1997 corvettes
1997 corvettes hi, i hope this is in the right section. i have been looking at 98+ TAs for 10-12k but i also have a great interest in the c5's. i can only afford the 1997 models with high mileage. i have seen a few go on ebay for 14,500 to 15,500 grand with around 95k miles and they are always usually autos 
in autotrader the same vettes are around 19k.
the vettes i have seen have been in great condition and no problems. would a 97 for around 15k be a good purchase? or a TA for 11k and mod it for 4k. are the 97 vettes a okay year? since they are the first yr of the c5 and ls1 do they have alot of problems etc.
thanks
in autotrader the same vettes are around 19k. the vettes i have seen have been in great condition and no problems. would a 97 for around 15k be a good purchase? or a TA for 11k and mod it for 4k. are the 97 vettes a okay year? since they are the first yr of the c5 and ls1 do they have alot of problems etc.
thanks
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
The 97 Corvette would be a great buy! They weren't any more troublesome than the other years of the C5, so you've nothing to worry about there. In fact there seems to be less trouble with oil burning and piston slap with the 97-99s than there is with the 00-04s.
I've had good luck with my 98 so far. I bought it in Aug 04 with 32k on it and it's now got 48k and it's only needed to visit the dealer once to fix the climate control head unit (the display on the dual zone unit went dim)
I originally was looking to buy a very high mileage unit in order to save $$$ but couldn't find any up here in Canada since most C5 owners don't use them as daily drivers, they are mostly garage queens. But there is a huge selection of cars for you guys down there. My suggestion is to try to find one that looks like the owner really cared for it (in other words the paint is still in perfect shape) but only has high mileage on it because he drove it everyday and did tons of highway driving with it. In a case like that, there will not be very much wear on the engine since highway driving is very easy on it.
You will have a lot more fun with an unmodded C5 than you would with a slightly modded f-body. The C5 is just a completely different car in so many ways. It's more refined, it brakes and handles so much better, and to be completely honest, it makes you feel good to be seen in it! I just love driving down the street and watching all the kids stop and stare at it, and at least twice a week I'll hear one of them yell out to me "cool car man!"
I've had good luck with my 98 so far. I bought it in Aug 04 with 32k on it and it's now got 48k and it's only needed to visit the dealer once to fix the climate control head unit (the display on the dual zone unit went dim)
I originally was looking to buy a very high mileage unit in order to save $$$ but couldn't find any up here in Canada since most C5 owners don't use them as daily drivers, they are mostly garage queens. But there is a huge selection of cars for you guys down there. My suggestion is to try to find one that looks like the owner really cared for it (in other words the paint is still in perfect shape) but only has high mileage on it because he drove it everyday and did tons of highway driving with it. In a case like that, there will not be very much wear on the engine since highway driving is very easy on it.
You will have a lot more fun with an unmodded C5 than you would with a slightly modded f-body. The C5 is just a completely different car in so many ways. It's more refined, it brakes and handles so much better, and to be completely honest, it makes you feel good to be seen in it! I just love driving down the street and watching all the kids stop and stare at it, and at least twice a week I'll hear one of them yell out to me "cool car man!"
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Morton, IL
Originally Posted by JustAnIlluzion
well looks i puckered up and bought a 99 z28.. pics will follow
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