having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

[Brandon T.]

I had a 95 convertible that was cherry sold it in 07 with 30k miles on it. My dad has a 68 427 vert thats near done with a body on restore and engine rebuild.

I have been looking for awhile for MY next corvette and have narrowed it down to either a brand new one, a 2004 or a 67.

Obviously I'd perfer a 67 bb convertible 4so sidepipe car but since I'm picky it would take one that fetches over 100k to please me since they're old cars and I simply wouldn't want one for 50k with a busted up body and rusty frame etc..

so If I go with a 67 convertible it would have to be a small block car for say at most 60-70k price range.

besides that let's just talk about an 04 c5 vs a c6...I personally LOVE the front end of the c5 but perfer the rear end on the c6....if I go newer, that being a 2004 c5 or a new c6 I'm going to have a hard time deciding!

I found a 2004 triple black convertible 6sp with 6k miles on it that I can get for about $30k I am leaning that way as of right now just thought I would get some op's on how people felt about the late c5's vs the c6's.

I've never been one to have to have the lastest and greatest I go with what I like but this time I'm struggling!

[Clem Z.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

I had a 95 convertible that was cherry sold it in 07 with 30k miles on it. My dad has a 68 427 vert thats near done with a body on restore and engine rebuild.

I have been looking for awhile for MY next corvette and have narrowed it down to either a brand new one, a 2004 or a 67.

Obviously I'd perfer a 67 bb convertible 4so sidepipe car but since I'm picky it would take one that fetches over 100k to please me since they're old cars and I simply wouldn't want one for 50k with a busted up body and rusty frame etc..

so If I go with a 67 convertible it would have to be a small block car for say at most 60-70k price range.

besides that let's just talk about an 04 c5 vs a c6...I personally LOVE the front end of the c5 but perfer the rear end on the c6....if I go newer, that being a 2004 c5 or a new c6 I'm going to have a hard time deciding!

I found a 2004 triple black convertible 6sp with 6k miles on it that I can get for about $30k I am leaning that way as of right now just thought I would get some op's on how people felt about the late c5's vs the c6's.

I've never been one to have to have the lastest and greatest I go with what I like but this time I'm struggling!

i owned 3 new C-5s,97,99 and a 02 and 2 new C-6s,05 and 08 and the C-6 is a much refined car compared to the C-5 plus the LS-3 engine is one hell of a performer. i also owned new a 59,62,63,64,65,and 66 corvettes with the 65 and 66 SHP big blocks and i would not trade my 08 even up for any of them. JMHO

[Pete B.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

Brandon,

I have no idea how old you are, I just turned 50. I have probably had 25 cars in my lifetime new and used. If I had the wisdom then that i have now I would be rich. I spent (wasted) so much money on depriciation of newer cars it makes me shutter to think about it. Now that I am back into the older cars, C3 and C4's, I smile each time I open the garage. I have less invested in all three, that dont depriciate, I can fix, cheap to insure and plate. Life is good. Besides now a days... nobody notices cars like the old days. When i drive my 87 to work I get the same indifferent looks as when I drive my truck. Bottom line my butt gets where it needs to go. Just my story and opinion!

[Andrew P.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

Mid-Years are not fetching the big dollars these days. Look hard in a non-rust-belt state and I bet you could find a nice one for 40-50. Not perfect but very clean.

-Drew

[Harmon C.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

The 09 is alot more car than the 04 as I owned both. 30k for an 04 or 38K for a bare bones 09 I would buy the 09. The deals on 09's are unreal in this market.

[Chris E.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

I would say it depends on what kind of driving experience you want. When driving the 67, I felt EVERYTHING the road had to offer. (manual steering, power brake, 4 speed car here) It was an extremely involving experience. Would I want to take it on a long road trip? Probably not.

Compare that to the 2000 coupe I used to own. It was the smoothest and most powerful car I've ever owned. It would blast up to speed at the drop of a hat and not break a sweat doing it. It was very refined, and it sounds like the C6s are even more so. After a while though, just running around town, he C5 got boring to me. I drive aggressively, but not like an idiot. I like on ramps and off ramps and corners, I don't like cruising fast. Since getting up to 60 mph was SO well within the power band of the C5, it didn't feel like any work at all. That actually reduced the enjoyment I got out of the car. The flip side of that is last summer, when my dad and I went to Bloomington Gold in Chicago. We got in the car and drove 6 hours. When we got out, we were not all that tired, and felt ready to have fun at the show. Had I have done that in the 67, I know the experience would have left me wiped out.

So, it depends on what kind of experience you want.

[Terry M.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

VERY well put Chris. I couldn't agree more.

[Jeff G.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

I agree with every post in this thread which brings us to one conclusion. Buy one of each! Excellent buyers market for the C5 & 6's right now. Maybe reduce your budget for one of those and use the extra cash to find a C3 that you can work on. At least an older car will provide more time in that "Man Cave" (garage).

[Pat M.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

I agree with Chris too, and as Jeff suggested, that's why I love having both a C4 and a C3. Although the C4 doesn't have the smoothness and refinement of later cars, it's quicker and worlds smoother and more modern feeling than the C3. But then again, I really enjoy the primative feel of the C3 a lot of the time. Being able to go from one to the other whenever I feel like it is great.

[Gary J.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

While all of the attributes the previous members have mentioned on the newer vettes are indeed correct, not one of them will ever go up in value or even ramain constant, no matter what you do to them. I basically drive my 1967 401K, it brings me great joy, In addition, the hands on mechanical I perform is my stress release from my high pressure job. The thrill of the driving and the excitment you see in peoples eyes driving a mid-year cannot be found in a newer ride. I'll bet there will be plenty of opinions in the opposite direction, and as they say, "that is why they make 47 different flavors of ice cream".
Regards, Gary

[Bob R.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

The most important part of the decision is how will you use the car. I don't think you would want to use a C1, C2, or C3 Corvette as an every day driver. If you want to get into a car start it up and drive buy a new car. The old cars are great fun to drive but as with anything old they require a lot more time and effort to keep going and the old technology (steering brakes suspension) might loose its charm after a while. I love my C2 but I have to plan my trips and use care where I park it. I don't want to get caught in bad weather or get hit by a runaway shopping cart.

[Brandon T.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

here is the newer car I'm thinking about..already drove it 2 months ago they still have it. it's an 04 with 6k miles on it...only down side it is has FE1 base suspension I'm wanting a z51.

http://www.chettimotorsports.com/detail-2004-chevrolet-corvette-3445096.html

whatcha think? I think 30k would buy it

[Wayne K.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

If you have a significant other this should be easy to decide. Just ask her if she likes the smell of gas & exhaust fumes. Depending on her answer I hope you make the right choice.

[Pat M.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

While all of the attributes the previous members have mentioned on the newer vettes are indeed correct, not one of them will ever go up in value or even ramain constant, no matter what you do to them.

Hmmm ... no offense intended, but no newer Vette will EVER go up in value? I don't think anyone can know that now. And isn't that what people used to think about C3s?

[Ridge K.]

Re: having a hard time deciding on my next purchase..old vs new corvette

Brandon, Chris said it perfectly. I love the look, and feel of my '67 bigblock, and it's value has actually held pretty well thru the economic crisis (the best I can tell), but, a few months ago I was asked to deliver a new Z06 across country, for a friend.
Had to be the most comfortable Corvettes I have ever been in. Absolutely, fell in love with the C6. The ultimate highway cruiser.
Here's a pic from a brief stop-over in St.Louis. Those concrete steps in the background, lead up to the famous St. Louis arch. I'm wearing the yellow C6R team cap. Ridge.




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