Buying a corvette
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formerly 04 Rooster (2013-12-10)
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From: Oilerville
Buying a corvette Hello,
I've been lurking/reading here for a few months now and have decided I want to get a vette instead of a bird/camaro. I live in Canada and used vette priced are crazy (lots of summer only low mile units). I am planning on buying one in the US and driving it home. I am hoping to find a vette for under $20k USD. I have been searching the US auto trader and ebay religiously for the last month or so. I will be getting a new car late spring early summer.
Here are my questions:
1. am I going to find a unit that is in good shape for under $20k?
2. is there a number of miles I should stay under?
3. I've read the faq (a few times) but want to know if there are any major things to watch for when buying a used, higher mileage vette.
4. are there any states you would recommend I NOT buy a car in (in western Canada we try not to buy cars from the east because of all the salt!)? Any title issues?
I hope this is in the right section-mods please move this if it isn't.
I can not wait to get a vette! Thanks in advance for the help folks!!!!!!!!
I've been lurking/reading here for a few months now and have decided I want to get a vette instead of a bird/camaro. I live in Canada and used vette priced are crazy (lots of summer only low mile units). I am planning on buying one in the US and driving it home. I am hoping to find a vette for under $20k USD. I have been searching the US auto trader and ebay religiously for the last month or so. I will be getting a new car late spring early summer.
Here are my questions:
1. am I going to find a unit that is in good shape for under $20k?
2. is there a number of miles I should stay under?
3. I've read the faq (a few times) but want to know if there are any major things to watch for when buying a used, higher mileage vette.
4. are there any states you would recommend I NOT buy a car in (in western Canada we try not to buy cars from the east because of all the salt!)? Any title issues?
I hope this is in the right section-mods please move this if it isn't.
I can not wait to get a vette! Thanks in advance for the help folks!!!!!!!!
Any vette for under $20000 is going to have a hell of a lot of miles or have been in accident before. Or maybe I should say later model (00 - up) Before you buy check out some of the online vin checkers or carfax to see the service record and if there are any accidents on that vehicle. If it runs take it. Not much can go wrong that can't be fixed.
My personal experience is to stay away from anyone that advertises the car as driven by middle age man or woman or saying that they didn't drive it hard at all. This generally translates into their 16 year old son used it and drove it like a maniac and you find out about 2 weeks after you paid and gone. Look for honesty. It's a vette everyone drives them hard if not they would have bought something else but just them being honest so you know what your getting into will save you a lot of heartache.
Thread Starter
formerly 04 Rooster (2013-12-10)
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Oilerville
Great info. It's going to be bit tough buying this car over the internet or phone but I think if I get it inspected, I shopuld be okay...hopefully. Like you said earlier, it's all repairable! Thanks again.
Thread Starter
formerly 04 Rooster (2013-12-10)
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Oilerville
I've noticed a lot more lower km units between $20k and $25k. My problem is having to deal with exchange. Tax isn't a big deal because I'd have to pay that here either way. I appreciate the advice to step up over the that $20k mark I'm kinda fixated on. thanks!
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I totally agree anywhere close to 25,000 will make you a bit more happy. Think of it like this you might save 5,000 now on the purchase but you will make up for it later in parts. So best to get the quality now.
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formerly 04 Rooster (2013-12-10)
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Oilerville
Alright, I think I have to up my spending limit...hope wifey doesn't find out! 
I do agree that the difference in a few thousand dollars would mean a difference of tens of thousands of miles. That obviously relates to fewer (or at least not as soon) repairs!
Thanks for all the help so far!
I do agree that the difference in a few thousand dollars would mean a difference of tens of thousands of miles. That obviously relates to fewer (or at least not as soon) repairs!
Thanks for all the help so far!
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: dallas,tx.
I got $20k trade in on my 99A4 Coupe in November of '05 when I bought my C6. The car had 32k on the odometer and was clean as a whistle.I would have sold it outright for $22k and actually tried, but no buyers. $20k on the trade in with the 'sales taxes paid' aspect made it easier to come down from $22k.
I would think being a year and a half later that a C5 in the $20k or less range should be very do-able, especially if the buyer knows a few things about the car, tire sensors good for 5 years, tire condition and replacement cost, etc.
Last edited by SixPak; Feb 17, 2007 at 04:57 PM.