Hameister

I have an opportunity to buy an '04 C5 base coupe, automatic xmission, with 27,000 original miles.

The fellow is asking $23,000, but I know for a fact he'll take $19k cash.

I have not yet seen the car, but I'm told over the phone it is in mint condition. A new set of tires were installed 3 years ago, at 22,000 miles. The car allegedly needs no work of any kind, and has never been damaged, or repaired, or seen the inside of a body shop. He says it has been kept garaged since new.

I'm told everything is factory original. It all sounds great, but before I waste my time, and his, I thought I'd ask a few questions here.

Since I have never owned a C5, and I'm unfamiliar with them, I'd appreciate it if you guys could let me know if there is any reason to steer clear of this car? Any issues with an '04 C5 that I should know about? If there is something significant, I'll just call him back, and tell him I'm not interested.

I did some Googling, and so far haven't found anything to scare me off. What say y'all?

chassed

Offer the 19k. Buy it. Then buy new tires. Thread/

CQRT

Sounds great...go for it !

Mike98SilVert

Great find and price. 3 year old tires with 5K miles is fine. No need for tires at all. Chassed probably missed the fact that the tires were replaced and assumed orig 2004 tires. $19K is a great price for a C5 as described.

go for it.

bikeriderga

If it checks out with this mileage, sounds like a killer deal!

racebum

x2 on the 19 and new tires

3 years is the longest i would ever run a tire on a sports car. grip starts falling off. 4 absolute max

the difference between a 4yr old tire and a new one is night and day

which brings up another point. why do so many guys buy hard tires then drive 2k miles per year>?

ZEE-OH-6

The most difficult thing you will have to deal with if what he tells you is true about the car is wiping the smile off your face if you have never driven a C5 before !

19K is the right # !

wolf10851

didn't you just buy a c6 grand sport? now you are looking at a c5? wow!

there IS 1 small issue though C5s DO run hot This is NOT a reason to not buy it just something to be aware of. there IS however a product that you can get that costs $100 bucks that will help solve this and that is a CoolIt. You can get one from one of our supporting venders saccitycorvette and it really is a piece of cake to install

jdmvette

this.

Vetteman Jack

Sounds like a decent deal, especially if you can get it at $19K. Do some reading here, this was designed to help out someone who is looking to buy a Corvette.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-files.html

Hameister

Thank you all for your comments, it's appreciated.

Yes, I did purchase a new C6 GS in January, and I love it. I wasn't looking for another 'vette, this deal just happened to fall in my lap. If it turns out to be everything the current owner says it is, it's a great deal, since it appears that most '04 C5s are going for around $24k.

While I ordered my C6 with a manual xmission, and really enjoy playing with the gears, it would also be nice to just take a cruise with an automatic every so often. At $19k I should be able to enjoy the car for a few years, and then either sell it, and get my money back, or give it to my grandson when he graduates college. This car could be a win, win, win, for me.

Very nice article, thanks! Lots of useful information, such as pulling codes from the DIC.

RonR80

04 is a great car most bugs are out of them I bought one a few years ago from a forum member and no regrets , specially for that price. Ron

jrose7004

Go for it!

03whitecoupe

Almost sounds too good to be true. You could buy it then turn around and sell it and make an easy couple grand.

oh1vette

Wow, will you be my grandfather???


with the others, sounds like a great deal...even though its an auto...

DBLTRGR

Absolutely love my 04 C5 Coupe. No issues so far at 22,000 miles.

Hameister

Wow, that's only about 2,500 miles a year. I'm always surprised at how many Corvettes spend most of their lives in a garage.

My '13 GS is headed in that same direction. It is now almost exactly 4 months old, and the odometer reads 846 miles. At that rate, I'll be driving it about 2,500 miles a year as well.

I haven't yet found any negatives as regards the '04 C5, so I'm going to give this fellow a call today, and take a look at it over the weekend.

Thanks to all for your input.

jdot

I would never buy a car without being able to check it out in person. Maybe there's a CF member close that can look at it for you and advise on its worthiness. Good luck.

mdiiulio

Boom, that just happened

Hameister

I guess you didn't read my post #17, just above yours. I'm going to take a look at it this weekend. Thanks.