question about mileage
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
question about mileage
Hi, all! I stumbled onto this site several weeks ago and have been lurking ever since. There is a lot of good information here and everyone seems extremely helpful.
I'm looking for a steel bumper vette and was wondering what is considered high mileage for a vette? I saw an add for a '72 coupe with 128k miles. Is there anything I need to look for?
thanks,
Jerry
I'm looking for a steel bumper vette and was wondering what is considered high mileage for a vette? I saw an add for a '72 coupe with 128k miles. Is there anything I need to look for?
thanks,
Jerry
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Re: question about mileage (jcb2557)
Vette's are very expensive vehicles to restore. I would save a little more money and buy the best one you can afford. With 128,000 miles on it you will need to eventually restore most of the drivetrain components. Take this advice from someone who has completed a total body-on restoration. I ended-up spending more than I ever thought, but then again ended-up going for a NCRS type Vette.
If you decide not to take my advise and buy anyway, then look for the following items to operate properly.
Use this check list to check all items:
http://www.71corvette.com/list.html
In addition, check the drive train:
Engine: Blue smoke? / Do a compression check
Ujoints: Check drive shaft and half shaft joints
Transmission: Does it shift properly or slip?
Most importantly: Listen to the car during the test drive and drive it hard. Pounce on the brakes, and floor it. How does the car operate. Does it seem to run well. If it breaks during the test drive, then let it happen then and not after you have purchased it.
Good Luck!
If you decide not to take my advise and buy anyway, then look for the following items to operate properly.
Use this check list to check all items:
http://www.71corvette.com/list.html
In addition, check the drive train:
Engine: Blue smoke? / Do a compression check
Ujoints: Check drive shaft and half shaft joints
Transmission: Does it shift properly or slip?
Most importantly: Listen to the car during the test drive and drive it hard. Pounce on the brakes, and floor it. How does the car operate. Does it seem to run well. If it breaks during the test drive, then let it happen then and not after you have purchased it.
Good Luck!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: EATON OH
Re: question about mileage (jcb2557)
welcome aboard! with many vettes people don't think of rust. under all that fiberglass is steel supports and structure. you need to check out frame thickness and any other signs of metal rot, (welded on stiffener plates). good luck on your vette hunt. :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: question about mileage (jcb2557)
1972 was thirty years ago! 5000 miles a year would be 150K. Nowadays, with everything that is available for Vettes (EVERYTHING is available for Vettes), mileage is really no big deal. And there are more than a few on this forum who would agree that low mileage Vettes are usually victims of bad odometers. There's a joke about C3 Vettes with 50K miles on them.
Use common sense when looking. As suggested, buy the best you can afford. Watch for frame rot, especially in front of the rear wheels. This is probably the worst.
And if you're not willing to work on the car yourself, and cannot afford a good Vette mechanic, look for a different car. These things have issues, but they are great teachers and good mistresses.
Enjoy. And welcome to the forum.
:seeya
Use common sense when looking. As suggested, buy the best you can afford. Watch for frame rot, especially in front of the rear wheels. This is probably the worst.
And if you're not willing to work on the car yourself, and cannot afford a good Vette mechanic, look for a different car. These things have issues, but they are great teachers and good mistresses.
Enjoy. And welcome to the forum.
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: question about mileage (joeveto)
If I were in your shoes I would look for a vette that someone else has already done most and maybe all of the work. It is the cheapest way to go in my opinion.
