cost of used corvettes
Discussion
I've been looking at used values for corvettes both here and in the states to get a feel for the cost of one.
However because there seems to be a million ways to spec a C5 I'm a tad confused at the used prices.
Also when C5's were imported way back when, in the late 90's the exchange rate would not have been anywhere near as favourable as it is now.
There is also the issue of dealer imported vs personal import and the effect on overall corvette residuals.
Say, I had 15k to spend, what kind of car would I be looking at, and would there be any advantage in trying to source one from the states as opposed to a car already in the UK.
Also on autotrader (uk) how do you know if a car has the all important HUD if it doesn't say.
Also knowing that lus1fer brought a 02/01? C5 Z06 version in recently for £24k is there any advantage on spending more to bring in a much more desirable model? (not that I have 24K to spend...)
There does seem to be so many varying prices etc.
Andy
However because there seems to be a million ways to spec a C5 I'm a tad confused at the used prices.
Also when C5's were imported way back when, in the late 90's the exchange rate would not have been anywhere near as favourable as it is now.
There is also the issue of dealer imported vs personal import and the effect on overall corvette residuals.
Say, I had 15k to spend, what kind of car would I be looking at, and would there be any advantage in trying to source one from the states as opposed to a car already in the UK.
Also on autotrader (uk) how do you know if a car has the all important HUD if it doesn't say.
Also knowing that lus1fer brought a 02/01? C5 Z06 version in recently for £24k is there any advantage on spending more to bring in a much more desirable model? (not that I have 24K to spend...)
There does seem to be so many varying prices etc.
Andy
You won't get much of a C5 for £15,000 unless someone's desperate to sell one of the earliest cars. Can't imagine anything with HUD much under £20,000 unless higher mileage. At the end of the day the market is thin so prices can be unpredictable although well kept cars always hold more value. I've heard dealers are only offering low money on C5s so you might get lucky if you're a serious buyer and work at it.
Or if you completely lose your head you could go to the upper end of the market and buy a used C5 for the price of a new C6.... Doh!www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=40
Or if you completely lose your head you could go to the upper end of the market and buy a used C5 for the price of a new C6.... Doh!www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=40
Importing can be very rewarding and allow you to get the car you want.... but there is alot of dealing with the SVA in the UK once its here, checking the car out, test driving it in the US... etc. Bascially its quite alot of hard work!
In the uk there are quite a few to choose from in Autotrader, and usually there are lot less variants - ie APACK or BPACK and thats it. Most are BPACK. And you can test drive them without taking out a small mortgage! But as said above, under 15K is not really viable. More like 18-20+ if you want a newish one with lowish mileage.
In the uk there are quite a few to choose from in Autotrader, and usually there are lot less variants - ie APACK or BPACK and thats it. Most are BPACK. And you can test drive them without taking out a small mortgage! But as said above, under 15K is not really viable. More like 18-20+ if you want a newish one with lowish mileage.
The 2002 Z06 I bought cost a bit more than £24k, more like £27k and that's doing all the work myself. However, a 2001 Z06 can be brought in for under £25k but some of the early cars do have issues and needed re-ringing. The 01 Z06 doesn't have a HUD either.
£15k really won't buy you anything much of a C5. In the US, the Corvettes tend to be mainly cosseted and keep their price. In fact the Z06 costs the same as the ordinary C5. When I was looking. it quickly became apparent that the shippping, import duty and VAT all contrived to drive even cheap cars up in price. In the end, you could expect to bring in a year newer C5 for the same price as a year older C5 in the UK.
However, as you've noticed, the US market allows a huge variation in specification and suspension with base Corvettes coming with FE1 suspension, not the Z51 that the Euro cars get as standard and then having base SX, SA and SB equipment packs I believe. That's why I bought a Z06 as they come fully specced.
There was a 1998 C5 selling for around £12k on Auto Trader with well over 100,000 miles on the clock but how well Vettes stand up to this sort of mileage I don't know.
My advice would be to buy a 1992-1996 LT1 engined 300bhp C4 with low miles and top condition. You may get or be able to import a 1996 GS with the 330bhp LT4 which is very quick. I had a C4 for 3 years and loved the car. It's a car you can't help but love as it has real character.
Your other option is to look at the 1998-on Camaro or Firebird with the LS1 engine. GM made various claims for the power output of these engines which were all far too low and they usually produce near 320bhp at the back wheels on later models. They also come with a 6 speed gearbox and sell for around $20000 in the US for a late model. There are a million upgrades for these cars and it's easy to transform them into a very fast car with 4 seats.
£15k really won't buy you anything much of a C5. In the US, the Corvettes tend to be mainly cosseted and keep their price. In fact the Z06 costs the same as the ordinary C5. When I was looking. it quickly became apparent that the shippping, import duty and VAT all contrived to drive even cheap cars up in price. In the end, you could expect to bring in a year newer C5 for the same price as a year older C5 in the UK.
However, as you've noticed, the US market allows a huge variation in specification and suspension with base Corvettes coming with FE1 suspension, not the Z51 that the Euro cars get as standard and then having base SX, SA and SB equipment packs I believe. That's why I bought a Z06 as they come fully specced.
There was a 1998 C5 selling for around £12k on Auto Trader with well over 100,000 miles on the clock but how well Vettes stand up to this sort of mileage I don't know.
My advice would be to buy a 1992-1996 LT1 engined 300bhp C4 with low miles and top condition. You may get or be able to import a 1996 GS with the 330bhp LT4 which is very quick. I had a C4 for 3 years and loved the car. It's a car you can't help but love as it has real character.
Your other option is to look at the 1998-on Camaro or Firebird with the LS1 engine. GM made various claims for the power output of these engines which were all far too low and they usually produce near 320bhp at the back wheels on later models. They also come with a 6 speed gearbox and sell for around $20000 in the US for a late model. There are a million upgrades for these cars and it's easy to transform them into a very fast car with 4 seats.
cheers for the replys.
Its pretty confusing but its clear that I'm too poor to buy a C5. :frown:
I'd prefer to wait until such time as I can get a nice one with the options specced (ZO6 etc).
I'll probably look for something else for a while but I'll keep the Vette in the back of mind.
I'd love to get a big V8 before they become totally extorsionate to run.
Sounds like a strange thing to say but I wouldn't mind either a Camaro or an Elise. Two totally different cars. The only thing is I just can't see myself buying a Camaro. The Camaro is definentley the devils choice though
Andy
Its pretty confusing but its clear that I'm too poor to buy a C5. :frown:
I'd prefer to wait until such time as I can get a nice one with the options specced (ZO6 etc).
I'll probably look for something else for a while but I'll keep the Vette in the back of mind.
I'd love to get a big V8 before they become totally extorsionate to run.
Sounds like a strange thing to say but I wouldn't mind either a Camaro or an Elise. Two totally different cars. The only thing is I just can't see myself buying a Camaro. The Camaro is definentley the devils choice though
Andy
Many will disagree with me for saying this but the LS1-engined Z28 is my most favourite car that I've ever owned (and I've owned a few), Z06 included. I could easily sell the Z06 tomorrow and not be overly concerned but after nearly 4 years of Camaro Z28 ownership, you can't help but love it because it does everything with gusto, exuberance and still leaves 99% of all known traffic for dead. It's extremely modifiable as and when your wallet permits and though many will trot out the old adage that "it doesn't handle", the fact is that it handles rather well and having handled the corners with deft aptitude, it will sling you out the other side at extreme velocity. It is, to all intents and purposes, a 4 seater Corvette.
The Z06 would obviously slay it on performance, braking and handling but let's factor in cost and everyday use. It has two fantastic armchair seats bound in full leather, all the toys, two extra seats behind, a cavernous hatch, T-tops and all in all, it's a very characterful and impressive car for the money and for a '98 you should be aiming at paying about £8000. Outright performance is pretty much the same as the C5 too since the engine produces more power than GM claims so as to distance it from the C5.
I don't really get passionate about cars as I'm far too critical and can usually find fault with anything. I love the Z06 for what it is, a very good sports car but so it bloody well should be. The fact that the Z28 has become a part of me is a massive achievement for the car. I can hand on heart say that if I could find a new one, I'd happily snap it up. It's a great tool come rain or shine, day in, day out and yet still offers true road presence, grumbling V8 soundtrack and wicked, wicked fun. It's old school muscle car with modern capabilities. I love it. One day people will appreciate it fully.
Alternatively, if you want drop dead gorgeous evil looks, there are some LS1 Trans Ams on Auto Trader.
http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/media?id=174413461
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Tuesday 10th May 20:03
The Z06 would obviously slay it on performance, braking and handling but let's factor in cost and everyday use. It has two fantastic armchair seats bound in full leather, all the toys, two extra seats behind, a cavernous hatch, T-tops and all in all, it's a very characterful and impressive car for the money and for a '98 you should be aiming at paying about £8000. Outright performance is pretty much the same as the C5 too since the engine produces more power than GM claims so as to distance it from the C5.
I don't really get passionate about cars as I'm far too critical and can usually find fault with anything. I love the Z06 for what it is, a very good sports car but so it bloody well should be. The fact that the Z28 has become a part of me is a massive achievement for the car. I can hand on heart say that if I could find a new one, I'd happily snap it up. It's a great tool come rain or shine, day in, day out and yet still offers true road presence, grumbling V8 soundtrack and wicked, wicked fun. It's old school muscle car with modern capabilities. I love it. One day people will appreciate it fully.
Alternatively, if you want drop dead gorgeous evil looks, there are some LS1 Trans Ams on Auto Trader.
http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/media?id=174413461
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Tuesday 10th May 20:03
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