C5 purchase

[Stuart Weare]

I’m looking to purchase my first C5. It’s quite a distance away so I want to get an independent inspection done. Does anyone know of a person or company that would do this in Norfolk area and has specific knowledge of the C5? I’m not convinced that an RAC or AA inspection would be good enough to have the in depth knowledge of these cars.
Thanks.
Stu.

 

[FIVE RED]

Nowhere near Norfolk I'm afraid but we've had our C5 for 19 years. It's been trouble free in all that time so I'd say a C5 is an excellent choice.
When looking to buy ours, a 2002, I was advised to go for 2001 or younger as GM had changed the piston rings. The drive shaft oil seals can leak so something to look out for, although I believe this is more common on auto's. I'm sure C5 owners on here will jump in with more specific advice.
Good luck.

 

[C5Steve]

There's an excellent buyers guide available from the club, I'd recommend getting ahold of that. There's not a huge amount of specialist items to "look" for on a C5 that I would imagine an RAC/AA inspection would miss. Quite alot of the big things you can just ask tbh.

Might be worth sharing the advert here as someone might know the car?

 

[97BlackC5]

Have you tried Corvette Kingdom, The Granaries, Felmingham, North Walsham NR28 0JY,
(corvettekingdom.co.uk). They are an old name in the Corvette restoration world over here, Ray Groves started the business & it was latter taken over by his son Scott.
I've never had any dealings with them because I am not from around that area so I assume they are still in business, could be worth getting in touch if they are?

P.S. I've had my C5 since 2001 & its a 1997 car, never had any issues. They do appear to be bullet proof if you do the normal research.

 

[Roscobbc]

Stuart - how long have you been looking for a nice C5? - TBH 'if' you are patient and prepared to put the word out in club circles and at car shows etc over the spring/summer season you might score yourself a really original/exceptional car from a club member.
Good cars do come up for sale every now and then - generally if a member is looking to 'upgrade' to a C6 or C7 and needs to perhaps get a better price quickly for his current vehicle towards his next purchase than what a dealer may be prepared to offer.
I'm all up for sourcing good spec' cars at a lower price, but sometimes if the car in question is a particularly good example and/or a low mileage it could be well worth paying over the top.
Not a Vette but my 'daily driver' city car was 7 years old when I bought it - with one owner and a genuine 1440 miles.
Yes, I paid about 10/15% over the top considering its age.....and even that was not too far short of what the car would have cost when new in 2016.
Three years and 14000 miles later other than fuel, 4 new tyres (to replace the 'aged-out' OEM original Conti's) and one annual service it hasn't cost me a bean. These vehicles do exist!