Hows it goin Corvette lovers. I am 19 and have been a Vette fan all of my life, untill I recently drove my Uncle's 99 Black on Black Z06, and now I am in complete :hump: mode lol. My obsession also truly went over the edge when I found out I have around $23,000 to work with, and I have begun my search for a C5 Corvette. As much as I am researching, I would love to know what some of you Vette experts have to say about buying from dealers or private sellers, what mileage is too high and what probably the best car for a guy like me (who is looking to keep it for at least 4-5 years) would be. Thanks!

Shop around alot to find the nicest low mileage Vette
with the best price. It will be out there if you are patient.
Make sure you look the car over close or have a trustworthy
mechanic check the car over. Be sure to ask for a CarFax or
a Vehicle History Report. You will always get a better deal
buying from a private owner than from a dealer but a dealer
will usually offer a short time warranty for any unknown
problems.

Thanks sshaw. By the way, your vette is gorgeous. I really want to get black as well, but I have been told by a few that they are very difficult to keep looking clean. I really don't mind whatsoever, but coming from someone who owns a black vette, is it really that difficult to keep it looking nice? Or are these people just blowing smoke at me?

There is a plus and minus getting the car from the dealer or private party. If you will get it from the dealer, make sure to get one that is GM certified at least you will have 75,000 miles or 5 years warranty which ever comes first. C5 is an electrical nightmare and that's the reason why you needed the warranty. Now buying from private party you need to be real carefull, get every records you can get, carfax and other service record and have a mechanic inspect the car. C5 is the best body style corvette ever made and it's a lot of fun to drive and own one.