• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

2005 Vette: does a more perfect sports car exist in the 30k range?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
late 90's/early 00's Porsche 911, brand-new S2000/STi/Evo, 2005 Lotus Elise.

I would rather have any of those cars over the Corvette, regardless of on-paper numbers. Those cars are all exciting experiences to even sit in. And I know it's shallow, but I could never get over the mullet-and-Coors image of the Corvette. I would always be embarrassed to be seen in it.
Click to expand...

Thomsbrain needs an MRI.
 
The cheeseball image that the Vette had in the 70's is gone to me. Any 80's Vette I see makes me think of the A-Team Vette. The 90's Vettes were just kind of bland and made me stop thinking of them for a long time. Now the new ones are just serious sports cars. All of the cheesey poser guys have bought SUVs now.
 
Originally posted by: exdeath
^^ Now I'm honestly curious ... will be creating a thread in garage with a poll.

How many people with Miatas, MR2s, Corvettes, any two seater car had to leave their car behind when going out with friends?
Click to expand...

I've left my Mustang at home to ride in my friends BMW 5-series or Lexus SUV when we were going out on the town with more than 2 people.
 
Originally posted by: amdskip
Originally posted by: FDF12389
2005 Pontiac GTO
Click to expand...
True, nice sleeper car!
Click to expand...

Yeah, but an 05' GTO couldn't touch an '05 vette. Same motor but the vette is way lighter and probably better set up for cornering. But an '05 GTO will cost you about 10 grand less, so I guess it's a pretty decent trade off. Still gets 18mpg city and 24mpg highway though. And it's got a back seat. Not bad, not bad, but we're talking sports cars here which the GTO really isn't. It's a modern day muscle car.
 
Originally posted by: sniperruff
just remember that it's a sports car, not a luxury sports car like the M3

and if you think about it, an E46 M5 with about 50k miles can be had for under $40k.... the only difference is the maintenance cost.
Click to expand...

you mean E39 M5? my buddy just got a '01 with 68K miles for around $30k...badass car with room for 4 passengers...a "big boy" according to my friend.
 
Originally posted by: BlacKJesu5
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
Originally posted by: BlacKJesu5
Originally posted by: amdskip
Originally posted by: FDF12389
2005 Pontiac GTO
Click to expand...
True, nice sleeper car!
Click to expand...




how the hell could you call that car a sleeper....
Click to expand...

most boring looking muscle car?
Click to expand...

wuts the def of a sleeper?
Click to expand...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sleeper
Outwardly common looking item, that possesses something special or unique inside.
Click to expand...

A car that looks stock on the outside but is putting out some serious power under the hood.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: BlacKJesu5
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
Originally posted by: BlacKJesu5
Originally posted by: amdskip
Originally posted by: FDF12389
2005 Pontiac GTO
Click to expand...
True, nice sleeper car!
Click to expand...




how the hell could you call that car a sleeper....
Click to expand...

most boring looking muscle car?
Click to expand...

wuts the def of a sleeper?
Click to expand...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sleeper
Outwardly common looking item, that possesses something special or unique inside.
Click to expand...

A car that looks stock on the outside but is putting out some serious power under the hood.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...


i was talking to him but....have you seen a late 90s early 2000s regal GS....thats a sleeper....but GTOs sound crazy w/ stock exhaust so forget looks
 
Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Originally posted by: amdskip
Originally posted by: FDF12389
2005 Pontiac GTO
Click to expand...
True, nice sleeper car!
Click to expand...

Yeah, but an 05' GTO couldn't touch an '05 vette. Same motor but the vette is way lighter and probably better set up for cornering. But an '05 GTO will cost you about 10 grand less, so I guess it's a pretty decent trade off. Still gets 18mpg city and 24mpg highway though. And it's got a back seat. Not bad, not bad, but we're talking sports cars here which the GTO really isn't. It's a modern day muscle car.
Click to expand...

I was just listing an alternative, I'm in love with that car, you can find 2005s for like 18-20k.
 
Originally posted by: Dman877
E39 M5? 30k will get you one with 30 - 40k IIRC. Sports car and a sleeper.
Click to expand...

Yep, and the stock 400hp/400tq is pretty easily taken to 440-450 with intake/exhaust/chip ($1,500-$2,500 parts & labor).

I've heard that the maintenance on the M5 can be $$$$, so caveat emptor, but it is a big, fast, brutal vehicle 🙂 For my needs personally : M5 > Vette, but it doesn't have the roadster classic american muscle feel at all.

Different strokes, etc.
 
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: Dman877
E39 M5? 30k will get you one with 30 - 40k IIRC. Sports car and a sleeper.
Click to expand...

Yep, and the stock 400hp/400tq is pretty easily taken to 440-450 with intake/exhaust/chip ($1,500-$2,500 parts & labor).
Click to expand...

Where are you getting 400/hp/400tq number for the stock e39 M5? 😕 I thought it was 394hp/368tq.

Also do you have the information or link regarding 440-450 with $1.5-2.5k installed? My cousin would be very interested in this.
 
Save some money and install those mods yourself. Thats one benefit of having a used car; no warranty to void and parts and knowledge is plentiful.
 
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: Dman877
E39 M5? 30k will get you one with 30 - 40k IIRC. Sports car and a sleeper.
Click to expand...

Yep, and the stock 400hp/400tq is pretty easily taken to 440-450 with intake/exhaust/chip ($1,500-$2,500 parts & labor).
Click to expand...

Where are you getting 400/hp/400tq number for the stock e39 M5? 😕 I thought it was 394hp/368tq.

Also do you have the information or link regarding 440-450 with $1.5-2.5k installed? My cousin would be very interested in this.
Click to expand...

Crap, you're right, the 400/400 numbers were from a car I was looking at that had already had an intake/exhaust custom setup. Seems like that estimate is off, as it would be weird to gain that much tq, but only a few hp. I do have a friend that runs a sushi joint with this stuff installed :

http://www.autowerks.com/xcart...ct.php?productid=23006

http://www.autowerks.com/xcart...d=23155&cat=291&page=1

And some ECU upgrade that was almost a grand that was installed to match the other work done.

Adding it up, it looks like closer to $4k+ to get that kind of boost. I'll see if I can grab some more precise info from the guy, but last I talked to him he said he just spent a couple of grand.

🙂 E39s are great, and so are Vettes, but they are so different!
 
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: Dman877
E39 M5? 30k will get you one with 30 - 40k IIRC. Sports car and a sleeper.
Click to expand...

Yep, and the stock 400hp/400tq is pretty easily taken to 440-450 with intake/exhaust/chip ($1,500-$2,500 parts & labor).
Click to expand...

Where are you getting 400/hp/400tq number for the stock e39 M5? 😕 I thought it was 394hp/368tq.

Also do you have the information or link regarding 440-450 with $1.5-2.5k installed? My cousin would be very interested in this.
Click to expand...

Crap, you're right, the 400/400 numbers were from a car I was looking at that had already had an intake/exhaust custom setup. Seems like that estimate is off, as it would be weird to gain that much tq, but only a few hp. I do have a friend that runs a sushi joint with this stuff installed :

http://www.autowerks.com/xcart...ct.php?productid=23006

http://www.autowerks.com/xcart...d=23155&cat=291&page=1

And some ECU upgrade that was almost a grand that was installed to match the other work done.

Adding it up, it looks like closer to $4k+ to get that kind of boost. I'll see if I can grab some more precise info from the guy, but last I talked to him he said he just spent a couple of grand.

🙂 E39s are great, and so are Vettes, but they are so different!
Click to expand...

Sorry but CAI and exhaust changes don't really add any real significant hp/tq on most cars. CAI and exhaust mod are more for sound than performance. You're probably looking at 5hp real world gain if you're generous. ECU flash and tune can add power but you're still only looking at likely 10hp boost if you're lucky. The above combo probably net you around 15-20 hp gain max if you're lucky with most of it coming from the tune.
 
Hmm, I'll have to defer to you on that, as the numbers the company and that guy tell me could be pie in the sky for all I know. About all I can tell is that the thing is damned fast, but of course a stock M5 is pretty quick right out of the box.
 
Those suggesting M3 and M5s need to remember that BMW maintenance costs skyrocket pretty fast as you approach 100,000 miles, thus making a $30k used vehicle often more expensive over a couple of years than just buying a new one for a few thousand more. Personally, I'd stick to the Vette or 03/04 Cobra. Both are fantastic cars with lots of potential and will likely not depreciate too greatly if you're going to hang on to it for awhile.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top