Can anyone assist a potential C5 buyer...?

[mark387mw]

I've been contacted by a potential buyer of a C5 and have given him my experience and advice of C5 ownership but I don't live close enough for him to have a look at my car, or for him to have a go in one!
Is anyone near Reading that could demonstrate the benefits of a Corvette over a Eurobox?

The chap concerned is Mark Paulton and can be emailed on [e-mail] or mobile [phone].

Some recent questions he has asked if anyone would like to help are:

- How do you find driving on the "other side", in the UK? Does it cause any issues with driving, parking, traffic etc?
- MOT Centers? Are they OK with the car, or do you need to fine one who knows vettes?
- Parking - Are spaces ok, not too narrow... I measured my garage, and it fits fine, but I know compared to the US, our carparks are small. What about road narrowing?
- When parked in a public place, are you wary of the car more so than if you had a different type of car? Does the car draw any unwanted attention?

I've suggested he checks out this site but please contact him directly if you can offer advice/help. I guess sometime he'll get round to reading this post

Mark

[te51cle]

Why not get him to come along to tomorrow night's Thames Valley Corvette meet ? That's 8:30ish on Wednesday 18th Feb at the Queen's Head on the A308 Maidenhead to Windsor Road. It's barely a couple of miles from J8/9 of the M4 and is easy to find right next to a Jet petrol station.

There'll be one or two C5s there, plus some old timers ! I'd be happy to show him around mine and hopefully Nige will be there so he can see a Z06 too.

[mark387mw]

Thanks Tristram, I'll email him now.

Mark

[vetteheadracer]

Won't be there tonight welding course tonite.

Happy to show the guy the car and taking him out any other time.

[gsmcoverage]

Hi All,

Its Mark Paulton - just got myself a login... Great to see there are some cars in my local area with the Thames Valley Meeting..

I'll be on the wrong side of the country on Wed... but I work in Maidenhead, so is there a regular meeting, or when is the next one due?

Thanks alot to Mark above, for all his help in answering my multitude of questions...

Essentially I wanted to have a test drive in car as
I have never driven a vette before, and want to see if I like the feel.. I went to Phoenix last year and the year before and went to a Chevy Dealer, with about 10 outside. I went in and all I wanted was a test drive really and to look around the car, but they pour all over you and before I knew it they wanted me to sign a provisional amount as a deal!.... After all that they said that they could not let me drive it for fear of getting the miles on the car up! So basically you have to say you are going to buy one before they let you test drive it... Mad. Is that the same issue here? I would really like 10 minutes in the seat just to see if I like the feel.

I had another question on:

- Insurance! I see from your site Adrian Flux is a good insurer... and from others MCE or Hill House Hammond etc. My question is - I am 26, 3 yrs Company Car (never owned my own car and insurance), no claims or accidents, no convictions... The only issues I see is my age, not having any previous own car insurance, and the fact that I don't have another car to drive.... In order to get the best quote what is usually the best approach?? Should I get my girlfriend to insure the car, me as a driver (like we do on her existing car) and effectively make it a second car? Limit the miles to say 10K per year.. Quotes I have had are around 1600 upwards (from Direct Line etc).... Or is there another best approach?

Mark answered it above, just wanted to know how any one else found with getting insurance on newish C5s'...


Thanks alot to all and everyone has been so helpful with all my questions.

Best Regards

Mark

[LuS1fer]

Your age is not a problem. The mileage generally has to be restricted and the premium reflects that. You usually have a choice of 5000, 7500 or unlimited. They often allow you an introductory discount based on experience. You'll find the mileage tends to limit itself because the round town consumption is about 20 but on a run, it can reach 30 if you stay off the loud pedal.

Adrian Flux quoted my gf around £650 fully comp for a '99 Trans Am but that was on full NCB. Corvettes tend to be a bit more expensive. Don't worry about ringing them up to find out, they're very helpful. They like it to be garaged though, if possible.

[ZR1427]

te51cle said:

There'll be one or two C5s there, plus some old timers !

I thought that included Nigel?

[vetteheadracer]

I'm younger than you!

[ZR1427]

vetteheadracer said:

I'm younger than you!

Everybody's younger than me.........except Geoff off course


BTW welcome Mark

[te51cle]

The Thames Valley meet is the third Wednesday of each month, there is also the Surrey meet at The Fairmile in Cobham on the fourth Tuesday of every month. I'm afraid that I can't let you drive mine but you're welcome to a quick tour from the passenger seat.

[jaytee368]

ZR1427 said:

vetteheadracer said: I'm younger than you! Everybody's younger than me.........except Geoff off course

Stop me someone... please

[gsmcoverage]

Hi Tristram,

Thanks, I will book in for the next one in March (17th) looks like - I assume its Queen's Head still as well?? Would love a ride still though, if I find one to buy, I should be able to get a feel in that one..

Regards

te51cle said:

The Thames Valley meet is the third Wednesday of each month, there is also the Surrey meet at The Fairmile in Cobham on the fourth Tuesday of every month. I'm afraid that I can't let you drive mine but you're welcome to a quick tour from the passenger seat.