Nosferatu

So I'm going to look at a few Corvettes tomorrow. What are some things to look for around the car for problems/issues?

What are some subtle signs of abuse (either by be driven hard or not being kept up on maintenance)???

I'm only looking at LS3 models and only 6spd rides. One will be a Z51 one will not be. Thanks!

gbranham

Check my profile for recent posts...there's another guy looking at a 2005 M6, and asked similar questions. Make darn sure the clutch isn't slipping. I learned the hard way on my 2008 base model. Wasn't obvious it was slipping until I became comfortable driving the car hard. Slipped bad at 4300 RPM in 4th. That was a $2200 lesson.

Greg

Gary '09 C6

Look over the tires really well: uneven wear, damage, lots of tire debris in the wheel wells.
Look for obvious wheel damage also.

Nosferatu

On a "short" test drive the only way I can think to check is start in 3rd/4th at say 1000rpms and punch it and see if it climbs steadily. Any other idea how to check clutch wear???

ALLEN007

I purchased an 05 base with 58,000 miles on it about 6 months ago. I ended up taking it to a local shop that specilized in Corvettes, paid him $100 to go through it. He had it for an hour. He came back and told me several small things that were wrong but no biggie and that the price was right. Best $100 I ever spent.

JKbride

To take that a step further, have the wheels turned left or right to the stops to expose the full tread of the tires. They are so wide and set so deep in the wheel wells that it is hard to really evaluate them otherwise.

Depending on brand, replacement tires can range $1,200-$1,600

RoadkingC6

You could also set the parking brake and slowly let the clutch out, the motor rpm should drop and then stall.

myfunz

Purchase a multiple Car Fax plan to check each car. Check the bell housing for leaks if its a stick and of course test drive everything.

Nosferatu

okay went to check one out today. Drove nice but I noticed when on the brakes you can hear a faint squeel at times coming from them. Normal? It was a 2010 CPO model. I felt they were asking WAY to much money for it ($39,495) being only a 1LT with 25,000mi on it.

Anyways, I did find one a bit further away that has everything in it I want (black, 3LT, 2010, navigation, 18,000 miles). Cost is roughly the same ($39,977) but not a CPO. Deal breaker being not under warranty? How "fair" is that price? I'm thinking of paying a dealer to look over the car before I waste my time to make a trip out to go see it. Anyone in Chicago or near that city and willing to look at it?

Thanks!