BadjerJim

For the group:

In the past, I was active on the C3 forum, as I used to own both an 81 and a 78, and had high hopes for total restoration of both. Time and circumstance forced me to sell both.

Now I have a chance to get a very clean 1990, red, glass-top (removable). New tires, new leather seats. In and out, very clean. Runs great, never crashed. 144K miles. Original engine, trans and driveline. Seller is the second owner, and he's driven it for 60K miles (mostly freeway commute miles). I trust him. Reason for selling? He just got a C5.

Asking price is $9500. I think I could get it for a bit less. Should I go for it? This would be my new "daily driver." Would this car be fragile or unreliable? My old '81 was stone-reliable with regular maintenance.

I REALLY miss owning/driving a 'vette. Any feedback would be wildly appreciated.

kalister1

Go for it, I paid $13,000 for a 93 Ruby car last year. 65K, great shape, fully optioned, did I pay too much???? I wanted the car and I work for my money, I spend it to make me happy (That is after the wife is happy and says I can)

DFWLCJ

Sounds pretty high $ to me for that many miles and the use as a DD. Will likely depend on how much work/maint has been done,how handy you are and how far into the boonies your dail drive is At that mileage I would think its on the brink of some serious maint if it hasnt been done along the way(Seals, Trans if Auto, Suspension, Hoses, maybe lots more?)

NEVRL8T

That sounds high to me. I just bought a 92 with all the bells and hooters for $8,700. It has 128k on the clock.

rocco16

Go for it. The car has already proven its reliability. As for the price, I doubt it will sell tomorrow at that price, so you may have time to let the price drop a little.

If you are used to the C3, the C4 will come as a pleasant surprise.
Good luck and let us know if you pull the trigger.

Larry
code5coupe

BadjerJim

Thanks all. I'm inclined to Go For It. All feedback and input is still appreciated! I've been searching/sniffing through all the threads on this C4 Forum, trying to learn all the stuff that is a concern.

The Seller already told me that "one of the Bose speakers is blown out" - which I've found is related to old capicitor burnout, and easily replaced.

So ... as a daily driver car: and this one is high-miles - I'll have it checked by an ASE mechanic before I buy. But are there other chronic things I should know about at the 144K mile mark? On a 1990, with auto-trans?

BlownV6

A 90 with 144K miles for 9500?

Offer him 4K and walk away laughing if he doesn't take it.

Edmunds TMV for a 144K 90 C4

Trade-In : 2,011
Private Party : 3,131
Dealer retail : 5,057

Eric the Ricer

mines a 90 vert with an A4, just rolled over 195k, no severe problems here yet!

redwing76

I'd walk on that one.
For $9,500 to $10,500 you can buy a nice LT-1.
Its over priced, and ridden hard, and put away wet.

BlownV6

I paid 3K for my 92 LT1. Dealer price ofcourse

Polo6speed

I paid $7600 via Ebay for my 90 six speed 2 years ago with 53,000 miles. It was completely stock so I have been having fun upgrading.

Justardnck

I paid $8200 for my 1992 auto coupe 2 years ago with $148K on it

They have lost value in the 2 years, I would think it's prob worth $7500 now

BlownV6

You actually think someone would offer 7500 for a 150K mile LT1 Vette?

Do yourself a favor. Goto edmunds.com and look over the value's.

I swear.. Some of you must LOVE throwing away money

Alzado77

Paid 7K for my 1990 with 126K on it. It was a little beat up though so that is why it was cheaper. Another 18K later it is in great shape! I'd say go for it if it's been treated good and you trust the one selling it. It is a little high but buying one cheaper that needs some work will be more expensive in the long run.

trulytex

Sounds a little high to me too. I purchased a 1990 Convertible 2 months ago with auxilary Hartop, 75,000 miles, leather sport seats, etc.... Exterior was about a 9, and interior was about a 9. I paid $8,000. I have put another $2,000 into it freshening it up with new emblems, floor mats, transmission & colling system flush, new hoses & belts, etc. It had an intermitant no-start problem which I finaly solved (I think/hope). I would offer 4 or 5K.

1994vette

No one uses Edmunds down here they are a joke. I use Black Book.. WHen I bought my 94 with 109k and no paint work new tires. Average black book on it was $8400 I got it for $8100 at Atlanta Auto Auction.

RRT vette

As most have suggested "it sounds high". I agree with all of them. Take a look at other vettes and take your time. In '98 I purchased a 91vette with 107,000 miles for $10,500. This IMO was a good buy. A 7 year old vette for < $11,000...good deal. I would spring for the LT1, you won't be disappointed

champs65

I think it's too much.....last spring I bought an 85 very much like yours in description. Everything works well, it's clean, and the car is super tight. It could use a rear carpet and the dash has one crack, but otherwise AOK.

High miles don't scare me, its got 181,000 but I believe its been gone over (either that or perfectly maintained).

Paid 4100 for it!

BlownV6

People think edmunds is a joke because it dictates the correct value's.

Gm's used car market is in shambles. You can get 4K-5K off brand new C6's now a days.

1994vette

Here is why Edmunds is not used down here. They low ball the figures.


edmunds:
1994 Chevrolet Corvette 2 Dr STD Coupe
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $5,698 $7,341 $10,080
Optional Equipment $151 $231 $405
Power Driver Seat $18 $27 $48
Power Front Passenger Seat $16 $24 $42
Targa Top - Solid and Glass $38 $58 $102
Automatic Climate Control $21 $33 $57
AM/FM/Cassette/CD Audio System $35 $54 $94
Delco/Bose Audio System $23 $35 $62
Color Adjustment
White $21 $27 $37
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 39819 $-162 $-208 $-286
Mileage Adjustment
110,650 miles $0 $0 $0
Condition Adjustment
Clean $0 $0 $0
Total $5,708 $7,391 $10,236


nada:

Friday, May 05, 2006
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Low Retail Average Retail High Retail
Base Price

Mileage
110,650 miles N/A N/A N/A
TOTAL PRICE $10,275 $12,200* $13,350