zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?
At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?-March 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:35

Image for article titled At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?

Today’s Corvette is claimed to have lived its entire life in the Southwest. Arizona is a hot place to spend even one summer, so let’s see if its price makes it a hot commodity no matter where you are.

When you consider all the brand names under which the Isuzu Trooper was sold through the years, it’s surprising that you don’t find one of them lurking around every corner and taco stand. Instead, we have rare examples of the original like the we looked at yesterday, and sellers who consider the rarity to mean more bucks for the trucks.

That seemed to be the case with yesterday’s truck, which asked $11,500, and it also seems that few of you were in agreement with that sentiment. What resulted from that disagreement was an 80 percent No Dice loss.

For a long time, Chevy liked to let its halo car, the Corvette, stick around for… well, a long time. The third generation lasted for fully 14 years before passing the baton, while its successor the C4 managed an impressive 12-year run. Things changed a bit with the introduction of the C5 in 1996, as that model’s reign lasted a mere seven years before being given the heave-ho.

Image for article titled At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?

Despite that short model run, the C5 was notable on a couple of fronts. It was the first Corvette to feature a combined transmission/differential transaxle unit, offering either a six-speed manual or a four-cog automatic mounted. That was in search of the elusive 50/50 weight balance and is a feature that carried through to the C7 generation.

The C5 was also the first ’Vette to feature a chassis constructed with hydroformed box-section elements. That made for significant structural improvements over the prior model. Lastly — literally — this was the final Corvette to date to sport pop-up headlamps. Those had been a Corvette styling trope since 1963.

Image for article titled At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?

Despite all that, the C5 ’Vette hasn’t yet seemed to find its groove in the fanbase. Maybe it’s the Pontiac-esque styling that features more rounded edges and soft curves than Corvette lovers can abide? Could it be the door handles that were shared with the contemporary Oldsmobile Aurora? Or perhaps it’s just an underappreciated model that now represents one of the best values in the Corvette market? Take your pick.

This is just such an example, and it comes equipped with the right factory gear and some updates. Those include the LS1 V8, which in this model year gained a modest boost to 350 horsepower. Behind that — way behind because it’s a transaxle, remember — sits a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual.

Image for article titled At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?

The car comes in what looks to be Light Pewter Metallic paint and rolls on chrome-plated factory 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin rubber. According to the ad, there are 123,000 miles on the clock and what the seller says are “minor cosmetic issues compared to mileage.” Those don’t show up in the pics and in fact, the car looks to be in pretty nice shape for having spent its entire life exposed to Arizona’s baking temperatures.

The interior benefits from rebuilt and re-upholstered seats as well as an updated head unit for the stereo. These were neither the best nor the worst Corvette interiors ever, although stepping directly from a C5 to a C6 can quickly show the earlier model’s inequity.

Image for article titled At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?

The ad also notes a number of mechanical updates, the most notable of which is a new clutch that went in just 5,000 miles ago. New belts, hoses and radiator should help the car keep its cool.

The title appears to be clean and the car is running current tags. The asking price is $10,500 — fully a grand less than yesterday’s Isuzu — and you now need to decide if that’s a deal for this set of wheels.

Image for article titled At $10,500, Could This 2001 Chevy Corvette C5 Seize The Day?

What do you think, could this C5 get some love at that $10,500 asking? Or, is that a price that makes you think this ’Vette won’t soon be a phoenix out of Phoenix?

You decide!

out of Chandler, AZ or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to tomtwgtwgtwg for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Bentley Just Had Its Best Year Ever
Bentley Just Had Its Best Year Ever
It may have been a for most , but some were indeed One of those companies was , which reported record. In a statement, the said it sold 15,174 vehicles throughout the year. That’s a four percent increase over 2021, which in itself was a big year for the...
Mar 30, 2026
Porsche Debuts Three 1970s Rally-Inspired Decal Packs for 911 Dakar
Porsche Debuts Three 1970s Rally-Inspired Decal Packs for 911 Dakar
, and . What are you supposed to do, though, if you want your very-extremely-expensive 911 to have the classic rally look, but the Rothmans thing doesn’t do it for you? Porsche has an answer for this, and it comes in the form of three appearance packages featuring designs...
Mar 30, 2026
The Hyundai Nexo Fuel-Cell Crossover Loses Nearly $2 an Hour in Depreciation
The Hyundai Nexo Fuel-Cell Crossover Loses Nearly $2 an Hour in Depreciation
Hyundai seems to be determined to make hydrogen work. From its straight-out-of-Cyberpunk 2077 to its Hyundai has poured tons of money and effort into fuel cell tech. The hit the California market in 2018. But those who bought the Nexo new may regret it after seeing the steep depreciation...
Mar 30, 2026
Cadillac Says Slow Lyriq Deliveries Are All Part of its Quality Assurance Process
Cadillac Says Slow Lyriq Deliveries Are All Part of its Quality Assurance Process
General Motors began delivering the first last summer. Despite this, just 122 examples of the electric rolled into driveways throughout 2022. Dealers and customers have been left wondering about the hold up for the “sold-out” EV, and this week GM has come clean: It’s just being really, really careful....
Mar 30, 2026
At $2,800, Could This 1987 Honda Gold Wing Get You to Head Out On the Highway?
At $2,800, Could This 1987 Honda Gold Wing Get You to Head Out On the Highway?
Decals on the top trunk of today’s Honda Gold Wing advise followers to “Work Hard/Play Hard.” Let’s see how much work would be needed to buy it. With a laudable amount of kit and a seemingly pleasant presentation, yesterday’s had a lot going for it. At $13,900, it didn’t...
Mar 30, 2026
At $13,900, Would Buying This 2011 Mercedes E350 4Matic be an Easy Decision?
At $13,900, Would Buying This 2011 Mercedes E350 4Matic be an Easy Decision?
Mercedes is one of the few manufacturers still offering a station wagon in the U.S., so they must be doing something right. Today’s E350 has a lot that’s right. Let’s decide if that includes its price. The Agave americana was given the more common name, “Century Plant” because people...
Mar 30, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved