Buying advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
Buying advice
Hello everyone! First time on the forum but hopfully not the last. I am in the process of looking at buying a 1978 Vette from a private party in MI. It is a L82 with 66K. He is firm at $5500 with I think is a very good price. He says the only issues are: "the fuel gauge doesn't work, the driver door needs a clip for the outer handle to work".
Unfortunately I live about 11 hours away and can't just stop by and check it out. So my question for you experienced Corvette owners: What do I need to be on the look out for when I show up to buy this car? I was going to fly out and drive it back but he suggested trailering it home so I don't put a lot of miles on a classic...that kind of worries me a bit. But I figure at $5500 I can afford to put a few bucks in it and still keep the cost within reason. Any advise is much appreciated!
Unfortunately I live about 11 hours away and can't just stop by and check it out. So my question for you experienced Corvette owners: What do I need to be on the look out for when I show up to buy this car? I was going to fly out and drive it back but he suggested trailering it home so I don't put a lot of miles on a classic...that kind of worries me a bit. But I figure at $5500 I can afford to put a few bucks in it and still keep the cost within reason. Any advise is much appreciated!
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,317
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Hi and welcome to the forum! Do you have any pictures of the car you can post? 78's are not that uncommon, are you sure there is not one a tad closer to you?
Here are just a couple things off the top of my head.
1) How is the frame? Rust?
2) Is the drivetrain original? (that may not matter to you)
3) Research 'birdcage" on the Forum and ask the seller.
4) How is the body / Interior?
5) Accident history?
Way to little info on the car, so pictures and more details would be great. Driving 11 hrs to see a car is fine, but look around. I see at least 5 or 6 a week in my area on Craigslist. My initial thoughts are you may be better off spending a bit more on a car that is in very nice ready to have fun condition than 5k on a car that needs a boat load of work. A paint job alone on a Corvette wil average 5-10k. You can probably fine a real nice 78 that needs hardly anything for 10-12k I'd think.
Anyway, welcome to the Forum and post some pictures of the car!
Here are just a couple things off the top of my head.
1) How is the frame? Rust?
2) Is the drivetrain original? (that may not matter to you)
3) Research 'birdcage" on the Forum and ask the seller.
4) How is the body / Interior?
5) Accident history?
Way to little info on the car, so pictures and more details would be great. Driving 11 hrs to see a car is fine, but look around. I see at least 5 or 6 a week in my area on Craigslist. My initial thoughts are you may be better off spending a bit more on a car that is in very nice ready to have fun condition than 5k on a car that needs a boat load of work. A paint job alone on a Corvette wil average 5-10k. You can probably fine a real nice 78 that needs hardly anything for 10-12k I'd think.
Anyway, welcome to the Forum and post some pictures of the car!
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Willoughby Hills OH
I paid 8700 for a '78 L-82 4sp manual with 120k miles.
Everything worked almost perfectly and wasn't show paint. Interior was recently redone, engine looks like it only has 20k miles on it.
I would imagine there is something else wrong with the 'vette at that price
Everything worked almost perfectly and wasn't show paint. Interior was recently redone, engine looks like it only has 20k miles on it.
I would imagine there is something else wrong with the 'vette at that price
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,223
Likes: 666
From: Northeast
Unless the guy really doesnt know what he has, the price means there is something else very wrong. Only items needing repair are the door handle and fuel gauge for that price? Dont drive it home means he suspects things will go wrong. With a broken outside handle means you drive home with an open window since you cant get in. And it's not as easy as just installing a clip.
I would ask for a lot of pics and real closeups of the paint, frame, engine compartment,interior, etc. Check the engine stamp pad. People buy cars and rely on the owner saying it's the original engine, then later find out the engine has been changed and your not getting what you thought.
Dont make any plane reservations until you have more information.
I would ask for a lot of pics and real closeups of the paint, frame, engine compartment,interior, etc. Check the engine stamp pad. People buy cars and rely on the owner saying it's the original engine, then later find out the engine has been changed and your not getting what you thought.
Dont make any plane reservations until you have more information.
Last edited by BKarol; Aug 12, 2011 at 09:27 AM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Harleysville PA
If you are really set on this car, pay $100 to get a professional to inspect it before driving the 11 hours. Gas will cost more than the inspection cost. If you like the car, your out $100 - if its a turd then you avoid the drive and break even.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
He had it listed on eBay classified section for $6500 and no buyers. I contacted him after the auction and he said he needs to get his wife another car so he'd let it go for $5500 cash. I do have a little uneasiness about the deal so I think I'm going to pass. Will keep looking. Right now I have a tight budget of $8,000 max that I can spend and would like a C3. Thank you for all the input!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 7
From: Lewes Delaware
Just looked at it and it's pretty much what I'm looking for. Shot him an PM. Thanks for the lead!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 1
From: Harleysville PA
No problem. Looks like a really nice car. I always liked the 2 tone paint on the 78's. Red interior is nice too. Only downside is the auto trans but its hard to find the perfect car. Let us know how it works out