what vette to buy

what vette to buy

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ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Wednesday 9th November 2016
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Hi guys
just starting to look for a c5 vette , will have about £15k (once my m6 sold if anyone whats to deal , cash either way wink wink )
i may be able to stretch to £20k ish for c6 .....
1/my wish list is targa (but understand not on c6 ,is that correct ?)
2/auto (main thing on both cars)
3/nice colour (main thing on both cars)

i understand the more stuff the harder to get what you want , i know miles/owners etc more value ,what are good things to look for in case i sell later i know people sometimes want things that are not important to me ? also is the c6 worth the extra as weekend car ?
also i dont understand euro spec ? (is car worth more if it has this , what is it ?)
also where they come from usa do you get service history with car ?
any help nice ... first thing with my budget c6 or c5?
thanks

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Wednesday 9th November 2016
quotequote all
BlackZeD said:
Nice car here, just gone on the website, can't fault it.

http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=137...
funny i saw it on corvette site , it sounds really nice but the thing is 98k miles is that bit high ?
red is not my fav colour to be honest , but you can tell its a good one , if it was silver or black i think i would have gone for that ! + my car not sold yet so mrs would hiiiiit the roof i think..

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Friday 11th November 2016
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Sinatra21 said:
I've been looking at c5s and c6s for the past few months. I've noticed that a lot of the cars are still for sale. 80% are autos where I ideally want a manual. Although I think the c5 is the prettier car the general consensus is the c6 is better and if wanting an auto the 6 speed is better.
thanks , yes dont seem a lot between c5 & c6 the price is not that far away either , i dont mind left hookers but DONT like changing gear in rhd let alone left .....

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Friday 11th November 2016
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philipbrown123 said:
When I bought my C6, I wanted an auto as they are LHD. Did not fancy changing gear with the right hand.
Yes for sure , even rhd cars with traffic are bit of a pain really , with decent power autos are good , fair enough in my van you need a stick to get moving ...

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Friday 11th November 2016
quotequote all
Corv99 said:
98k is't really a lot for these cars.. if you go on the US forum there are plenty in that area and upwards
great engine.. and as long as its looked after, oil changes and the like.. pretty bullit proof..
yes does seem ok on these engines , its not so much engine, its general wear & tear, if a choice i think everyone prefers lower but i know what you mean , sometimes higher miles & looked after is much better buy , the red car cant be faulted on the work etc , + on vette site all the guys know the car & say its the one to have ... and they know there st ha ha

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Friday 11th November 2016
quotequote all
ColinGr said:
Hi Ian, that is my car for sale and I can only echo what has been said above re the mileage, the LS1 engines are very strong and have a long shelf life, it had 93k when I bought it and this did not concern me in the slightest due to their reputation. Sorry that it's the wrong colour! smile Good luck with your search. beer
HI .....very nice car . love the things you have done , right up my street .. guys on vette site are saying its lovely.. the photos look stunning so would love to see in the flesh ! to be honest its not the wrong colour ( my m6 is indinapolis RED ha ha ) my first choice would be silver then black ( but i have had so many silver cars it pisses me off, i always like them but boring really !)
If you were nearer i would look at yours as can see you know what you are doing & car looks stunning ! how come you are selling after doing all that work ? Do you want M6 in px ? he main reason i wasnt straight on yours is my car not advertised/sold yet as was wtesting water / advice on vette before i decided as my car is nice really .

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Friday 11th November 2016
quotequote all
Soop Dogg said:
Re the Targa thing - the C6 is a targa providing it's not the Z06.

I used to own this one: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Cracking car - never missed a beat.

I swapped out the stock satnav unit for an Alpine with DAB and bluetooth so I could stream my music. Had it 8 years after having a C5 for about 18 months. Although the dealer describes it as a Euro-Spec, it's actually a UK car with Z51 etc. This was the longest I ever owned a car, but I've moved on to the C7 now.

I can highly recommend the C6 - a thoroughly enjoyable car to own! All the power you could want, great handling and won't cost you an arm and a leg to run it.

Edited by Soop Dogg on Friday 11th November 13:55
thanks for heads up , didnt relise you can get targa on c6 !!!
where do roof panels store in 5 or the 6 , are they easy to pack /remove ?
did you prefer the 6 to 5 by a lot, or just decided to move up to newer model ?
did you want the 5 back ever or happy with 6 as i could just about get a 6 ?

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Friday 11th November 2016
quotequote all
Soop Dogg said:
Re the Targa thing - the C6 is a targa providing it's not the Z06.

I used to own this one: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

Cracking car - never missed a beat.

I swapped out the stock satnav unit for an Alpine with DAB and bluetooth so I could stream my music. Had it 8 years after having a C5 for about 18 months. Although the dealer describes it as a Euro-Spec, it's actually a UK car with Z51 etc. This was the longest I ever owned a car, but I've moved on to the C7 now.

I can highly recommend the C6 - a thoroughly enjoyable car to own! All the power you could want, great handling and won't cost you an arm and a leg to run it.

Edited by Soop Dogg on Friday 11th November 13:55
just looked at car , its auto as well !
yellow , very unusal ? what colour is c7 ?
have you sold to dealre then ? or has it come up for sale since you sold it ?

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Saturday 12th November 2016
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ColinGr said:
Thanks Ian, to be honest the photos do not do it justice and that is not just my opinion as others have said the same. The only reason the car is up for sale is that another car I have lusted after for some time has become available, it is owned by a friend of mine and I've decided to go for it (it's not a vette but it is a Yank and I want to take it to the next level). There was never any intention to sell the vette and I even had this winters list of mods lined up which was reasonably extensive! I'm not in a huge rush to sell as the car I am buying is not going anywhere for the time being.
colin , i can see you were doing as keeper , but things change ....what car you getting ?????
i must admit if my car was sold i would pay you a visit , the more i look at pics the more i want.......

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Monday 14th November 2016
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Soop Dogg said:
My new C7 is black.

I part exchanged it with this dealer for the c7.

I don't want to step on anyone's toes by saying there was a big difference between C5 and C6, but I just didn't get on with my C5. It wss a 2003 50th anniversary convertible. Maybe the soft top detracted from the handling, but I just want every happy with how it drove. Once I got the C6, that was that for nearly 8 years. Never thought of getting another car until this year! I've never had a car for anywhere close to 8 years before, so that probably days a lot in itself.

The new C7 is another leap....
so you only just done deal then ,shame as dealer will put his mark up on it now ... Nice to hear your opinion , its not stepping on anyones toes, that is what you think and entitled too it , thanks for heads up, c7 are stunning but out of my price range , is it a daily ??
there is a c6 with Z06 body in auto , nice colour for £19 k on e bay which seems a nice car , are all c6 targas or is it an extra ....

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Monday 14th November 2016
quotequote all
Soop Dogg said:
All non-convertible C6's apart from the Z06 are targas.

You asked earelier about how the roof stows in the boot - it has 2 latches on the front an done on the back to remove it, then there are attachments in the boot for the roof to clip into to stop it rattling and sliding around.
cheers , i had a nissan Zx300 years ago & same thing, so when in boot no room really ? are they quite a good system ? non leak ?

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Tuesday 15th November 2016
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Sinatra21 said:
There's a nice burnt orange c6 for sale on eBay and pistonheads and a really low mileage c5 z06 of Car and classic. It's 26k but only has 1.5k miles from new.
thanks for that was a bit woried , it started off at £22k ! i thnk as it has body kit as well, like you say some damage , weird that somebody paints it a colour that dosnt exist ? perhaps the seller would tell you what the story but i never rang him ?

regarding orange one will have a look but bit out my price range , the other thing is everybody seems to love the Z06 i dont know if it is as nice drice as the standard , sometimes they make them to hard for british roads , have these got harder suspension? also no targa which i love , also is it true that the boot /trunk is smaller / less room ?


ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Tuesday 15th November 2016
quotequote all
Soop Dogg said:
Re the Z06 boot - it's only smaller in that you lose one of the 'bins' as the battery is in the boot.

Re the size of the boot with the roof in it. The roof still has plenty of room under it for storage. You can pop out the rear clips and the roof kind of 'hinges' up at the back edge so that you can get to the space underneath it. I've know my wife and I to have the roof in the back when on holiday with a couple of weeks luggage in the boot too!
thats fine , if you can get some luggage for weekend away ( i will take my van if need more room ha ha )
cheers

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Tuesday 15th November 2016
quotequote all
z06tim said:
C5Z06 doesn't have the battery in the boot. It's under the bonnet, same as the standard C5.

Boot space is same as a convertible, although it doesn't have the separate compartment lids, so the trunk space is effectively more open. A convertible or fixed-roof-hardtop/Z06 does not have such a practical hatch-back like the regular targa-roof coupe, but it is still a very large trunk space for this class of vehicle.

The Z06 has the stiffest suspension of the C5 models, but is still not that harsh of a drive. Certainly not like a lot of much more recent performance oriented models. In my opinion the better handling is worth the small compromise to the ride.
that sounds ok , i dont like these cars that are set up for track,then everyday life is crappy ride ...
i see you have Z06 , did you try a c6 instead of c5 as i see simlar money would get you either car ?

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
z06tim said:
I've had my 2001 Z06 for nearly 10 years. At the time a C6 was much more money.

It's interesting that a standard C6 will be pretty close to a C5Z in a drag race, so in that sense it could be a good argument to consider both, but for me the character of the C5Z and the improved handling and feedback from the lighter car is well worth it.

I have considered moving to a C6Z, beacause of the improved performance, but i know there will be too many things i will miss from the C5Z. For me the C5Z is quite a unique car.

Good luck with your search. Sounds like you need to try a few cars to know what you want.
yes i think price wise i can get both , why is c5oz lighter ? its hard trying cars as you feel a time waster.
i am impulse , see ,like , buy , regret ha ha

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Monday 21st November 2016
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MrNoisy said:
imho normal human beings will not be able to separate a C5Z and a C6 (with Z51) on a track let alone on the road.

They will however be able to separate the extremely dated interior of the 5th generation. Don't get me wrong, I love both cars (owned both) but given a choice the 6 is the right way to go every day of the week.

Given you are talking quite a lot about practicalities then the 6 is an even more obvious choice. Smaller footprint (the 5 is big!), decent boot in the coupe and that oh so wonderful removable roof! It's a no brainer really.

Only way i'd go for a 5Z over a 6 is if it was gonna be an out and out track hack.

Mileage? Mine is mildly modded and on 108k with all the pull of the proverbial steam train...
thanks , normally the next model is always a bit better (not every time but more than not !) i think i will try to wait a bit & see if a nice c6 auto comes along , i dont want a track car ,is it a fair bit smaller than c5 ? is the hatchback same size as c5 ? are all c6 targas as standard , what are the MUST have extras to look for , need a uk car ? or is it a euro spec ?
cheers

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
MrNoisy said:
The 5Z has a cult following and rightly so, I'd certainly have another one but standing back a few feet from the problem and thinking logically the 6 is a better car in almost all respects. Stripped out, caged and modded the 5Z will be better on track, that is all. Some people just prefer and as they say, each to their own. I suspect, some people just don't like change. Check out some of the rage against the C7 on the US Vette forum........(a car i've had the pleasure of experiencing and can tell you is a quantum leap above the 6!)

I don't think the measurements sound hugely different but my 6 felt substantially smaller and that was driving on US roads.

Nowt in the two hatches if you are talking coupe v coupe but the base 5 is way down on power. If you're comparing the 5z then that has more of a traditional boot arrangement over the hatch, also a fixed roof so no targa. (increases body stiffness hence better track behaviour.)

All C6 base model coupes are targa, as are the later Grand sports. The 6Z has a fixed roof as well.

The next bit is very subjective but personally i'd look for the best equipped car I can find when making such a purchase. All cars at this age are well out of Warranty but Chevy honour recalls etc over here anyway.

I have a US car so here comes my bit of bias wink My 05 has not a jot of corrosion on it as it has lived in the southern states all it's life, I cannot imagine a single euro spec car with any use or mileage can be as clean underneath. It is also only £235 a year to tax and for some utterly bizarre reason despite having no NCB to put against it the insurance is way cheaper than my V70 D5?
thanks again for info ..... i have been warned not to have a jap import ? why is that , they have a dry state , strict 50mph speed limits ? did you import yours yourself ?

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Tuesday 22nd November 2016
quotequote all
MrNoisy said:
Don't understand the jap import comment with ref to a Vette but generally there is a lot of guff spoken about imports. I know insurance used to be a faff but it isn't now.

I've been back in the UK for over a year now and had to source a couple of bits from the States. It really is a piece of doddle to purchase online and stuff arrives V quickly. There are so many vendors in the US that will ship to your door I reckon it's just as easy as getting bits for the Volvo - and a lot cheaper usually lol. I just had a set of EBC yellow stuff pads delivered for £42 to my door from ebay. These are super cheap cars to run.

If you are more inclined to let others do all the work in exchange for the hard earned then there are also a whole host of options in the UK as far as specialists go. They don't care whether it is an import or not....

It's a sliding scale as far as I can tell with one end being buying a UK supplied one owner car from a dealer that has low miles, full history and warranty and the other end being buying that yellow thing off ebay recently that had been salvage in the US and then Lithunian repaired & registered ffs! I wouldn't have been totally put off a salvage whilst in the US but I would not entertain buying a salvage that has been exported. I suspect it was known it would never have been allowed back on the road in the US.

If you end up looking at US cars be sure it has Z51 and ideally a 3LT(06 up) or 1SB(2005) spec. HUD was an optional extra on cars below this spec so not all US cars have it. Easy to retrofit but there are literally gazzillions of cars out there to start with. Another thing I would avoid would be magride, this in my experience is the thing that irks people in the US the most. You're looking at $1000 a corner when they start leaking - or so i'm told.

Now the 6 is over ten years old it is a joy to import as only needs MOT and not IVA. The exchange rate is prob your biggest challenge at the moment but that will work itself out i'm sure.
I know what you mean about getting top uk spec 1 owner with warranty , i am not scared to save some money and take a chance ...
is mag ride an option then ?
what is z51 package? also what is 3lt ?
what is 1sb ?
do you think i shaoul import one ?

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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Gixer said:
Interesting thread. Couple of things though, you may want to try both as its down to personal taste. Corrosion wise you should be pretty much fine C4 upwards.
Imo, the vette has evolved from sports car to gt car over the years. A c5 Z06 will be a bit less gt than a C6. It will certainly be a bit more of a raw driving experience. Also lets not forget a C5 Z06 was top dog when new. A base C6 was never top dog even when new. Comments of the aged interior are true though. Althouh no vettes have anything to shout home about when it comes to interiors, even the C7.

I run both a C6 Z06 and C4 ZR1 (not stock). While the Z06 is very civilised, fast and practical- great for driving to the Alps or Monaco non stop or perhaps the odd track day, once in the Alps, its the ZR1 I yearn for. Far more a drivers car. Preferred by both my wife and myself and the car that will never be sold.

Im one of those that do not like the C7 very much. The looks just dont do it for me. In fact the only one I like is a friends white Z06 - imo the only colour that works. You say each model is an improvement but lets not forget the considerable weight the new car has put on and the fact GM have taken it to the ring twice, crashed it and never posted any times.....

Look up the C6 model changes year to year on google. Try to go post 2008 if you can if its the C6 you opt for. If a model thats been imported from the states then make sure you hpi check it and car fax it too. No point just having a UK check done on a car thats been in the states.

Oh, never buy blind from the states. Always view the car yourself or have someone you trust go and view it. Dont believe any photos the seller claims are of the car. With the bad exchange rate at the mo, im not sure you will get that good a deal. Bare in mind offical euro cars were a different spec to us cars.

Edited by Gixer on Tuesday 22 November 17:52
thanks for heads up , will a c5 have more of a chance of rust issues than my bmw then ? i thought it was older vettes ?
what do you think about the jap imports ? good or bad ?
cheers Ian

ian-163jt

Original Poster:

239 posts

108 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
quotequote all
MrNoisy said:
Magride was certainly an option yes.
Z51 is the performance package, not overly so, not crazy hard but imo the non z51 is just too soft and not befitting the performance of the car.
3lt is the specification level. 2005 model was 2sb then 1sb (1 being higher), 06 up is 1lt, 2lt, 3lt (3 being higher rather confusingly!)

Only you know whether to import! I think with the exchange rate i'd be buying locally personally. (however that doesn't mean it wouldn't be an import.) The only people that will tell you a UK or euro car is better are those that have them. There is little in it for me at this age. I can see an argument both ways when the car is new or nearly new but not so much at a decade old.

I echo the comment above, 2008 was the key midlife upgrade of the C6 and is a substantially improved vehicle all around.

They are all pretty cool in their own way but also don't forget - it's only a plastic Chevy and in the land of the free they don't even get a second glance...
thanks again , confusing about 1 being highest spec then changing to 1 is the lowest , think i will have to find car then check with guys on here its ok car as i tend to be very impulsive !!!
there is a silver and black c6 on e bay, with z06 kit on , but i dont like the bonnet (looks like it should have a blower underneath ), its £25 k.....i am not sure but it might have been the dealer that was selling another blue c6 with Z06 kit on about 4 weeks ago ?