteries to keep things sweet but stock batteries fit.
Smaller parts are easily obtainable from places like Rock Auto (US - taxes paid) but for larger parts, shipping costs are the killer. However, Ron at STS Imports does a container every month to defray such costs.
You're likely to be stuck with an auto as manuals are rare but don't let that put you off as autos are great fun with an engine that size. The manual box in the C5 is no great shakes either and is actually an impediment.
They are a little big in narrow lanes but stick to B roads and you'll be just fine. The consumption is about 20 round town but up to 30 or more on a long run.
These cars will cover vast mileages but the UK doesn't like big miles but I think there will always be someone who wants a Vette. I certainly do...
Oh and check tyre sizes and availability of such sizes as some are hard to get nowadays.
I have a C6 and had two C3s before.
I wholeheartedly recommend Corvette to everyone who's considering one.
They drive very well, most of mechanical parts are available within a day or two in the UK and that's both brand new and second hand. But they are really built to last.
They look great, sound great, even the fuel consumption is not too bad if you go for the manual. My C6 easily breaks 30MPG when cruising due to very long 6th gear and it also has so much low down torque from 6l V8 that you really rarely have to change gears to overtake.
The only time LHD is an issue is at M6 toll booths and shopping centre carparks but then all you have to do is to either just get out and walk around the car or ask your passenger.
I drove my Vettes all over UK, in rural roads of Somerset, through forests and marshes, on tiny B-roads etc and never found it cumbersome, don't listen to people that have never driven one.
There really isn't anything that is such a great balance of special/reliable/fast/comfortable as a Vette for the money.
I wholeheartedly recommend Corvette to everyone who's considering one.
They drive very well, most of mechanical parts are available within a day or two in the UK and that's both brand new and second hand. But they are really built to last.
They look great, sound great, even the fuel consumption is not too bad if you go for the manual. My C6 easily breaks 30MPG when cruising due to very long 6th gear and it also has so much low down torque from 6l V8 that you really rarely have to change gears to overtake.
The only time LHD is an issue is at M6 toll booths and shopping centre carparks but then all you have to do is to either just get out and walk around the car or ask your passenger.
I drove my Vettes all over UK, in rural roads of Somerset, through forests and marshes, on tiny B-roads etc and never found it cumbersome, don't listen to people that have never driven one.
There really isn't anything that is such a great balance of special/reliable/fast/comfortable as a Vette for the money.
Thanks Guys.
Yes i have taken a look at prices in the USA, and its around $13000 for a early C5 in good condition.
I don't know how much importing costs, but I'm guessing this would equate to at least £13-14K.
Plus it would be buying "blind" and the hassle of IVA etc (I've done IVA before on a kitcar)
I guess the main issue with LHD for me would be the Severn Bridge which i go over a lot, but only takes 30 seconds to walk around i guess.
Not bothered about being Auto as i think it suits these sort of cars really.
Glad to hear they are pretty reliable. Do they suffer rust at all over hear, obviously the bodywork should be fine! but what about chassis etc?
BTW Rottie, great plate
Yes i have taken a look at prices in the USA, and its around $13000 for a early C5 in good condition.
I don't know how much importing costs, but I'm guessing this would equate to at least £13-14K.
Plus it would be buying "blind" and the hassle of IVA etc (I've done IVA before on a kitcar)
I guess the main issue with LHD for me would be the Severn Bridge which i go over a lot, but only takes 30 seconds to walk around i guess.
Not bothered about being Auto as i think it suits these sort of cars really.
Glad to hear they are pretty reliable. Do they suffer rust at all over hear, obviously the bodywork should be fine! but what about chassis etc?
BTW Rottie, great plate
C5 Corvette is an absolutely brilliant car and strongly recommended. You'll find a nice one for your budget.
Bear in mind that two thirds of all Corvettes are auto transmission so you'll get a much better choice of cars if you keep an open mind about the gearbox. The 4-speed auto is fine. Coupes will similarly be easier to find than convertibles.
Reliability is excellent and there's a great Corvette Club UK with helpful forum. Worth joining right now so you can start picking up some tips.
Bear in mind that two thirds of all Corvettes are auto transmission so you'll get a much better choice of cars if you keep an open mind about the gearbox. The 4-speed auto is fine. Coupes will similarly be easier to find than convertibles.
Reliability is excellent and there's a great Corvette Club UK with helpful forum. Worth joining right now so you can start picking up some tips.
Bristol spark said:
Thanks Guys.
Yes i have taken a look at prices in the USA, and its around $13000 for a early C5 in good condition.
I don't know how much importing costs, but I'm guessing this would equate to at least £13-14K.
Plus it would be buying "blind" and the hassle of IVA etc (I've done IVA before on a kitcar)
I guess the main issue with LHD for me would be the Severn Bridge which i go over a lot, but only takes 30 seconds to walk around i guess.
Not bothered about being Auto as i think it suits these sort of cars really.
Glad to hear they are pretty reliable. Do they suffer rust at all over hear, obviously the bodywork should be fine! but what about chassis etc?
BTW Rottie, great plate
It's always pretty much what you spend in dollars in the US will cost you that in Pounds by the time it's on the road in the UK with all the work done.Yes i have taken a look at prices in the USA, and its around $13000 for a early C5 in good condition.
I don't know how much importing costs, but I'm guessing this would equate to at least £13-14K.
Plus it would be buying "blind" and the hassle of IVA etc (I've done IVA before on a kitcar)
I guess the main issue with LHD for me would be the Severn Bridge which i go over a lot, but only takes 30 seconds to walk around i guess.
Not bothered about being Auto as i think it suits these sort of cars really.
Glad to hear they are pretty reliable. Do they suffer rust at all over hear, obviously the bodywork should be fine! but what about chassis etc?
BTW Rottie, great plate
Anything that's untreated steel will rust so your best bet if importing is to buy one from a southern state where there's no salt used on the roads and treat it with something as soon as you get it.
There's a couple of cars in your ballpark dollar figure here in Houston.
http://www.corvetteworlddallas.com/used-inventory/...
I go past this place on the way home from work every night and I'd happily pop in, take a look at them and check them out for you.
You can also ship from the Port of Houston to Chatham quite easily.
HD Adam said:
It's always pretty much what you spend in dollars in the US will cost you that in Pounds by the time it's on the road in the UK with all the work done.
Anything that's untreated steel will rust so your best bet if importing is to buy one from a southern state where there's no salt used on the roads and treat it with something as soon as you get it.
There's a couple of cars in your ballpark dollar figure here in Houston.
http://www.corvetteworlddallas.com/used-inventory/...
I go past this place on the way home from work every night and I'd happily pop in, take a look at them and check them out for you.
You can also ship from the Port of Houston to Chatham quite easily.
Thank you Adam, and kind offer - i would happily pay you to check it out if i decided to go down this route, although I'm not quite there yet as i need to sell my Honda first.Anything that's untreated steel will rust so your best bet if importing is to buy one from a southern state where there's no salt used on the roads and treat it with something as soon as you get it.
There's a couple of cars in your ballpark dollar figure here in Houston.
http://www.corvetteworlddallas.com/used-inventory/...
I go past this place on the way home from work every night and I'd happily pop in, take a look at them and check them out for you.
You can also ship from the Port of Houston to Chatham quite easily.
however this one does look exactly what i want in the right colour
http://www.corvetteworlddallas.com/used/Chevrolet/...
HD Adam said:
It's always pretty much what you spend in dollars in the US will cost you that in Pounds by the time it's on the road in the UK with all the work done.
Anything that's untreated steel will rust so your best bet if importing is to buy one from a southern state where there's no salt used on the roads and treat it with something as soon as you get it.
There's a couple of cars in your ballpark dollar figure here in Houston.
http://www.corvetteworlddallas.com/used-inventory/...
I go past this place on the way home from work every night and I'd happily pop in, take a look at them and check them out for you.
You can also ship from the Port of Houston to Chatham quite easily.
Never even heard of any Corvettes rusting (especially C5 and newer) even in the "rust belt" of the US, where about 10% more salt is used on the roads than in the UK. You can find an early C5 for US $10k or so in the Texas or SoCal area. Search wide as there are very significant price differences by region (up to about 35%).Anything that's untreated steel will rust so your best bet if importing is to buy one from a southern state where there's no salt used on the roads and treat it with something as soon as you get it.
There's a couple of cars in your ballpark dollar figure here in Houston.
http://www.corvetteworlddallas.com/used-inventory/...
I go past this place on the way home from work every night and I'd happily pop in, take a look at them and check them out for you.
You can also ship from the Port of Houston to Chatham quite easily.
Other than being left hand drive they are a sensible choice considering how cheap they are to run and maintain. Other than the passenger window motor packing up and a fuel sensor failing, my Dad's one has only required the usual services since he bought it in 2003.
Don't be put off by your first drive of one as they can be quite intimidating due to size and being on the wrong side. I always find it a shock when jumping from my MX5 to the Vette but quickly forget.
A few things I would consider changing if you bought a standard one:
Ditch the runflats as the car feels nervous over mid corner bumps with them. Non-runflats make the car far more suited to our roads.
If you go for a manual, buy the MGW or similar short shifter as it transforms the horrible standard box. It does require a lot more effort to shift than your S2000 but does make it enjoyable to use. The standard is very agricultural.
Change the exhaust as the standard one is muted. There are loads on the market. Billy Boats are good if you think Jag F types sound a bit diet coke. Careful of drone though.
The interior is the biggest disappointment of the car. Although it has worn far less than the family X5 over similar miles, it just doesn't look very nice. I have seen a few with the steering wheel re-upholstered and that makes a big difference.
Take it to somewhere like Wheels in Motion for an alignment. I was amazed at how the car felt afterwards.
Otherwise just enjoy it. I've taken the Vette on road trips to the Italian lakes and Tuscany and really enjoyed it. The wife seems to like it as well as she can fit over 40kg of luggage in the back!
A 996 would make a great safe alternative if you are not entirely sure.
Don't be put off by your first drive of one as they can be quite intimidating due to size and being on the wrong side. I always find it a shock when jumping from my MX5 to the Vette but quickly forget.
A few things I would consider changing if you bought a standard one:
Ditch the runflats as the car feels nervous over mid corner bumps with them. Non-runflats make the car far more suited to our roads.
If you go for a manual, buy the MGW or similar short shifter as it transforms the horrible standard box. It does require a lot more effort to shift than your S2000 but does make it enjoyable to use. The standard is very agricultural.
Change the exhaust as the standard one is muted. There are loads on the market. Billy Boats are good if you think Jag F types sound a bit diet coke. Careful of drone though.
The interior is the biggest disappointment of the car. Although it has worn far less than the family X5 over similar miles, it just doesn't look very nice. I have seen a few with the steering wheel re-upholstered and that makes a big difference.
Take it to somewhere like Wheels in Motion for an alignment. I was amazed at how the car felt afterwards.
Otherwise just enjoy it. I've taken the Vette on road trips to the Italian lakes and Tuscany and really enjoyed it. The wife seems to like it as well as she can fit over 40kg of luggage in the back!
A 996 would make a great safe alternative if you are not entirely sure.
Having owned a 2000 C5 convertible, my advice would be not to get into this without appreciating that these are pretty much "old bangers" here in the US.
That means that a great deal of them have become cheap enough to be in the hands of people young and dumb enough to abuse them and not maintain them. That would make my very gun-shy about an import vs buying a Euro spec car that is way more likely to have been lovingly cared for.
Manual transmission cars are hard to come by (and as already stated) - not all that nice to live with.
My experience - earlier cars are a little soft on power (345hp) and need a few modifications to liven them up. I installed a Blackwing, Magnaflow cat-back (mistake) and a Trans-Go shift kit.
Column Lock Bypass - a VERY common failure in early models. The steering lock pawl solenoid fails to retract - essentially immobilizing the car. CLB is an electrical bodge that bypasses the solenoid - but means you no longer have a steering lock.
Battery leak - another very common issue on 98/2001 cars where the battery leaks and drips corrosive liquid onto the Engine ECU, which is mounted directly underneath the battery. The replacement ECU (which can fail years later) costs around $2000
Seat bolster scuffing/wear - seat belt rubs on the bolster and eventually wears through the 'pleather'.
Air dam - there is a duct under the car to feed air onto the radiator and oil cooler. Because the car's ride height is so low, the air dam that directs the airflow into the duct is often missing (i.e. been ripped off by a high curb or similar).
Aftermarket exhaust - most of them (Corsa being the exception) are awful, in that they resonate horribly at cruising speeds and are tedious to live with. My Magnaflow sounded great on WOT, but drove me insane on motorways.
Headlamp shell grommets - eventually fall out, allowing the headlamp units to trap rainwater and rot the reflectors.
Door mirrors - the swivel mechanism is really fragile - many have a lot of 'slop' in them because the retaining tabs have worn away or been broken off.
Cheap tires - the OEM Goodyear Eagle run-flats are very expensive (and not very nice to live with) - so many cars are sitting on crappy budget tires that might not even be speed rated for the car.
Convertible roof chafing - due to lack of overall rigidity, the convertible roof rubs on the rear deck at the corners and eventually wears through the paint and primer.
That means that a great deal of them have become cheap enough to be in the hands of people young and dumb enough to abuse them and not maintain them. That would make my very gun-shy about an import vs buying a Euro spec car that is way more likely to have been lovingly cared for.
Manual transmission cars are hard to come by (and as already stated) - not all that nice to live with.
My experience - earlier cars are a little soft on power (345hp) and need a few modifications to liven them up. I installed a Blackwing, Magnaflow cat-back (mistake) and a Trans-Go shift kit.
Column Lock Bypass - a VERY common failure in early models. The steering lock pawl solenoid fails to retract - essentially immobilizing the car. CLB is an electrical bodge that bypasses the solenoid - but means you no longer have a steering lock.
Battery leak - another very common issue on 98/2001 cars where the battery leaks and drips corrosive liquid onto the Engine ECU, which is mounted directly underneath the battery. The replacement ECU (which can fail years later) costs around $2000
Seat bolster scuffing/wear - seat belt rubs on the bolster and eventually wears through the 'pleather'.
Air dam - there is a duct under the car to feed air onto the radiator and oil cooler. Because the car's ride height is so low, the air dam that directs the airflow into the duct is often missing (i.e. been ripped off by a high curb or similar).
Aftermarket exhaust - most of them (Corsa being the exception) are awful, in that they resonate horribly at cruising speeds and are tedious to live with. My Magnaflow sounded great on WOT, but drove me insane on motorways.
Headlamp shell grommets - eventually fall out, allowing the headlamp units to trap rainwater and rot the reflectors.
Door mirrors - the swivel mechanism is really fragile - many have a lot of 'slop' in them because the retaining tabs have worn away or been broken off.
Cheap tires - the OEM Goodyear Eagle run-flats are very expensive (and not very nice to live with) - so many cars are sitting on crappy budget tires that might not even be speed rated for the car.
Convertible roof chafing - due to lack of overall rigidity, the convertible roof rubs on the rear deck at the corners and eventually wears through the paint and primer.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff