Corvette Post Purchase Blues
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
From: NW Burbs IL
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (JRChurch)
2 ways to look at it. If you feel you paid too much for a Vette that's in bad shape, then I can understand your regret. :( If you feel you paid a premium price for a Vette in good or excellent condition, then just enjoy your Vette!! :D
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 28,655
Likes: 4
From: Fort Mill, SC via NJ
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (JRChurch)
I learned one thing.
Take this advice future buyers.
Unless you're a motorhead and have a bodyshop get one that's already restored.
It's a hell of alot cheaper than having it done yourself.
Take this advice future buyers.
Unless you're a motorhead and have a bodyshop get one that's already restored.
It's a hell of alot cheaper than having it done yourself.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (JRChurch)
I knew mine was gonna need a lot of work, but it just called my name and I fell for it... I do have the mechanical skills to do all the work, but I wish I had the ability to apply the paint :rolleyes: No, I have absolutely no regrets. I had no idea how much fun it would be to drive :D
Hans
Hans
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 49,198
Likes: 0
From: All in!
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (JRChurch)
I look at the car I made a (rejected) offer on before I bought this one and count my blessings.
I got a great deal. Even with the money I've spent on repairs.
I got a great deal. Even with the money I've spent on repairs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 1
From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (Pedro'74)
I have bought a lot of Vettes over the years. You can click my web site at the bottom of this page to see a lot of them.
I look at it like a umpire. Do my homework. Then call 'em out or safe. Do not second quess my decision. Do not look back. Treat it just like a business decision. Don't let your heart get in the way.
I look at it like a umpire. Do my homework. Then call 'em out or safe. Do not second quess my decision. Do not look back. Treat it just like a business decision. Don't let your heart get in the way.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (Mack76)
Initial price ain't the problem... It's all the money I've spent since then. :smash:
When you are buying a vette, of course price is important, and how can $500 or $1000 more out of your pocket not be a factor?? But 1 or 2 years later that $1000 will very likely be insignificant. So it is much more important to get the right vette rather than getting what appears to be a "great deal". Whenever someone asks, "Do you think I got a good deal on this corvette?" my response is, come back in 2 years and show me your receipts, then I will tell you if you got a good deal!! MJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (JRChurch)
I probably paid too much for my 73, but it was just what I wanted and more and I had been looking for one more than a year. The only thing that I regret is the engine was not in first class condition as stated and I was not able to tell when I purchased it. I rebuilt the carb, cleaned and reset the intake manifold, rebuilt the distributor, and resolved throwing of v-belts and the car runs great. Actually this work was fun because I had my 19 year old son helping me, we had and still have a great time "playing" and learning with the Corvette.
Roger
Roger
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 34,242
Likes: 0
From: Medford, OR
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (RMS73)
Boy, do I wish I had known more. I bought mine on a complete whim
The previous owner said he'd parked it because only the rear end needed rebuilt. After I had that rebuilt and swapped out the old gas and got it to fire did all the other problems come to the surface. So far I've redone the entire brake system, and rebuilt the trans and the motor. Today it spit up all it's power steering fluid, so now that needs fixing. I'll need a new rear spring and shocks here real quick as the current one sags.
All in all just a little more than the bad side yoke I was told about. :eek:
But I'm still glad I bought it. :D
[Modified by Vfastboy 73, 8:48 PM 8/21/2001]
The previous owner said he'd parked it because only the rear end needed rebuilt. After I had that rebuilt and swapped out the old gas and got it to fire did all the other problems come to the surface. So far I've redone the entire brake system, and rebuilt the trans and the motor. Today it spit up all it's power steering fluid, so now that needs fixing. I'll need a new rear spring and shocks here real quick as the current one sags.
All in all just a little more than the bad side yoke I was told about. :eek:
But I'm still glad I bought it. :D
[Modified by Vfastboy 73, 8:48 PM 8/21/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,478
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (JRChurch)
i probably paid too much in some respects,like in 5 yrs i've rebuilt the whole car mechanically. But on the other hand,the frame had little or no rust,and everything was there and it works,i.e. lights, intermittent wipers,the little stuff. i was lucky the previous owners didn't drive it in the winter,and i got it before "bubba" really did any damage. all in all i would call it a draw. i never driven a car that i enjoyed to drive so much, and is a reliable sports car. i've had 2 MGBs and they were not reliable and required work weekly. Also, 90% of the time I or my wife drives the vette,someone makes a favorable comment. the C3 style is the most identifiable and loved by the public IMO. when a 5 yr old boy knows what you're driving,it's quite a feeling.and older folks like them too! i've spent a little over $5k on my vette,with bumpers and new paint still to come,but it is worth it!!! i don't really care about the favorable comments,they are nice and i always welcome and thank people. i also thank the Man upstairs for letting me be lucky to own a nice vette,and also for giving me the ability to do most of the work myself. be patient and enjoy your vette!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 0
From: VA
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (69er)
I learned one thing.
Take this advice future buyers.
Unless you're a motorhead and have a bodyshop get one that's already restored.
It's a hell of alot cheaper than having it done yourself.
Take this advice future buyers.
Unless you're a motorhead and have a bodyshop get one that's already restored.
It's a hell of alot cheaper than having it done yourself.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,920
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (Vfastboy 73)
Ya know, you can look and look and look for that perfect deal. I'm sure there's some out there. When I see something that looks good, I jump on it. I set a price limit when I started my search of $10,000. I bought mine for $7,000 a mile from home:D It needs a little more work than I initially thought---BUT IT'S A VETTE. And none of my friends or neighbors have anything close!:D:D I catch some of them drooling.
Second thoughts? I never second guess myself. Move on.
Second thoughts? I never second guess myself. Move on.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 668
Likes: 1
From: KY
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (1970 Stingray)
Guys and gals, I feel your pain...
I bought mine, spent a couple weeks thinking "did I do the right thing" :confused: but from that point on, I've never looked back. I enjoy the car, I even enjoy doing work on it. It makes me feel good to drive it, it even makes me feel good to see it in the garage when I leave for work in the mornings. It made me feel good when my 15 year old niece rode in it and said "this car's pimpin" (whatever that means :rolleyes: ).
I see it as money well spent. Yep, I probably could have spent less, but I wouldn't have had THIS car either.
Jeff S.
I bought mine, spent a couple weeks thinking "did I do the right thing" :confused: but from that point on, I've never looked back. I enjoy the car, I even enjoy doing work on it. It makes me feel good to drive it, it even makes me feel good to see it in the garage when I leave for work in the mornings. It made me feel good when my 15 year old niece rode in it and said "this car's pimpin" (whatever that means :rolleyes: ).
I see it as money well spent. Yep, I probably could have spent less, but I wouldn't have had THIS car either.
Jeff S.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (1970 Stingray)
1970 Stingray--as I have told you before you have a nice looking vette and those wheels add to the luster. If you got that car for 7,000 as is you made a deal. :yesnod:
Cruise on!!! :chevy
Cruise on!!! :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (82 Super Vette)
For the $4800 I spent on it, I practically stole my '78 from the poor sap I bought it from. :D
I had no regrets at all until I got on this forum and saw some of the truly beautiful cars some of the folks on here drive. I can never remember anyone's handles, but theres a monster blown '78 pace car on here that makes me want to drop my vette like somebody's fat sister. And then there's that sweet red convertible with the stinger hood someone else has. Man, hanging out here is like reading Playboy after gettin home from the honeymoon!
:cry
JB
'78SA
I had no regrets at all until I got on this forum and saw some of the truly beautiful cars some of the folks on here drive. I can never remember anyone's handles, but theres a monster blown '78 pace car on here that makes me want to drop my vette like somebody's fat sister. And then there's that sweet red convertible with the stinger hood someone else has. Man, hanging out here is like reading Playboy after gettin home from the honeymoon!
:cry
JB
'78SA
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Corvette Post Purchase Blues (JRChurch)
Tho post purchase blues came from some very bad advice I got some years ago that led me to purchase an '87 convertible,...that car needed over two grand worth of parts alone and 3 alternators all in 3 years...I got rid of it and went for my '72 mild custom, and have been happy as a clam ever since, I did it MY way, the right way....only one regret really and that is I should have kept the original engine and stock TPI as it ran just as well as this all roller ZZ9 cammed hot rod induction setup I have now...got better fuel economy too...live and learn...
GENE
GENE