The Official "My 1st Corvette" introductory post!!
04-30-2013, 01:18 PM
#1
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
The Official "My 1st Corvette" introductory post!!
Time for me to do the “official” I now have my 1st Corvette post!!!!
First a little background. I’m in my mid fifties, live in the Chicago burbs and have always enjoyed cars, racing (Indy) and the like. Married 32 years, my wife and I have always had a toy car in the garage. From the 78’ Pontiac Trans Am that I bought when we were dating to the 71’ Buick GS we currently have for sale. We had the TA 17 years and we have had the GS 16 years, man how time flies!!
As a kid I wanted a Corvette before I could even drive. My Dad often said that if I wouldn’t have spent all the money fixing, breaking, changing things I could have bought a Corvette and been money ahead. Somehow Dad’s are usually right!
About 5 years ago I found the forum started surfing. A Corvette, for me, just always seemed out of reach, other priorities, kids in college, you know the story. Last fall my wife and I sat down and talked about where my/our hobby was going next. I mentioned a Corvette and she said, why not! Ok, now I’m on the forum reading, printing, searching… I think I have 3 – 4” binders full of info I’ve printed from the forum. Yes, being an engineer I like a little research and then there’s that being a little **** thing.
We sat down, discussed a budget, drove C5/C6, and determined C5 would be the choice. (Something about those pop up headlights) Budget was 25/25. $25k and under 25k on the odometer. The search began. I looked high and low, websites, Cars, AutoTrader, Craigs… Looked at quite a few and quickly learned “mint” had very different meanings depending if you were a buyer or a seller!
One week ago Sunday (4-21) I was in Pittsburgh for a couple days of meetings. In my room on the computer I was doing a little work and had the C5 Sales Section open as well. BAM, there it was!!! “2002 Corvette w/under 2000 miles”, the post had been up for 5 minutes. I immediately clicked on it and there was an email. Emailed the seller, send me your phone number we need to talk NOW!! Number came immediately and I think we spent an hour on the phone?! I explained my situation, where I was and that I couldn't see the car till Wed, but I was serious as a heart attack interested. Seller agreed to hold the car, till then. I called my wife frantically to tell her and later she said I couldn't complete a sentence I was so excited.
Went to see it Wed, and yes it was/is mint, agreed to purchase and started the long drive back to Chicago. Made it home Thu, grabbed a cashier’s check and flew back Friday morning! By 1 PM Friday the deal was done and I began the 11 hour 700+ mile ride home! About a half hour into the ride, still trying to get settled in the seats, I’m playing with the buttons on the dash when I look up to see an extension ladder across the road!!!! Fortunately traffic was light and I was able to avoid the ladder without incident. I did quit playing with the dash buttons though… Stopped to grab a quick bite on the Ohio Turnpike, sat by the window to watch MY car, and then noticed an Ohio State Trooper behind the car. Glad I had the PA temp tag on!! When I arrived home, about 12:30 AM my bride was in the driveway in her PJ's, “I want my ride now”. My daughter, as much as she tried to stay up, finally succumbed to the comfort of the couch!
Anyway, I could go on and on after only a few days of ownership, but I absolutely love it!!! My only problem is I haven’t slept very much, I keep looking in the garage! If this is a dream, please don’t pinch me as I really don’t want to wake up.
Thanks to all the knowledge you guys & gals share on this forum it has been and will continue a great help for me!
And a special Thanks to John, “jpargo” for putting up with all my emails, calls, questions and still selling me the car! He’s truly a class guy!
First a little background. I’m in my mid fifties, live in the Chicago burbs and have always enjoyed cars, racing (Indy) and the like. Married 32 years, my wife and I have always had a toy car in the garage. From the 78’ Pontiac Trans Am that I bought when we were dating to the 71’ Buick GS we currently have for sale. We had the TA 17 years and we have had the GS 16 years, man how time flies!!
As a kid I wanted a Corvette before I could even drive. My Dad often said that if I wouldn’t have spent all the money fixing, breaking, changing things I could have bought a Corvette and been money ahead. Somehow Dad’s are usually right!
About 5 years ago I found the forum started surfing. A Corvette, for me, just always seemed out of reach, other priorities, kids in college, you know the story. Last fall my wife and I sat down and talked about where my/our hobby was going next. I mentioned a Corvette and she said, why not! Ok, now I’m on the forum reading, printing, searching… I think I have 3 – 4” binders full of info I’ve printed from the forum. Yes, being an engineer I like a little research and then there’s that being a little **** thing.
We sat down, discussed a budget, drove C5/C6, and determined C5 would be the choice. (Something about those pop up headlights) Budget was 25/25. $25k and under 25k on the odometer. The search began. I looked high and low, websites, Cars, AutoTrader, Craigs… Looked at quite a few and quickly learned “mint” had very different meanings depending if you were a buyer or a seller!
One week ago Sunday (4-21) I was in Pittsburgh for a couple days of meetings. In my room on the computer I was doing a little work and had the C5 Sales Section open as well. BAM, there it was!!! “2002 Corvette w/under 2000 miles”, the post had been up for 5 minutes. I immediately clicked on it and there was an email. Emailed the seller, send me your phone number we need to talk NOW!! Number came immediately and I think we spent an hour on the phone?! I explained my situation, where I was and that I couldn't see the car till Wed, but I was serious as a heart attack interested. Seller agreed to hold the car, till then. I called my wife frantically to tell her and later she said I couldn't complete a sentence I was so excited.
Went to see it Wed, and yes it was/is mint, agreed to purchase and started the long drive back to Chicago. Made it home Thu, grabbed a cashier’s check and flew back Friday morning! By 1 PM Friday the deal was done and I began the 11 hour 700+ mile ride home! About a half hour into the ride, still trying to get settled in the seats, I’m playing with the buttons on the dash when I look up to see an extension ladder across the road!!!! Fortunately traffic was light and I was able to avoid the ladder without incident. I did quit playing with the dash buttons though… Stopped to grab a quick bite on the Ohio Turnpike, sat by the window to watch MY car, and then noticed an Ohio State Trooper behind the car. Glad I had the PA temp tag on!! When I arrived home, about 12:30 AM my bride was in the driveway in her PJ's, “I want my ride now”. My daughter, as much as she tried to stay up, finally succumbed to the comfort of the couch!
Anyway, I could go on and on after only a few days of ownership, but I absolutely love it!!! My only problem is I haven’t slept very much, I keep looking in the garage! If this is a dream, please don’t pinch me as I really don’t want to wake up.
Thanks to all the knowledge you guys & gals share on this forum it has been and will continue a great help for me!
And a special Thanks to John, “jpargo” for putting up with all my emails, calls, questions and still selling me the car! He’s truly a class guy!
Last edited by Jeff T.; 02-05-2018 at 08:37 AM.
04-30-2013, 01:50 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Awesome find on a nearly brand new car. Now it's mod time. Lower it on stock bolts (free), put a little window tint on the car, and remove the BSM (also free) and it will look killer. Congrats on the new ride.
04-30-2013, 01:52 PM
#6
Team Owner
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Congrats! Big day for you!
04-30-2013, 01:55 PM
#7
Drifting
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Sounds alot like our situation. We too are in our fifties and have had our first Corvette a little over a year. You and your wife are going to love it! My wife actually drives the car every day. Any way you bought a beautiful car. Congratulations. Enjoy.
04-30-2013, 02:04 PM
#9
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Congratulation on the new ride, I remember reading your post about going to pick it up, You did good and it is a great looking C5.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
04-30-2013, 02:05 PM
#10
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I forgot to mention, I was about 5 minutes into my trip home got my first wave!!
Hell ya I waved back!
Hell ya I waved back!
04-30-2013, 02:25 PM
#11
Drifting
Congratulations on joining the C5 family. When I read who you bought the car from I recognized the name. He (John, Jpargo) was considering purchasing my fathers 96 Collector's edition a few years ago. In the end we never made the deal, but I spoke with John numerous times over the phone and email about the car and he seemed like a nice guy. It's a small world, when you drive America's Sports Car!
04-30-2013, 02:30 PM
#15
Drifting
Head over to the events/regional great lakes section. There are quite a few of us that get together from time to time. Some good car shows coming up too. The Hooters car shows start this Sunday in Orland Park May 5th, then Aurora on May 12th then Joliet May 19th. Maybe I'll see you there.
04-30-2013, 02:35 PM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Head over to the events/regional great lakes section. There are quite a few of us that get together from time to time. Some good car shows coming up too. The Hooters car shows start this Sunday in Orland Park May 5th, then Aurora on May 12th then Joliet May 19th. Maybe I'll see you there.
04-30-2013, 02:39 PM
#18
Safety Car
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Oldtimer
Congratulations on getting home safely and not contributing to the PA budget. They've got some REALLY stiff fines in that state.
Nice lookin car and pay as much attn to the badmouthers of BSMs as they deserve: zero!
Plus there's a good possibility if you remove them the paint will not match.
Enjoy the h*77 out of it!
Nice lookin car and pay as much attn to the badmouthers of BSMs as they deserve: zero!
Plus there's a good possibility if you remove them the paint will not match. Enjoy the h*77 out of it!
04-30-2013, 02:54 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Welcome to the forum, very nice Vette. Since you are local a bunch of us are meeting this Sat night in Elk Grove to celebrate Cinco De Mayo a day early. At Good Tequillas Mexican Grill so far we have about 15 Vette's feel free to join in
Happy Quatro de Mayo! celebrar un día antes!!!
Good Tequila's Mexican Grill...it should a Fiesta!
Saturday, May 4th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
... Dinner - Separate Checks, Order what you want off the Menu
We will have a 50/50 which will contribute to our charity fund
Good Tequila's Mexican Grill is located at 950 Elk Grove Town Center with plenty of parking
(across from the Dominicks)
Happy Quatro de Mayo! celebrar un día antes!!!
Good Tequila's Mexican Grill...it should a Fiesta!
Saturday, May 4th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
... Dinner - Separate Checks, Order what you want off the Menu
We will have a 50/50 which will contribute to our charity fund
Good Tequila's Mexican Grill is located at 950 Elk Grove Town Center with plenty of parking
(across from the Dominicks)
