Corvette#2

I test drove a 2001 coupe with 100k + miles yesterday. The passenger side view mirror motor didn't move. Also the driver side mirror had a strange dark tint. I assume that is broke too. And one of the headlights was sagging. Also check engine light was on, although the engine, brakes and clutch felt strong. I guess that could be a million things.

I plan to do a PPI but the shop is busy and can't evaluate it until a week from Monday. The owner seems really desperate to sell. He told me he bought it a month ago on a whim but his gf was not pleased he used some of her money to help pay for it. So it needs to go. A likely story or ?

The paint was mostly nice although it had some light keying in one small area. Interior seemed average although nicer than a 97 I looked at. Wheels looked shiny but the brake calipers looked really corroded and weathered. Sure enough carfax says it spent most of its life in VA and NJ. But no accidents and several dealer maintenance records were recorded.

Any estimates to repair ? Should I keep looking? Worth considering if I get it cheap enough ?

skip1980

Did you check to see what the code was? You know you don't have to have a scanner to check codes on the vette. You can get them out of the instrument panel.

c4cruiser

It's pretty much been said here that you should always buy the best car you can find for the money you want to spend.

Without knowing the codes, it can be hard to provide any information. Sometimes the CEL can point to something that's not a big deal, but it can also point to serious problems.

If you are planning to do some of the work yourself, that can go a long way to ease repair costs. Having a shop do everything can take a lot of money.

Nothing wrong in looking at other cars.

Jake the Snake

more likely the current owner found out what it was going to cost to fix the issues!

JR-01

Corvette#2

That occurred to me. I can't tell if his story for wanting to sell it a month after buying it is true.

He tried giving me a rather weak excuse about it caused by being low on gas. There was a bit of a language barrier as well.

Thanks for the video, I should go back and pull the codes myself to see if its even worth doing the PPI.

I originally thought I would like to spend around 10k. This red one I looked at is asking 11k but seemed really desperate and a white 97 I drove on a used car lot was 10.9k. The 97 drove ok but the interior was shabby and the frame had acid damage by the battery.

There is a nice looking nassau blue 98 on CL for around 10.7k but it has 159k miles.

Good advice on buying the best example I can afford. Thinking I might increase my budget but there is nothing out there at the moment that interest me besides a cherry 69k Z06 for 17.5k. But after my test drives, I know an LS1 is plenty fast for me. And I want the targa top for summer.

OurC5

Agree, sounds like it's time to move on unless it's really cheap (only mention this since no price is offered by the OP) and you're looking for a project.

Jud Chapin

I think if you like the car, check or have it checked out. It might be a deal and the guy is being honest. The check engine code may be nothing major.

allred

Walk away. You do not need to buy someone elses trouble.

There are plenty of good Corvettes out there that do not have code issues.



.

CameronC

If he is selling after only a month, that would be a huge red flag for me. He probably knows something he is not telling you.

jdvann

El original

Why would anyone sell a car with a check engine light on....because it is a costly issue to repair. Forget this car, the current owner is not even a good liar IMHO. (if he even owns the car?!)

Barndog Buddha

Ths whole deal sounds too sketchy to me, you can do better, move on.

dbgoodwin

I would offer $4,000 for it.

Phanni

The other side of the coin is that the guy may not have a clue what has caused the 'check engine light' and it may be virtually nothing. Having owned 3 C-5's I know that a check engine light can occur from time to time for some very minor problems, such as a loose gas cap. You have been given the procedure for reading the codes and they are easily deciphered using the internet or buy simply posting them here. If he knew anything about C-5s he'c have cleared the codes (using the posted procedure) and you'd be clueless about a problem until the code pops up again. while you're driving.

Knowledge is power, and if you can read the codes and figure out that it is a minor problem (likely), you have a great bargaining tool.

Jeff T.

92GA

Or the guy has had it to the shop and know exactly what it's going to cost to fix it. Unless you can figure what's wrong with it and fix it on your own, it'll likely cost you a bunch to have it repaired. At least pull the codes and write them down so you can figure out what's wrong with it before you buy it. Then you'll have some negotiating power.

Lee DeRaud

I'm voting "clueless", otherwise he would have (1) cleared the code and (2) balked at the idea of a PPI.

Chilliwack vettes

Still waiting for those codes...
Don't dismiss the car when you have no idea what's wrong with it. Most people have no idea that you can pull the codes without a scanner.

stu12dozen

Okay, I'm in suspense. Please pull the codes and let us know the results.

It may turn out to be a bargain or it may be a "project" car.