joezr2

I think the limiting factor tends to be distance in our area of the country. Expand your search area and don't be afraid to drive to go get it (and be willing to walk.) I was fortunate enough to have a buddy willing to drive 399 miles to look at one in New jersey with me (12hr round trip.) "Payment" was lunch and a couple hours behind the wheel of my Corvette on the way home. He was ecstatic and well.... I was over the moon...

I would think from Dayton expanding your search area to Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago, etc should also broaden the pool of available cars significantly.

66dts-v

I spent almost 3 months looking for mine 4 years ago. I ended up with exactly what I wanted at the price I felt good paying.

I started looking in September as prices plummet here when the rain hits. I drove 4 hours to get it. A ton of autos.

My list:
01-04 manual coupe as base as possible with sub 75k miles but at least 40k (at least burned a set of tires).

o2bnkc

That's what I'm talk' in about! Since 1997 they have been referred to as coupes.

Shakeydeal

I count six, yes SIX, on the first two pages of the for sale forum. Are you really looking? Or what?


Shakey

grampi50

Torch red? M6? These two are must haves...

capevettes

Google Craigslist NY 2003 Corvette. The one I mentioned is still there. There is also a 2002 red 6 speed, low miles, reasonably priced.

grampi50

Found it! Looks nice too! I will check it out. Thanks! There's also an '02 torch red with a torch red interior listed, which is my absolute favorite color combo with only 17,300 miles, but the asking price is way out of my price range ($25K). I think I know who this one belongs to and he's a forum member...

grampi50

Coupes, hatchbacks, targas, I think we all know what all 3 mean...

Shakeydeal

<br />M6 yes. Your OP didn't mention color.

o2bnkc

Hatchbacks!? Don't even get me started.

RACE U

I know you are not looking for one, but just remember none of the C5s came with a targa top. They were all considered FRCs (Fixed Roof Coupes), because none of the z06s had removable tops.

corvettezman

For those ragging on the pre 01, what Am I missing here other than the EBCM repair issue ?
I have a 98 Vert with 73k miles, and so far, have been able to find any part I have ever needed, not that I have needed much though. great car!!!

Kbonsig

If the 2002 from NY from Craig's list with just under 30k miles make sure you look really really closely if it's the one I looked at.

grampi50

Why, what did you see?

grampi50

Some other poster mentioned it earlier...Lol!

MikeyMcFly

They catch on fire if you sneeze too close to them, apparently. Or maybe they disintegrate, I'm not sure, but whatever it is is very, VERY bad.

I've been holding in a sneeze for almost 2 years now, maybe I need some allergy medication.

grampi50

I didn't mean to start a war between the two year group guys...really, I didn't...

calvins

Don't think there's a war.... guys simply stated what's been known for years; there are things that *can* go bad on pre 01's that you will not be able to fix. I didn't see anyone say pre-01's were crap (unless I missed it). Some are just "touchy"...

MikeyMcFly

There was that post about someone saying you couldn't give him a pre-01. Bunch of posts about avoiding the pre-01 cars like the plague, etc.

What I don't understand outside of the bigger challenge in finding parts what is actually different about the driving experience in the two groups of years. Outside of the wheels they effectively look the same, the interiors are effectively the same, the motors are largely the same, etc. Sure, the later cars had more handling choices and there were improvements behind the scenes, but still.

Maybe I'm crazy.

jrp1588

Parts availability is exactly why people say to avoid them. I don't think anyone is saying they're significantly worse in any other way