WTB: Newbie wondering what I should buy with 7.5k
10-15-2015, 10:53 PM
#1
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WTB: My first Vette! What to buy with 7.5k?
Hi All
I am a newbie to posting here (been lurking awhile but never posted) so please be kind if I made any faux pas!
I have finally saved up about 7.5k from working my BUTT off (lol) to afford my first Vette. I have been looking (drooling) for about a year and a half so have some idea of what is in my price range, (Car Gurus/Hemmings, etc & not much in my price range sadly) but I wanted to follow up my research with some real Corvette enthusiasts and owners who have had possibly many Corvettes and could give me some direction. I live in Northern Virginia. I have surfed Craigslist, Ebay, YouTube and many US dealerships and auctions but now that I am ready to buy, I am scared of getting the wrong one or paying too much! Here is what I basically know I want:
(It will be a daily driver)
Convertible, Targa or T-Tops (non-leaking)
1979-1990
Working A/C (Seems like 50% of the Vette's I inquire about have this removed or not working)
Good interior
Good paint/exterior
Good tires/rims
Under 100k miles
Black, White or Red
Leather Interior (No red please...I am hot tempered already...red makes me a crazy you know what)
No major work needed to make driveable
Preference but flexible on
Numbers matching
Manual Transmission
Also, not that it matters (or does it?) but I am a female in her 40's and don't want to look like I am trying too hard, if that makes any sense. Classy and sublime is more my style than the hot rodding days of my youth.
Am I dreaming thinking I can find something like this in my price range? (I don't want to work 3 jobs anymore to save even more!) I was thinking so and then I saw PastaMikes's C4, a beautiful car and JUST what I have been looking for but I moved too damn slow! GRRRR. Now it sits in Florida leering at me from the pics the Cap'n posted!
So, guys (and gals)...Some suggestions on WHAT I should be looking for and WHERE I should look for the best price? I am not looking to race so it doesn't need the fastest engine in town but a nice rumble when it starts and some nice pickup at lights would be nice.
Feel free to PM me or post here and thanks in advance from a future new Corvette owner!
I am a newbie to posting here (been lurking awhile but never posted) so please be kind if I made any faux pas!
I have finally saved up about 7.5k from working my BUTT off (lol) to afford my first Vette. I have been looking (drooling) for about a year and a half so have some idea of what is in my price range, (Car Gurus/Hemmings, etc & not much in my price range sadly) but I wanted to follow up my research with some real Corvette enthusiasts and owners who have had possibly many Corvettes and could give me some direction. I live in Northern Virginia. I have surfed Craigslist, Ebay, YouTube and many US dealerships and auctions but now that I am ready to buy, I am scared of getting the wrong one or paying too much! Here is what I basically know I want:
(It will be a daily driver)
Convertible, Targa or T-Tops (non-leaking)
1979-1990
Working A/C (Seems like 50% of the Vette's I inquire about have this removed or not working)
Good interior
Good paint/exterior
Good tires/rims
Under 100k miles
Black, White or Red
Leather Interior (No red please...I am hot tempered already...red makes me a crazy you know what)
No major work needed to make driveable
Preference but flexible on
Numbers matching
Manual Transmission
Also, not that it matters (or does it?) but I am a female in her 40's and don't want to look like I am trying too hard, if that makes any sense. Classy and sublime is more my style than the hot rodding days of my youth.
Am I dreaming thinking I can find something like this in my price range? (I don't want to work 3 jobs anymore to save even more!) I was thinking so and then I saw PastaMikes's C4, a beautiful car and JUST what I have been looking for but I moved too damn slow! GRRRR. Now it sits in Florida leering at me from the pics the Cap'n posted!
So, guys (and gals)...Some suggestions on WHAT I should be looking for and WHERE I should look for the best price? I am not looking to race so it doesn't need the fastest engine in town but a nice rumble when it starts and some nice pickup at lights would be nice.
Feel free to PM me or post here and thanks in advance from a future new Corvette owner!
Last edited by Hubie1002; 10-18-2015 at 10:49 PM.
10-16-2015, 07:53 AM
#2
Should easily be able to find a nice coupe up to about 1995 or so in that price range if you look long enough. been searching Craigslist for over a month now and there have been several decent ones in that price range.
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Hubie1002 (10-18-2015)
10-16-2015, 10:16 AM
#3
Instructor
It would help if we knew where you are located and how far you are willing to travel. Prices do seem to vary by region. I wouldn't worry as much about mileage as much as how it's been maintained. I've seen high mileage cars that were in better condition than some with low miles. If you find something that's out of your area there are people on here that will usually inspect it for you or that may know the owner. There are cars on here for sale right now that meet your criteria but the mileage is a little higher. If properly maintained I know people that have driven C4's into the 200k mile range without any major problems. Good luck with your search.
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Hubie1002 (10-18-2015)
10-16-2015, 02:54 PM
#4
Redline, she says she is in northern Virginia. I agree with what you say about mileage versus maintenance. My son kept a Ford Escort going for 218,000 miles..........
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Hubie1002 (10-18-2015)
10-16-2015, 07:34 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
It would help if we knew where you are located and how far you are willing to travel. Prices do seem to vary by region. I wouldn't worry as much about mileage as much as how it's been maintained. I've seen high mileage cars that were in better condition than some with low miles. If you find something that's out of your area there are people on here that will usually inspect it for you or that may know the owner.
10-16-2015, 09:17 PM
#7
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For what is worth I've had close to 20 Corvettes over the last 35 years many as DDers C3s, C4s and C5s.
You should be able to find a nice C4 driver in that price range. My 95 LT1 is a DD and is about to hit 200k miles just goes to show keep the required maintenance up and they will be very dependable. I would look into a coupe, less issues in the winter. Try to find a car that has history with it. The newer the better.
As to the C3 as a DD I would say no just not as practical for a DD but they do look great and are assume weekend cars.
If you look in the feedback section they have a list of owners who are willing to check out cars close to them.
Good luck and their are no stupid questions.
PS: Don't look at a car as an investment !!!
You should be able to find a nice C4 driver in that price range. My 95 LT1 is a DD and is about to hit 200k miles just goes to show keep the required maintenance up and they will be very dependable. I would look into a coupe, less issues in the winter. Try to find a car that has history with it. The newer the better.
As to the C3 as a DD I would say no just not as practical for a DD but they do look great and are assume weekend cars.
If you look in the feedback section they have a list of owners who are willing to check out cars close to them.
Good luck and their are no stupid questions.
PS: Don't look at a car as an investment !!!
Last edited by FASTAZU; 10-16-2015 at 09:20 PM.
10-18-2015, 01:32 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
You should be able to get a nice 90-96 C4 with with around 80k miles, or a real low mileage 84 or 85, under 40k miles.
Don't let people scare you on an 84 I have had several they are great cars with no more problems then any other C4. Like any C4 get the nicest one you can. The only downfall on the 84 is that it is harder to hop up then a later model.
I am a C4 guy, but there are also C5's dropping into that price range with 200k miles lol, just an fyi.
Good luck, you will love it.
Don't let people scare you on an 84 I have had several they are great cars with no more problems then any other C4. Like any C4 get the nicest one you can. The only downfall on the 84 is that it is harder to hop up then a later model.
I am a C4 guy, but there are also C5's dropping into that price range with 200k miles lol, just an fyi.
Good luck, you will love it.
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Hubie1002 (10-18-2015)
10-18-2015, 01:51 PM
#9
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There is a white 89 for sale that matches your exact need. Do a search for 1989 here in the C4 for sale and you'll find it. $7500. It's not my car, I just think it's great deal.
Last edited by SurfnSun; 10-18-2015 at 02:01 PM.
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Hubie1002 (10-18-2015)
10-18-2015, 05:53 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
For what is worth I've had close to 20 Corvettes over the last 35 years many as DDers C3s, C4s and C5s.
You should be able to find a nice C4 driver in that price range. My 95 LT1 is a DD and is about to hit 200k miles just goes to show keep the required maintenance up and they will be very dependable. I would look into a coupe, less issues in the winter. Try to find a car that has history with it. The newer the better.
As to the C3 as a DD I would say no just not as practical for a DD but they do look great and are assume weekend cars.
If you look in the feedback section they have a list of owners who are willing to check out cars close to them.
Good luck and their are no stupid questions.
PS: Don't look at a car as an investment !!!
You should be able to find a nice C4 driver in that price range. My 95 LT1 is a DD and is about to hit 200k miles just goes to show keep the required maintenance up and they will be very dependable. I would look into a coupe, less issues in the winter. Try to find a car that has history with it. The newer the better.
As to the C3 as a DD I would say no just not as practical for a DD but they do look great and are assume weekend cars.
If you look in the feedback section they have a list of owners who are willing to check out cars close to them.
Good luck and their are no stupid questions.
PS: Don't look at a car as an investment !!!
And my daddy taught me to look at *everything* as an investment! Education, cars, houses and most everything. Not JUST for investment..you have to love it too. Which was not hard because he believed if you buy the best it will always increase in value. Why do you say don't buy a car as an investment? Curious as to your take!
Still looking for tips or links if you kind people here have any! THX!
10-18-2015, 06:00 PM
#11
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Thread Starter
[QUOTE
Don't let people scare you on an 84 I have had several they are great cars with no more problems then any other C4. Like any C4 get the nicest one you can. The only downfall on the 84 is that it is harder to hop up then a later model.
[/QUOTE]
Harder to hop up? What's that mean? I'm a bit ignorant as to car lingo but I'm trying! And a a C5 with 200k miles on it would sure look purty sitting in my driveway but I doubt it would be running long enough for me to get any value out of my 7.5k. Lol
Don't let people scare you on an 84 I have had several they are great cars with no more problems then any other C4. Like any C4 get the nicest one you can. The only downfall on the 84 is that it is harder to hop up then a later model.
[/QUOTE]
Harder to hop up? What's that mean? I'm a bit ignorant as to car lingo but I'm trying! And a a C5 with 200k miles on it would sure look purty sitting in my driveway but I doubt it would be running long enough for me to get any value out of my 7.5k. Lol
10-18-2015, 06:12 PM
#12
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2002
Location: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
Posts: 11,329
Received 910 Likes
on
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I buy a car with my enjoyment and use in mind.
Best of luck in your hunt.
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Hubie1002 (10-18-2015)
10-18-2015, 09:32 PM
#13
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I hope to live another 30 or 40 years at least! And still look good in my Vette hopefully!Thanks to everyone who is so nicely responding to this new member! I am sure once I get my new baby, I will be on here with many more questions. It's nice to know I have an active forum to help me with any questions or issues!
