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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Corvette / July 2005

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Buying a 98 C5

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ZÿRiX - 15 Jul 2005 15:58 GMT
I am looking at buying my first vette it is a 1998 c5 coupe with 100,057
miles on it.
No wrecks and has been serviced on time from day 1 but it has a scratch
across the hood from a key and the air conditioner compressure is bad other
than that the car is great the price I am getting it for is $12,000.00 to me
this sounds like a good deal some body give me your thoughts...

Thank you

From,
Looking at being a first time vette owner
Bob G. - 15 Jul 2005 20:46 GMT
>I am looking at buying my first vette it is a 1998 c5 coupe with 100,057
>miles on it.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>From,
>Looking at being a first time vette owner

===================
I am NOT AT ALL put off by the 100000 miles on the car...but it does
indicate the car was most likely a daily driver for the original
owner...    Good because you knoiw the car has been "fairly" reliable
since it has started up so much... lol...

Vette Magazine the current issue (SEPT 2005 ??? fast cars deserve
magazine that are equally fast since it is only July)   Has a article
dealing with the Market value of Strickly C5's

They l;ist 1998 Coupes as below
    CRUMMY        15,600
    DECENT         16,800
    GREAT            19,400
    FABULOUS    22,700

So you make the choice...$12,000  is the absolute lowest price I have
heard for ANY used  C5 that was not a wreck...

The Magazine came to the house last week and I actually wrote a letter
to the editor since I am in the market for a used C5 myself...and
NOTHING around this area or fro that matter and on the net .is priced
less then 5,000 ABOVE their figures ..for a Fabulous car no less..

I do know that to strip and repaint the hood of a C4 costs a little
under $500.    have no idea of what the A/C repair might run you...  

Lots of luck...
Bob G.
64 72 76 79 & 95 Corvettes.... looking for a used C5...not a coupe!


Dave in Lake Villa - 15 Jul 2005 21:27 GMT
Before you part with the $12 K., id have a compression check done on it
in addition to a thorough examination of all the major components.  If
the mechanic finds something wrong, then, maybe you could negotiate for
a lower price and at least know , up front, what your in for as far as
immediate repairs go. If  you have to pay $60-100 for this, i think it
will give  you a peace of mind.
vetteman - 16 Jul 2005 00:28 GMT
I agree with Dave get the compression check , look at the manifold for
coolant leeks and do a complete frame inspection. Also check the color of
the transmission fluid (it should be  red nor rust or burnt red) and look
for moister where the oil filler cap sits inside the cap.

> Before you part with the $12 K., id have a compression check done on it
> in addition to a thorough examination of all the major components.  If
> the mechanic finds something wrong, then, maybe you could negotiate for
> a lower price and at least know , up front, what your in for as far as
> immediate repairs go. If  you have to pay $60-100 for this, i think it
> will give  you a peace of mind.
Dad - 16 Jul 2005 03:22 GMT
You guys need to get into this century, compression checks went out years
ago because of the way they are built today. Never heard of a coolant leak
on a manifold of a C5, does coolant go through the manifold on a C5? Do they
have reusable seals unlike the cast iron small block? Have the frame
checked? Doesn't carfax tell all about the car and its accidents if any?
Rust in a 9 year old Corvette?

I do agree with Charlie, the C5 is going up instead of down with the release
of the C6. Although I have heard of problems they have been few and far
between with the C6. The reason for the price hike on the C5 is that most
people still see the C6 as a not so hot change over the C5. Plus they all
think their dick will get longer if they can get one of those Z06s. Other
than the stupid sixth gear debacle the car is a sleeper and will remain that
way as long as all of those nice C5s are available. Its performance is
scary, and it is put to the ground so well you don't realize just how far
you are over your limits. If I told you how fast it is you wouldn't believe
me, and I'd bet my last dollar none of you would take a ride with me to
prove it. One thing I will pass on to you is that in second and third gear
you can lay black marks right up to maximum rpms. I'm not saying smoke the
tires, I'm saying that the power is put to the road so uniform that it will
just run on the edge of breaking loose and lay a nice pair of tire marks in
both gears. In first gear it just destroys the rear tires so you have to
feather it off the line.

My '98 was one of the 5 best GM cars I ever owned.

Signature

Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
14 states and 10,000 miles of pure driving pleasure.
But, I still miss the C5s, and my '61.
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd

>I agree with Dave get the compression check , look at the manifold for
>coolant leeks and do a complete frame inspection. Also check the color of
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> immediate repairs go. If  you have to pay $60-100 for this, i think it
>> will give  you a peace of mind.
dave - 16 Jul 2005 12:39 GMT
'You guys need to get into this century, compression checks went out
years ago because of the way they are built today.'

Reply:  If it has an engine that uses pistons, valves, and rings....then
a compression check is a good idea especially on a high mileage car .
Corvette or otherwise.  
ZÿRiX - 16 Jul 2005 15:37 GMT
I want to thank you all for your response I did check on car fax and the car
had a accident when it was only about 6 months old it was the front fender
and that was the only damage the cost was $1000.00 for repair and i asked
the sell (My brother inlaw) he sent me the repair sheet.  The fender was
replaced by the dealer and painted all other thing are great in the
CARFAX...

You see my brother inlaw leased this new then after the time was up he
financed then refied and just has to many other bills to deal with to the
reason for the $12000.00 price tag is he is just letting me take it for what
he owes...
Better then to just give it back and destrow his credit so it is helping
both of us out he gets out from under a bill and I get my first vette and a
nice 1 at that I have always liked the C5 but did not know them by that term
only by years 97,98,99 and so on

Thanx
Signature


ZÿRiX  (<>..<>)

You guys need to get into this century, compression checks went out years
ago because of the way they are built today. Never heard of a coolant leak
on a manifold of a C5, does coolant go through the manifold on a C5? Do they
have reusable seals unlike the cast iron small block? Have the frame
checked? Doesn't carfax tell all about the car and its accidents if any?
Rust in a 9 year old Corvette?

I do agree with Charlie, the C5 is going up instead of down with the release
of the C6. Although I have heard of problems they have been few and far
between with the C6. The reason for the price hike on the C5 is that most
people still see the C6 as a not so hot change over the C5. Plus they all
think their dick will get longer if they can get one of those Z06s. Other
than the stupid sixth gear debacle the car is a sleeper and will remain that
way as long as all of those nice C5s are available. Its performance is
scary, and it is put to the ground so well you don't realize just how far
you are over your limits. If I told you how fast it is you wouldn't believe
me, and I'd bet my last dollar none of you would take a ride with me to
prove it. One thing I will pass on to you is that in second and third gear
you can lay black marks right up to maximum rpms. I'm not saying smoke the
tires, I'm saying that the power is put to the road so uniform that it will
just run on the edge of breaking loose and lay a nice pair of tire marks in
both gears. In first gear it just destroys the rear tires so you have to
feather it off the line.

My '98 was one of the 5 best GM cars I ever owned.

Signature

Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
14 states and 10,000 miles of pure driving pleasure.
But, I still miss the C5s, and my '61.
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd

>I agree with Dave get the compression check , look at the manifold for
>coolant leeks and do a complete frame inspection. Also check the color of
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> immediate repairs go. If  you have to pay $60-100 for this, i think it
>> will give  you a peace of mind.
Tom in Missouri - 16 Jul 2005 17:47 GMT
The fact this is your brother-in-law puts it in a whole new light.

Would he screw you over or is he the type to screw others over?

Is he not too bright when it comes to cars and is he the type that cars are
just transportation?

You can answer most of your own questions on this one, but if my BIL was
selling me a Corvette so much lower than market, I'd grab it and run!

> I want to thank you all for your response I did check on car fax and the car
> had a accident when it was only about 6 months old it was the front fender
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
> >> immediate repairs go. If  you have to pay $60-100 for this, i think it
> >> will give  you a peace of mind.
ZÿRiX - 16 Jul 2005 19:18 GMT
>The fact this is your brother-in-law puts it in a whole new light.

>Would he screw you over or is he the type to screw others over?

No

>Is he not too bright when it comes to cars and is he the type that cars are
just transportation?

He knows cars but it is costing him alot to keep this and a new truck that
he is upside down on he still owes the 12 grand on the car because he was on
disablity for 3 years and they only made 70% of the payments and I offered
to take the car for what he owes and he accepted so off I go to AZ next
saturday to pick it up

>You can answer most of your own questions on this one, but if my BIL was
selling me a Corvette so much lower than market, I'd grab it and run!

> I want to thank you all for your response I did check on car fax and the
car
> had a accident when it was only about 6 months old it was the front fender
> and that was the only damage the cost was $1000.00 for repair and i asked
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> financed then refied and just has to many other bills to deal with to the
> reason for the $12000.00 price tag is he is just letting me take it for
what
> he owes...
> Better then to just give it back and destrow his credit so it is helping
> both of us out he gets out from under a bill and I get my first vette anda
> nice 1 at that I have always liked the C5 but did not know them by that
term
> only by years 97,98,99 and so on
>
> Thanx
> You guys need to get into this century, compression checks went out years
> ago because of the way they are built today. Never heard of a coolant leak
> on a manifold of a C5, does coolant go through the manifold on a C5? Do
they
> have reusable seals unlike the cast iron small block? Have the frame
> checked? Doesn't carfax tell all about the car and its accidents if any?
> Rust in a 9 year old Corvette?
>
> I do agree with Charlie, the C5 is going up instead of down with the
release
> of the C6. Although I have heard of problems they have been few and far
> between with the C6. The reason for the price hike on the C5 is that most
> people still see the C6 as a not so hot change over the C5. Plus they all
> think their dick will get longer if they can get one of those Z06s. Other
> than the stupid sixth gear debacle the car is a sleeper and will remain
that
> way as long as all of those nice C5s are available. Its performance is
> scary, and it is put to the ground so well you don't realize just how far
> you are over your limits. If I told you how fast it is you wouldn't
believe
> me, and I'd bet my last dollar none of you would take a ride with me to
> prove it. One thing I will pass on to you is that in second and third gear
> you can lay black marks right up to maximum rpms. I'm not saying smoke the
> tires, I'm saying that the power is put to the road so uniform that it
will
> just run on the edge of breaking loose and lay a nice pair of tire marks
in
> both gears. In first gear it just destroys the rear tires so you have to
> feather it off the line.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> >> immediate repairs go. If  you have to pay $60-100 for this, i think it
> >> will give  you a peace of mind.
Charlie Funk - 18 Jul 2005 15:16 GMT
the sell (My brother inlaw)

Run.  Run like the wind.  Surely you will destroy all family relationships
and ruin your marriage if you buy this car.  Let someone else be the pawn in
this scheme.  Now, what's his phone number and where's he live.  :o)

Charlie

> I want to thank you all for your response I did check on car fax and the car
> had a accident when it was only about 6 months old it was the front fender
[quoted text clipped - 50 lines]
> >> immediate repairs go. If  you have to pay $60-100 for this, i think it
> >> will give  you a peace of mind.
Charlie Funk - 15 Jul 2005 23:44 GMT
> I am getting it for is $12,000.00 to me this sounds like a good deal some
body give me your thoughts...

This is a TERRIBLE deal.  You're making a MAJOR mistake.  The seller is
really taking advantage of you.

Now, what's his phone number and where does he live?  And, what's chances
you know of another bad deal like this somewhere?

Charlie

> >I am looking at buying my first vette it is a 1998 c5 coupe with 100,057
> >miles on it.
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
> Bob G.
> 64 72 76 79 & 95 Corvettes.... looking for a used C5...not a coupe!
Charlie Funk - 15 Jul 2005 23:53 GMT
>I am in the market for a used C5 myself...and NOTHING around this area or
fro that matter and on the net .is priced less then 5,000 ABOVE their
figures .

I'm looking for a C5 to replace my '91 coupe.  I bought it in '98 and found
a deal where the guy HAD to get out from under it, plus C4 values were
taking a hit because the C5 was selling well.  When the C6 came out, my
years of wisdom, smarts, and cunning kicked and I said to myself, "Self,
just wait a few months and them C5's are gonna be dirt cheap and you can
scarf up a '98 - '00 for next to nuthin (next to nuthin being $18000 -
$22000).  Bad move.  When the dealers had to clear C5's last fall, they were
selling $10000 off sticker.  The same cars are in the paper now for MORE
than that.  Why - the C6 has teething problems just like the '97 C5 did.
Between fuel senders (familiar?), finding out if you don't put the frickin 6
speed in reverse when you shut down it leaves the ECM hot and drains the
battery, the right side driving light failing and a list of other problems,
the C6 doesn't have people flocking to buy them.  I hear they're selling
below sticker some places and I can't remember if that was the case with the
'97 or not.

The upshot of all this is that C5 prices have gone UP since the C6 came out.
And another thing - where the hell does Kelley Blue Book find C5's at the
prices they show in their info?  I can't find a car within the same $5000
figure above anywhere around here.

How 'bout you tell me about the SECOND '99 you find for $!6000.  :o)

> >I am looking at buying my first vette it is a 1998 c5 coupe with 100,057
> >miles on it.
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
> Bob G.
> 64 72 76 79 & 95 Corvettes.... looking for a used C5...not a coupe!
ZÿRiX - 16 Jul 2005 23:13 GMT
Thanx I picked up the mag and am going to check it out...

Signature

ZÿRiX  (<>..<>)

>I am looking at buying my first vette it is a 1998 c5 coupe with 100,057
>miles on it.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>From,
>Looking at being a first time vette owner

===================
I am NOT AT ALL put off by the 100000 miles on the car...but it does
indicate the car was most likely a daily driver for the original
owner...    Good because you knoiw the car has been "fairly" reliable
since it has started up so much... lol...

Vette Magazine the current issue (SEPT 2005 ??? fast cars deserve
magazine that are equally fast since it is only July)   Has a article
dealing with the Market value of Strickly C5's

They l;ist 1998 Coupes as below
    CRUMMY        15,600
    DECENT         16,800
    GREAT            19,400
    FABULOUS    22,700

So you make the choice...$12,000  is the absolute lowest price I have
heard for ANY used  C5 that was not a wreck...

The Magazine came to the house last week and I actually wrote a letter
to the editor since I am in the market for a used C5 myself...and
NOTHING around this area or fro that matter and on the net .is priced
less then 5,000 ABOVE their figures ..for a Fabulous car no less..

I do know that to strip and repaint the hood of a C4 costs a little
under $500.    have no idea of what the A/C repair might run you...

Lots of luck...
Bob G.
64 72 76 79 & 95 Corvettes.... looking for a used C5...not a coupe!
Jon - 16 Jul 2005 22:30 GMT
> I am looking at buying my first vette it is a 1998 c5 coupe with 100,057
> miles on it.
> No wrecks and has been serviced on time from day 1 but it has a scratch
> across the hood from a key and the air conditioner compressure is bad other
> than that the car is great the price I am getting it for is $12,000.00 to me
> this sounds like a good deal some body give me your thoughts...

That is really cheap- The NADA value for a '98 with 100,000 miles is
$17,350 average trade-in and $20,400 average retail assuming it has the
 glass top.
ZÿRiX - 26 Jul 2005 01:30 GMT
Thanx to all
I got the vette it is a little more rough that I thought it needs a little
TLC and I will be asking alot of questions in this group but it runs great
and all of the mechanical things have been serviced by a chevy dealer since
day 1 but the seats are torn and have seat covers on them and the carpet is
bad but the dash is great no cracks the body is straight I did find out the
left front fender was replaced 3 months after it was bought (NEW) the only
damage was the fender no other components the air compresure is bad (going
to suck driving home from AZ) but now the good things now I am a vette owner
and it is fun to drive and it handles very nice BUT I learned that the a.s 
end will go out from under it reall quick on a freeway on ramp that curves
when you nail it and it kicks down to first hehehe I would like to thank you
for all of your feed back...

Thanx

Signature

ZÿRiX  (<>..<>)

I am looking at buying my first vette it is a 1998 c5 coupe with 100,057
miles on it.
No wrecks and has been serviced on time from day 1 but it has a scratch
across the hood from a key and the air conditioner compressure is bad other
than that the car is great the price I am getting it for is $12,000.00 to me
this sounds like a good deal some body give me your thoughts...

Thank you

From,
Looking at being a first time vette owner
 
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