c5 - ride height
Discussion
I think its too expensive for an early C5 with that mileage, though being a manual/convertible does make it rare...
Otherwise it ticks a lot of boxes (other than perhaps black/black but could live with that).
Will consider and keep an eye on and possibly give the owner a call in the NY
Otherwise it ticks a lot of boxes (other than perhaps black/black but could live with that).
Will consider and keep an eye on and possibly give the owner a call in the NY
Just read through that thread, it does look very nice. I'm just not sure 17.25k represents good value when there's a chap selling a LS3 2008 C6 with 430hp for 20k...
I've sent the seller a message and also pointed him to this thread (hello if you see this!).
I've sent the seller a message and also pointed him to this thread (hello if you see this!).
Edited by PrinceRupert on Friday 1st January 18:46
This is turning into C5 / C6 market watch.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11141246?c...
Just appeared on PH. Some sort of odd auction website, 14k seems a lot for 160k miles, but it is a lovely colour and photographs well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...
This one has been slowly dropping in price for some time.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11141246?c...
Just appeared on PH. Some sort of odd auction website, 14k seems a lot for 160k miles, but it is a lovely colour and photographs well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...
This one has been slowly dropping in price for some time.
Noted, thanks. I think having thought about it more, my ideal car would be:
2001+ C5
Convertible
Manual
Yellow/red/blue
Under 80k miles (I'm not averse to high miles, but rather think a high mileage example would prove very tricky to sell).
I would hope to pay in the 13 to 14k range for such a car, which seems doable, but may need to be patient. I never heard from the chap with the black vert at 17250.
I could flex on spec for an immaculate car, and would possibly flex on price for an immaculate car in the right spec, but would be less keen to flex for a car that I thought was expensive/wrong spec.
2001+ C5
Convertible
Manual
Yellow/red/blue
Under 80k miles (I'm not averse to high miles, but rather think a high mileage example would prove very tricky to sell).
I would hope to pay in the 13 to 14k range for such a car, which seems doable, but may need to be patient. I never heard from the chap with the black vert at 17250.
I could flex on spec for an immaculate car, and would possibly flex on price for an immaculate car in the right spec, but would be less keen to flex for a car that I thought was expensive/wrong spec.
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Hi OP,
I'm the guy with the black vert, seems I've found one of your threads :-) apologies for not getting back to you on your message, but my car is no longer available.
I've had a look through some of this thread, I would really suggest when possible (who knows when that will be!) that you get out and experience these cars, probably both C5 and C6 if you have the budget, so you can make sure its definitely what you want. What you mention in terms of your ideal car is going to be a tough find, I keep an eye on the market and I can't recall seeing another manual C5 convertible for sale in the UK within the last year, nevermind specific colour/spec/price and actually well maintained! Though with this current situation if you're willing to be patient/compromise on some levels something may come up.
The good thing is you should have time to get to grips with the common issues to look for as well as what's out there in terms of upgrades, local garages you could use etc.
Thanks for your responding to the thread and joining the conversation. Did you sell your car? If so, would you be willing to share for what price? It would be interesting to know if my present view on values is wildly out of kilter with reality. Though if as you say manual convertibles are very rare, perhaps it could indeed command a premium, and perhaps an auto C5 at the price I am willing to spend would be achievable. I'm the guy with the black vert, seems I've found one of your threads :-) apologies for not getting back to you on your message, but my car is no longer available.
I've had a look through some of this thread, I would really suggest when possible (who knows when that will be!) that you get out and experience these cars, probably both C5 and C6 if you have the budget, so you can make sure its definitely what you want. What you mention in terms of your ideal car is going to be a tough find, I keep an eye on the market and I can't recall seeing another manual C5 convertible for sale in the UK within the last year, nevermind specific colour/spec/price and actually well maintained! Though with this current situation if you're willing to be patient/compromise on some levels something may come up.
The good thing is you should have time to get to grips with the common issues to look for as well as what's out there in terms of upgrades, local garages you could use etc.
It's difficult to get out and drive the cars, given lockdown, and the fact that so few cars are at dealers - I wouldn't want to test drive one that I wasn't reasonably keen on buying.
On spec, I think convertible is the key one, and being a decent well maintained example. I could live with an auto, and could live with most colours.
On budget, I could afford a C6. I would prefer to spend less on a C5, but if it really is the case that you can't get into a decent C5 for less than 17/18k, then I might as well get a C6 for a relatively small sum more.
On issues, doesn't seem there are too many, which is good to hear! There is also a specialist not too far from me, Ian Goss. If possible I would investigate a pre purchase inspection
Edited by PrinceRupert on Tuesday 5th January 23:34
I'm minded to look for a convertible - I've had one before, and the joy was putting it up and down quickly in our less than predictable weather (one memorable attempt to do it at 50mph on the motorway; bad idea!). Saying that, given it seems good cars at good prices are so rare, don't think I'd rule out a targa completely.
UTH said:
Yeah I see what you mean there. In the one summer I've owned my car I've only really taken it out in good weather, and then only taken the lid off when I know the forecast is perfect! Although I did get caught out once, luckily it was in the last mile of my journey home into London so I could quickly pull over and get the lid on. Being such a light lid, it was a 20 second job, if that, but obviously not something that can be done by slowing to 20mph and pressing a button.
My 124 Spider had a manual roof and it was super easy. In fairness, I owned by vert in Scotland, where the weather is VERY unpredictable ... now in London, so targa may work better. I just think I'd end up rarely taking the roof off, where with a vert I'd have it down all the time as long as it wasn't raining.
JONSCZ said:
What about this on F/B marketplace. Seems a bit £££, but worth trying an offer....
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2805353816...
Crackers pricing.https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2805353816...
Plus crap advert, never trust anyone who wants a swap, no MOT, and the last MOT it did have had two oil leak advisories. No thanks!
Edited by PrinceRupert on Wednesday 6th January 19:21
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/26799233...
This has been for sale a while and slowly dropping in price.
This has been for sale a while and slowly dropping in price.
Here is another, sadly located in Ireland:
https://www.gumtree.com/p/chevrolet/corvette-c5-5....
50k miles
It therefore doesn't appear that 13 - 15k for a decent C5 is unachievable. Convertible maybe more difficult as it seems there are very few.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/chevrolet/corvette-c5-5....
50k miles
It therefore doesn't appear that 13 - 15k for a decent C5 is unachievable. Convertible maybe more difficult as it seems there are very few.
JONSCZ said:
Nice looking, well priced C6 - newly advertised on Facebook. Not a 'vert and it's auto, but low mileage.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/42335075...
Oh and ETA - I must admit that I kept a close eye on that ZR1 listing, too. I saw that very car in Oxford a few months ago - looked and sounded fab. I believe it was getting on for about £150k when imported new.
That does look well priced (though no MOT would need resolved). I had read that the 2005 model C6 had a fairly poor 4 speed auto as compared to the 2006 onwards much better 6 speed auto, is that right? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/42335075...
Oh and ETA - I must admit that I kept a close eye on that ZR1 listing, too. I saw that very car in Oxford a few months ago - looked and sounded fab. I believe it was getting on for about £150k when imported new.
Edited by JONSCZ on Thursday 7th January 23:06
Also the pictures on a caravan site are a bit odd
300bhp/ton said:
Don't know if you have bought anything yet.
But try and hold out for a manual if you want to enjoy some B road action.
There is nothing wrong with the autos, they go fine. Just a lot less interaction and fun IMO.
Sadly 95% of American cars in the UK seem to be autos though
I haven't. A manual convertible would be my preference but as you say few on the ground. A fellow forum member appears to have just sold his - i thought it was too expensive, not sure if someone else disagreed or whether it was sold for a reduced price! But try and hold out for a manual if you want to enjoy some B road action.
There is nothing wrong with the autos, they go fine. Just a lot less interaction and fun IMO.
Sadly 95% of American cars in the UK seem to be autos though
Seems to be a lot fewer C5s around than C6s as well.
Benbay001 said:
The issue for me is when i look at things that id consider a worth while upgrade from my C5, i always end up looking at cars worth at least double the value.
For £15K i have a car thats as quick as i could ever realistically need, provides bags of drama, is comfortable and which costs very little to run for the performance.
An Evora may just about tempt me out.
Certainly my conclusion - if you want a big engined two seat sports car at 20k or under your choices are Corvette or TVR. One is a reliable mainstream vehicle. One was built in a shed in Blackpool. I like the idea of owning a TVR. Not sure id like owning one...For £15K i have a car thats as quick as i could ever realistically need, provides bags of drama, is comfortable and which costs very little to run for the performance.
An Evora may just about tempt me out.
The car Eurovettes has for sale here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/153964465166335/pe...
It says 17k but he has offered it for 16k on other posts
https://www.facebook.com/groups/153964465166335/pe...
It says 17k but he has offered it for 16k on other posts
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Yea agreed, i really like a TVR, and while some comparisons can be drawn, when it comes to all round usability they're very different propositions.
If you chuck in manual v8 sports car the next step really is a V8 vantage or R8. Different leagues in terms of buy in and running costs.
I know you said about not wanting to view one your not reasonably interested in buying but when conditions allow Keiths car wouldnt be a bad place to start, he certainly knows his stuff and seems a honest guy from the dealings I've had with him, so I'd expect the car to be there or thereabouts and if nothing else should give you a firm idea if a C5 is something you want to pursue.
Thanks. Yes it looks a good car would want some pictures of the "minor" cosmetic issues (they're often not minor...) and to find out how much it is to sort the chromed wheel (sure I read somewhere they're very expensive to sort?). 16k isn't cheap but at the same time is probably fair for a late car from a specialist dealer. He is only an hour away from me so maybe worth a trip once lockdown is lifted.If you chuck in manual v8 sports car the next step really is a V8 vantage or R8. Different leagues in terms of buy in and running costs.
I know you said about not wanting to view one your not reasonably interested in buying but when conditions allow Keiths car wouldnt be a bad place to start, he certainly knows his stuff and seems a honest guy from the dealings I've had with him, so I'd expect the car to be there or thereabouts and if nothing else should give you a firm idea if a C5 is something you want to pursue.
PrinceRupert said:
This is turning into C5 / C6 market watch.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11141246?c...
Just appeared on PH. Some sort of odd auction website, 14k seems a lot for 160k miles, but it is a lovely colour and photographs well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...
This one has been slowly dropping in price for some time.
The auction car above didn't sell. It turns out it was misadvertised at 150k miles when it was in fact 150k km which is 90k miles, as it is a Japanese import. It appears to have not reached its reserve after bidding reached £10,360. https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11141246?c...
Just appeared on PH. Some sort of odd auction website, 14k seems a lot for 160k miles, but it is a lovely colour and photographs well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010235...
This one has been slowly dropping in price for some time.
There is now a detailed advert - https://www.tradeclassics.com/auctions/chevrolet/1... - which makes it appear an honest and well loved if not perfect car. Given it is a very early car, wonder what would represent good value. I do like the colour. 12k? Might be worth a message to the seller...
300bhp/ton said:
Do you plan on modding?
1997 and 98 Model Years have slightly different heads and bolt spacing. Not a deal breaker, but might be something to consider if you plan on doing anything like a head and cam upgrade.
Only real way you can establish the model year for sure is to check the VIN then Google how to decode it for the model year (lots of info on the vaiour s LS1/Vette forums). In the UK we don't really use model years and tend to go on registration year or the year it entered the country, which might not be the same thing.
If you don't plan to mod, then it'll make no real odds.
No probably wouldn't do engine mods, but thanks for the info. I understand the early cars don't have some nice to haves like the HUD. Not sure if there is anything else they lack? 1997 and 98 Model Years have slightly different heads and bolt spacing. Not a deal breaker, but might be something to consider if you plan on doing anything like a head and cam upgrade.
Only real way you can establish the model year for sure is to check the VIN then Google how to decode it for the model year (lots of info on the vaiour s LS1/Vette forums). In the UK we don't really use model years and tend to go on registration year or the year it entered the country, which might not be the same thing.
If you don't plan to mod, then it'll make no real odds.
I just asked the chap what he would let it go for. He said 12k + the auction houses fee, whatever that is ...
EDIT: Auction house charges a buyer premium of 20% + VAT i.e. £720
Edited by PrinceRupert on Tuesday 12th January 17:04
Edited by PrinceRupert on Tuesday 12th January 17:06
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