C5 Corvette, Would i be Nuts.....?

[Bristol spark]

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 fk!


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

[Bristol spark]

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

[Bristol spark]

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.

however this one does look exactly what i want in the right colour

http://www.corvetteworlddallas.com/used/Chevrolet/...