c5 - ride height

[PrinceRupert]

I am thinking about a C5 for my weekend car. Quick question - how long are these cars? I am plagued with speed bumps near me and concerned I would spend the whole time wincing as I go over them at 2mph ...

[BlackZeD]

I've had two C5s and never had a problem going over speed bumps.
I did lower the C5 Z06 down on its bolts but even then it was ok.
It did scrape the front spoiler a few times but it is designed for this as it's on a spring.

[PrinceRupert]

Thanks!

I obviously meant low not long ...

Any tips on the best spec to look for and the price i should expect to pay for a decent example?

[BlackZeD]

Would be a good idea to ask on the CCCUK website, there's a lot of info and experience on there and a buyer's guide is available also.
A lot will depend on budget as well.

www.corvetteclub.org.uk

[PrinceRupert]

Thank you, I posted a thread there

[Pitre]

My C5 is lowered and it’s a bit of a pain that it scrapes over speed humps, but the spoilers (3 pieces) are flexible and it’s not a problem, more a bit of an annoyance. And it’s easy to lift it a couple of cm if required. Great cars.

[PrinceRupert]

I've decided I want one!

Prices are all over the place.

What to pay for a decent clean mid to late car with reasonable miles? Hoping the number is closer to 10k than 20k. Around 13k?

[Benbay001]

My Z06 scrapes on everything.

It has a front air dam which is spring loaded. Its the airdam that scrapes and not the bumper.

It sounds horrible but is actually just damaging a bit of the car designed to rub.

Someone will correct me if im wrong.

As for price, mine is a red 2002 Z06 which had 38000 miles on it, but had a Carfax report for flood damage in 2004. I paid £15000. No idea whether i over or under paid but the car was pristine (other than a mark on the bonnet)

[PrinceRupert]

£15k for a z06 seems a good deal compared to what I can see at the moment.

There is a £20k 600hp supercharged z06 on ebay which is appealing but not sure I'm brave enough

There's an immaculate c5 on the corvette forums but at 21k it is too expensive

[BlackZeD]

Be brave young man.
Go to corvetteclub.org.uk, info on it there.

[PrinceRupert]

Yes I am now a member of CCUK can see the discussion

It appears to be being sold for the second time in a few months

I'd be concerned about reliability and my lack of mechanical nous but also imagine it would be difficult to insure

[JONSCZ]

If you're on Facebook, then check out the group - 'Corvettes For Sale UK'.
Also, whilst it's almost entirely a US website, have a look at the Corvette Forum - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-corvettes-... for any more technical info and tips. There really is loads of info about all aspects of each Corvette generation on the website in general.
I remember a few years ago I was looking at a C5 and the one I went to see turned out to have been owned by David Dickinson - he of Bargain Hunt fame.
Good luck with your search.
edited to add - just had a look on the Facebook page I mentioned and there's a link to this one - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/184520563412

Edited by JONSCZ on Sunday 15th November 21:06

[PrinceRupert]

Thanks, very helpful, just joined the Facebook group.

I have spotted the one you linked, looks clean, but probably a bit expensive given the mileage?

The supercharged z06 is still tempting me, might see if i can get a sensible insurance quote ...

[Benbay001]

PrinceRupert said:

£15k for a z06 seems a good deal compared to what I can see at the moment.

There is a £20k 600hp supercharged z06 on ebay which is appealing but not sure I'm brave enough

There's an immaculate c5 on the corvette forums but at 21k it is too expensive

If the carfax from 2004 isnt a deal breaker, I may be looking to get rid of it in the near future as I am looking to move abroad.

[PrinceRupert]

Interesting offer, though no offence but a flood damage title is somewhat off-putting (mainly as it may cause difficulties to sell on)...

Did you know about it when you bought it?

[Benbay001]

PrinceRupert said:

Interesting offer, though no offence but a flood damage title is somewhat off-putting (mainly as it may cause difficulties to sell on)...

Did you know about it when you bought it?

None taken

Yes, i did.

Checked it thoroughly and concluded any flood related problems would have shown in 15 years.

Other than mark on bonnet it was very very tidy.

[JONSCZ]

There's a red 1997 C5 on the Facebook page "American Cars UK" for £11k.
Just posting this as it's another F/B page you might want to follow.
Car is nothing to do with me, btw.
Best of luck with your search.

[PrinceRupert]

Thanks! I did see that one. Has a few issues, including EML on. Sounds a bit like someone trying to get rid of a problem!

I think I've concluded the supercharged vette would be too tricky to insure...

Edited by PrinceRupert on Monday 16th November 22:35

[JONSCZ]

No worries.
You could always have a look at European cars - although they do tend to be slightly more expensive than UK ones. There is far more choice, though.
I looked at German Corvettes before I bought mine, but the tax implications on a low mileage one made it too much. But C5's would avoid that.
Keep an eye on Mobile.de - they have an English version.
See here (then use Google translate for the 'features' unless your German is good...!) - https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/search.html?dam...

[mark387mw]

Benbay001 said:

PrinceRupert said:

Interesting offer, though no offence but a flood damage title is somewhat off-putting (mainly as it may cause difficulties to sell on)...

Did you know about it when you bought it?

None taken

Yes, i did.

Checked it thoroughly and concluded any flood related problems would have shown in 15 years.

Other than mark on bonnet it was very very tidy.

If you bought and kept this for a couple of years, it’d be 20 years old. Is the flood damage relevant if you know the extent of the damage? And if bought at the right price then resale at the right price.

Having had a C5, and a C6, I still look out for another C5. Simple yet awesome cars.