Maybe someone who saw this thread and knows you will find his lies. I never believed the odometer had not flipped at least once. The ones on the first time around have at least 80,000 miles for the most part. One that low would not be a driver and should be perfect. And would cost at least twice that much.

 

His response makes me feel very confident that he was lying about something and didn't want to face any more questions about it.

 

I think my response would have been "you will not sell me this car now, OR EVER!"

Now, a little post mortum the process.

First, don't feel bad about asking questions. If the car was 20 miles away I would have said you might have been a little irritating. But since you were looking at 10 hours round trip I can't imagine why a guy would want to be so secretive. Next time, you might want to bundle your questions and try catching him on the phone instead of email/text...(You might have been talking with him, I don't know) IMHO hearing his answers verbally allows your BS meter to better take in what he is saying.

Also, I really would not even concern myself with the mileage. The car is 35 years old. It doesn't matter if the car has 5K or 150K on it. Everything, and I mean Everything, is either worn from use or from age. Think about it, shocks, bushings, seals, brakes, upholstery, electronics, are all getting to be questionable at 35 years and it doesn't matter if they were hardly used or not. Sooooo, mileage doesn't really mean a whole lot. BUT, if the seller claims it has XXX miles you have a pretty good way to judge if he is shoveling a bunch of crap. There are a few tell tale signs of mileage (how worn are the rubber pads on the pedals, how worn is the upholstery, is all the paint worn on buttons etc.) If you are told it only has 35K and you see more wear than is reasonable for the claimed mileage your BS meter pegs you can assume he isn't particularly honest. Other than judging honesty of the seller you won't get a whole lot out of the mileage.

I second the opinion of those who said do not start negotiating price before you are ready to buy it. A 1980 value can run anywhere from $1500-$30,000 based on condition. Until you see it, check it out, drive it and inspect it any discussion of price totally premature. You are painting yourself into a box AND you will annoy the hell out of a seller. Wait until you see the car and meet the owner. Of course, that doesn't mean you should go test drive someones $25K asking price vette knowing that all you will spend is $10K. That is just rude.

You are doing all the right things by trying to learn before forking over cash. Keep it up and keep watching this forum. Read everything you can. None of these cars are daily drivers that you can just hop in and drive for the next 50K miles like some late model Camry. There are tons of good value cars depending on how far you are willing to go to find one. In this game, patience is a virtue because you will ineveitably wind up fixing stuff...how much stuff depends on how good of a job you do finding the right car to start with.

Don't sweat losing this one. I am near certain the only thing you lost out on was a 10 hour drive along side a bunch of new years drunks!

Hey, if nothing else, you will have inquired about at least two cars by the time you buy and that puts you about 98% ahead of most first time vette owners!

 

That's EGGZAKLY what I was thinkin'.....I think he IS hiding something...probably the 137k miles vs the posted 37k!!

I would like to buy something b4 spring, cuz I know pricing will go UP!!

MRSCOTT25.....thank YOU as well.....I'm learning sumpin' new every hot damn day!!

 

good luck in your search, We had read that the '79 was the worst corvette ever, we bought ours anyway, still loving it!

 

check out my ad, ill work with you on shipping or you can come in person. Any questions just ask!!
I want to sell mine to help fund for a 1981 T/A pace car. if the guy sell the T/A.. I pull the ad.

if you would like to know how well my transactions are, ask EASYGeAR, We done Big $$$$$ deals, And he is across the pond.

 

I can tell from the pictures that's not a "clean" Corvette. My car was "clean" and I paid more than $8,400.

 

OK....I'd appreciate ANY replies.....What do U think 'bout this car...
I'm not REAL crazy bout the yellow, but the overall paint scheme is kinda neat.....the thing that gets me if the fact that it's a FRAME OFF RESTORE.....but I'm wondering why he's only askin' $9800.....I got a reply back from him & he said it's his own Vette, and he'd be glad to put it up on a lift at his shop for me to inspect.
Your HONEST opinions, please!! Thanks...Jerry

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4846780793.html

 

Not a lot, but I'm not buying. What do you think about the car?

 

Easy Mike: Curious....Why "not a lot"? Because of the paint....or???

Like I said, I'm not crazy bout the paint, but the RESTORED fact gets me goin'....but....."Would I really be HAPPY w/ it AFTER I got it home!!??

 

I'd say if you're not crazy about the paint you should pass unless you're comfortable with paying that price and repainting it. Other than that sounds like a good price if it really is frame off restored. I don't like the C5 rear and dislike yellow but other than that don't think the paint scheme looks too bad but once again, its only your opinion that matters. Ask for some pictures of the undercarriage and if it looks done I think the car is definitely worth a look.

 

It's not 'restored', it's moderately modified including a new front clip and hood and rear bumper.

What happened to the original glass and bumpers?

 

Sluefoot was referring to the undercarriage/frame/interior/paint being restored, not to the fact that it obviously has non-stock body panels on it. You don't know that that hasn't been done.

 

I'm really sorry to hear that this deal on what could have been your first Vette fell through. Rest assured, your time will come. My gut reaction after reading about how the seller shutdown the deal is, you're better off. It's just my opinion but for him to cut you off like that tells me that he was starting to feel uncomfortable because you were beginning to ask some pointed questions about Corvettes; uncomfortable because he's selling a car that isn't what he's made it out to be. As the owner of two 80's I'm always skeptical of anyone selling a low miles unmolested '80 for in and around $8000.00. I have to know that they're still out there, but those cars are in the hands of collectors or guys (or girls) who love the car and wouldn't sell it for so cheap. And the milage...? Always consider adding 100K (if not more) to the odometer. Someone posted some excellent advice early on in this thread, always inspect a "low miles C3" with extreme scepticism. Those are great words of advice.

Again, I'm a true fan of the '80. I owned a brand new one back in the day and I have another in my garage about to receive a new drivetrain in another month. I say stick with the '80. I love all Vettes from the '82 on down to the '53, but the '80 is special. Love the look, the feel and drive of the '80. She's one sexy lady. But then again, if your first Vette eventually turns out to be any other year, you'll undoubtedly think it's the best of the breed. Good luck mate.

 

I strongly agree.

 

As a rule, I don't like modified cars and the seller's definition of "restored" may not be the same as anyone else's.

Just the same, how any of us feel about the car is not important. We aren't buying. You are.

The only question here is do you want this Corvette? Only you can answer that.

 

I gotta agree with Mike on this one... "What do you think about this car?"

My advice is not to ask the Forum what we think of any car that you might like to buy. Only you will know the answer to that question. Guys here can steer you towards the things you should consider when buying your car, but as for the ascetics, that's your baby. The owner is giving you the chance to throughly inspect the car. Go for it and post pics. Everyone here loves pics. You'll get plenty of helpful advice at that point. Good luck!

 

The picture and description doesn't indicate restored either- only a bunch of modifications.

Might be good, might be bad.

 

The description DOES indicate restored. Whether or not that's true is another story. My point was that your comment was pedantic and you were jumping the gun by claiming the car was "not restored" - you don't know that.

 

And apparently someone doesn't know the difference between a ZR1 rear bumper and a C5.........