OK gang, the time is getting near. Next May I plan on purchasing a C5 for my 60th birthday. I am currently thinking '00 - '04. I want a 6 speed coupe. Don't need a lot of extras (H.U.D. etc. more to go wrong). This will be a driver not just something to wax and admire.

Now, the help I need. Is there some sort of checklist I should use when I am checking out a 'vette ?

Any help is appreciated.

This is a good total checklist for all cars, not C5 specific:

http://hrwmotorsports.com/evaluationform.pdf

For C5s specifically, good list here:

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55145

The key Ken? Make sure the car is in good overall fettle...

Obviously, the C4 is my area of expertise, and many of the C4s weaknesses were resolved. But still...

The care of the cosmetics usually indicates care of mechanicals. Records and such help a ton. CARFAX is a must.

* Interior condition. Look for rust on the power seat rails. That will tell you if the car has been flooded. Considering the rainy summer this year, avoid cars from the eastern seaboard, where there has been a lot of flooding. From NY to FL it's been iffy...

Also, carpets, leathers, door seals... all should be ok. A bit of wear on the drivers seat is normal.

Compare the wear with the mileage and the condition of the pedal pads. Those pads better not be new, or I would be worried.

* Inspect the windshield frame. A poor fit to the glass and the top will speak volumes about the chassis. Avoid cars that look buggered up.

* Mechanicals should work. Damned straight better, really. Pull codes from every computer on the car. If it means paying a dealer $100 for a diag, do it!! There have been issues with the ABS/ASR module failing and you don't want a car that has had problems with that. Bad mojo.

* Check the inner fenders for signs of rubber buildup. Avoid accordingly. The C5 driveline won't take kindly to that kind of abuse.

* After 100k miles, the clutch is done. And make sure someone else has replaced it. They are a bugger.

* Brakes are brakes... make sure they stop. Repair is no more expensive than any car. Just don't buy junk pads. I hate Corvette Tax on brakes. There is no reason.

* Wheel bearings are very good. Figure north of 150k miles.

* OEM Exhaust is very good. Well over 200k miles.

* The factory Bose SUCKS. It really sucks. Be ready to replace it. It's bad.

* In general, paint and such hold up well. Make sure there are no obvious signs of repaint... short of the front bumper cover for stone related damage. Again, check the rear fenders and such for rubber debris. Avoid that car!

I am sure other thoughts will enter my head... and yes, I owe you a call! Been nuts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMGKFy-68bo

2005 C6 coupe... 6spd... black/black... 67k miles.

The guy selling it is a friend. If you want, I can call him on Monday, just to get an idea of pricing.

Ken, undoubtedly the 2003-2004 was the best years for C5. It may be difficult to find one without HUD as it was very prevalent. I have friends with all years odf C5 and they are very good cars. One of my favorites is the 1998-1999 Nassau Blue.There were not many made and it is a beautiful, hard to come by color. Mix that with the Fixed Roof Coupe and you have a potential future rarity.

If I find one I'd buy it now.

Maybe you need to check out the one that VetteBlonde talked about in yesterday's chat. Sounded like a hell of a deal.

Thanks guys, that is the kind of info I was looking for.

Unfortunately I can't buy right now but things are falling into place for next spring. Financial planning is working and the down payment should be a good one.

My idea is to get the latest model with the lowest mileage that you can find in a color you can live with and afford. The 02's on up had a lot of the little problems solved....might not be that much of a reach for you to consider and early C6 but the mileage would probleby be more as well as the money....

If it has a HUD you will love it.....

Good luck in your search the C5 is a great car....

What Andy said.

The only way I'd buy one is privately , from an owner who took care of the car.

Ya, you'd better move quickly because your getting to be an old sumbitch. Geez, 60. I'm only gonna be 59 next year. Hope everything works out. Good luck on the hunt. You were looking at C3's at one point. A C5 would probably be better for you. Easier to get in and out of and more leg room in general. You won't need to do any stretching and limbering exercises before you attempt to get in C5.

Quote:

plus, none of the inherent problems of owning a 35 year old car...

Modern Corvette's are truly daily driver cars. They are still good performance cars, sure, but have a built in goodness that keeps them going. In essence, they are too stupid to quit.

I have to agree with what Ultraman and biggrizzly wrote earlier.. The 2000 and 2001 C5s had very bad ratings as far as repairs and customer satisfaction in the "Consumer Report" and also on most ratings sites...The 2002-2004 had much better ratings..I was looking to buy a C5 and ruled out the 2000 and 2001 because of all the issues they had listed.....WW

Uh.....all those except TB's 01 of course....that car takes a lickin and keeps on tickin......

well ill chime in here i bought that 97 n very happy wid it no issues , ok lil chit had a horn toasted n wimpshield squiter dint werk,,was that way when bought but fixed fer like 30 bucks n hrs time fer both..easy in but seat belt is harder then noice stiff c4 er stuck up furthar..love it so far ,,but my c4 was 84 so supposedly wert yr thar too like my 97 but im happy n tis pd fer in cash n runs out fine n compfy

May approaches quickly.