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About to buy an '08 LS3

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Old 02-16-2011, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 98LS1Formula
this dude does it installed w parts for $500
He changed his price to $600, but still not bad. The question is can the OP get it done in his area for that.
I'd still consider adding that to the price of the car and seeing if a 3LT model comes available.
Old 02-16-2011, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by JayplaySS2
My 08 C6 top squeeked SO bad it was one of the reasons I sold it, I just couldn't stand it anymore. Went back to an 06 (3rd C6) and all is good but it's NOT my DD.
I had some issues with that. Tightening the bolts and silicone washers fixed most of the squeak. I get it occasionally, seems to be temperature dependent, but it cured 95% of the problem. Roof is off in the good weather, which is the ultimate cure.

11 GT hold it's value a bit more as well ...
I'm having a hard time believing that driving a new Mustang off the lot isn't going to instantly kill some value unless Ford is deliberately holding down the production of the GT.
Old 02-16-2011, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Rameon01
1. '11 Mustang GT
3. 03-04 Z06

I've never purchased a 30K vehicle and want some opinions on the one I'm finalizing on (maybe)
I'd go for either of those two. The rustang will drop in value like a rock so be warned.

I wouldn't buy a used car unless you can pay for half of it in cash imo. I went the c5z route and put down ~70% and financed the rest at a low rate.
Old 02-16-2011, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
I had some issues with that. Tightening the bolts and silicone washers fixed most of the squeak. I get it occasionally, seems to be temperature dependent, but it cured 95% of the problem. Roof is off in the good weather, which is the ultimate cure.


I'm having a hard time believing that driving a new Mustang off the lot isn't going to instantly kill some value unless Ford is deliberately holding down the production of the GT.
Dude, I had the c-clips, washers and even the new GM handles with the rubbuer tabs instead of the rollers. It refused to shut up. Then my 6060 was SO f-in notchy no matter what fluid was in it and finally rear end noise... With only 24K miles, it was enough for me, my LS3 was a lemon.


Sure it will lose a little value but it will be a while before you see a 5.0 sitting on any lot for more than a week or so. Around me (South FL) I can't even find a used one on a LOT through the Autotrader (not inc. verts). They sell fast and for the next few years guys will be willing to ****** them up far better than any Camaro or C6.

South FL is a sea of Camaro's though.

Just thing to consider-
Old 02-16-2011, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ysb02
I'd go for either of those two. The rustang will drop in value like a rock so be warned.

I wouldn't buy a used car unless you can pay for half of it in cash imo. I went the c5z route and put down ~70% and financed the rest at a low rate.
I did the same thing for my C5Z put down 60% and financed the rest to bump my credit score up.
Old 02-16-2011, 06:24 PM
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Well I'm picking the car up Friday if I have time or definitly Saturday The squeaking roof won't be an issue as it will 90% of the time have the top off, though I really wish it had more options I cant see spending 4K more to get them (best price I could find on cars.com)

I got it for 29,500+1917.00 (tax) = 31,417 out the door. The monthly plan the bank gave me is 60 payments with $11K down $491.. 72 payments with 11K down $429...66 payments with 11K down $457. I'm prolly going to go with the 60 or 66 though.

I'm a little late to the Vette game at 26 but having a son age 8 and daughter age 3 and married at 20 set my spending money waaaaaaay back I'm really looking forward to get back into the game and will post pics as soon as I get it to the house Thanks for the advice everyone, my choice also would've been an '11 Mustang but 4 people on my block alone have 05-10 GT's, and noone with a Vette so I'm just tired of seeing them Oh, and the license plate is definitely bolted to the bumper, I asked, though I'm sure I'll find a plate that will fill it nicely
Old 02-16-2011, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Rameon01
I'm a little late to the Vette game at 26

You are much younger than the average C6 owner.

Enjoy the new ride.
Old 02-16-2011, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99

You are much younger than the average C6 owner.

Enjoy the new ride.
Yes, a whole lot younger!

Congrats Rameon01! You will be blowing those 5.0 away.
Old 02-16-2011, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99

You are much younger than the average C6 owner.

Enjoy the new ride.
I'm kinda surprised at that, I was browsing the thread on what age is everyone and there seemed to be quite a few 18-22 y/o guys having nice cars. That makes me feel better though
Old 02-17-2011, 01:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob@BruteSpeed
Out of your list the Vettes are the only ones I would look at. I too wouldn't go black for a daily driver though. Most economy cars don't get much better gas mileage than Corvettes do, and they're about the same weight too.
I wouldn't say that. Most of the econoboxes I've owned can do over 20mpg in the city and hit 32-35mpg. I have yet to know a Corvette owner get over 30mpg. Vettes get better mileage than other sports cars and luxury cars but I would never say they get better gas mileage than econoboxes, especially in the city.
Old 02-17-2011, 11:33 AM
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so exactly why do some of you classify the ls3 vette as *not* a daily driver? due to mpg? is the car uncomfortable? rough ride? what is it? i just have a hard time understanding why a 60k car shouldn't be driven every day.
Old 02-17-2011, 12:32 PM
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LOL, some people worship the car and think it should only come out of the garage after it has 10 coats of Zaino and the weather is clear between 55* and 80*.

The car is clearly capable of being a comfortable year round driver and I take it to work pretty regularly. I definitely look for turns to take fast and places to mat the gas on my commute. However, I often will drive our 4 cyl Volvo automatic in crappy weather during the winter. If it is cold, dark, and raining and I'm sitting in 50 minutes of stop and go traffic, there's not a lot of enjoyment from 400+ HP manual car and the gas/oil/tires/depreciation are much less on the volvo.
Old 02-17-2011, 12:53 PM
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Corvette LS3.



Originally Posted by TheHitman
I have yet to know a Corvette owner get over 30mpg.
I get over 30mpg (as high as 34mpg at only 55-60mph) on the highway all of the time and mine's a modified automatic, a stock manual could do even better.
Not nearly that much around town/stop and go of course but still damn good for a nearly 400rwhp car with a higher stall converter.
Old 02-17-2011, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99

You are much younger than the average C6 owner.

Enjoy the new ride.

Late to the game??? I am 26 and just got my corvette. The wife and I agreed I should get it BEFORE we have kids. I thought I was ahead of the game.
Old 02-17-2011, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Corvette LS3.



I get over 30mpg (as high as 34mpg at only 55-60mph) on the highway all of the time and mine's a modified automatic, a stock manual could do even better.
Not nearly that much around town/stop and go of course but still damn good for a nearly 400rwhp car with a higher stall converter.
+1... I get around 32-33mpg in the Z06 (6th gear at 65-75mph on the highway) but not any more now lol
Old 02-17-2011, 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob@BruteSpeed
The vehicles I'm looking at are in the 25-35K price range.
1. '11 Mustang GT
2. '08 Vette LS3
3. 03-04 Z06
4. 09 G8 GXP
5. Challanger R/T

Out of your list the Vettes are the only ones I would look at. I too wouldn't go black for a daily driver though. Most economy cars don't get much better gas mileage than Corvettes do, and they're about the same weight too. A lot of people don't realize how great of a job GM has done at keeping weight off the Corvettes as additional safety items keeps adding weight. An '80's economy car use to weigh 2500 lbs, now they weigh 3000 lbs +. Bob
Old 02-17-2011, 09:36 PM
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From a DD standpoint, for some of us who work a lot the commute is sometime the only time when I can have some driving fun other than the weekend.

Only time I got worried was getting front and rear bumper scratches like if I parked on the street.
Old 02-17-2011, 10:20 PM
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After reading all of the above i figured i would chime in with the targa top issues...I have an 09 and an 08...The 08 pops like a son of a bitch, the 09 makes absolutely 0 noise........08 makes rubbing noise turning when its cold or chilly out...09 has zero issues...I really think it might just be an 08 specific issue...Automatic tranny can be a little rough in the 08 as well. When my 20 year old girlfriend bitches about the noise of the top from her "dream car", I just say "Its a 430 horsepower ls3, shut the **** up"
Old 02-17-2011, 10:36 PM
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Smart choice going with the C6 , You'll love it. Great for DD and great for the long haul.

Old 02-18-2011, 04:12 AM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Corvette LS3.



I get over 30mpg (as high as 34mpg at only 55-60mph) on the highway all of the time and mine's a modified automatic, a stock manual could do even better.
Not nearly that much around town/stop and go of course but still damn good for a nearly 400rwhp car with a higher stall converter.
I dd'ed my Vette for 6 months when it was stock and the highest Gas mileage I saw on the highway was 30. Granted I drive a little fast (Set the cruise at 80mph) my average gas mileage was 22mpg, and thats from driving about 60% highway/40% city. It gets the best mileage out of all the cars I currently own but It still gets worse gas mileage than all of the econoboxes I've owned. (2003 Accord Coupe average gas mileage 35mpg but slow as **** lol )


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