Choices...A Mercedes or Corvette...

[TeamBajaMarine]

Here is my question, myself and Mrs. TBM had a lengthly discussion about this at a bar this evening, given a choice would you buy a late model (lets say a 1996 Vette or a 2000 Mercedes C Class) Keep in mind this is a going out car and the buyers would be in their late 30's. Not looking to scam chicks or look cool, just looking for a nice car as a luxury item.

I am definately against anything German, just on the basis of what happened many years ago during the Holocust, this is a pride issue alone. I am American and firmly believe in the supporting my own country and will do anything I can to help my own economy. Thoughts?

[hp500]

Blake
Go with the Vette. They are made just down the street from me in Bowling Green. And if you take good care of it you will stand a better chance of getting your money back

[WHOSNEXT]

Blake. Both are nice cars (have owned both), but i would favor the German cars...sorry vet lovers, unless it was a C6.

[haulinvols]

Given the choices I would choose the Vette. I have to admit I have been a lifelong fan of the Mercedes, but in recent years they have become less of a dependable vehicle and more a piece of junk. Maybe I am just scared by my last one. Good thing they have a long warranty or I might have killed someone. Same goes for BMW, it seems to me the Germans have been more caught up in gadgets, than making a good solid vehicle. In the last few years I have turned to the Asian imports, heck even those are made here now. Personally, unless you just like the C4 better than the C5 I would try to find a 97 or 98 Vette. Easier to get in and out of and more comfortable to me. Just my opinion.

[82C3]

It is like apples and oranges, which one do you like? I have driven both and I would rather the Vette. The Vette is the true sports car of the 2. However with a retractable hard top and an available supercharged motor the Mercedes has some nice features also. Interior quality goes to the Mercedes but performance goes to the Vette. What is more important to you? It is like comparing a Baja to a Cobalt IMO. You and the Mrs. will be the ones driving it so follow your own intuitions. You can't lose both are nice cars just in different categories.
Tom Bolduc
03 202 Islander

[TeamBajaMarine]

As some may know I have a 1981 thats been sitiing in my garage for almost 15 years and I think its that time to let her go. Its a good condition 4 speed car with a rare white w/ black interior (most came with red interiors) I put a bunch of money in this car the first few years I had her and there are still some things that need to be fixed, (air conditioning and heat, for one, they both just stopped working one day) its almost like every time I drive it, something else goes wrong. I have a folder 2 inches thick on how much I put into this car and still it only 90% perfect. So I am looking for a more reliable 3rd vehicle. I do like the 1996 LT4 Vette.

[82C3]

Blake as you know there is no comparison between the sharks and the C4's. You are right on with the 96 being the best year for the C4. Look for the Collectors edition, it has the new motor and is a great looking car in silver. If you want send me an email with more info on your Vette and I will pass word along to the Corvette Club I belong to. I know a few people looking for those years. I have a buyer for mine who has been waiting since last year but mine is not for sale. He keeps asking me so perhaps I could turn him onto yours.
Tom Bolduc
03 202 islander

[hp500]

Blake
The 1981 I got for Joan Is the same way. You just can't let them set. It's like every time she takes it out some thing goes wrong. Brakes, air conditioning, smog pump, heater core, and on and on and on. But she loves it and it makes her happy and keeps her off my a$$ about the money I spend on the boat. So if it's for your wife let her pick. It will help out in the long run when it comes time to do something you want to do to your 30.:biggrin

[TeamBajaMarine]

Thanks guys, Its just depressing to open my garage door every day (when I am grabbing swag to fill TBM orders) and just see this car sit and sit under a cover, when the real reason why I dont drive it is because, who knows if I will make it back home not on a flatbed. 1996 LT4 might just be the ticket, between that, the possibility of the Equinox (see other thread) and the 30OL, I think I am just about tapped.

Tom, I will shoot you an email on specifics, but I think I am going to go to a swap meet / car show next weekend and put a fast for sale sign on it and dump the car for a quick $7,500.

[30Outlaw]

I would have to say the Vette is the most classic car on the road today. I have an 88 roadster and love it. It’s not a daily driver just a good solid car. The midyears vettes are one of my favorites. I am really disappointed that they dropped the hideaway headlights on the C6. I mean when you have the history that the vette has you would think that GM would want to keep up the tradition. It’s the same when they went to the oval taillights I thought that was a bad move. It was Ok for the ZR-1 as it was still a vette, but not for the rest of the C5’s. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what vette it is they are all classics, all American muscle, and so cool. The mercs just don’t have the same wow factor as a vette.

[saleen367]

I feel your pain Blake.

My Saleen has been sitting motionless for two years and before that I drove it here, to my new house in `99. It occupies the 3rd stall of my garage and I would love to have that for bicycle's, riding mower, etc. that seem to invade the garage every summer.

While my Saleen has only 9400 miles, I've got it so beefed up with aftermarket go-fast goodies that I know the next time I throttle hard could be the end of the stock tranny. I can't justify the $1700 for a tranny on a car that I use twice a year at best.

I've been thinking about parting ways too, but haven't come to grips with that just yet. I was hoping to give it as a College graduation gift to my son. Unfortunately he has no plans for College.:(

[TeamBajaMarine]

On another note, the ony thing that makes me keep this car is that it is over 20 years old, long paid for and insurance only costs $253 per year.

[jmc2135]

Blake, check out this site!Used Vettes (http://www.usedcorvettesforsale.com/) Go with the LT4:biggrin

[missouri]

The holocaust!
What about the fact that they have been against us on everything related to the mid-east....did billions of dollars of illegal buisness with Iraq during the sanctions and sided w/ france and russia to get them lifted so that the 3 countries could benefit from the oil contracts to go with the french pipeline to indochina....they support the proposed league of European nations designed to take power from NATO and the US.
Besides, I like the Lexus for a nice out to dinner car...never liked the interiors on mercedes...

[TeamBajaMarine]

Go get em Dano! Glad I am not the only one who see's through the corporate sham, but a Lexus? Come on thats a glorified Toyota (made in America, but still Japanese)

[REHOV]

Vette vs. C -class

Go with the vette.

[missouri]

Come on thats a glorified Toyota Japanese make good cars.....Lexus is a hell of a car w/ great lines, very stylish and durable....Vette's are for before marriage, and middle age crisis after kid's are raised...also for women who married money and never had one before 0] ....Lexus also has room for a carseat (ahem, you ain't gettin any younger).....My fav is BMW convertible's but there's that german thing again.

[GottaHaveIt]

This was my first Corvette. I traded it for a 1990 ZR-1 in 1999. Man, I WISH I HAD NEVER gotten rid of my 1996 LT-4!

:beathead

I can't believe they still have this link up. Check it out... (http://www.idavette.net/vpages/McKendry.htm)

[BDannecker]

Blake,
I had a 1981 Vette - Black on Red 4 speed. Great car. Then I sold it and bought a Mercedes C Class. Hated it. No frickin power. Bought another Vette - red on black 6 speed. Traded it for an E Class. Love that car. Enough motor and room. As for american muscle, that's my '36 Chevy street rod. Blown 463 with a Jerico 4 speed. All american made! Took me 8 years to get to the point where I can actually drive it. I finished the steering yesterday and ran it around the block for the first time ever. :biggrin

I'll have to post a picture...

[Atwood1018]

Blake, Get the Vette, but do yourself a favor and spend a little more and get a C5, like a 98 or 99. The difference between the C4 and C5 is like night and day. The C5 is easier to get in and out of and rides 10 times better. Much faster too. The dealership I work for is the 3rd largest New Corvette dealer in the country, so we have a nice selection of used Vettes too. If there is something particular you are looking for I can keep my eyes open. You could fly in and we'll pick you up at the airport and you could drive it home. Or I'll ship it to your front door. If you find something close to home you like email me a description and price and I'll let you know if it's a good deal or not.
atwood1018@yahoo.com

[TeamBajaMarine]

Aaron,
Thanks for the offer, but I dont like the body styles of the late models, I do like the 2005 or 6 that I read about in Maxim, that is a hot looking car, but I dont want to spend 50K. I think I have made up my mind (after throrough reveiw of this topic), a 1996 Black on Black LT4!:biggrin

[82C3]

Sounds Good. Now the next question, auto or manual trans?
Tom Bolduc
03 202 Islander

[GottaHaveIt]

I can tell you from experience, a stock 96 LT-4 will outrun a stock 97-00 C5 (not a Z06). :D

As for ride and technology, of course the C5 is going to win. The C4 is based on '80s tech. The huge clamshell hood is awesome and exposes the cool stuff. Under the hood of a C5 is boring.

Personally I don't like anything about the C5. Especially the back end! :samurai The C6 has my attention though. I'm looking forward to seeing one up close. GM made a mistake by ditching the hideaway headlights IMHO.

[TeamBajaMarine]

Tom,
Definately a manul transmission, have one in my 1981.

[GottaHaveIt]

The '96 Corvettes only came in two flavors:

LT1 automatic

LT4 6 speed manual.

;)

[voodoomarine products]

Go with the Corvette. MADE IN THE USA:dancingjalepeno :dancinbanana :party

[bajacraig]

the only good thing from germany in the last 50 years is Michael Schumacher so I say if it's not a FERRARI it's just transportation. :p

BTW I have had 3 BMW's and loved them all

[missouri]

My last Mercedes rode rougher than all hell!

http://home.ripway.com/2003-11/39363/benz-4x4.jpg

[TeamBajaMarine]

I think I have located one, it is near me and it is a black on black coupe with 17K miles, asking $22,500.

[bottomless pit]

:rollin Blake Make sure it has the OEM tires. Also check all of the functions to the seats. Those little air pumps go bad. If they were still using them. Run it threw Car fax.
PIT:eek

[82C3]

Blake how's the vette hunting going? The deal you mentioned sounds like a pretty good one.
Tom Bolduc
03 202 Islander