IM28702

I would have bought a 2001 or newer so I didn't have to buy an LS6 intake....

Choreo

Two things:

(1) Would not have "leased" it for the first four years of ownership! It started out as a perk from one of my clients who was making all the payments for me until 9/11 hit and after that the travel industry tanked and my client with it. So, I had a choice, either turn the car in after one year of driving it with 4,000 ,iles on it, or take over the lease payments personally (which I did). At the end of the first four years it only had 16,000 miles and was no trouble in that period, so I rolled it into a "buy" and financed the balance on another 5 years (still making payments after 7 years!). At least I got 4.9% interest.

Because I was "leasing" a percentage as a business vehicle in Texas, I got "hosed" by having to pay personal property taxes of about $1,600/yr for those first 4 years. The law made no sense, and now it is just the opposite - today, if you lease a car for personal use, you have to pay Personal Property Tax every year. But if you "buy" the car and it really IS Personal Property, you do not have to pay ANY Personal Property Tax... you figure it out!

Moral... think twice before "leasing". I leased 3 of my cars out of about 15 in the past and every one ended up a disaster for different reasons.

(2) Should have financed elsewhere. Whether you lease or buy, AVOID U.S. BANK at all costs - most crooked lender I have ever experienced - absolutely cannot credit payments correctly and no matter how much evidence you send them, they do nothing right. They even tried to cheat the Texas State Sales Tax department out of getting their money which I paid to them up front when I purchased the car... oh, and guess who had to pay the late penalty for U.S. Bank stalling to pay the State for 6 months, AND I PAID UP FRONT!!! The State did not care who's fault it was, the car was in my name and they came after me - not the lender who collected the money and sat on it. If you choose U.S. BANK you will spend the rest of you life trying to get/keep your Credit Report clean. I always pay 1-2 months ahead of time and they simply cannot grasp that concept. As of last month, I cannot even get a payment-book out of them to make my final payments. Fortunately, after this experience with U.S. BANK, I will never finance or lease another car again in the future, I will walk before I ever trust another lender. Mistakes happen, but after 15 mistakes and no effort on their part to rectify the situation, you finally have to assume these are not actually "mistakes".

Z06ster

Here's my list...

1. Probably looked it over more thoroughly than I did. Not long after I bought it, I encountered several electrical problems. Most of which I fixed myself, but I did have to succumb to the stealership one time.

2. Bought the car with more Mod's. As I understand it, Mod's don't necessarily add to the re-sale value, so I think I could have saved some money if I got a vette with more Mod's on it. (Since I have a major case of "mod-bug-itis").

3. Nah... just those two...

RockyL32

I would have not bought the extended warranty... I am really jonsing to mod the engine and cant without voiding it

DeeGee

Nothing. Mine came with the 1SC package so all the options I wanted were fitted.

I used Bill Heard which was a mistake. it was a miserable buying experience. I paid way over the odds for the GMPP warranty as I found out when I joined the Forum.

I went in to buy a Torch Red MN6 Coupe and I came out with a Mag Red A4 Vert.

There are times when I wish I had a manual box for pure driving pleasure but I spent long enough in Vegas traffic to be glad I made the decision I made. Even around here in England I probably wouldn't get out of 4th gear

That said, since then I've added quite a few mods so I guess that counts.

Sorry I Bought An A4

<<<<<< see my name !!!! i would have gotten the manual trans.

WetteVette

I waited as long as I could to buy one (about 3 months).

I own a '97 that's highly optioned, BUT...

If I had it to do over again I would...

1. Get a newer model with lower mileage.

2. Get one with the performance axle.

3. Get either an anniversery edition or commerative edition.

C5R USA

I would have preferred one with a Z51 over the F45.
At the price I got mine for with the low miles and
all the mods,I can overlook that.

jacks996

Mine was 5 years old, looked brand new, had 10k miles, completely original including window sticker and manuals. Has all options and was exactly what I was looking for, and I paid way under nada for it

pdd000

I would of keep it stock and bought a 08 z06 and had 2 vettes

love my car

I have an 04 black coupe loaded,but thinking abot changing the seats,just the black gut is

bhoch

Nothing...

I got exactly the car color (interior and exterior) and options (manual, Z51, HUD, CD changer, etc...) that I wanted. I figured I would need to change it as needed to make it "mine" over time anyway. Mileage - it's my DD and it came with 29K on it.. Seemed OK to me and I figure it will have a "LOT" of miles on it over the next few years anyway!

RedSoxFan

The only thing I would have done differently is said "no thanks" to the tire and wheel insurance. It seemed like a good idea at the time, $500 for 5 years replacement coverage for damage other than normal wear and tear, but I now know that I will be replacing them long before the 5 years is up.

steve8

The only thing I wish I had then, was the knowledge that I now have thanks to the Forum.
Thanks to everybody here, and to all those who make this site possible.
I lucked out. My 04 CE vert is just the car I wanted.

only59

no complaints, price and car are great even @ 65K miles. Original owner and docs. all the way back to the window sticker. One fine Hot Rod.

I spent two months trolling this forum and reading the tech posts as I was searching for a Car. A Z06/8 week College course before the purchase. I can't be more grateful to those who wrote all those C5 / Z06 TECH posts I read.

lil vette

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.. ..
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RSchleder

I wish I had the "performance" rear end ratio, otherwise, it's perfect!

Rollin

Except for the fact I really wanted Red or Yellow everything is good. I've decided pewter works well for me, it has a classy subdude look.With the 6 speed I don't have to worry about the wife always wanting to take it.

5OBait

Like most of you I can also say that I got pretty lucky.
Love the Torch Red!
Very happy that its M6 + Coupe (with 2 roofs!)
Mileage was 32k and I was able to haggle a decent price from the dealer.
1 Owner Car! Came with a bunch of documented oil changes and such + original window sticker!
The dealer tried to sell me an extended warranty. Glad I declined, the car has been very good to me!

tricep

I would have liked to have been a forum member prior to the purchase. That is like saying I would have liked to have a Class A before I learned to drive.

Of course, how many times have I said: "I wish I would have known then what I know now?"

I would have gone over the car with a more knowledgeable eye and surely gotten it for less. I too would have liked lower miles and later model.

I am not unhappy with the car, and never have been. I will keep this car and I will purchase another. When I purchase the next one, I will have it like Burger King.

MY WAY!