Getting a Vette

Ok well it looks like I am reenlisting in the NAVY. I already have a 2000 Mustang GT and I was going to trade in for a 03/04 Cobra but I was shocked to find that I could get an earlier C5 (my highschool dream car) for less money than the said cobras. Right now I am pretty excited about the prospect of getting a Corvette and I have found several 1999 Vettes for less than 20000. I am however always aware of new cars when they come out, was there any problems with the earlier C5s? I never have heard anything but good from those vettes and I would be happy to hear any possible problems or concerns from people who have owned, driven or worked on these cars. Thanks for any direction you can give.

Shawn

Hey shawn,
I too have thought of trading up to a C5. In reality for me, I'll keep the C4.
The good thing about Corvette, is that they improve every year. I can't say that it had any problems but the first refinements in the early C5s were in the steering system. I believe they went to more of a speed-sensative rack unit (or updated the ecu for better feed-back).
I don't know what year they started using Magna-ride suspension, but that's something else you might want to check into.
Corvette is a test bed for G.M., as is Cadillac. All the new technologies came to them first, then slowly streamed down to the Silverados and lower cost vehicles.
If it's a clean car, then get it and enjoy it. Do some research on what options it has and see what the later Vetts came out with. You might find something better for the same cost.

I don't hate mustangs, but I don't care for them either (I work on them so I know what they are made of). The Cobra is a good car, but like you said, they are pricay.
No offense, but every Mustang owner I ever met had the "Ford chip-on-the-shoulder" attitude. So, if you have one, then loose it real quick. Chevy (especially Vette people) people don't care for that.
I'm glad for you that you're stepping up to a real car, you're going to love it.

Post back on what happens.

B.t.w., where are you stationed and what do you do. Good luck on the reinlistment.

Thanks for the reply, I am in the Navy currently stationed at Fort meade but I will be stationed in VA very soon. I always have loved my mustang, but I am a realist and I know its limitations and how its built, its nowhere near the car that a corvette is. Also the 03 cobras are awesome but they are just like my car on steriods, kind of a patchwork. I am again in the early stages here but I am really excited that a c5 may not be out of my league.

We were in VA a few years ago on vacation. It seemed like a good city, the weather was cool (spring time) and the people were nice. So I hope it works out for you and you like it there.
Good luck on the new car.