New and without a clue
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Orland Park IL
New and without a clue
I am about to buy my first corvette. It is 1974 L48 convertible with 90K miles - $14,000. The car seems to be a very good shape. I say seems to be because I really don't know much about the mechanics of corvettes or cars in general for that matter but what I do know is that I love corvettes. I plan to have this car checked out by a corvette specialist prior to buying it if the seller allows. I do have a couple of concerns in the meantime..
1) The speedometer was bouncing when the car was going under 20 (why?)
2) The front left tire when turned completely out rubs (seller says minor because it is just the oversized tires he bought. True or hidden problem?)
Thanks
1) The speedometer was bouncing when the car was going under 20 (why?)
2) The front left tire when turned completely out rubs (seller says minor because it is just the oversized tires he bought. True or hidden problem?)
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
The speedo is probably the cable (inexpensive fix).
The tire rub, what size tires? I had 255/60/15's before with no rubbing. If you take it to a shop & get it up on a lift, turn the wheel left & right and take a good look. 14k for a 29 yr old car, it's worth the cost of a lift for an hours time before buying ;) .
Also make sure the brakes and rear wheel bearings are in good shape (both expensive repairs).
Good luck :cheers:
The tire rub, what size tires? I had 255/60/15's before with no rubbing. If you take it to a shop & get it up on a lift, turn the wheel left & right and take a good look. 14k for a 29 yr old car, it's worth the cost of a lift for an hours time before buying ;) .
Also make sure the brakes and rear wheel bearings are in good shape (both expensive repairs).
Good luck :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Re: New and without a clue (SmokedTires)
The speedo is probably the cable (inexpensive fix).
The tire rub, what size tires? I had 255/60/15's before with no rubbing. If you take it to a shop & get it up on a lift, turn the wheel left & right and take a good look. 14k for a 29 yr old car, it's worth the cost of a lift for an hours time before buying ;) .
Also make sure the brakes and rear wheel bearings are in good shape (both expensive repairs).
Good luck :cheers:
The tire rub, what size tires? I had 255/60/15's before with no rubbing. If you take it to a shop & get it up on a lift, turn the wheel left & right and take a good look. 14k for a 29 yr old car, it's worth the cost of a lift for an hours time before buying ;) .
Also make sure the brakes and rear wheel bearings are in good shape (both expensive repairs).
Good luck :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
If the seller will not allow you to have the car checked out, RUN! He must be hiding something in that case. There are problem areas specific to these cars (like rust in certain areas) that any Corvette specialist should know about...
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,932
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: New and without a clue (SmokedTires)
Check the frame(right in front of the rear tire), radiator support and windshield pillars for rust. I didn't know about these problem areas when I bought mine, but I lucked out.
Welcome to our mad club! :thumbs:
Welcome to our mad club! :thumbs:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Re: New and without a clue (1970 Stingray)
I would personally check EVERYTHING. Have a compression check done. Check the carb, brake lines, calipers, all the suspension, bushings, AND the tranny. I agree with everything above as well. Alot can be hidden.. pay the money for a check. Most good mechanics can run a check for you for about $100. Pay the money for the check. For the price you are paying you could easily dump another 5-15k into it if anything big (heads, block, tranny) goes wrong.
Lots of good info on the forum....... Welcome! :cheers:
Lots of good info on the forum....... Welcome! :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
Unless this is either a low-mileage or semi-restored 1974 L48, I'd be suspicious of the price. I'd ask to look at all receipts showing any repairs. If no indications that suspension, brakes, engine, trans, diff, etc. been repaired/replaced, you should keep looking. I bought my 1980 with 95k miles for $8300 and have since put another $10k into it. For $14k, you should be getting a jewel...
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: New and without a clue (timbo79)
The mechanic should be able to take a tape measure to the tires (measuring front to rear) to determine frame straightness. If you get it, congrats. You'll be a vette pro in no time if read posts here and do yuor own work on your new baby.
Brett :thumbs:
Brett :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
:seeya Welcom to the forum.
lube the speedo cable or just replace it (cheap). To give you an answer on the tires we need to know the there size.
lube the speedo cable or just replace it (cheap). To give you an answer on the tires we need to know the there size.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 6
From: lancaster ma
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
Welcome, This is the place to learn. I have only been a vette owner for 6 months and cannot believe how much I have learned about these cars. For that asking price I would expect the condition to be pretty good. Check the rear suspension, It should have been rebuilt with a new spring, wheel bearings and new bushings in the last several years. See if the emergency brake works. This is a PITA to fix and its condition can be an indication of how deep the work has gone. Look for frame rot in front of the rear wheels, and the front cross member and the windsheild frame or bird cage. Search the forum for posts on rot. Look for post on cards for sale on EBay. The folks here do a good job of siffing out this guy :bs
Good luck and welcome.
[Modified by adamdinat, 6:03 PM 4/14/2003]
Good luck and welcome.
[Modified by adamdinat, 6:03 PM 4/14/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: jacksonville florida
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
I paid $15000,for my 73 when I bought it,It had all the popular upgrades (suspention etc.) I had everything checked out by a mechanic ,The engine compression was good and everything looked great,Two weeks after I bought it the engine went to H#LL,you never are really sure BUT I am not a bit sorry that I bought the car,I would do it all over again because I have a 30 year old car that I believe is better looking and more fun to drive that anything on the road so if you really like the car check it out before you buy it and then enjoy it,The guys on this forum will keep you out of trouble.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
For that kind of money I'd be expecting a near perfect car with nothing major to repiar. A few nuisance items maybe but any more than that .... keep looking. BTW ... I truly hope it all goes well for you, nothin' like a vert ....
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 83
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From: Soldotna AK
Re: New and without a clue (mike24)
Welcome to the forum Mike. I agree with the others, it better be cherry for that kind of money. Also, insist on taking it to the mechanic of your choice or forget it right off the bat. Somewhere on this forum there is a link to "buying a used corvette" but i can't find it. Maybe another forum member has the link. Good Luck :flag
