what is considered high mileage?
04-17-2011, 09:58 AM
#21
Melting Slicks
Don't know what your trade is worth, but there are LOTS of lower mileage Vettes out there to be had. It's been my experience to find a lot of older guys with them who are basically afraid to drive them like they're supposed to be... A buddy of mine found an '05 last year with 6000 miles on it: Z51, manual, 3LT, Nav., Convertible for 30g. Previous owner was over 60 years old and not really what I would have considered to be "Corvette Material". There are TONS of these cars out there...perhaps bought by their owners for the "image".
You want to hear high mileage? How about my 04 GMC 2500HD with 376,000+ miles. 6.0 gasoline engine. Tranny, oil pump, and speedo display cluster are the things replaced since new. No oil leakage or usage whatsoever. Runs like new. These LS engines are impressive and dependable.
You want to hear high mileage? How about my 04 GMC 2500HD with 376,000+ miles. 6.0 gasoline engine. Tranny, oil pump, and speedo display cluster are the things replaced since new. No oil leakage or usage whatsoever. Runs like new. These LS engines are impressive and dependable.
04-17-2011, 02:22 PM
#22
6th Gear
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Thanks again for all the advice.
Although I don't care for the 2005 steering wheel, it's definitely not a deal breaker for me. If I found a 2005 z51 that was the color combo I want, with low miles, maintained well, I wouldn't hesitate for one second to pull the trigger on buying it.
I'll be looking specifically for a 6 speed. I've always driven manual, my first car was a stick. I've only ever owned two automatics. A 1988 fox body Mustang coupe, which I converted to a 5 speed within a month of owning it, and some other daily beater that I got rid of after a few months of owning it.
I'm leaning heavily towards finding a C6 with lower miles. I do intend on driving a lot, the longer I can enjoy it, the better. I've never been one for owning a slow FWD four cylinder to commute around in when I could be commuting in something a lot more enjoyable.
Although I don't care for the 2005 steering wheel, it's definitely not a deal breaker for me. If I found a 2005 z51 that was the color combo I want, with low miles, maintained well, I wouldn't hesitate for one second to pull the trigger on buying it.
I'll be looking specifically for a 6 speed. I've always driven manual, my first car was a stick. I've only ever owned two automatics. A 1988 fox body Mustang coupe, which I converted to a 5 speed within a month of owning it, and some other daily beater that I got rid of after a few months of owning it.
I'm leaning heavily towards finding a C6 with lower miles. I do intend on driving a lot, the longer I can enjoy it, the better. I've never been one for owning a slow FWD four cylinder to commute around in when I could be commuting in something a lot more enjoyable.
04-17-2011, 03:28 PM
#23
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Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Like to know more about your maintenance. Plan on keeping mine for a long time.The bottom line on my two cars is that I want them ready to roll out of the garage and across the country on a moments notice. Since I only recently got the '99 back from my son, I'm still working out the last couple of things on it since he really didn't maintain it. Down to three items and its ready to roll anywhere, anytime. Two small items and a paint job.
04-17-2011, 03:59 PM
#24
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I agree with a few points already made:
1) Buy the newest vette you can afford. Although its more expensive, your getting more warranty coverage & more features. While the 05-11 base models may look alike, they are very different. Almost every year upgrades were added. The 06 received a better auto tranny and worked out alot of 1st model bugs. The 07 received a 5yr/100k warranty, newer steering wheel, Z51 & Z06 package added. The 08 got a new engine, new transmission, better steering, CF interior, standard OnStar, 4LT option. The 09 got blue-tooth, ZR1 added. The 10 got better active handling, GS package added. And we've all seen reports of whats available on the 11. All that is to say, there are some pretty significant upgrades to buy newer, if you can.
2. Average mileage for a vette should still be judged at the normal 12k a year. While vettes are generally driven much less, because they are 2nd or 'weekend' cars for most owners.. they are still very basic, very capable daily drivers built by a "General Automotive" company and should be judged as such. These are not limited production, rare exotic cars. There's absolutely no fundamental reason to be scared to drive a vette every day. While the vette offers world class performance and exotic styling.. its still a GM built product, backed by GM warranty, dealers and technicians. Vettes have always been designed so the common person can afford to own and maintain them. By the time you finish paying off your 4/5/6 year loan.. the difference in value of a 'low' and 'high' mileage vehicle is so small.. that you have only cheated yourself by not enjoying it more as its value depreciated.
3. With any used vehicle purchase, the primary concern should always be the condition of the vehicle and not the mileage. Regardless of mileage or age.. I always prefer a 1-owner, excellent service record, VGC condition vehicle (regardless of mileage) to a several-owner, missing service record vehicle. Because people generally keep vehicles they are satisfied with.. and people generally sell/trade vehicles they are dissatisfied with. I know life changes may happen where someone cannot afford to keep a 2 seat sports car, but "where there's a will.. there is a way". If 2 or 3 people have already owned a car, and its just a few years old, then I'm not touching it. There's a good reason why the previous owners didn't want to keep it.
4. I also stay away from modified vehicles. While others may look for vehicles that are modded, I avoid them. Especially performance modded vehicles, because they tend to be driven hard, tracked or even raced. I also prefer the look, ride, sound and performance a stock vehicle. If I want to mod a car, I'll do it myself and make sure its done exactly the way I want.
1) Buy the newest vette you can afford. Although its more expensive, your getting more warranty coverage & more features. While the 05-11 base models may look alike, they are very different. Almost every year upgrades were added. The 06 received a better auto tranny and worked out alot of 1st model bugs. The 07 received a 5yr/100k warranty, newer steering wheel, Z51 & Z06 package added. The 08 got a new engine, new transmission, better steering, CF interior, standard OnStar, 4LT option. The 09 got blue-tooth, ZR1 added. The 10 got better active handling, GS package added. And we've all seen reports of whats available on the 11. All that is to say, there are some pretty significant upgrades to buy newer, if you can.
2. Average mileage for a vette should still be judged at the normal 12k a year. While vettes are generally driven much less, because they are 2nd or 'weekend' cars for most owners.. they are still very basic, very capable daily drivers built by a "General Automotive" company and should be judged as such. These are not limited production, rare exotic cars. There's absolutely no fundamental reason to be scared to drive a vette every day. While the vette offers world class performance and exotic styling.. its still a GM built product, backed by GM warranty, dealers and technicians. Vettes have always been designed so the common person can afford to own and maintain them. By the time you finish paying off your 4/5/6 year loan.. the difference in value of a 'low' and 'high' mileage vehicle is so small.. that you have only cheated yourself by not enjoying it more as its value depreciated.
3. With any used vehicle purchase, the primary concern should always be the condition of the vehicle and not the mileage. Regardless of mileage or age.. I always prefer a 1-owner, excellent service record, VGC condition vehicle (regardless of mileage) to a several-owner, missing service record vehicle. Because people generally keep vehicles they are satisfied with.. and people generally sell/trade vehicles they are dissatisfied with. I know life changes may happen where someone cannot afford to keep a 2 seat sports car, but "where there's a will.. there is a way". If 2 or 3 people have already owned a car, and its just a few years old, then I'm not touching it. There's a good reason why the previous owners didn't want to keep it.
4. I also stay away from modified vehicles. While others may look for vehicles that are modded, I avoid them. Especially performance modded vehicles, because they tend to be driven hard, tracked or even raced. I also prefer the look, ride, sound and performance a stock vehicle. If I want to mod a car, I'll do it myself and make sure its done exactly the way I want.
04-17-2011, 04:30 PM
#25
Safety Car
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Industry standard seems to be 12,000 miles a year as average BUT, Corvettes are a different animal, maybe 1/2 that figure? The newer 'Vettes come with a 100,000 mile Power Train Warranty
In your case the '06 would "probably" be a better deal, always buy the newest you can afford. On the '06 you'd have no first year hassles, a stronger differential, no column lock, no XM external antenna, etc.
In your case the '06 would "probably" be a better deal, always buy the newest you can afford. On the '06 you'd have no first year hassles, a stronger differential, no column lock, no XM external antenna, etc.
Not withstanding the issue with the column lock problems, which I have learned to deal with, my late-production built '05 MN6 F55 coupe has been trouble free for the past 99,899 miles.
04-17-2011, 06:25 PM
#26
The Consigliere
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I have two Corvettes. '07 with 101k miles and a '99 with over 300k miles. Both were used as DD's. The '07 is in perfect condition and I mean Perfect. The '99 is needing a paint job and has a slight oil leak at this instant, otherwise everything else works good. As stated, its all in how they are used, maintained and cared for.
That's it, right there.
04-18-2011, 01:26 AM
#27
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Thanks again for all the advice.
Although I don't care for the 2005 steering wheel, it's definitely not a deal breaker for me. If I found a 2005 z51 that was the color combo I want, with low miles, maintained well, I wouldn't hesitate for one second to pull the trigger on buying it.
Although I don't care for the 2005 steering wheel, it's definitely not a deal breaker for me. If I found a 2005 z51 that was the color combo I want, with low miles, maintained well, I wouldn't hesitate for one second to pull the trigger on buying it.
04-18-2011, 01:08 PM
#29
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I saw a 2005 C6 at Corvette Specialties a few weeks ago with over 200,000 miles. It was owned by an insurance guy and on the road as his business car. The car has never had anything but maintenance/service items and still looked new. They actually see more failures from cars that are not driven much.
04-18-2011, 01:11 PM
#30
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Don't know what your trade is worth, but there are LOTS of lower mileage Vettes out there to be had. It's been my experience to find a lot of older guys with them who are basically afraid to drive them like they're supposed to be... A buddy of mine found an '05 last year with 6000 miles on it: Z51, manual, 3LT, Nav., Convertible for 30g. Previous owner was over 60 years old and not really what I would have considered to be "Corvette Material". There are TONS of these cars out there...perhaps bought by their owners for the "image".
You want to hear high mileage? How about my 04 GMC 2500HD with 376,000+ miles. 6.0 gasoline engine. Tranny, oil pump, and speedo display cluster are the things replaced since new. No oil leakage or usage whatsoever. Runs like new. These LS engines are impressive and dependable.
You want to hear high mileage? How about my 04 GMC 2500HD with 376,000+ miles. 6.0 gasoline engine. Tranny, oil pump, and speedo display cluster are the things replaced since new. No oil leakage or usage whatsoever. Runs like new. These LS engines are impressive and dependable.
04-18-2011, 04:30 PM
#31
Racer
I pretty much agree with all of the above. Having said that my '07 had 68K when I bought it from my nephew who had to get out from under the payments. It's my first vettes and I doubt I would own one now if I hadn't gone for this one. He wasn't very tuned to the cosmetics but he did take care of the engine. I'm glad I went for it.
04-18-2011, 04:51 PM
#32
Team Owner
I guess I had better start driving my '64 a little more. I'm almost ready to hit 63,000 miles on her. My 98 had 30,000 miles when I traded her after 11 1/2 years of ownership.
12-30-2012, 07:29 PM
#36
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12-30-2012, 07:43 PM
#37
Team Owner
