c2
Popular Reply
Apr 28, 2018, 05:18 AM
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I had requoted kellsdad's sage advice on the dealer #5, etc... description -- wish I could take credit for that...brilliant!
Thanks for sharing your story William. I've had a few things happen and put them on here as an object lesson for others and gotten derided for it. So join the club my friend.
When I missed out on a split window buy in Virginia because an unscrupulous seller sold it out from under me, while lying about his pending sale to another, as I was traveling with family up to buy it.(900 miles) I was told basically to "suck it up" and quit whining by forum members.
I couldn't care less if he sold it to a cash buyer on the spot and I missed out IF he hadn't said he would hold it until I could arrive to conclude the deal and IF he hadn't lied on the cell phone about working a side deal to sell it after I had launched on a lengthy trip.
I continue to describe my follies on here once in a while to help others avoid pitfalls. I don't give two dog turds about the criticism.
Why?
Because my personal self-worth is not tied to material objects -- not the cars that I own, nor my depth of knowledge about them -- many here suffer greatly from that affliction.
Thanks for sharing your story William. I've had a few things happen and put them on here as an object lesson for others and gotten derided for it. So join the club my friend.
When I missed out on a split window buy in Virginia because an unscrupulous seller sold it out from under me, while lying about his pending sale to another, as I was traveling with family up to buy it.(900 miles) I was told basically to "suck it up" and quit whining by forum members.
I couldn't care less if he sold it to a cash buyer on the spot and I missed out IF he hadn't said he would hold it until I could arrive to conclude the deal and IF he hadn't lied on the cell phone about working a side deal to sell it after I had launched on a lengthy trip.
I continue to describe my follies on here once in a while to help others avoid pitfalls. I don't give two dog turds about the criticism.
Why?
Because my personal self-worth is not tied to material objects -- not the cars that I own, nor my depth of knowledge about them -- many here suffer greatly from that affliction.
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 2,220
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If you're knowledgeable about C2s and know what to look for (good and bad), then I don't think there is a difference. You're still buying a 50+ year old used car and you can get a fair deal from either or ripped off from either. Knowledge is power and should keep you out of trouble.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
Here is why I like buying from an owner (if they have owned it a while):
Can get an answer to ‘What is the history of the car?’
Can look someone in the eye and hopefully get a detailed answer to ‘What does the car need?’
Can judge by the owner and his house/garage etc how well (or bad) they treated the car.
Can get an answer to ‘What is the history of the car?’
Can look someone in the eye and hopefully get a detailed answer to ‘What does the car need?’
Can judge by the owner and his house/garage etc how well (or bad) they treated the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,192
Likes: 4,180
From: Kannapolis NC
Cons: buying from a dealer you don't know what you're getting unless you check it out for yourself.
Cons: buying from an individual you don't know what you're getting unless you check it out for yourself
Cons: buying from an individual you don't know what you're getting unless you check it out for yourself
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 776
From: Dadeville AL
The dealer had to buy his car from a private seller for a lower price that he is selling to you. If you can find that private seller first, you can save some money. .... In my experience, dealers like to buy a #4 car for a #5 price, polish it up to look like a #3 and sell it for a #2 price.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
The dealer had to buy his car from a private seller for a lower price that he is selling to you. If you can find that private seller first, you can save some money. .... In my experience, dealers like to buy a #4 car for a #5 price, polish it up to look like a #3 and sell it for a #2 price.
Every few months I'm tempted to run down there to check out something interesting; I haven't been disappointed in being disappointed yet.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 461
Likes: 118
From: Hoover AL
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year Finalist
I bought two years ago from a dealer in Summerville, Ga, and I got ripped really good. Did not know to get someone knowledgeable to check it out for me and I paid the price for a "pig with lipstick".
Last edited by William Buckley; Apr 26, 2018 at 05:33 PM. Reason: misspell
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,121
Likes: 9,435
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
dealers have more to pick from while your looking. but they are a used car dealer just like the ones in your home town. they are there to make a buck, they must buy low and sell at a nice profit pure economics. a private sale is a guy selling one car. they might know something about it they might not. they might tell you what you want to here or they could tell the truth. its a 50 year old car. know what your buying and be smarter then the seller. if your not pay someone who is. if you don't good luck.
Enjoy while you can.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,228
Likes: 3,360
From: 10th District Court OHIO
Ohio Events Coordinator
2025 Corvette of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)
St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
Are you talking about your two time C2 finalist of the month corvette here on the forum?
Enjoy while you can.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,228
Likes: 3,360
From: 10th District Court OHIO
Ohio Events Coordinator
2025 Corvette of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)
St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 776
From: Dadeville AL
Here is why I like buying from an owner (if they have owned it a while):
Can get an answer to ‘What is the history of the car?’
Can look someone in the eye and hopefully get a detailed answer to ‘What does the car need?’
Can judge by the owner and his house/garage etc how well (or bad) they treated the car.
Can get an answer to ‘What is the history of the car?’
Can look someone in the eye and hopefully get a detailed answer to ‘What does the car need?’
Can judge by the owner and his house/garage etc how well (or bad) they treated the car.
- Pay my asking price and after the deal is done, I will answer all questions and voluntarily disclose every pertinent fact about the car's history and condtion that I can recall. I would also provide all old parts previously removed from the car and kept by me.
- Negotiate a mutually acceptable price and the only additional information provided will be that needed to legally transfer ownership of the car.
- Buy a non-refundable $5,000 Option to Purchase Contract for a negotiated price, after which I will answer all questions and voluntarily disclose all pertinent facts about the car's history and condition. If the buyer decides not to buy, I keep the $5,000.
It seems to me that this would remove any question as to whether the seller was being completely open and honest with the buyer. And I think that has got to have some value to a buyer .... and me.
Last edited by kellsdad; Apr 26, 2018 at 06:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 461
Likes: 118
From: Hoover AL
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year Finalist
Yes. It looked great when I bought it cosmetically, but needed new suspension front and rear, steering, tires, wheels, engine work, and rear end work. If I had someone knowledgeable check it out, I would not have had to do this work now at my expense. Car was delivered to me with 14 year old tires and three wheels matched while the fourth did not. Live and learn! The "pig" had "lipstick", in problems that I did not recognize when buying.
Last edited by William Buckley; Apr 26, 2018 at 07:50 PM. Reason: addition
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Having owned my car since 1978, I've come to believe that my knowledge about its history has some value. Therefore, should I decide to sell mine, I'm considering offering prospective buyers three options to choose from. In all cases they can inspect and drive the car.
It seems to me that this would remove any question as to whether the seller was being completely open and honest with the buyer. And I think that has got to have some value to a buyer .... and me.
- Pay my asking price and after the deal is done, I will answer all questions and voluntarily disclose every pertinent fact about the car's history and condtion that I can recall. I would also provide all old parts previously removed from the car and kept by me.
- Negotiate a mutually acceptable price and the only additional information provided will be that needed to legally transfer ownership of the car.
- Buy a non-refundable $5,000 Option to Purchase Contract for a negotiated price, after which I will answer all questions and voluntarily disclose all pertinent facts about the car's history and condition. If the buyer decides not to buy, I keep the $5,000.
It seems to me that this would remove any question as to whether the seller was being completely open and honest with the buyer. And I think that has got to have some value to a buyer .... and me.
Ed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 936
From: Cortez, FL/Canandaigua NY (Summer)
I bought my '67 coupe without knowing much. It is a decent driver but by no means a show car. It was from an older fella who had it 17 years. I was lucky that everything works and is in good condition. The tires were 25 years old but they are cheap to replace. I would advise not to go on luck.
Based on what I know now, I think it's worth what I paid. Lucky.
Based on what I know now, I think it's worth what I paid. Lucky.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,959
Likes: 3,353
From: NYC NY
Or at the very least another pair of knowledgeable eyes to check out what you may overlook. Emotion and excitement can be a huge detriment when checking out the Corvette of your dreams. A voice of harsh reality will be a welcome addition before making the decision to purchase or pass.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6,501
Likes: 1,938
From: The Golden Triangle, Florida
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '20 thru '25
You can get a "pig with lipstick" from a private seller just as easily as from a dealer if you don't check it out. Have I had maintenance and repairs in the past 6 years? Yes. But that's part of the bargain you make when you "live with an old car".
Sorry you had a bad experience. I suppose everyone who buys a car has a story, both good and bad. Sorry yours was bad but I was happy with my transaction and would buy from that dealer again
.Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,800
Likes: 2,397
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Whether the seller is honest and reputable, and are offering a good car at the right price matters not whether they are a private seller or a dealer.
By far the largest variable in buying a C2, is the knowledge (which is often cheaper to pay for than to study and learn one's self) that the buyer arms himself or herself with, and the extent to which they apply that knowledge doing a detailed inspection.
Both individuals and dealers sell turds, and very few nearly perfect but undervalued C2s exist anymore.
By far the largest variable in buying a C2, is the knowledge (which is often cheaper to pay for than to study and learn one's self) that the buyer arms himself or herself with, and the extent to which they apply that knowledge doing a detailed inspection.
Both individuals and dealers sell turds, and very few nearly perfect but undervalued C2s exist anymore.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Lots of dealer-bashing and I'm guilt too at times; but one "pro"...
If you get screwed you have some recourse against a viable company; through complaints, the BBB and other venues...with a private seller who doesn't have a corporate reputation to defend ? Prob not...
If you get screwed you have some recourse against a viable company; through complaints, the BBB and other venues...with a private seller who doesn't have a corporate reputation to defend ? Prob not...