What is best year/model of used Corvette?

Alice

Alice

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I'm thinking about getting a used Corvette this spring. I'm in Canada and thinking in the $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 budget range.
What should I be looking at in terms of years and models? I don't have any experience with used Corvettes so I need input from those more expert than I.
I read one article that said the mid-eighties cars should be avoided and I don't know why. Is that because of the early C4 reputations, sluggish performance bad transmissions? I'm guessing they would mean the 84 to 87 years?
My preference is for a convertible. Do older convertibles have body integrity problems that coupes don't have?
I have lots of questions and have just started my search.
 
Alice, welcome to the forum. I wish you luck with your search.

Just for fun call the Ford dealer in Bracebridge and see what they are asking for the Black C5 Coupe. It has been on their used car lot for the entire winter, you never know they may want to move it.

We can then help you chop the roof off it, it may not look so good but it will be a roadster.:D
 
Alice...
Welcome to the forum..
I would guess you could find a very clean, low mile '92-'96 C4 convert for that price range.
You may get lucky and find a '98-'99 C5 convert, probably higher mileage.

Good luck with your search...the hunt can be a lot of the fun.

Graham
 
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Hi Alice! Welcome to the forum! I'll basically be backing up what was mentioned here. The 92-96 Corvettes are fantastic cars. Should you be able to find a 98-99 Corvette, those would be your best bang for the buck. Keep us updated on your hunt and ask away with any questions you may have!
 
How do you plan on using the car, ie wknd cruiser, long distance trips, auto or manual to name a few to help narrow things down. Forget the C1, 2 or chrome bumper C3's in that price range or 2000 and later vettes. I would find someone very familiar with the model Corvette that you narrow your search down to and then take it to a mechanic who is a Corvette specialist. There are lots of major and minor issues that are easilly hidden under a shiny exterior.
 
Some good advice there gdh.:thumbs:
 
Black 03 Z06 said:
Alice, welcome to the forum. I wish you luck with your search.

Just for fun call the Ford dealer in Bracebridge and see what they are asking for the Black C5 Coupe. It has been on their used car lot for the entire winter, you never know they may want to move it.

We can then help you chop the roof off it, it may not look so good but it will be a roadster.:D
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Thanks for the tip. However, I think I'm seeking a simpler and more aesthetically pleasing solution. I'll pass on that one.
 
nascar03 said:
Alice...
Welcome to the forum..
I would guess you could find a very clean, low mile '92-'96 C4 convert for that price range.
You may get lucky and find a '98-'99 C5 convert, probably higher mileage.

Good luck with your search...the hunt can be a lot of the fun.

Graham
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'm certainly finding good candidates in that '92 to '96 range, some convertibles too.

And yes, the hunt is a lot of fun.
 
Elf said:
The highest quality Corvette was produced in 2003 (fact).C4 corvette convertibles have no structural issues .
Best wishes on your hunt .
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A 2003 convertible would be excellent but, alas, is above my budget. Maybe when I trade up in a few years I'll have the budget. Thanks for the tip.
 
Riley P said:
Hi Alice! Welcome to the forum! I'll basically be backing up what was mentioned here. The 92-96 Corvettes are fantastic cars. Should you be able to find a 98-99 Corvette, those would be your best bang for the buck. Keep us updated on your hunt and ask away with any questions you may have!
Click to expand...
I found a '93 convertible for just under the budget maximum and a '96 just over the maximum. Yours is good advice, thanks.
 
Nik said:
Ditto. 98-99s are in the 15-18 range if you can find one out east. C4 would be easier on the budget if you want to remain within 15k.
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Unfortunately the '98 to '99 are over the budget limit I have set. You are correct that the C4 vintage is where I'm likely to find an answer. Thanks for your suggestion of what year/model to look for.
 
buckhorn76 said:
a nice 75 - 82 c3 is in that range and although they are not roadsters, they are tee roof cars. cheaper to insure and repair as well.
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My friend has a '79 C3 and it is an excellent car. We're also looking at that version and finding some at the lower end of the budget range. Thanks for helping me with the search.
 
Keith Tedford said:
If I were looking for a $15K Corvette, I would be looking for a 1996 LT4. No automatics with this engine though.
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I think you are right about the 1996 model year being a good choice. Thanks for the suggestion.
Now, if I can find a red convertible with low kms inside my budget price ...
 
gdh said:
How do you plan on using the car, ie wknd cruiser, long distance trips, auto or manual to name a few to help narrow things down. Forget the C1, 2 or chrome bumper C3's in that price range or 2000 and later vettes. I would find someone very familiar with the model Corvette that you narrow your search down to and then take it to a mechanic who is a Corvette specialist. There are lots of major and minor issues that are easilly hidden under a shiny exterior.
Click to expand...
Those are good questions and my answer is "all of the above"
I would use it for weekend cruising, some Corvette events, and it should be reliable enough for a long distance trip once a year. I'm not set on whether it's manual or automatic, it could be either. I'm more concerned that it's a convertible. I also love the color red but realize there are very few of that color around.
I have a friend who owns a Corvette and has a good knowledge of what to look for "under a shiny exterior", and we have a mechanic friend who can help us too, all points that you brought up and which I'll make sure are covered.
Thanks for your excellent help. This Forum and it's members have been very helpful to me.
 
Alice, I believe there is still a cruise night in Muskoka (Gravenhurst, Bracebridge or Huntsville), there is one in Haliburton on Thursday nights. Might be worth attending a couple and ask some questions. There are a surprising number of Corvettes of all generations up here, you just don't see them very often. Cruise nights seem to bring them out of hiding.

I will keep my eyes open for you but I wish you the best of luck for finding your dream car. It is out there, you just need to find it. You will.:thumbs:
 
Black 03 Z06 said:
Alice, I believe there is still a cruise night in Muskoka (Gravenhurst, Bracebridge or Huntsville), there is one in Haliburton on Thursday nights. Might be worth attending a couple and ask some questions. There are a surprising number of Corvettes of all generations up here, you just don't see them very often. Cruise nights seem to bring them out of hiding.

I will keep my eyes open for you but I wish you the best of luck for finding your dream car. It is out there, you just need to find it. You will.:thumbs:
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There is a cruise night in Huntsville in the summer at the Canadian Tire parking lot. It's usually Saturday nights starting at around 7:30 PM. I've been to lots of them but no Corvettes.
Last July I was in Minden on a Thursday evening and caught the cruise night at the (original) Kawartha Dairy. There was a nice 1960 Cadillac Convertible there and a C3 Corvette around 1972.
The search for my Corvette is a lot of fun so far and so many people have been helpful with information and suggestions. I'm sure the car for me is out there, just gotta find it.
 

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