I Bought the Cheapest C5 Corvette...In the USA

I bought the cheapest C5 corvette I could find...in the country. It'll be a great project with many of the quirks it has. If you have any recommendations for parts you'd like to see installed, comment below!
Link to all products used on my channel (sorted by build)!
www.amazon.com/shop/ajlodato
The above link allows me to earn a small commission helping grow the channel. Thank you in advance!

[@dougatdesertdemongarage7777]

One year ago I bought a oystery convertible 50 year anniversary edition for $5000 a year later I've driven it 20000 miles had 200000 on it when I got it Great car

[@robertwolfe8680]

I bought a 2002 millennium yellow convertible standard, for 15,000 one owner with 30,000 miles on it. With absolutely no issues at all. This is the best invention since toilet paper.

[@joshallen2953]

Love this! I also just bought a c5 corvette which is why I’m here seeing if I got a good deal lol I got it for 10.5k with only 39k miles! Absolutely nothing wrong with the car.

[@Kinglordfaded]

Im buying one for 12k wish i can buy one cheaper

[@dan4892]

Fadedgang69 wish there was such prices in norway. Here its $25000 lowest price.

[@Kinglordfaded]

@@dan4892 damnnnn

[@dan4892]

Fadedgang69 yupp. Have fun with my dream car😂 I will own one too one day :D

[@Kinglordfaded]

@@dan4892 hell yuh bro we gone be here waiting for u to join the Corvette Club see you soon 💪🏾

[@c-shepard]

Crazy, my 98 C5 is almost identical to this. Exact same color, was the cheapest Canadian C5 at $7800 CAD. Difference being my car has 86,000miles and it's an auto. I rebuilt the entire rear end, including all new fluids, seals, wheel bearings, sway bar joints and driveshaft couplers. Huge cost saving tip, while your getting your clutch done make sure they change out the two flex couplers in the torque tube as they all age crack and fly apart inside the torque tube housing causing massive vibration and damage. Don't buy the overpriced GM versions, you want BMW part number 26 11 1 225 624 by Febi, Bilstein 10mm. They are identical to the GM versions at a fraction of the price, stay away from Dorman and cheaper versions. Lastly, pretty much every single C5 with the dual zone HVAC module below 2001 will throw codes and remain at a fixed temperature no matter which temp is selected. The fix for this is to replace the HVAC actuators. The test procedure is to delete all HVAC codes from the instrument cluster (Instructions found online) then pull the HVAC fuse for 5 minutes and see if they come back. If the codes come back the driver side actuator can easily be replaced under the dash and is the common culprit. However if your getting passenger side codes you'll need to pull the entire dash cover to swap the passenger side. Enjoy the car, the C5 is an amazing platform, incredible value for what these cars are going for nowadays.

[@AJLoDato22]

I really appreciate the advice. I’m hearing of trends with the C5s especially around 100k. Hoping to include the flex couplers on this weeks clutch install - I think it’s wise when I’m already in there.

[@startingtech3900]

Auto tho :/

[@YellowVette04]

Sweet deal on a good looking C5. Good luck with it. Many miles and smiles.

[@AJLoDato22]

Thanks man! Looking through your channel, your vette is awesome too.

[@startingtech3900]

Going to look at one it’s an 03 so. Has all the good specs driveshaft. Zo6 block etc. it has high miles 260k miles but it’s an orginal owner owned by a lady 1 owner. It’s electron blue with black leather interior. All stock. Looks amazing. She wanted 6900$ but I am able to talk her down to around 5800$ can’t wait boys it has high miles but it was a highway commuter by an old lady so I’m going to look at it. Going to check the clutch, trans, synchros etc thanks for the vid

[@dneroaddiction]

@@startingtech3900 Did you end up getting it ? If yea how’s it going so far?

[@startingtech3900]

@@dneroaddiction nope failed smog, had 260k+ miles failed smog even with new cats. No plates. Sketchy I walked. Glad I did I just made 5000$ profit on a zhp bmw so it worked out

[@dneroaddiction]

@@startingtech3900 Yea that was sketchy, great profit tho💪🏼

[@garybaugh8302]

Great buy and find..

[@rickhunter6513]

More importantly, it’s a manual 👍🏼 Nice find!

[@SimplyJustRandomness]

There isn't a much better car vs what you can get for your money. LS1 mods sky is the limit, and the body lines/image of these c5' amaze me. it truly is hard to believe these are old as they really are. I love em...and looking to purchase a 56k mile showroom condition magnetic red 01 c5 as we speak! This has always been a dream car of mine.

[@AJLoDato22]

Buy it for sure, you won’t regret it! After driving it for a while I feel really comfortable about the reliability and the looks just don’t get better for the price.

[@13megagreek]

Great deal, good luck and have fun.

[@Josels-ck7kx]

Damn. I paid 14k for my 2003. Car is absolutely perfect with everything still working. It also came with C6 wheels, C6 z06 brakes, Z06 exhaust, bilstein shocks, k&N filter, MSD ignition. These are the upgrades that are visible I actually got this from a small dealer and the seller knew nothing about the car. I am almost positive that the engine has been worked on since it feels really strong. I need to open the engine or just dyno the car one day.

[@AJLoDato22]

Those upgrades are a dream. Good find 😎

[@quentinwhitehead7623]

Nice! Not bad at all, for 6k!...👌🏾💪🏾

[@SoulBrother_1]

That's a great bargain, welcome to the vett club.

[@victorjohnson9672]

Great Video I got the same color mine a 99. Enjoy 😊

[@brianschooley3833]

Wow... great find man

[@AJLoDato22]

Right!?

[@FugitiveVette]

Great deal!!!!

[@elliottclark5415]

Nice!!!

[@XXdinkles]

Nice I just got mine same color but mine came with zo6 wheels seats and some other goodies for 8 k

[@FugitiveVette]

I remember when those cars were 46k and more for convertible! I own a ProCharged C5 Z06!

[@philtroskey3454]

I bought a C4 with a hundred 7 thousand miles 6000 6 years later I sold it for 6000 C5 is a good deal. I bought a C5 10 years old for $21,000 but I wanted it

[@hondaman6918]

Sweet ride.

[@AJLoDato22]

Appreciate it!

[@rivelandmotorsports]

Cool C5 I have a 03 Anniversary C5 same color. Im in NC by Greensboro area

[@AJLoDato22]

Awesome to hear!

[@ivanchodelrancho1572]

Beautiful Car brother

[@AJLoDato22]

Thanks man!

[@mike0z96]

Good deal

[@timgraysontv]

My brother just bought a 2003 with 95k miles for $1250, it's in awesome condition!

[@AJLoDato22]

That’s awesome - he will definitely enjoy it!

[@stanleykee]

i got a 99 three years ago for 8K with 160K miles, auto, Z06 rims, garaged kept. same color... you got a great deal.

[@AJLoDato22]

That’s a really good deal too!

[@keithp115]

Nice deal! I paid $15500 for my 99 Torch Red Coupe with 38k miles. You did good!

[@AJLoDato22]

Thank you! 38k miles and torch red is a dream!

[@mariocullotta4188]

Nice car congrats 👍

[@AJLoDato22]

Thank you! Hoping to slowly get it how I want it - stay tuned for some more videos.

[@smokinC5]

Change ALL the fluids. Trans, diff, brake, ps, oil, clutch. All of it. If you are doing the clutch, then install headers after you do the clutch, rebuild the torque tube, dont cheap out on that, you dont want to do that but once. Change spark pligs and wires. If shocks are original which they probably are, go to c6z06 shocks and c6z51 sways front and rear, you will thank me later. Enjoy!!

[@tonyperkis1282]

Very nice i picked up one a couple months ago 2000 convertible same color with 50k miles for 12k only thing wrong the glass on top came out just went by cousin's body shop he got it back in havent had a problem since.im loving the car definitely going to keep it

[@AJLoDato22]

That’s awesome man, and a hell of a good deal too with that low of miles. You’ll definitely enjoy it.

[@MC-uj4co]

Great deal. I just spent 6,000.00 on a new level 5 trans from RPM on my C5 with a 2800 stall... Enjoy

[@youngestson6537]

Nice Vette 👌

[@AJLoDato22]

Thank you!!

[@WaltWilson]

I found one for 6k... perfect exterior look and only has 60k miles... then I scrolled to the interior picture. It had no dashboard and every electronic was fried. Needless to say I will keep looking.

[@AJLoDato22]

You’ll find one for sure! It’s crazy how much they hold their value.

[@david029014]

I need to find a deal like this on convertible!

[@frontxxrunner]

Great deal. I was just saying the other day how C5's are the sweet spot. You're not going to find a better cost to performance ratio right now than the C5 with Corvettes. And they have a huge market for performance or visual upgrades. Enjoy.

[@AJLoDato22]

By far the best bang for your buck. Easy to work on, cheap upgrades, parts galore and just enough power to have some fun. Thanks for the support!

[@ttravreefsaquatics8354]

Awesome deal man, love it...I owned a c4 ..looking to add to the collection...c5 or c6😎🔥💯

[@ttravreefsaquatics8354]

New sub😎

[@AJLoDato22]

A C5 is an awesome deal for the money and really checks all of the boxes. A C6 would probably have a lot less quirks lol. Appreciate the support man

[@weswall7737]

I’ve been in a older C4 and the c5 is a lot more refined and isn’t as Raw the C4 feels more like a sports car tbh

[@sergiogutierrez6091]

Just got mines same color 6k also soft top manual 👍🏼👍🏼

[@AJLoDato22]

Welcome to the club man! Awesome deal on it too 🤘🏼

[@sergiogutierrez6091]

@@AJLoDato22 thanks now to put about 6k into the engine mods hahahaha

[@roseortiz4374]

Paid 4500 cash mine a week ago. It all original 2001 convertible with 113k

[@kevinbryant6459]

I got mine for 3500 pretty mint only 50 thou miles on her 6 spd fun car for sure

[@labf5213]

I just matched you... 6k for my 1997

[@MRdarthvenom]

Not bad. Got mine for 6300 but clutch is still decent. My current problem is no AC but going to order a compressor soon.

[@AJLoDato22]

That’s a good deal. Let me know if a compressor does the trick for the AC. Mine is shot too.

[@vixxenn8750]

Paid a monthly or bought cash? Was thinking about grabbing an 04 for $8,700 nothing wrong with it at all, note would only be 170😂

[@MRdarthvenom]

@@vixxenn8750 bought cash from a private seller.

[@MRdarthvenom]

@@vixxenn8750 check all the usual issues with a c5 these can get expensive quick.

[@gabrielhernandez4240]

I just bought a 1999 c5 for 6000 with 95000 miles it look exactly like yours

[@AJLoDato22]

Woah that’s a steal! Nice find.

[@SoDiezl350]

You got that for a steal! Out of curiosity, you mentioned tweeters and pointed to the a pillar. Are they actually in the a pillar, or were you pointing to the door panel? Good luck with the car!

[@AJLoDato22]

Thanks for the support! The tweeters are surface mounted up at the top of the pillar facing the front window.

[@SoDiezl350]

@@AJLoDato22 thanks for the response! I'm playing with tweeter placement at the moment. I'll give that a shot.

[@genej50]

sweet. I paid 20 k for my 04 back in '15. it had 82k on the meter. it is a convert. '24 hrs at lemans' edition. clean yours up and do another video.

[@AJLoDato22]

Hoping to post a video every Sunday until it is ready to sell (unless I convince myself to keep it). Stay tuned for more videos to come!

[@michaeldinkowitz8505]

You said c6 seats are in the c5? I was thinking about doing that also but wasn’t sure they would fit

[@AJLoDato22]

Yup C6 seats. I like them because it makes the interior look a little more modern in my opinion.

[@michaeldinkowitz8505]

Yes I agree. Thanks for the info

[@cjlee3976]

Man im looking at one right now. Identical to yours 100k. Wants 5800.00. Im seriously thinkung about it. Ive judt heard they are a money pit when the electrincs start messing up.🤔

[@AJLoDato22]

I haven’t heard too much about the electronics, but thankfully you can buy a lot of used interior parts online to swap. I’d go for it if it is in good enough condition - they’re a blast.

[@sambalsinger9327]

I have a budget of about 10,000 where should I look for the best deal?

[@AJLoDato22]

Facebook marketplace is where I shop!

[@david029014]

Where do you guys find these deals???

[@AJLoDato22]

The south!! Car prices rock down here. (And a little bit of luck when car hunting)

[@david029014]

@@AJLoDato22 im gonna have to look into that, im jersey prices nuts up here.

[@david029014]

I want a c7 but have c5/c6 budget.

[@AJLoDato22]

@@david029014 I used to live in NY, definitely inflated up north. And I feel you on the C7 want lol!

[@mikenicora6701]

Is that pewter? I have the same car.

[@AJLoDato22]

Yup Pewter Metallic, I’m a huge fan of the color.

[@ryanmfussner]

duude where did you find this

[@AJLoDato22]

Haha right?! That’s March of 2020 prices for ya. I can’t find any even in this ballpark now

[@walltech1]

I bought one at $7200 with 148k miles and I thought I got the cheapest one. have fun!!

[@AJLoDato22]

That’s still a killer deal if you ask me!

[@billymz28]

Uuuuugh. Definitely ditch the chrome. And ditch the flush mount tail lights. Other than that not bad at all for 6k. Miles not bad to. Seen lot worse condition go for 8k and more miles. He'll id give you 6k for it now lol

[@AJLoDato22]

Just took off the flush mount taillight kit - way way better now.

[@JBO3022]

Steal. It would take $15k to make a '79 Vette drive like that one. Enjoy it.

[@DizzieA3FAIL]

False i spent $3200 on mine

[@deeznutzz101]

I would never buy a American made stick shift ! After driving a bmw and driving a corvette. Auto all the way for a vette.