Things to look for when purchasing
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 0
From: Sykesville MD
Things to look for when purchasing
I am going to look at a 77 tomorrow that I am really looking into buying, and I was wondering what types of things I should look out for in that timeframe of the generation. Its a bit over 100K miles, used at a DD for most of its life. The owners I may be purchasing from have only put 60K miles on it in the past 8 years and are looking to use the cash for their children's education.
This will be my first vette, and I want to make sure that it is worth the $7500 the owners are offering.
They say that the whole exhaust was redone, various suspension parts replaced ( A arms and shocks), Battery, and brakes. The tires are 8 years old and have 60K on them. The clock doesnt work, nor the AC, and the E-brake doesnt hold.(I will look to get that fixed,as well as put new tires on it)
I just wanted some opinions and tips before I go out to look at it tomorrow.
Much Thanks.
Sam
This will be my first vette, and I want to make sure that it is worth the $7500 the owners are offering.
They say that the whole exhaust was redone, various suspension parts replaced ( A arms and shocks), Battery, and brakes. The tires are 8 years old and have 60K on them. The clock doesnt work, nor the AC, and the E-brake doesnt hold.(I will look to get that fixed,as well as put new tires on it)
I just wanted some opinions and tips before I go out to look at it tomorrow.
Much Thanks.
Sam
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: clarksdale mississippi
from my personal opinion rust, rust, rust. check the frame and around the window pillars. does it need paint, engine solid, interior. all this came be replaced but will cost $$$. if i would have know all this before i bought mine i might have looked for another vette. but lessons learned and pockets emptied. good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by '86VetteHead
The owners I may be purchasing from have only put 60K miles on it in the past 8 years and are looking to use the cash for their children's education.
This will be my first vette, and I want to make sure that it is worth the $7500 the owners are offering.
This will be my first vette, and I want to make sure that it is worth the $7500 the owners are offering.
Are they sending their children to Community College?
Only 60k miles in 8 years? My car has only 64k miles in 32 years. Heck, my DD didn't get 60k in 8 years.
Frame/windshield rust is the big "deal breaker". Also, a lot of the "nickle & dime" stuff adds up REAL quick (ask me how I know)...
A/C doesn't work? How important is having A/C in your climate? That could easily be a $2k repair/upgrade.
For $7500, that car should be near perfect.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Scroll down to the Mechanics Inspection Before Buying, parts 1-3
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.ph...e=Misc_Overall
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.ph...e=Misc_Overall
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 0
From: Sykesville MD
Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it. Appearently it had been into a vette shop in town, and i think ill take a run over there later this afternoon to see if they remember it.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Look under the car, especially the rear. Mine had/has cracks in the bracket that holds the rear in the car
, also if its an automatic, shift from park to drive, if the rear of the car lowers itself this might be an indication of another problem. Ask for a hose, and soak the top of the car to see if the t-tops leak, check under the front carpet for rust from water leaking into the car. I'm not a mechanic and these are the things I should have done 10 years ago when i bought mine.
, also if its an automatic, shift from park to drive, if the rear of the car lowers itself this might be an indication of another problem. Ask for a hose, and soak the top of the car to see if the t-tops leak, check under the front carpet for rust from water leaking into the car. I'm not a mechanic and these are the things I should have done 10 years ago when i bought mine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by '86VetteHead
What happens if the car dropps when it is lowered when you shift? what does that mean?
of a weak rear spring ... not too expensive to solve.
RUST is your #1 enemy here. Steel floorboards - check 'em good.
Frame rot around the end of the rail that terminates in front of the rear wheel.
Look for rust expanding in the trailing arm pockets.
Remove the kick panels and look for rust-through in the area of the body mount here.
Look for rust peeking out around the windshield frame trim.
Reach under and behind the rocker panel trim area. With your
fingers between the frame and the steel rocker channel (unseen),
pull outward on the rocker channel. It should feel solid with very very little flexing.
Unfortunately, the most prevalent rot areas on the frame are mostly
hidden with the body in place. If possible, jack up the vette at the
jack point under the rear of the door. Try to open and close the door.
If door is getting jammed up, this is indicative of a weakened frame
and/or body mount locations.
Any closer inspection would be considered invasive to the owner.
Good luck
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma Washington
It is sometimes considered to be a "hassle" for the seller, but if they truly have nothing to hide, take the car to a mechanic, preferrably a Vette shop, to have them put it up on a lift. It takes about 20 minutes and anywhere from $50-100, but it's so worth it. The guys at a Vette repair shop will know exactly what to look for that you wouldn't notice. In my opinion it's the smartest investment in your car you could ever make. 
I looked at one that I thought looked "ok" but it had been in an accident and was REALLY bad. The guys at the Vette repair shop saved me from making a huge mistake.
I looked at one that I thought looked "ok" but it had been in an accident and was REALLY bad. The guys at the Vette repair shop saved me from making a huge mistake.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 0
From: Some Beautiful Place Sunny and Amazing One
Originally Posted by gq82
Scroll down to the Mechanics Inspection Before Buying, parts 1-3
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.ph...e=Misc_Overall
http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.ph...e=Misc_Overall
in addition you must check trim plate data and compare exterior and exterior color, VIN, matching motor numbers, rust in windshield and in frame, leaks of water from weather strips, modifications (intake manifold, carburator, valve covers, etc)