Miles vs age
07-18-2013, 09:22 PM
#22
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2013
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ral-texas.html
Got a few interesting PMs, but nothing that was a 'no brainer'. Either too far away, too expensive or both.
07-18-2013, 09:24 PM
#23
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2013
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07-18-2013, 09:33 PM
#24
Race Director
IMO, I would not buy an '05 unless it has every known issue (and there were quite a few that first year) addressed and corrected. Not to say they are all questionable cars, but.........
Get the newest car you can find/afford and don't limit yourself to your local market. There are great deals to be had from the Forum Vendors and a drive home from a couple states away would be fun.
At this point, I think you should keep looking, but it wouldn't hurt to test drive both cars and get yourself a little SOTP education.
Good Luck.
Get the newest car you can find/afford and don't limit yourself to your local market. There are great deals to be had from the Forum Vendors and a drive home from a couple states away would be fun.
At this point, I think you should keep looking, but it wouldn't hurt to test drive both cars and get yourself a little SOTP education.
Good Luck.
07-18-2013, 09:36 PM
#25
Intermediate
Member Since: Jun 2013
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My advice as a new c6 owner is pass on both. I bought an 08 1LT last week for 29m. It's black and has 18,000 miles. Perfect shape. Corsa exhaust. Now, I had to travel 500 miles to get it, but it was well worth it. Be patient and keep looking hard. I found mine on cars.com which is typically used by dealers, but mine was by owner. Good luck.
07-18-2013, 10:37 PM
#26
Drifting
07-19-2013, 12:22 AM
#29
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2013
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IMO, I would not buy an '05 unless it has every known issue (and there were quite a few that first year) addressed and corrected. Not to say they are all questionable cars, but.........
Get the newest car you can find/afford and don't limit yourself to your local market. There are great deals to be had from the Forum Vendors and a drive home from a couple states away would be fun.
At this point, I think you should keep looking, but it wouldn't hurt to test drive both cars and get yourself a little SOTP education.
Good Luck.
Get the newest car you can find/afford and don't limit yourself to your local market. There are great deals to be had from the Forum Vendors and a drive home from a couple states away would be fun.
At this point, I think you should keep looking, but it wouldn't hurt to test drive both cars and get yourself a little SOTP education.
Good Luck.
07-19-2013, 03:10 PM
#30
Burning Brakes
Get the LS3. The 30 hp is more like 50 when you put these cars on the dyno. Interior is also much more attractive with the carbon fiber inserts in the 08+.
Good luck on both, the c6 is awesome either way.
Good luck on both, the c6 is awesome either way.
07-19-2013, 05:02 PM
#31
Racer
I personally would go with the 09, ls3 engine. Check the in service date, an 09 comes with a 5yr. 100,000 mile factory powertrain warranty, so its probably still under warranty. JMHO
Last edited by markmott; 07-19-2013 at 05:04 PM.
07-19-2013, 05:15 PM
#32
Drifting
I had my 2005 1sb from 2006-2013. I bought it with 4k miles on the clock and sold it this April with 65k for $20,500. The buyer "stole" the car but I had to get rid of it because my 2013 was being delivered.
I had zero problems with the car. I brought it back to the dealer for the steering column fix but, other than that, no problems. Outside of regular maintenance and tires, I changed the shocks and end links. I drove it to Florida from NJ and back every year with no issues. Good luck on your search. If I were to give you one bit of advise, it would be to be patient. Take your time and you'll find the car you want.
I had zero problems with the car. I brought it back to the dealer for the steering column fix but, other than that, no problems. Outside of regular maintenance and tires, I changed the shocks and end links. I drove it to Florida from NJ and back every year with no issues. Good luck on your search. If I were to give you one bit of advise, it would be to be patient. Take your time and you'll find the car you want.
07-19-2013, 05:37 PM
#33
Racer
I would go for the newer one, but would haggle on the price. My red 08 had 52000K when I got it two years ago and it's been perfect. I talked to the previous owner and the miles were about 80% interstate. I also had an 04 C5 Z51 6m that I bought with 75000K and it never gave a problem in 10,000 miles. I sold it to buy the silver 10 C6 with 20,000 miles two months ago.
07-19-2013, 05:41 PM
#34
Team Owner
TO MUCH MONEY for an 05...for 30 grand you can get into an 07- 08 with much lower miles then 70 and possibly even less then 33k miles!I'd pass on the 09.To much money for the miles in my opinion,with all the VETTES out here with way lower miles.
07-19-2013, 06:37 PM
#35
Instructor
Member Since: Nov 2008
Location: London Ontario
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would always go for the newer car. The least straightforward failure modes to correct tend to be those that progress with age more than with travel. An older car may be more likely to experience:
-Embrittlement, creep and fatigue of elastomeric components (e.g. leaking seals, hoses & weather strips, loose powertrain mounts, etc.)
-Creep/cracking of plastic parts...plastics inherently age poorly and the effects are accelerated with things like UV exposure and thermal cycling. As an anecdote, a friend's ultra-low mileage early C6 has far more squeaks, creaks and rattles than my 2011 car does.
-Corrosion, which can reduce heat exchanger efficiency, result in poor conductivity at electrical contacts and make fasteners difficult to remove for maintenance
Corvettes contain a staggering number of components that will deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. The components that do wear with usage tend to be a) fairly robust (thinking of the moving parts in the power train and driveline) and b) straightforward to replace (running gear, switch gear, etc.). I bet that even the driveline is more likely to require service because of a leak than due to a mechanical failure.
Regardless of the mid-cycle improvements, I would go for the newer car. Especially because of those improvements, I would go for the newer car. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
-Embrittlement, creep and fatigue of elastomeric components (e.g. leaking seals, hoses & weather strips, loose powertrain mounts, etc.)
-Creep/cracking of plastic parts...plastics inherently age poorly and the effects are accelerated with things like UV exposure and thermal cycling. As an anecdote, a friend's ultra-low mileage early C6 has far more squeaks, creaks and rattles than my 2011 car does.
-Corrosion, which can reduce heat exchanger efficiency, result in poor conductivity at electrical contacts and make fasteners difficult to remove for maintenance
Corvettes contain a staggering number of components that will deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. The components that do wear with usage tend to be a) fairly robust (thinking of the moving parts in the power train and driveline) and b) straightforward to replace (running gear, switch gear, etc.). I bet that even the driveline is more likely to require service because of a leak than due to a mechanical failure.
Regardless of the mid-cycle improvements, I would go for the newer car. Especially because of those improvements, I would go for the newer car. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
07-19-2013, 11:44 PM
#37
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2013
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would always go for the newer car. The least straightforward failure modes to correct tend to be those that progress with age more than with travel. An older car may be more likely to experience:
-Embrittlement, creep and fatigue of elastomeric components (e.g. leaking seals, hoses & weather strips, loose powertrain mounts, etc.)
-Creep/cracking of plastic parts...plastics inherently age poorly and the effects are accelerated with things like UV exposure and thermal cycling. As an anecdote, a friend's ultra-low mileage early C6 has far more squeaks, creaks and rattles than my 2011 car does.
-Corrosion, which can reduce heat exchanger efficiency, result in poor conductivity at electrical contacts and make fasteners difficult to remove for maintenance
Corvettes contain a staggering number of components that will deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. The components that do wear with usage tend to be a) fairly robust (thinking of the moving parts in the power train and driveline) and b) straightforward to replace (running gear, switch gear, etc.). I bet that even the driveline is more likely to require service because of a leak than due to a mechanical failure.
Regardless of the mid-cycle improvements, I would go for the newer car. Especially because of those improvements, I would go for the newer car. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
-Embrittlement, creep and fatigue of elastomeric components (e.g. leaking seals, hoses & weather strips, loose powertrain mounts, etc.)
-Creep/cracking of plastic parts...plastics inherently age poorly and the effects are accelerated with things like UV exposure and thermal cycling. As an anecdote, a friend's ultra-low mileage early C6 has far more squeaks, creaks and rattles than my 2011 car does.
-Corrosion, which can reduce heat exchanger efficiency, result in poor conductivity at electrical contacts and make fasteners difficult to remove for maintenance
Corvettes contain a staggering number of components that will deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. The components that do wear with usage tend to be a) fairly robust (thinking of the moving parts in the power train and driveline) and b) straightforward to replace (running gear, switch gear, etc.). I bet that even the driveline is more likely to require service because of a leak than due to a mechanical failure.
Regardless of the mid-cycle improvements, I would go for the newer car. Especially because of those improvements, I would go for the newer car. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
07-20-2013, 07:23 AM
#38
Drifting
That was great info about plastics in a car.
I saw that first hand yesterday while looking at older cars.
2002 Z28 168k miles - this car was pretty darned clean
1985 Transam 130k miles - this car was NOT clean and I didn't even bother driving it. Almost everything was in a partial state of decay or destroyed. The air intake was leaking somewhere, all hoses were bulging etc. If I were to buy this car I would have to replace everything rubber and plastic on the thing including mounts that I can't do myself.
1996 Formula 77k miles - this car was pretty good but the dash was cracked despite it being garaged for so long. In fact, the owner bought it from someone who had it in the garage for years. The first day he took it out to drive it the dash cracked.
My advice is to look at a LOT of cars.
Make sure you ask questions. My 2008 Corvette stayed in my garage at home and the garage at work. It was in MUCH better shape than any other 2008 I saw at dealers lots and I think UV is a big part of it. Especially here in Tampa.
I saw that first hand yesterday while looking at older cars.
2002 Z28 168k miles - this car was pretty darned clean
1985 Transam 130k miles - this car was NOT clean and I didn't even bother driving it. Almost everything was in a partial state of decay or destroyed. The air intake was leaking somewhere, all hoses were bulging etc. If I were to buy this car I would have to replace everything rubber and plastic on the thing including mounts that I can't do myself.
1996 Formula 77k miles - this car was pretty good but the dash was cracked despite it being garaged for so long. In fact, the owner bought it from someone who had it in the garage for years. The first day he took it out to drive it the dash cracked.
My advice is to look at a LOT of cars.
Make sure you ask questions. My 2008 Corvette stayed in my garage at home and the garage at work. It was in MUCH better shape than any other 2008 I saw at dealers lots and I think UV is a big part of it. Especially here in Tampa.
07-20-2013, 09:14 AM
#39
Drifting
Stay out of the 2005's if possible. I'm sure there isn't anything necessarily wrong with them, however first year models are always good to avoid when possible. And the 2005 you have listed is definitely overpriced.
I would try to find a nice middle ground between the two of them. Personal preference, but i would try to get at least a 2008 with the LS3 motor and maybe between 30k to 50k miles. You should be able to check in right around $30,000 for a well kept 2008.
As others have mentioned, definitely look around at a lot of different Corvettes. You will find that they are absolutely everywhere and if you're not picky on color, you can find some very good deals.
I would try to find a nice middle ground between the two of them. Personal preference, but i would try to get at least a 2008 with the LS3 motor and maybe between 30k to 50k miles. You should be able to check in right around $30,000 for a well kept 2008.
As others have mentioned, definitely look around at a lot of different Corvettes. You will find that they are absolutely everywhere and if you're not picky on color, you can find some very good deals.
07-20-2013, 01:35 PM
#40
Drifting
If you find a 2008 for 30k you might consider buying a 2013 1LT for 39K like I did if you can get one for that.
There was a forum dealer selling a brand new 2012 1LT automatic yellow vette for 36k and I should have bought it when it was available.
There was a forum dealer selling a brand new 2012 1LT automatic yellow vette for 36k and I should have bought it when it was available.