98 with 81,000 miles
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 24
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From: st.petersburg florida
98 with 81,000 miles i am looking at a red c5 coupe with 81,000 miles on it. The dealer is asking 22,900 which i think is a little high. I think around 18,000-20,000 should be the bargaining prices. What problems should i expect from this vette with this mileage on it, and what if i start to mod it , will this create any problems?
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,264
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From: Cypress, TX
Any used vehicle, especially a used performance vehicle, has the potential of giving you problems. It all depends on what was done to it (what modifications were done and undone, if any, how it was driven, the number of previous owners, etc.). I would have it looked over with a fine toothed comb by someone other than the dealership before buying.
I bought mine used with only 19K miles, and didn't find out it had been through the paint shop once before until I got it into my garage. The Carfax came up negative, so don't trust that 100%, either.
Adding more power to higher mileage cars also has its risks unless you plan to put in forged components, then you would be rebuilding it anyway. Depending on the care the previous owner(s) took in changing the oil and keeping it maintained, there could be excessive wear in it that could make it less reliable once you start adding modifications and more power. If possible, the best thing to do would be to talk to the previous owner(s).
I bought mine used with only 19K miles, and didn't find out it had been through the paint shop once before until I got it into my garage. The Carfax came up negative, so don't trust that 100%, either.
Adding more power to higher mileage cars also has its risks unless you plan to put in forged components, then you would be rebuilding it anyway. Depending on the care the previous owner(s) took in changing the oil and keeping it maintained, there could be excessive wear in it that could make it less reliable once you start adding modifications and more power. If possible, the best thing to do would be to talk to the previous owner(s).
I think I would pass on this car. I got my 98 in December, 1 owner with 12k miles and I paid $20K. The car is immaculate. Look around a little more and I believe you can find a better deal.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 240
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From: McKinney
I bought my 2000 FRC at the end of last year with 70k on it. I paid 21,xxx for it but it did have 2 sets of wheels, both with new rubber, runflats and yok AVS, new Magnaflow xpipe and exhaust, blackwing intake and VBP stiffer front leaf spring. The car was in perfect condition other than the miles.
I have since done heads, cam and headers and the last trip I went on it got 29mpg and 30 mpg on the way home. Runs great!
I looked at a few other FRC's (what I was looking for, din't want a coupe) this car was in better running and better looking condition than any other FRC I drove or looked at with way less miles. I really did not want to pay extra for the Z06 as I plannend to mod it, and enjoy doing the work. Miles didn't really scare me.
Just be sure to look at the cars and drive them and ask for records and such. You can get a low mile car that has been beat on and the person is a car hopper (plenty of them out there). Be careful and good luck!
Derek
I have since done heads, cam and headers and the last trip I went on it got 29mpg and 30 mpg on the way home. Runs great!
I looked at a few other FRC's (what I was looking for, din't want a coupe) this car was in better running and better looking condition than any other FRC I drove or looked at with way less miles. I really did not want to pay extra for the Z06 as I plannend to mod it, and enjoy doing the work. Miles didn't really scare me.
Just be sure to look at the cars and drive them and ask for records and such. You can get a low mile car that has been beat on and the person is a car hopper (plenty of them out there). Be careful and good luck!
Derek
