ActiveF15

I've come across a 2005 with 175k miles, asking $16,500. Normally I would totally disregard a corvette with such high miles, but it's stock, clean, and has had only 1 owner, which tells me that he probably just really loved driving this car.

How does this price sound & what issues should I be concerned with at this mileage? Should I absolutely get a PPI?

ExRedRacer

Besides the universal concerns...brakes, tires, etc....these come to mind:
Rear diff fluid changed to the current stuff made by GM
Check the harmonic balancer
Make sure all other fluids look decent and then change them all if you buy it.

Those are the first items that come to mind. I'm sure others will chime in with other essentials...

VET4LES

That's a lot of miles for any auto. I've had my 05 since new and have had no major issues but with that high of mileage I'd look for something with less mileage.

wayback

If properly maintained it could be just fine. C6's run at low rpms on the highway and can last a long time.

I suggest starting it when cold and listen for lifter clatter. Seems that is the first thing to go out on high mileage motors.

I would only consider this car if you are able and willing to spend a few thousand to replace the heads.

I have a 07 with 145,000 miles and it runs like new. Love the car and have no plans to get another any time soon. It has been a great car.

Seadawg

I would get a GM dealer to pull the factory service records on it, to be sure all recall stuff was done, and change all the fluids, as stated above, unless the owner could really convince you that they have been serviced regularly.

Brakes, tires, fluids, belts, and wipers are about all that go bad maintenance wise, and I would search up out here for "C6 2005 issues", just to be sure that you can live with any that come up, since 2005 was the 1st model year for the C6 series.

I have a 2011, and I plan on putting at least 300k on it before I think of getting rid of it. I'll just maintain it well along the journey.

Chris Callaway has over 200k on one of their supercharged C6 vettes, and it is still going strong

That_White_C6

Sorry but with that kind of mileage $16500 is a rip off! That car won't sell for more than $7500-10000 I have seen it happen locally a few years ago a dealer listed an 06 with 167k miles and sold it for $7000

Nobody wants a high mileage vette. Your going to be pissing your money away.

ExRedRacer

it all depends on how the car was used and if t got proper maintenance over those miles. Question is how does one determine that?

But you're right...it might be a tough sell at that price.

mickey5

The price difference between the one your considering and one with a quarter of that mileage makes it a no brainer. A couple of grand in your pocket now compared to the amount you take out for several of over the top repairs should convince you. This forum is loaded with horror stories about harmonic balancers, weak rear ends (in 05?), bearing failures, electrical problems etc etc.

You'd be better off with a garage queen C5 for the same ballpark money.

wayback

Then there was the member that sold her 300,000 mile 08 for 14 k on ebay.

All depends on what the buyer is willing to pay.

No way in he!! I would sell my 07 for 7k. Way to nice of a car.

JakeC6Racing

$7k? I'd pick up a second as a beater for $7k haha

HOXXOH

If it seems solid at this time, it'll probably last a lot longer. Most 1 owner cars have been reasonably well maintained. Assuming you can do some of your own repairs then things like wheel hubs and water pumps won't break your wallet. High mileage cars usually get those miles at low highway RPM. I'd much sooner buy one at 175K than a city driven one at half the miles.

owc6

I hate to say it, but that price is too high for a car that has an engine that old. Mine is probably worth that but has a brand new ticker. The diff isn't an issue, at this point. They creak even when brand new. I agree about replacing all fluids and belts, unless the seller has documentation that says he's done it recently.

You didn't say if it's an A4 or a manual, but the A4 is solid. If you can get him down to a reasonable price, go for it. It will last for many more years. Just be prepared to fix stuff due to old car-itis (as you would for any car with this many miles).

That_White_C6

I tried to buy the 7k car for a drag chassis that's how I knownit sold

1rusty1

What to look out for when considering high mileage (>175k) C6?

A good mechanic.

The 05s are great but the mileage would be too high for me. Unless you like to wrench or want to track it and will just be replacing motors/transmissions regularly, I would keep looking.

dryadsdad

I'd look for a service record. If the current owner has kept up, then you may have a good car there. In addition, I'd personally take the car to a local indie and have him perform a leakdown test. Also get an oil sample and have an analysis done. If the oil analysis and leakdown tests are ok, then the car is solid.

Still, it's an older car and you need to expect to have more wear and tear maintenance than a newer one. I'd not dismiss it out of hand, but I would be more diligent than usual in a PPI.

treydg2003

If well taken care of I would buy it. I did just buy a 05 a4 with 100k on the clock, I paid 17k for it and if you looked at my car and one with half miles and drove both you'd never know which has more miles. At the point that car is at most problems would have already been taken care of I would think. I did however buy my car and replace all fluids accept coolant as the car just had a water pump put on it.

Rogers 07

My 07 A6 has 132,000 and still runs perfectly as well, I believe as long as the maintenance items have been taken care of the car should be fine for a long time. As with any high milage car, things wear out eventually but considering the price, you get to drive a Vette pretty much on the cheap!!

jrose7004

Personally I wouldn't look at a car with that many miles. Not only a Corvette but any car.

RaysLilVette

I totally agree with you! I don't see him getting more then 10K for the car. 1 its the 1st year of the C6 corvette (Nothing really wrong with first years) but it doesn't come with any of the upgrades the later years do. 2. High millage means anything can break at anytime. I just bought my 08 Vert with 65K Miles for 25K. I see 05's with 100K miles going for 19-20K all day. I would spend the little extra and get a lower millage car.

Jimbeaux

My 05 has 198,000 miles on it now