Is $13,500 too much
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Is $13,500 too much (got the VIN below...numbers etc)
Went and saw a 1976 yesterday. Car is in show condition, looked all around the bottom, no rust. 51,000 original miles, L-48 , matching #'s, silver w/ grey leather.
things look really good on the car.
1-is it worth it?
2-can I do a carfax?
things look really good on the car.
1-is it worth it?
2-can I do a carfax?
Last edited by HUSKER-Z; Jun 25, 2007 at 11:27 AM.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
Carfax won't work, it's too old. I think carfax only goes back to 1985, somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
If the car is "show condition", you might go 8 to 10k if you really want it and really like it and it drives and handles OK.
Personally, I'm kind of leery of low mileage older cars, 1) is it really ACTUAL mileage and 2) if it is the actual mileage, I don't think the car has had enough useage and things are going to go wrong quick.
My dos centavos.
If the car is "show condition", you might go 8 to 10k if you really want it and really like it and it drives and handles OK.
Personally, I'm kind of leery of low mileage older cars, 1) is it really ACTUAL mileage and 2) if it is the actual mileage, I don't think the car has had enough useage and things are going to go wrong quick.
My dos centavos.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Unless there is rock solid documentation always assume the mileage is incorrect.
That price is high. When I was shopping back in February I came across 2 cars that were very different but both were good values.
The first was an all original '71? with ZERO rust that had been sitting for a few years. $14-ish or lower.
The second was an absolutly pristine '71? with an odd color combination for less than $20.
I based everything I looked at on those two cars because I knew what I could get either of those cars for.
Shop around...be very very patient.
That price is high. When I was shopping back in February I came across 2 cars that were very different but both were good values.
The first was an all original '71? with ZERO rust that had been sitting for a few years. $14-ish or lower.
The second was an absolutly pristine '71? with an odd color combination for less than $20.
I based everything I looked at on those two cars because I knew what I could get either of those cars for.
Shop around...be very very patient.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Have you placed an ad in the for sale wanted section?
If you havent you should. Thats how I found my car.
Be very specific in what you looking for when you place your wanted ad. Many times there are cars for sale that arent listed. Like mine.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
David - You have to realize that the great folks on the Forum are
diehearts and experts. And they know the value of Vettes. From '75
on the Vettes are not considered "worthy" because of pollution equip
and style. I disagree - I have a '75 and it goes like a rocket. And I
got it for about the same price. Guess what? It had an $8000 paint
job and runs great. So, are you buying a collector car or a fun car?
Yes, they are old and things go wrong but it's a great way to learn.
If you got a project car for $5-6 it will cost you about $13 to make it
a showcar. If it runs and is as good as you say -go for it. By the way,
what's the average price of a new auto today - about $15 - there's
your comparison and I would go with the classic.
diehearts and experts. And they know the value of Vettes. From '75
on the Vettes are not considered "worthy" because of pollution equip
and style. I disagree - I have a '75 and it goes like a rocket. And I
got it for about the same price. Guess what? It had an $8000 paint
job and runs great. So, are you buying a collector car or a fun car?
Yes, they are old and things go wrong but it's a great way to learn.
If you got a project car for $5-6 it will cost you about $13 to make it
a showcar. If it runs and is as good as you say -go for it. By the way,
what's the average price of a new auto today - about $15 - there's
your comparison and I would go with the classic.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Baton Rouge La
David - You have to realize that the great folks on the Forum are
diehearts and experts. And they know the value of Vettes. From '75
on the Vettes are not considered "worthy" because of pollution equip
and style. I disagree - I have a '75 and it goes like a rocket. And I
got it for about the same price. Guess what? It had an $8000 paint
job and runs great. So, are you buying a collector car or a fun car?
Yes, they are old and things go wrong but it's a great way to learn.
If you got a project car for $5-6 it will cost you about $13 to make it
a showcar. If it runs and is as good as you say -go for it. By the way,
what's the average price of a new auto today - about $15 - there's
your comparison and I would go with the classic.
diehearts and experts. And they know the value of Vettes. From '75
on the Vettes are not considered "worthy" because of pollution equip
and style. I disagree - I have a '75 and it goes like a rocket. And I
got it for about the same price. Guess what? It had an $8000 paint
job and runs great. So, are you buying a collector car or a fun car?
Yes, they are old and things go wrong but it's a great way to learn.
If you got a project car for $5-6 it will cost you about $13 to make it
a showcar. If it runs and is as good as you say -go for it. By the way,
what's the average price of a new auto today - about $15 - there's
your comparison and I would go with the classic.
I also have a 75 and it's a great car that screams. Some slight modifications to the top end of the engine block really go a long way. I bought mine for 8 and now have about 12 in it. It's the best 12k car around.And I believe Carfax works for 1982 and newer.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Baton Rouge La
If you google Corvette vin decoders, there are several websites which will break them down for you.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader vette
Did you open the raidator look for stalagmight s and bad stuff and are the breaks all new those are things that that high price should not need done if they do the guy is asking 300o tttooo much my 75 with 41k miles 10.5 needed rad front calipers and rear punkin seal.Silver with black int no Rust .
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Collierville TN
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
No offense but - you are full of baloney. When I go full throttle it
kicks down, I get slammed into the seat, and the roar of the engine
going to 120 is a great feeling. And it's stock except for the cam -
and it is properly tuned. Heck who cares about ricers - Heck even
Harleys go faster than early C3's.
kicks down, I get slammed into the seat, and the roar of the engine
going to 120 is a great feeling. And it's stock except for the cam -
and it is properly tuned. Heck who cares about ricers - Heck even
Harleys go faster than early C3's.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Here's a published pricing guide that should give you a general idea of values:
Based on this, I don't think the asking is out of line. Be aware that the market is a little soft right now and that isn't taken into account on this guide. I agree with much of what has been posted above on this topic. If you want/like the car, go for it but do try to talk the seller down a little.
Based on this, I don't think the asking is out of line. Be aware that the market is a little soft right now and that isn't taken into account on this guide. I agree with much of what has been posted above on this topic. If you want/like the car, go for it but do try to talk the seller down a little.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
13,500 is chump change. If you can verify that the car is, indeed, in excellent condition, I would not hesitate to pay that price. You will save money in the long run by buying something in top notch condition. Sure, you could spend your time shopping around hoping to save a little, but I'm sure your time is worth more than a few grand. $13,500 is less than you'd pay for a new bare bones economy car.
There are a lot of low mileage Vettes around. My parents have a '77 with 19,000 miles on it.
There are a lot of low mileage Vettes around. My parents have a '77 with 19,000 miles on it.