finally come to my senses and am looking for a vette

[shrek99999]

Hi all,
After changing my mind a couple of times and making a mistake of owning a boxster I am finally looking for a c5 vette.
I have read many of the posts and was wondering if you could help with the following questions.

I have got approx £15000 to spend and want a manual but there doesn't seem to be many available.

Has anyone imported from japan or america?
if so was it easy or not worth the hassle?any tips?
am I dreaming thinking I will get a manual for £15,000?
is there any year models I should look out for avoid?

thanks in advance

shrek

[Cuban]

If you can reach just 1-2k more, you should be able to get a 1999 onwards C5.
I would suggest you start at 1999 as head up display was an option and quite
frankly, I don't know how I ever did without it!


Imports from America are good right now due to the $ but to be honest, not at
the cost level you are looking at.

If you can't find a private deal, speak with Chris Graham.
He provides great cars, but you may pay a little more, but it's worth it.

Finally, do check out and join the CCCUK www.corvetteclub.org.uk

Hope that helps and good luck. :yes

[Vette_1978]

Join the CCCUK, buy a raffle ticket, win a C5, save your money!

It can be done, I won a C4 at Le Mans this year so get yourself a few raffle tickets and enjoy.

[anonymous-user]

shrek99999 said:

I am finally looking for a c5 vette.....and want a manual but there doesn't seem to be many available.

Two thirds of all vettes are sold new with auto transmission so you should find a similar split in the used market. Could be worth trying an auto before you rule them out as the transmission is very well suited to the engine.

[franv8]

Don't rule out HUD on earlier cars. it can be fitted DIY stylee, depending on which dash you ahve will decide costs, but I think it is permissible to do it £500 to £1000 as a range depending on dash.

There are instructions on the web too, I can't look at the mo I'm afraid.

My Mum's just bought an auto - it is a good box and worth a try at least. My old C4 is better with the auto than the equivalent 4 speed with overdirve box available at the time,a nd has helped with some (good for stock) quarter mile times too. Track days, believe it or not, are also not hampered by the self shifter.

Let's face it, with the numbers they build, the Yanks know a lot more about building a decent auto than they do a amnual (not saying that the manual is worse than the auto or the otehr way round - think you need to form your preference by trying both)

[vetteheadracer]

One here which might interest you........

http://www.corvetteclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=470...

There are a number of manual C5's about you just need to keep looking if you are set on manual.

Regarding importing I bought a 2003 C5 Z06 a year ago for $30K (which was £16k at the time) then had to pay duty and VAT, SVA it etc. on the road price was about £21K.

I bought it from here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeroforum?id=52

You will see high mileage 2001/02 cars for sale for about $20K (less than £10k at the current exchange rate) meaning you could have it on your drive for about £15K including shipping, duty and VAT.
Obviously the choice of cars is far greater in the USA therefore if you want a particular colour / manual / convert or coupe etc. your more likely to find one in the USA.

Importing is dead easy as is getting a C5 through the SVA, just more hassle than buying one over here......if you can find one.

If you need any help / advice on importing there are a number of us that have done it so can talk you through what you need to do.

[C5RagTop]

You have mail

[uk_vette]

5 USA said:

shrek99999 said:

I am finally looking for a c5 vette.....and want a manual but there doesn't seem to be many available.

Two thirds of all vettes are sold new with auto transmission so you should find a similar split in the used market. Could be worth trying an auto before you rule them out as the transmission is very well suited to the engine.

,
,
,
I actually thought it was close to 90% = auto

It is Chev's top of the range car, and as such, persons in USA are generally older when they buy there 'vette.

This is when they are looking for auto boxes.

I had a go in both, and it's just a matter of what you like.

Them auto's are so much easier to drive, no slipped gears when you want that sub 5 second 0 ~ 60 ,
and slow, they are not.
Mine is in pistonheads classified

'bay Item number: 260179701332

Edited by uk_vette on Sunday 18th November 22:55

Edited by uk_vette on Sunday 18th November 22:57

[anonymous-user]

uk_vette said:

Them auto's...........slow, they are not.

How true! But if you check out the "black book" of Corvette production numbers and specifications I think you will find that roughly one third of all Vettes are convertibles and one third of all Vettes are manuals.

So are all convertibles manuals and all coupes auto's?













DOH!

PS And if you find a Z06 auto convertible with magnetic ride, shop elsewhere!

[Lashout_UK]

If you change your mind, I've got a very late C4 ('95), auto, in excellent condition, for well under half that! Got the FX3 suspension package on it too.

Very rapid, autobox seems fantastic in it, nice kickdown layout as well - half way it seems to drop out of OD, full to the floor and it drops out of OD and down one gear I think, absolutely screams to the redline

Had a manual C4 previously too, didn't get on with it as much - due to the position of the handbrake. Found it a bit fussy to operate!

Edited by Lashout_UK on Saturday 17th November 17:40

[chimtvr]

if you decide to give an auto a try my old one is available check ebay item no 320184480494
its a good all round car in nice condition.
i replaced it with a manual but that was simply because the manual boxes are stronger and i wanted to go supercharged.
if you want to go for a drive in an auto i would be happy to take you down the road.

[shrek99999]

many thanks for all the replies guys, I have been offered a couple from this post alone. will keep you informed