1998 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Description

Today, the C5 Corvette still represents a ton of performance for the money, and this 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is about as clean and dialed-in you'll ever see at this price point. The color combination is a favorite classic and extremely appealing, the 5.7L LS1 is dripping in chrome and runs great, and the miles are low enough that this droptop is going to be dominating the streets for a very long time.

Arctic White was a staple color during C5 production, and when coupled with chrome rims and an elegant light-colored interior, there's not a better color combination for my money. White is one of the quintessential shades for the Corvette (and in fact, the original color for the first-ever C1s), regardless of generation it looks fantastic on the dynamic bodywork, and when coated on a droptop it always brings the attention of everyone near it. C5 workmanship was always quite good, and this one looks fantastic thanks to conscientious owners who always kept it garaged and protected and covered in multiple coats of wax. With only 96,634 original miles, it was never a daily driver in the last 23 years and the low mileage shouldn't be viewed as a lack of use but rather careful use only when conditions were right. Then again, it's not like it just sat in the garage all-day either, with an average of 4K miles a year means that this convertible was mostly a weekend car that was likely only driven in the sunshine. It has never been hit or repainted (confirmed by the Autocheck Vehicle History Report that shows it as a 4-owner car that mostly lived in FL and TX), there are almost no rock chips on the nose, and panel fit is quite excellent. Really, other than light swirls and very fine scratches here and there that were accrued from almost 25 years of washing and waxing this car (all of which should be easily buffed out), there are no real imperfections to speak of. And because it has had almost zero modifications and always been in warm states, you'll be hard-pressed to find a nicer one at this price point.

The Light Oak leather interior is a wonderful complement to the Arctic White paint, sophisticated and elegant instead of brash and bright. The super-clean interior really showcases the fact that the Corvette is a great grand touring car with a lot of style, and with custom Ostrich leather inserts inside the bucket seats, the complementing door panels, and the shifter boot, this droptop's interior really is a looker. A thick-rimmed steering wheel anchors the cockpit, and the two-tone theme of the interior really drives the point home that this is luxury sports car. It's also loaded with just about every available option, including the power sport seats, dual airbags, dual zone climate control, and a powerful stereo system. The 4-speed automatic transmission was standard and is fitted inside the center console that is also adorned with wood-grain accents. There are also dashboard wood appliques that further the luxurious feel inside and although the upholstery isn't perfect, it's in very good shape with most of the minor wear concentrated on the seat's bolsters. The tan carpets are plush and also show very limited wear thanks to the protection of heavy-duty black mats, and if we had to pick, we'd keep that white power convertible top down and tucked behind the seats and under the boot at all times. The trunk is also beautifully finished and exactly the way the factory built it, with black-and-tan carpets and storage compartments underneath the panels.

Chevy's legendary 5.7L LS1 V8 was the only engine you could get in your C5, and with 345HP at the ready, we think that's just fine. The 346 cubic inch LS1 engine needs no introduction, although it's somewhat disguised under all that killer dress-up gear., with chrome, black, and red accents really spicing things up under the hood. In the years since its introduction, these engines have proven to be incredibly reliable and durable, and there's a huge variety of aftermarket performance parts available for them. Fortunately, this one has led an easy life and still carries its factory-spec performance components, further suggesting that it hasn't been raced or abused. But even in stock form, the LS1 is a formidable performer, even today, and the flexible power band makes it a joy to drive in traffic or on the open road. The standard 4-speed automatic transmission is sportier than most, so this white 'Vette is snappy around town, yet the tall gearing makes it a superlative highway cruiser. The throaty exhaust system has been upgraded with Borla Stinger mufflers that sound fantastic, and it's so clean underneath that you have to wonder if this car has ever seen the rain. Chrome Z06-style wheels are still a clean design that looks great today, and they are the perfect choice to chow off the red calipers and drilled and slotted rotors just beyond them. The stance is just perfect, and the main reason so many fall in love with the C5, further enhanced by the staggered 245/45/17 front and 275/45/18 performance radials tucked into the wheel wells.

C5 Corvettes aren't just great cars, they're incredible bargains, too. If you want one that's been gently used but will still stand out from the crowd, this is an awesome choice. Call today!