VESPASIAN

Hello Everyone,

Always thought the 911 was such a classic, almost pulled the trigger on a 2003 a few weeks back...
had the bug bad until I started reading about that little issue where the...,
well the engine...,
dies?

About $16,000 for a new engine? hmmmmm....

Then I started reading about Corvettes... hmmmmm.....

Then I found this forum... (yes I have been lurking for a bit)

Then I got a different bug - started thinking I might buy a Vette.

So I told a serious C4 owner at work that I was thinking about buying a C5 and he says:
"Well, you're not driving it in the winter..."
"But Rick, it's a car"
"No, it is a Corvette - If you drive that car in the winter, I will lose all respect for you"

Hmmmmm...

Then a C5 owner (stock metallic navy blue m6) at work let me take his coupe out for a highway ride one sunny New England afternoon.
I repeatedly did the OMG WOW thing...

Later, back at the office he laughed at me, refusing to sell his car.

I then knew that I had to have one of these machines.

So after a bunch of shopping and test drives, Monday, I had a black on black 1999 FRC delivered.

I'm still doing the OMG WOW thing.

Cheers, Ed

PS - thanks everyone for contributing to such a great forum.

dangerz

I drive mine in the rain, snow or shine (granted it's a lot more fun when it's shine). These cars are meant to be driven and as long as you respect the power, you'll be fine in the winter.

Congrats on your buy and welcome to the club :]

peter pan

Cool story and congrats on getting into a FRC

jrose7004

Congrats on your new car!

c5BlackBeauty

Congrats Ed on your vette. Also, congrats regarding your very intelligent color choice. The absolutely best........Welcome to the Dark Side and glad to have you aboard.

dougbfresh

I have never been impressed with the 911's I've driven, even the twin turbo's-kind of ugly and dogs off the line.

Quick Draw

You have chosen wisely Grasshopper.
As great as the 911 is; the upkeep and repairs cost considerably more than the "Corvette Tax" we all joke aboutl.
Congratulations on your FRC. I know you will have many miles of smiles.

oh1vette

Whats your 1st mod gonna be?

VESPASIAN

She's got a whopping 30,000 miles on her and appears to be all stock except for the wheels... Logical first mod would be intake, then maybe a corsa or borla or whatever...

I'm still doing the OMG thing, so don't really need any mods at this point!

Indy

Good choice....the newer 996 Porsches with the 3.6 engines are very reliable though...the early 3.4L engines had problems, as did the early Boxsters. But you definitely made a good choice buying a C5...but even with the newer 996 you would be really happy....they are great cars. Not as torquey as the LS1 engine, but as fast with great handling. Intake and exhaust are good choices for first mods...even lowering it a bit is really easy, as it comes with an adjustable suspension from the factory (lowering bolts). Have fun and enjoy every second!! Indy

5ltrEATER

You made the right choice--Congrats!

You are not the 1st I've heard who drives a C5 and has the WOW-effect and NEED to get one. Happend to my brother too, I let him drive my C5 and 1 year later, he has one too.

A good addiction, if you ask me...

~ 5ltrEATER

P.S. Welcome to the Club!

wit2pz

Welcome to the addiction! If I may ask, why did you choose the FRC style over the coupe? I know the C5 Z06's have more power, but yours isn't a Z06. Did you like the lines better than the lines of the coupe? Did you not want a removable top? Was it just the fact it was available and you decided not to shop around? I'm not knocking you, just curious.

I have black 2001 coupe, by the way, and want to test drive several other cars, one being a Porsche 911. Love the looks!

Cheers!

FourG63 97GST

ill love a 996 myself.
if you dig enough, u'll find dirt.
but welcome

BobbyC5

My buddy has a 911, and it's fun to drive to be sure, but I'm always happy to get back into my Vette. I wouldn't trade.

Jistari

Congratulations and welcome aboard

Blew by you

Corvette's have gone through 4 era's of body style change the 911's are still the same ugly little turtle shell looking car it always was, good choice!

VESPASIAN

Thanks guys -

Yeah, the dark side... I went to a wake the other day, took the vette, I was wearing all dark clothing, black shoes, black tie... While sitting in the car, I thought for a second, YIKES, am I turning into batman or something?

Don't get me wrong about the 996, I love the way they look and the way they handle, I respect the company, the history and the owners, just decided that with the money I wanted to spend it would be a bit too risky for me. For new owners with coverage, no worries.

My primary requirements for the c5 were fairly low miles, black exterior, manual transmission. I found a nice 2004 coupe with 29,000 miles but the seller and I were off by 1600 so I walked. The car was in incredible condition with a borla exhaust which I thought really sounded great but maybe a tad too loud. It was almost too nice and he was holding firm at 23.6.

There was a nice millenium yellow z06 I saw that was awesome, except for the black interior and the RED seat bottoms, bottom door panels and glovebox. I was really pleased when the car finally sold, you know, I wanted it but I didn't. 17,000 miles and totally babied.

If the interior was solid black, I would be driving it now.
Yeah - YELLOW

A 2001 z06 was kinda cool but the synchros were whacked and I couldn't get the car into third. A bit anti-climactic even with the 180 I did when the dealer wanted me to turn the car around. The price was right but I thought with 7 owners and all, too many issues.

So I took a liking to the lines of the hardtop and I'm ok with not having all the gadgets and such, so the 99 FRC was a pleasant find. At over 5 thousand less than the coupe I almost bought, there is now some cash for some mods 'eh?

Yes, I will need some guidance please.

Cheers, Ed

VESPASIAN

ha, I thought what was happening in the mid 80's was really cool. Never thought about the turtle thing... hehe...

BenC5

Great story and a great thread that I'll get to read through tomorrow when I have more time but you did good with the C5.

911 just don't look good at all. I'll bet the performance is nowhere near a C5 anyway. The C6 or C6 looks much better than any Porsche.

I drive my Vette all winter long up here in MA, save for the snow days.

I'm going to go outside right now and get my OMG WOW-on, I liked that.

PostShawn

The OMG WOW thing doesnt end. 3 years here and still have grin ear to ear every time I drive it. Congrats!