sage advice
Thoughts on my offer?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I'm going for it! I just bought my flight from MN to Chicago (only $38 for a one way) and booked a driver to bring me from the airport to the seller ($44 for a 45 min. drive in a private sedan). I'll be risking the long drive home in a vehicle I haven't driven yet. Should be fun! Wish me luck. Any last tips for the test drive or long drive back?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
Make the owner take you for a longish drive. Listen for noises, watch the gauges, see if he has to drive around bumps, or make any other adjustments while driving.
Try every device the car has, lights, wipers, windows, radio, AC, heat, etc.
Take a strong flashlight (the new LED's are cool) and check every dark corner of the areas affected by the crash and repair. Stray bondo, mat, or cloth, too many shims in the front suspension, random welds, etc. You're looking for Bubba.
Make sure you legally own the car and can prove it before you get on the road.
Buy or have roadside assistance.
If the car has been sitting awhile, you may want to take it to an oil change place (assuming there are any good ones left) and have the oil changed, check fluids, belts, and filters.
Bring a sense of humor...
Try every device the car has, lights, wipers, windows, radio, AC, heat, etc.
Take a strong flashlight (the new LED's are cool) and check every dark corner of the areas affected by the crash and repair. Stray bondo, mat, or cloth, too many shims in the front suspension, random welds, etc. You're looking for Bubba.
Make sure you legally own the car and can prove it before you get on the road.
Buy or have roadside assistance.
If the car has been sitting awhile, you may want to take it to an oil change place (assuming there are any good ones left) and have the oil changed, check fluids, belts, and filters.
Bring a sense of humor...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Make the owner take you for a longish drive. Listen for noises, watch the gauges, see if he has to drive around bumps, or make any other adjustments while driving.
Try every device the car has, lights, wipers, windows, radio, AC, heat, etc.
Take a strong flashlight (the new LED's are cool) and check every dark corner of the areas affected by the crash and repair. Stray bondo, mat, or cloth, too many shims in the front suspension, random welds, etc. You're looking for Bubba.
Make sure you legally own the car and can prove it before you get on the road.
Buy or have roadside assistance.
If the car has been sitting awhile, you may want to take it to an oil change place (assuming there are any good ones left) and have the oil changed, check fluids, belts, and filters.
Bring a sense of humor...
Try every device the car has, lights, wipers, windows, radio, AC, heat, etc.
Take a strong flashlight (the new LED's are cool) and check every dark corner of the areas affected by the crash and repair. Stray bondo, mat, or cloth, too many shims in the front suspension, random welds, etc. You're looking for Bubba.
Make sure you legally own the car and can prove it before you get on the road.
Buy or have roadside assistance.
If the car has been sitting awhile, you may want to take it to an oil change place (assuming there are any good ones left) and have the oil changed, check fluids, belts, and filters.
Bring a sense of humor...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
If you're happy with the current appearance of the car (and I think its pretty nice) $7000 is a great buy. As far as flying in and driving it home, I did that once. I travelled about 1800 miles, bought the 1975 car and drove it back home but I took a well -equipped tool box with me and checked the car out thoroughly before I started driving. Only thing I missed was that the headlights only worked on high beam. I drove the entire 1800 miles straight through with the exception of a 2 hour stop for a nap in the car. It was real tiresome to have semi after semi flash their high beams to get me to dim and then when I didn't dim turn on their lights to "blind" until I passed. I was a walking zombie by the time I got home. If you're driving a long trip like this remember to start looking for a place to stay in the small towns around suppertime, if you wait until 9 or 10 at night they're all closed for the night.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 511
Likes: 34
From: NW Michigan
I'd take my $7K, a fully-charged cell-phone, a credit card, proof of insurance, and the number of a tow/road-side service and go get my car!
For seven thousand it looks like a fun toy; worth the money to me. I love the all-original "survivors" as much as the next guy, but these cars CAN just be for fun too...
For seven thousand it looks like a fun toy; worth the money to me. I love the all-original "survivors" as much as the next guy, but these cars CAN just be for fun too...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Well, I think a lot of corvette owners wouldn't either. I think modified corvettes bring out some of the most polarizing comments.
I think you did well enough on the purchase price that it will make a fine toy. It is what it is, looks kind of neat but a few changes such as wheel choice would give it a more vicious look. As others have said, I doubt you'll get hurt if you decide its really not what you wanted.
I think you did well enough on the purchase price that it will make a fine toy. It is what it is, looks kind of neat but a few changes such as wheel choice would give it a more vicious look. As others have said, I doubt you'll get hurt if you decide its really not what you wanted.
Last edited by Sunstroked; Nov 4, 2012 at 08:27 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Go for it, its a modified car, you want a modded car otherwise you would be looking at a stock one. Price is alright. You could not get one built for 7K like this one.
Why put it back to stock? How lame,$$$$, that's not what your looking for is it?
Its a car, make it safe, drive it, mod it, it doesn't get any easy-er .
Why put it back to stock? How lame,$$$$, that's not what your looking for is it?
Its a car, make it safe, drive it, mod it, it doesn't get any easy-er .
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
I question the integrity of the mechanic who inspected the car....
SERPENTINE BELT?
How about fan belt....Wonder if he knows the difference...
For 7K, it's not a bad deal, it still's a Corvette, regardless the mods. Interior isn't trashed, and if the guy just does the routine maintenance, he has an inexpensive chrome bumper C3.
SERPENTINE BELT?
How about fan belt....Wonder if he knows the difference...
For 7K, it's not a bad deal, it still's a Corvette, regardless the mods. Interior isn't trashed, and if the guy just does the routine maintenance, he has an inexpensive chrome bumper C3.
Last edited by GDaina; Nov 5, 2012 at 12:06 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
I don't think the front clip is a 73 and my guess the only thing changed is the 73 vents.
To mate a chrome bumper to the 73 clip takes a ton of work.
So, if the owner wants a stock body, it's doable without breaking the bank and without much effort.
To mate a chrome bumper to the 73 clip takes a ton of work.
So, if the owner wants a stock body, it's doable without breaking the bank and without much effort.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
I bought a car that hadn't run for 18 years or so. I flew to CA and got it running and drove it back to South Dakota. DO IT! It can turn out to be a great experience. See how fast you can think when you are on your own. DO IT!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I question the integrity of the mechanic who inspected the car....
SERPENTINE BELT?
How about fan belt....Wonder if he knows the difference...
For 7K, it's not a bad deal, it still's a Corvette, regardless the mods. Interior isn't trashed, and if the guy just does the routine maintenance, he has an inexpensive chrome bumper C3.
SERPENTINE BELT?
How about fan belt....Wonder if he knows the difference...
For 7K, it's not a bad deal, it still's a Corvette, regardless the mods. Interior isn't trashed, and if the guy just does the routine maintenance, he has an inexpensive chrome bumper C3.
Check out the pics and more details from bringing my new toy home!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...post1582269941