Could be new owner.
Discussion
Tentative toe in the water ( Again !!.) With 12k-18k to buy what would be best model?? Want auto and prefer convertible ( Coming from TVR Chimaera.) Age i can expect/average annual costs circa 8000 miles per annum and performance in comparison handling etc compared to 4.0 litre chim.. Best place to buy ??? Just feel this info from those that know would be good BEFORE i start looking/test driving etc. Cheers chaps.
Steve.
Steve.
I have had this 18 months now...................
I cant complain.Its been a truely brilliant car.Having owned a Chimaera,there are differences.
Handling is very good.Dont be Clarksonised.These cars do handle.And handle well.
In the Chimaera(I hate to use the phrase)But there is always a sense of occasion.The Vette on the other hand can at times feel a little remote(Only a little mind).I think a lot has to do with the fact that its a relaxing drive.But hit the loud pedal,and it really comes alive.
Build quality over the Chimaera is leagues ahead.You wont have any niggly bits with the Vette.I covered some miles last year including a trip to the Ring and Spa.And all the car has required is a service,which i carried out myself.Engines are bullet proof,and will go on forever.
Pros= Superb build quality
Bullet proof engine
Low running costs(compared to a TVR)
Great aircon (No melting in the drivers seat,as per TVR on a hot day)
Cons= LHD (if that bothers you)
Errr.Thats about it!
I dont think you will be dissapointed if you find the right car.....Go for it.
I cant complain.Its been a truely brilliant car.Having owned a Chimaera,there are differences.
Handling is very good.Dont be Clarksonised.These cars do handle.And handle well.
In the Chimaera(I hate to use the phrase)But there is always a sense of occasion.The Vette on the other hand can at times feel a little remote(Only a little mind).I think a lot has to do with the fact that its a relaxing drive.But hit the loud pedal,and it really comes alive.
Build quality over the Chimaera is leagues ahead.You wont have any niggly bits with the Vette.I covered some miles last year including a trip to the Ring and Spa.And all the car has required is a service,which i carried out myself.Engines are bullet proof,and will go on forever.
Pros= Superb build quality
Bullet proof engine
Low running costs(compared to a TVR)
Great aircon (No melting in the drivers seat,as per TVR on a hot day)
Cons= LHD (if that bothers you)
Errr.Thats about it!
I dont think you will be dissapointed if you find the right car.....Go for it.
Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Thursday 19th February 13:57
Thanks for the answers so far. At the moment it looks like a 2000 or newer C5 or a high mileage C6 if budget allows. Is the C6 a better proposition?? If so what are the basic differences. Must confess to still being tempted to go 99/2000 4.5 Chimaera with history.More exciting possibly but recent events are making the next car a daily drive rather than a toy.
Having had 3 Grifs previously, I can honestly say that the servicing costs for a Vette will be magnitudes smaller. My Grif required servicing every 6000 miles, which at a main agent prices (to keep warrantee up) was four figures every time with the usual broken bits. I blew a Serpentine to smithereens too (thank God I kept the warrantee up!! - £13.5k), and had constant electrical problems. When I looked for another car, I wanted another V8, unusual car, but definitely mass produced. The Vette was favourite right form the word go.
I now have a 120,000 mile 2000 C5 daily driver that I bought from Chris Graham Cars over 4 years ago. I change the oil and filter twice as often as necessary at my local motor engineer for about 65 quid a time including labour. Filters are 3-4 quid, and about 40 quidsworth of Mobil 1 if you DIY - but for an extra 25 quid, I keep my nails clean
That is about all of the servicing requirements done up to 100,000 miles. At that point, the chassis lube and other fluid changes / checks ran that bill up to about 200 quid. Add to that the fact that I have used about 8 inches of insulating tape where a wire chafed on the fuel rail and upset the injection, and a new hub where an ABS sensor failed. I replaced consumables like disks and plugs at 60,000, and added a few sets of tyres. I guess that the full cost of the last 90,000 miles in 4 years has cost me less than a grand plus tyres. Let's put this in perspective - that was less than one service, or in my case, about six weeks motoring in the Griff.
So, you may ask, if it was such an expensive pig to run, why did I keep buying Griffs. Well, actually, I loved them and didn't care about the money. I loved their styling, driving rawness, the sound, and that gorgeous interior. As has been said about the Vette, the handling is different to the Chim / Grif. I have a 6 speed manual, so it is probably less remote as I can make the choices on gear ratios smoothly and exactly when I need them to keep it all pointing in the right direction when I decides to get lary with no TC on (not on the road of course). The Z51 suspension option helps handling too - firmer but does not knock your fillings out.
After 120,000 miles, my synchros are getting a little slow / baulky on high gears, surely the clutch must be knackered by now (but shows no sign nof slippage) and I reckon that I really should replace the suspension bushes some time soon - no reason, just pedantic whilst I have it almost in bits to get the gearbox out. After this winter's snow and ice, I need to check my earthing points too - clean and lube to keep them happy. So probably a couple of grand more this year. I don't think that's too bad.
You should get quite a late c% at the top end of your price range privately, and perhaps a couple of years older at a dealer. I would buy a C6 Vette, but I really think it's gonna be hard to part with this one. After all, with only 120,000 miles on, that old LS1 is just about run in.
It's a matter of personal choice, but after a manual TVR, I would never buy an automatic anything, and certainly not a car in this performance league. I have known many people praise the C5 auto box, but only until they bought a manual (Rich ??).
Hope that helps - you will hear similar stories from many owners of daily drivers, and not just the weekend drivers.
When you get it, which I insist you do for your inner well being
don't forget to join the CCCUK for £35. There are benefits, for example insurance discounts that pay back the membership immediately, and some good good regional and national (sorry - and international) events organised.
I now have a 120,000 mile 2000 C5 daily driver that I bought from Chris Graham Cars over 4 years ago. I change the oil and filter twice as often as necessary at my local motor engineer for about 65 quid a time including labour. Filters are 3-4 quid, and about 40 quidsworth of Mobil 1 if you DIY - but for an extra 25 quid, I keep my nails clean
That is about all of the servicing requirements done up to 100,000 miles. At that point, the chassis lube and other fluid changes / checks ran that bill up to about 200 quid. Add to that the fact that I have used about 8 inches of insulating tape where a wire chafed on the fuel rail and upset the injection, and a new hub where an ABS sensor failed. I replaced consumables like disks and plugs at 60,000, and added a few sets of tyres. I guess that the full cost of the last 90,000 miles in 4 years has cost me less than a grand plus tyres. Let's put this in perspective - that was less than one service, or in my case, about six weeks motoring in the Griff.
So, you may ask, if it was such an expensive pig to run, why did I keep buying Griffs. Well, actually, I loved them and didn't care about the money. I loved their styling, driving rawness, the sound, and that gorgeous interior. As has been said about the Vette, the handling is different to the Chim / Grif. I have a 6 speed manual, so it is probably less remote as I can make the choices on gear ratios smoothly and exactly when I need them to keep it all pointing in the right direction when I decides to get lary with no TC on (not on the road of course). The Z51 suspension option helps handling too - firmer but does not knock your fillings out.
After 120,000 miles, my synchros are getting a little slow / baulky on high gears, surely the clutch must be knackered by now (but shows no sign nof slippage) and I reckon that I really should replace the suspension bushes some time soon - no reason, just pedantic whilst I have it almost in bits to get the gearbox out. After this winter's snow and ice, I need to check my earthing points too - clean and lube to keep them happy. So probably a couple of grand more this year. I don't think that's too bad.
You should get quite a late c% at the top end of your price range privately, and perhaps a couple of years older at a dealer. I would buy a C6 Vette, but I really think it's gonna be hard to part with this one. After all, with only 120,000 miles on, that old LS1 is just about run in.
It's a matter of personal choice, but after a manual TVR, I would never buy an automatic anything, and certainly not a car in this performance league. I have known many people praise the C5 auto box, but only until they bought a manual (Rich ??).
Hope that helps - you will hear similar stories from many owners of daily drivers, and not just the weekend drivers.
When you get it, which I insist you do for your inner well being
don't forget to join the CCCUK for £35. There are benefits, for example insurance discounts that pay back the membership immediately, and some good good regional and national (sorry - and international) events organised.I await correction from the true Vetteheads on here.... but in summary, I think it goes a bit like:
C6 - 400HP LS2 6.0 engine pre-2008 (I think then the LS3 was used 2008 onwards - 6.2 430HP), more powerful than the 5.7 LS1 in the C5, which from memory was about 345hp out of the factory around 2000, maybe slightly more on later models, but negligible.
The C6 is an all new car, and not an upgrade on the C5. It is about 5 inches shorter overall, overhangs are shorter, suspension geometries are different therefore the handling is reported to be a bit better by most that have driven both hard. I cannot confirm that as I have not had the opportunity to get one on the track, but frankly IMO the C5 Z51 handling is more than adequate - in fact, quite spectacular for an American car.
On the C6, a 6 speed paddle shift auto is available from 2006 onwards, otherwise prior to that a four speed slushbox holds you back (sorry auto fans ). The C6 6 speed manual has a better change than the C5 - and that is why mine has a Hurst short throw on it. Thanks to the safety nannies, there are no more pop-up lights on the C6. The C6Z06 (505HP 7.0 V8) is still a hatchback like the regular C6 coupe, but the C5Z06 (405HP 5.7 V8) has a boot and regular rear window.
Personal preference, I prefer the interior on the C5, although I would pass that up for a C6Z06.
C5 and C6 coupes have a higher top speed than the cabriolets due to the better aerodynamics.
I am out of ideas now..... sorry about that.
C6 - 400HP LS2 6.0 engine pre-2008 (I think then the LS3 was used 2008 onwards - 6.2 430HP), more powerful than the 5.7 LS1 in the C5, which from memory was about 345hp out of the factory around 2000, maybe slightly more on later models, but negligible.
The C6 is an all new car, and not an upgrade on the C5. It is about 5 inches shorter overall, overhangs are shorter, suspension geometries are different therefore the handling is reported to be a bit better by most that have driven both hard. I cannot confirm that as I have not had the opportunity to get one on the track, but frankly IMO the C5 Z51 handling is more than adequate - in fact, quite spectacular for an American car.
On the C6, a 6 speed paddle shift auto is available from 2006 onwards, otherwise prior to that a four speed slushbox holds you back (sorry auto fans
). The C6 6 speed manual has a better change than the C5 - and that is why mine has a Hurst short throw on it. Thanks to the safety nannies, there are no more pop-up lights on the C6. The C6Z06 (505HP 7.0 V8) is still a hatchback like the regular C6 coupe, but the C5Z06 (405HP 5.7 V8) has a boot and regular rear window.Personal preference, I prefer the interior on the C5, although I would pass that up for a C6Z06.
C5 and C6 coupes have a higher top speed than the cabriolets due to the better aerodynamics.
I am out of ideas now..... sorry about that.
SeeFive. Again many thanks. I agree with your comments on the interiors. The older style in the C5 looks less, dare i say "flimsy." After your comments I now feel that a late C5 will be good value. With 350 bhp the performance will be just fine and with a targa top better for our weather. I asume there is still enough storage for a weekends camping with the roof stowed away? Right, let the search begin. Will hopefully be a new owner within the next few weeks.Maybe I will go auto first. One because there seems many more than manuals ( And not many of them all together for sale really.) and second I have never driven left hand drive very far therefore an auto will give me less to concentrate on. A manuall can come later. That is of course unless a manual comes along in the spec/colour I want!! Thanks again.
Steve.
Steve.
I can back up SeeFive's comments wholeheartedly. I have been a C5 Coupe owner for 3 years now and can honestly say it's the best car I have owned (high praise having come from a Jag XK8 and a Ferrari before that). Despite being ostensibly fast and exotic, these cars are supremely reliable and easy to live with every day - I use mine for regular commuting. Servicing costs are minimal (until the 100,000 mile service), and parts are easy to get hold of once you know the right people. They're also surprsingly economical: I average about 28 mpg on my commute. Barring any major problems, the only significant expense should be tyres!
I am now considering an upgrade to a C6 and hence will be selling my C5 coupe soon (have sent you a PM to that effect). From my limited experience so far, I would agree that the C6 is a more nimble car but to my mind is slightly let down by an uninspiring and poor quality interior, particularly on the early cars. The styling of the C5 and C6 generations also divides opinions: some view the C6 styling as too conservative, others would argue that the more curvy C5 is too flampboyant. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and all that...
Good luck with your search, I'm sure you won't regret your purchase. (And don't worry about LHD - you quickly get used to it and is rarely a problem in normal driving).
I am now considering an upgrade to a C6 and hence will be selling my C5 coupe soon (have sent you a PM to that effect). From my limited experience so far, I would agree that the C6 is a more nimble car but to my mind is slightly let down by an uninspiring and poor quality interior, particularly on the early cars. The styling of the C5 and C6 generations also divides opinions: some view the C6 styling as too conservative, others would argue that the more curvy C5 is too flampboyant. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and all that...
Good luck with your search, I'm sure you won't regret your purchase. (And don't worry about LHD - you quickly get used to it and is rarely a problem in normal driving).
Cheers Black c5. My mind is now made up. Just now need to wait till funds are available.I need an everyday car but not something normal having owned the tvr for 4 years. Hence looking at Corvette. We almost changed 18mths ago but held on. Now for sad reasons I will do what we should have then.Imsure I will enjoy the experience and join the Corvette fold for some of the european trips etc.
Mad Mitch said:
Cheers Black c5. My mind is now made up. Just now need to wait till funds are available.I need an everyday car but not something normal having owned the tvr for 4 years. Hence looking at Corvette. We almost changed 18mths ago but held on. Now for sad reasons I will do what we should have then.Imsure I will enjoy the experience and join the Corvette fold for some of the european trips etc.
Just to wet your appetite for those european road trips.Some from our trip to the ring and Spa in october......................
BLUETHUNDER. Thanks for that. How do you find the soft top for water tightness?? Not a question asked on the tvr forums for obvious reasons.( We love them so put up with them.!!). The car will be uncovered as too wide to get under my narrow car port!!! Love getting the roof down but will compromise to a targa if needed. Top speed not an issue.
Well it wont take a pressure washer pointed direct at the windows.The water gets up the top of the windows and under the seal.Its the same in a heavy downpour.But this is only a couple of drops.Nothing like the sieve like qualities of the Chimaera hood.That required treating with Thompsons brick seal once a year.It works well at speed as well with very little buffeting.On the trip out to Germany,hit 172mph no noticable differences in the hood buffeting.These are properly made cars.So really you have no worries.
Having owned both a C5 and now a C6, I have to disagree with the comments about the interior trim quality. The C6 trim materials are better quality than those used in the C5. I particularly like the non-shiny, rubber-feel dash material / door trim tops and the door cards. Feels better-made than the C5 interior. In terms of aesthetics, however, the C5 feels a little more 'cacooning' than the C6. Remember, one of the design goals of the C6 was to make it more appealing to the export market and interior trim quality was one of the areas addressed.
Both great cars... C5 starting to show its age (gracefully) a little bit now, but still lovely to look at. C6 looks better with its larger (18" front, 19" rear), more modern, alloys and HID lights. Body style is, IMO, more aggressive/purposeful than the C5, but the trade-off is that, possibly, it could be considered not quite as attractive. C6 is certainly faster in a straight line and handles very well indeed. Roof design (Coupe) is definitely a step backwards compared to the C5 though, which is a tad irritating.
Cheers,
Ian.
Both great cars... C5 starting to show its age (gracefully) a little bit now, but still lovely to look at. C6 looks better with its larger (18" front, 19" rear), more modern, alloys and HID lights. Body style is, IMO, more aggressive/purposeful than the C5, but the trade-off is that, possibly, it could be considered not quite as attractive. C6 is certainly faster in a straight line and handles very well indeed. Roof design (Coupe) is definitely a step backwards compared to the C5 though, which is a tad irritating.
Cheers,
Ian.
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Friday 20th February 15:45
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