SELL or STORE?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 528
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From: Kissimmee Florida
SELL or STORE?
I have a 1996 LT1 polo green coupe that is in excellent condition and just turned 80,000 miles. I am in the USMC with orders to Okinawa for three years. Should I store it (no cost to me) on the Marine Corps dime. Or sell it and get another one when I get back. Thanks for all suggestions! 
For those who want to know why I don't take it with me, you can only ship cars made before June 1976 to Okinawa. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. I really hate to get rid of her but always have heard that sitting still is not good for these cars.
For those who want to know why I don't take it with me, you can only ship cars made before June 1976 to Okinawa. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. I really hate to get rid of her but always have heard that sitting still is not good for these cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by ravenlunatic
I have a 1996 LT1 polo green coupe that is in excellent condition and just turned 80,000 miles. I am in the USMC with orders to Okinawa for three years. Should I store it (no cost to me) on the Marine Corps dime. Or sell it and get another one when I get back. Thanks for all suggestions! For those who want to know why I don't take it with me, you can only ship cars made before June 1976 to Okinawa. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. I really hate to get rid of her but always have heard that sitting still is not good for these cars.
For those who want to know why I don't take it with me, you can only ship cars made before June 1976 to Okinawa. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. I really hate to get rid of her but always have heard that sitting still is not good for these cars.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 28
From: Medina OH
Originally Posted by steve9899
Unless you have some strong attachment to the particular car (and you must not or you wouldn't be asking) sell it and buy another when you get back. You'll be able to buy a better car for less money in three years.
I was in China five years, and my company stored my Vette. If it was a run of the mill car (if that is possible :o ), I would have sold it then repurchased another one when I returned to the states. But with mine, I divorced my ex on a Friday, and purchased the Vette on Saturday
So I will never sell it....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Whidbey Island Washington
Originally Posted by steve9899
Unless you have some strong attachment to the particular car (and you must not or you wouldn't be asking) sell it and buy another when you get back. You'll be able to buy a better car for less money in three years.
I don't think your car has any special collector or investment value. I doubt your car will appreciate in the next 3 years...more likely it'll continue to depriciate. IMHO, worse than depriciation is the cost to get it operational properly after not being started and driven during the three year period. Cars MUST be driven to keep the fluids, gaskets, hoses, tires, battery, etc from deteriorating thus causing serious problems when you next want to drive them.
I let my '70 LT-1 set for about 12 months once. Needed valve cover gaskets, Carb rebuild and many other smaller items replaced to the tune of more than $600. I learned the hard way not to let the car just set regardless of what you hear about how to prep it for storage. My cars never set for more than a month now without starting and at least a drive around the block. Sell it for a fair price even if it's less than current market value, to a friend or family member who'll appreciate an opportunity to get your toy at an excellent price. In the long run you'll be a winner.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
If I had the same situation, I would sell it now, and get a better one three years from now. Who knows what your preference in cars will be in three years.
If the C4 you have now is not your perfect dream car, then parting with it may be unpleasant, but is doable.
In three years you can then start over looking for the one you have been thinking about while in Okinawa. Hopefully its not the same one you just got rid of.
I dont know what condition the car may be in if it just sat for three years. You may have some unknown internal problems that may start occuring.
kdf
If the C4 you have now is not your perfect dream car, then parting with it may be unpleasant, but is doable.
In three years you can then start over looking for the one you have been thinking about while in Okinawa. Hopefully its not the same one you just got rid of.
I dont know what condition the car may be in if it just sat for three years. You may have some unknown internal problems that may start occuring.
kdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
I say keep it....nice cond c4's are harder to find by the day.
it has high miles but if it's in great cond keep it. As for who say it isn't going to stay at a steady value what 96 is.....these people with 30 more hp think they have a 67 or something lol.
so keep it
it has high miles but if it's in great cond keep it. As for who say it isn't going to stay at a steady value what 96 is.....these people with 30 more hp think they have a 67 or something lol.
so keep it
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I like this latter idea; at 7% ROI (the market average) every $1k would grow to $1,225 or about 22.5% gain.
The average '96 coupe in "good" condition went for $25k and is depreciating at about 6%.
So your expected net gain in 3yrs would be 13%/yr or about $11k!!!
The average '96 coupe in "good" condition went for $25k and is depreciating at about 6%.
So your expected net gain in 3yrs would be 13%/yr or about $11k!!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by LJKaddy
Sell it and put the cash in a Mutual Fund that you can't touch until you come back---then you can up grade
Yup, but don't give the car away! Vette's can take a long time to sell, and of course, the lower your asking price, the easier to sell.........just don't take a beating if you sell it! 
Sempra Fi !
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
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From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by 65Z01
I like this latter idea; at 7% ROI (the market average) every $1k would grow to $1,225 or about 22.5% gain.
The average '96 coupe in "good" condition went for $25k and is depreciating at about 6%.
So your expected net gain in 3yrs would be 13%/yr or about $11k!!!
The average '96 coupe in "good" condition went for $25k and is depreciating at about 6%.
So your expected net gain in 3yrs would be 13%/yr or about $11k!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
There is another choice, do you have a family member who can care for it?
You don't want to store it for 3 years... every seal will be junk by then.
If you don't have a trusted family member, then sell it and bank the money.
As for Okinawa, they have strict emissions rules, just like all of Japan, taxes alone could break you.
You don't want to store it for 3 years... every seal will be junk by then.
If you don't have a trusted family member, then sell it and bank the money.
As for Okinawa, they have strict emissions rules, just like all of Japan, taxes alone could break you.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Lenexa Kansas
Unless you have a STRONG emotional attachment to THIS particular Vette, let it go. Put the $$ in a safe place and upgrade in 3 years. If you don't want to upgrade to a C5 or C6, then find someone you trust to watch it while you're away. If it sits for 3 years, it'll nickel and dime you to the tune of $600 - $1k.
My `86 cost me dearly and it sat for only 11 months.
Good Luck in Okinawa with the USMC.
My `86 cost me dearly and it sat for only 11 months.
Good Luck in Okinawa with the USMC.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 156
From: White Oak PA
Originally Posted by LJKaddy
Sell it and put the cash in a Mutual Fund that you can't touch until you come back---then you can up grade
Best of luck and thank you for your service to our country.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
Hey Marine... Semper FI!! I hear you and a three year stint in storage is probably not a good idea given the deterioration that will occur. Uncle Sam will not foot the bill to make it right afterwards.
But if you don't want to sell your baby, I can offer the next best thing. Drop it off here in Alabama, can find temp storage and I'll drive it periodically for you.
But if you don't want to sell your baby, I can offer the next best thing. Drop it off here in Alabama, can find temp storage and I'll drive it periodically for you.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 1
From: Beautiful Down Town "SWINDLEHURST" Long Island NY
Dont!
you will definitely regret it , store it properly, keep it insured she will be
here faithfully waiting for you ( i did the same thing with a impala 30yrs. ago) ( i still miss her-sniff -sniff) ! youl like the rock, have fun. whats
your MOS? insert flag here() (can't access smillies)
"gary"
here faithfully waiting for you ( i did the same thing with a impala 30yrs. ago) ( i still miss her-sniff -sniff) ! youl like the rock, have fun. whats
your MOS? insert flag here() (can't access smillies)
"gary"
Last edited by RICEKILA; Feb 18, 2005 at 01:33 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
I'd sell the car whether or not you have someone to care for your car. If you have no emotional attachment such as the car was bequeathed to you by a loving relative, there would be no reason to keep her.
Depreciation is also a factor you must consider. Your car has no inherent collectability, so every year while you're thousands of miles away, your car will decrease in value while you'll be unable to enjoy her. Sell her and put the money in a guaranteed rate of return. There will always be C4's for sale. There will always be low mileage C4's for sale. There will always be C4's in immaculate condition for sale. So when you return, you will be able to purchase the C4 of your choosing in mint condition with low mileage for less money than you presently can.
Depreciation is also a factor you must consider. Your car has no inherent collectability, so every year while you're thousands of miles away, your car will decrease in value while you'll be unable to enjoy her. Sell her and put the money in a guaranteed rate of return. There will always be C4's for sale. There will always be low mileage C4's for sale. There will always be C4's in immaculate condition for sale. So when you return, you will be able to purchase the C4 of your choosing in mint condition with low mileage for less money than you presently can.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: The land of 10,000 lakes ,Minnesota 89 coupe 6speed with 383 and 89 roadster 6speed bonestock with XXX low miles
Try and sell it before you leave if it does not sell by then store it!
It is hard on a car to set that long and not be driven!
It is hard on a car to set that long and not be driven!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
There's a bit of a problem on the side of selling, assuming this would have to be done in short order -- the NEED to sell will seriously degrade the asking price --- so this owuld be a big hit right off the bat.
If there's any kind of strong attachment to your '96, then I would find a trusted family member to care after it while you're gone. Just starting it up once every 1-2 weeks & giving it a nice 30 min. drive. That way, you hop in your baby the minute you get back. In 3 years you'll have what equates to a "medium-mileage" car, and having a '96 means its one of very the best of the C4 lineup. This is a given; who knows how long it would take to find a replacement if you sell her (and probably at a fat loss if you have to be desperate to do it)......this wouldn't be much to look forward to upon your return.
Bottom line: IMHO keep her, and have a trusted friend/family member care for it. Imagine how you'll feel the second you hop back in the saddle when that day comes
If there's any kind of strong attachment to your '96, then I would find a trusted family member to care after it while you're gone. Just starting it up once every 1-2 weeks & giving it a nice 30 min. drive. That way, you hop in your baby the minute you get back. In 3 years you'll have what equates to a "medium-mileage" car, and having a '96 means its one of very the best of the C4 lineup. This is a given; who knows how long it would take to find a replacement if you sell her (and probably at a fat loss if you have to be desperate to do it)......this wouldn't be much to look forward to upon your return.
Bottom line: IMHO keep her, and have a trusted friend/family member care for it. Imagine how you'll feel the second you hop back in the saddle when that day comes
Last edited by Red Tornado; Feb 18, 2005 at 10:05 AM.