Give me some Vette Buying Pointers
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock, AR
Give me some Vette Buying Pointers I've been an F-body person for a while. And I'll probably keep my 94Z28 LS1 to race. But its not a very good street car.
So I've been thinking about dumping a truck (i have 1 too many) and getting another F-Body that I could drive.
But I'm intrigued by picking up a C5 to be a daily driver. I would want to get in relatively inexpensively. Would prefer a stick. And I would likely never make the car a heavily modded car.
So if I were to look for a 1998-2000 low(er) cost car, what should I look out for? I know nothing.
Thanks in advance.
So I've been thinking about dumping a truck (i have 1 too many) and getting another F-Body that I could drive.
But I'm intrigued by picking up a C5 to be a daily driver. I would want to get in relatively inexpensively. Would prefer a stick. And I would likely never make the car a heavily modded car.
So if I were to look for a 1998-2000 low(er) cost car, what should I look out for? I know nothing.
Thanks in advance.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, TX
The FRC's (non-Z06) are by far the best value out there from what I've heard. I've seen a couple go for low 20's. If you don't need a removable top, then that would be the way to go if you're on a budget.
12 Second Club
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
97-00 Had an issue with the batteries leaking onto the computer wiring harness and doing major damage. Cost to fix about 1K if it leaked and went unnoticed.
97-01 Steering Column can lock up. See if vehicle has been updated by the dealer or after market bypass applied.
97-04 Rocking seats. The hardware used in the seat rails can wear premature causing lateral movement up to 1". I have this now and it drives me Nuts.
97-early00 Noisy fuel pumps. Some vehicles especially early have fuels pumps that are noisy in the tanks (yes there are two).
97-98 Corvettes have center bolt valve covers.
Bolster wear on sets all years from entry and exiting the vehicle.
With an early year car like 97-00 the Tire Pressure sensors likely only have a year or so left. The batteries are supposed to have a 4 year life. These are sealed units.
I don't think that there are many real issues with the cars. Find a good high mileage car that has been taken car of and you should be O.K.
Good Luck.
97-01 Steering Column can lock up. See if vehicle has been updated by the dealer or after market bypass applied.
97-04 Rocking seats. The hardware used in the seat rails can wear premature causing lateral movement up to 1". I have this now and it drives me Nuts.
97-early00 Noisy fuel pumps. Some vehicles especially early have fuels pumps that are noisy in the tanks (yes there are two).
97-98 Corvettes have center bolt valve covers.
Bolster wear on sets all years from entry and exiting the vehicle.
With an early year car like 97-00 the Tire Pressure sensors likely only have a year or so left. The batteries are supposed to have a 4 year life. These are sealed units.
I don't think that there are many real issues with the cars. Find a good high mileage car that has been taken car of and you should be O.K.
Good Luck.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
I just bought a pewter 99 FRC for 20k. Was a 1 owner car, a doctor whose wife made him get rid of it. 85k miles, very very clean. Still some life left on the 7/100k warranty. Only problem was he was 6'4" 250+ and the seat is kinda smooshed. 
Just look around and hold out till you find one you really like.
Ben
Just look around and hold out till you find one you really like.
Ben
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
add to the previous items.
pre 99 had weaker rod bolts.
2001 and newer have ls6 blocks and intakes.
97&98 the pcm is less desirable.
hud came out in 99
excessive oil consumption in the 2001's
the 2001 z06 is less desirable / less costly than the 2002-04 and can be upgraded with a cam change which should be done anyway.
the prices are good right now I payed 21k last oct for a mn6 vert loaded with 85k miles.
just look around, the only thing to watch for is damage, other wise there are no BIG issues with the C5. the most serious issue is the oil consumption and that is mostly linked to driving style.
More Than Zero
ps:I would plan on at least a heads cam change, that really wakes up these cars.
pre 99 had weaker rod bolts.
2001 and newer have ls6 blocks and intakes.
97&98 the pcm is less desirable.
hud came out in 99
excessive oil consumption in the 2001's
the 2001 z06 is less desirable / less costly than the 2002-04 and can be upgraded with a cam change which should be done anyway.
the prices are good right now I payed 21k last oct for a mn6 vert loaded with 85k miles.
just look around, the only thing to watch for is damage, other wise there are no BIG issues with the C5. the most serious issue is the oil consumption and that is mostly linked to driving style.
More Than Zero
ps:I would plan on at least a heads cam change, that really wakes up these cars.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
From: In front of my computer
To add to the leaking battery problem. When you test drive one make sure the A/C changes zones. Doesnt just blow out the defrost the whole time. Mine had a leaking battery that had just been replaced. I had to pull the fender to get to the vaccum lines that were destroyed. PITA.
Just got my 99 6 speed coupe for 22000 with 64000 miles and brand new paint.
Just got my 99 6 speed coupe for 22000 with 64000 miles and brand new paint.
