GlockMan

I have been into cars my whole life but up until recently have always been interested in Japanese cars. I'm really looking to buy a corvette now and i am really excited. My problems is i only have 15,000 to spend i can push a little more if its a crazy deal or for dealer fees and so on but not much.

My question is, should i go for as low of mileage as possible or if i can find one that has been modified with higher mileage?

I only ask this because i know that i would never be able to afford to do the things i'd like to as it can become rather expensive and if i could find one already modded that would be great.

I know buying used cars is a test drive and go from their type deal, and i've driven lots of cars and know a ragged out crappy car when i see one. The problem is, i have never driven a manual v8 domestic car before. This is uncharted territory here.

So please any advice is welcome.

socalman

Do yourself a favor, buy a completely stock, 6 spd with the lowest mileage you can get for the money you got. It will be plenty of car stock, and there's always time to add mods down the road. In a heavily modded car, you are limited to getting repair info from a place like this, a manual, or a repair shop unless it's the one that did the mods.

Alaskanpilot

I agree. If you're new to Corvettes, and this type of car in general, I'd get familiar with a reliable stocker first. Go for a lower mileage car that hasn't been modified; or maybe modified very slightly. You'll want something easily repairable and less prone to cause any issues. Obviously this really only concerns engine mods; if you found a nice car with an aftermarket interior or custom wheels, I don't think that would be as much of an issue. But give the stock cars a chance... they're nothing to rule out! You'll have plenty to learn just driving one around for a year, and I promise you, you'll still have a sh*$-eating grin on your face the whole time...

Vetteman Jack

IMO, find yourself a well maintained stock car and do the mods you want as you can afford them. The C5 has plenty of performance just as it came from the factory.

oakvillec5

yes, i agree with the folks above, a 6 speed stocker....plenty of power and you can add mods as you get cash. I've had this C5 for a couple of years, only added a K&N filter to the stock air box. I'm quite happy with the OEM power.

Kmcoldcars

If you are thinking of doing mods to the car once you get it, figure out what mods you would like and then look for a car that has most of them. They generally will not raise the price of the car and you will get them for virtually free. I would suggest you stay with mods such as cold air intake, long tube headers (if in Calif. short tube headers), high flow cats and a different exhaust for the sound you want. Possibly a different intake manifold. These are all bolt on items and should not hurt the reliability of the car. When you start thinking of cams, heads, different pistons, crank, etc. you need to know the quality of the work done and of the parts installed. For appearance mods go for what you like.

99pewtercoupe

Agree with the basically stock approach. If the mods are the bolt on type (anything on the exhaust system, cold air intakes, etc) those are OK but I would also stay away from any internal engine mods as you really have no idea of well they were done

GlockMan

Well i am not new to sports car, and I am reasonably mechanical inclined, and have worked on several different cars (lowering spring installs, timing belts, water pumps, header and exhaust install). My most recent car was 240whp FWD Interga (flames are welcome) haha. I was just worried about power not being up where i would like it on a stock C5 and i cannot afford a C5 Z06.

This is my main two prospects:

Stocker - http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/1655862867.html

Modded - http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

and again thank you all for your advice and insight

Also i live very close to Mooresvile NC and there a few very good LSx tuners in the area at my disposal for tuning and tech. advice

00 Rooster

I'd take the stock one with lower km. I have to agree with most above. buy the lowest mileage, newest vette your budget allows.
good luck

and BTW, once you have your vette you'll learn that fwd is for tricycles!!! haha...I made a similar move from my GTP to the vette

GlockMan

what do ya'll think about the craigslist example?

timmmmay

CL looks ok - I just recently got a 50k coupe for 13.5, 1999 coupe - m6 - bone stock.

I drive it with a $#1T eating grin on my face everytime I'm in the car. Go see it - see if you get a good feeling from the seller. Maybe someone close to that area who's a member might go with - or check it out for you?

ZeroToSixty

Here is my totally stock 29 k miles, M6 2003 Corvette at the drags........I came out of a moderately modded Stealth RT TT that ran in the mid 13s.......it was fast, but a V-8 manual, 3300 pound car is a different story 13 flat with zero mods and a fair driver.......excellent fun to drive.

I dont miss turbos........naturally aspirated TORQUE is the most fun. I forgot how to set up the window........but here is the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG4zmH18YLw&NR=1