New guy looking for a C5 could really do with some help??

[shrek99999]

Hi,
I Am currently looking for a c5 and could really do with a little advise.
I have got a max budget of £16000 and would really like a manual. I have looked around and can see they are like hens teeth
I have been on a websight called bonsai cars who import from Japan and have said they can source me one for that price.

understanderbly I have got a few reservations:

1, has anyone used Bonsai cars before and have any feedback on them as I carn't view the car before I buy?
2, Are there any spec differences for a Jap model to euro spec?
3, Are there any particular models or years I should be looking out for or avoiding?
4, any other advise you think will help will greatly be appreciated

many thanks in advance and I hope to be a fellow corvette owner in the future


p.s. if any one is selling theres please get in touch as i will be very interested.

[ZR1cliff]

Welcome to the forum Andy,ime not to up on the C5 but ime sure that owners here probably know of a few sources that could be worth a try,ile start with Chris Graham or Ian Goss,not sure of their numbers maybe someone else can help out here?

Welcome

[888usa]

I would stick with euro spec or Us spec keep away from Jap Import Vets!

[malc350]

Black manual C5 here: www.pistonheads.com/sales/63007.htm

I'd personally want to chip quite a bit off the asking price though...

[ERIKTHEVETKING]

shrek99999 said:

Hi,

I have been on a websight called bonsai cars who import from Japan and have said they can source me one for that price.

I would be very careful, you could end up with just a small tree

[vetteheadracer]

Hi Andy,

There are quite a few Manual C5's for sale for example there are a couple advertised on the club website (pm me for the website address as it is in stealth mode after being hacked).

A Jap import car has a few difference from a US / Euro spec car but nothing that should scare you.
Bonsai Cars seem to import a lot of cars from Japan (no shit Sherlock) the only thing is you don't get to see your car until after it has arrived by which time you may well have to have paid for it. I would call Bonsai and check how the whole process works.
Better half bought a Jap import Skyline a couple of years ago through another importer and that all went fine......The waiting for the car to arrive is the frustrating bit!

[vette78]

malc350 said:

Black manual C5 here: www.pistonheads.com/sales/63007.htm

I'd personally want to chip quite a bit off the asking price though...

I wouldn't - as a) it's worth it and b) it's sold!

[shrek99999]

Thanks for all the advice guys

Have spoken to Bonsai a couple of times and they seem quite legitimat
has anyone ever used them or know anyone who has?

cheers

andy

[mrvette]

i was advised againest a jap import for variuous reasons, but they also seem to be a hell of a lot cheaper the Euro/USA spec vettes, there must be a reason for that

[fletch360]

I'm in the exact same position as Andy, I'm after a C5 for around £16,000.

The only thing I'm not decided on is whether to go for a targa, or convertable.
Does anyone know if there are any issue/problems with one over the other?

Other than that I going to try and hold out for that perfect one to come up for sale.
Hopefully one with the HUD.

vetteheadracer said:

There are quite a few Manual C5's for sale for example there are a couple advertised on the club website (pm me for the website address as it is in stealth mode after being hacked).

Which website are you refering to?
can you PM me the link?
ta

[c5ragtop]

The Corvette Club website is now back; www.corvetteclub.org.uk

As regards your question about hard top/convertible, I prefer the convertible such that I would have had a Z06 by now but the hardtop puts me off. That's my opinion and others will have theirs. All I will say is that with a convertible you have the best of both worlds. The car was bulit to be a convertible (unlike the C4 where the convertible had to have cross braces which didn't really work). I have been in a coupe with the roof off and the wind noise at say 70/80 is worse than my convertible with the roof down at the same speed.

At the end of the day it's all down to personal preference, but it I use the car today it will be roof down all the way.........

Good luck with the search and get HUD if you can.

Edited by c5ragtop on Friday 28th July 10:30

[yellowshark454]

fletch360 said:

The only thing I'm not decided on is whether to go for a targa, or convertable.
Does anyone know if there are any issue/problems with one over the other?

I think it is personal choice. I went coupe for 2 reasons; buying new from factory the vert was a couple of grand more expensive and my '73 is a vert. With the targa top off and windows down the car is fine up to about 75 or so but it does then tend to get rather buffety (does such a word exist?). Never taken it over about 90 or so with the top off. Targa top is easy to remove and store single handed - that's one person not one hand!

[Buttmonkey Racer]

You might be struggling to find a good convertible for less than £16k but you should get a good targa one. I have the top off mine as much as possible and yes it can be a bit 'buffety' but even over a ton all you have to do is crank the stereo up and enjoy it

[fletch360]

Cheers Guys.

Considering that in this country the roof will be on/up the majority of the time, from what I've seen, I think I prefer the look of the targa roof to the full convertable when in British weather mode.
I do love the curve of the rear window.

I used to have a camaro that was a T-top so I know about the 'buffetyness'. A real problem for those in the back, which is not a problem in the C5 obviously.

Anyhow.
I need to get my hands on some examples and get them out for a test drive.

Next step... autotrader

Edited by fletch360 on Friday 28th July 16:19

[te51cle]

Very much overpriced but will reduce turbulence with the roof off dramatically.

[yellowshark454]

te51cle said:

Very much overpriced but will reduce turbulence with the roof off dramatically.

Yeah often wondered about those but I have to say from a "looks" point of view I dont fancy cruising around with the boot open just to keep the hair in place if you hit the gas. I think if I was going to hit the autobahn I would be happy to pull over and put the roof on rather than pull over and open the boot.

[V7TTE]

te51cle said:

Very much overpriced but will reduce turbulence with the roof off dramatically.

They work!

fletch360 said:

I prefer the look of the targa roof to the full convertible when in British weather mode. I do love the curve of the rear window.

I agree!

Edited by V7TTE on Monday 31st July 13:24