Why Such Low Value ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,723
Likes: 1
From: VIETNAM 64/65-67/68 FL
Originally Posted by SK.LT1
That car is gorgeous, why would you sell it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Onyx C4
I'll catch hell for this, but I'd probably rely on this forum for everything but pricing info. People here only talk about the low-priced ones they buy. Let's face it, those of us who found a nice one we fell in love with, and didn't know enough (or want to spend the time) to negotiate a much lower price, aren't going to brag about how MUCH we paid, right? There are a lot of folks out there like that and your objective is to find one. Not to rip them off, just to sell them a nice car at a fair price.
My guess is that the very bottom end of pricing is well-defined by looking at "completed listings" on EBAY. These are pretty low, but I think it reflects the risk of buying through that medium. I think KBB is not unrealistic as to what's actually going on. If you are looking to sell, cast a wide net (Cars.com, Autotrader.com) ask a fair price (I'd start between the pricate party and retail KBB price) and be open to negotiation but don't accept the first "good" offer. You might do better than you think.............
Beautiful car by the way.
My guess is that the very bottom end of pricing is well-defined by looking at "completed listings" on EBAY. These are pretty low, but I think it reflects the risk of buying through that medium. I think KBB is not unrealistic as to what's actually going on. If you are looking to sell, cast a wide net (Cars.com, Autotrader.com) ask a fair price (I'd start between the pricate party and retail KBB price) and be open to negotiation but don't accept the first "good" offer. You might do better than you think.............
Beautiful car by the way.
I started researching these cars in October 2002 and bought mine on eBay last July. I could have had anything I wanted but loved the style of the C4 better than any with the exception of the 67 427 roadsters. (Couldn't quite afford the better examples of those.)
What I've come to believe regarding sale strategy is to advertise locally and hope for a first-time Corvette buyer. Mind you, I absolutely am not talking about being less than forthright. What I am talking about is a buyer who will probably not be as Corvette-savvy as a Vette guy, and will probably be a little more impulse-purchase prone, especially when it comes to such a clean example as yours. That's not being deceptive - it's just being a smart seller, imho. Good luck.
BTW, your car is gorgeous.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 950
From: Communist Colorado
Just to give you an idea, I just sold my very mint, detailed, & ULTRA clean 94 vert 6speed with 50k miles on it on Ebay for $14,275. I am a detail freak also & absolutely HATE dirt, dust & griime of any kind, anywhere in, on or under the car. I had brand new front tires on it, 4 brand new drilled & slotted rotors on it & just did the WP, Opti, plugs & wires only a few miles before the sale.
My opinion is that the C5's are killing the C4 prices. The C5's offer an awful lot of car for just 3-4 grand more than a pristine C4 would bring......BTW which in my opinion is around $16-$17K I really wanted $15-16 for mine & got almost $15k with the sale of the chrome Z06 Motorsport wheels I sold seperately which were on it.
Hold fast to what you want out of yours & just remember to consider the C5 factor. If you looked at a 93 C4 for say $18-20. & then looked at a C5 for $19-23......you might consider the C5. You get 45 more hp, a newer body style & better technology and a newer car to boot.
Just food for thought & just my opinion of course.
My opinion is that the C5's are killing the C4 prices. The C5's offer an awful lot of car for just 3-4 grand more than a pristine C4 would bring......BTW which in my opinion is around $16-$17K I really wanted $15-16 for mine & got almost $15k with the sale of the chrome Z06 Motorsport wheels I sold seperately which were on it.
Hold fast to what you want out of yours & just remember to consider the C5 factor. If you looked at a 93 C4 for say $18-20. & then looked at a C5 for $19-23......you might consider the C5. You get 45 more hp, a newer body style & better technology and a newer car to boot.
Just food for thought & just my opinion of course.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Yeah I bought my '85 for $5000 but it needed work and it was the only decent corvette I could afford. You should set a price for how much you think the car is worth. That ruby is beautiful and I bet you could easily fetch $15K if its in great condition with low miles.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
I thought the original quiestion was "Why are C4 prices so low". W are looking at it the wrong way. This is really good for us guys who get them cheap now and put money into them. Looks, mileage, and power yes that does make it go for more but look at the C1s. When they came out you had to be a politician to afford one but they were around 2000$$. Now if we look on the future of our C4s keep them in good shape, and make them better than the C5, C6, and possibly even the C7 then we will understand that in the next 30 or so years that people will want our cars for 20,000 or more. The sting ray is worth a @ss load and its old as dirt.(please no flames) Yea people want it because its pretty but they mainly want it because its rare and the can boost about how they have a rare hotrod and make everyone think they got cash. Thats just my opinion and I know alot of you disagree and thats fine because I really dont care.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by C4driver99
in the next 30 or so years that people will want our cars for 20,000 or more.
Inflation skews these trains of thought...
That's why it is so funny to hear people say, "yeah, I could have bought big-block C3's for $2500 all day long back in 1970!" Of course you could have; $2500 back then was the same as $40,000 is today....can you afford to buy a dozen '95 ZR-1's at $40,000/each TODAY??? Of course not, and you couldn't afford to buy Corvettes at $2500 back then either....'cause if you could have, you would have!! Same with me.....back in 1970 I was making about $7000 a year and no way could I afford a Corvette, even at $2500.
You must keep prices/inflation in perspective.
Larry
code5coupe
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,740
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I dunno but it sucks. I am in a money bind right now and selling the car an getting solid for a few months and buying another would be great but I can't just give the car away. Mine is a 6spd coupe with 130k, alot of mile but I am having trouble even getting 7500. Hell for 7500 you could buy it, put a new engine in and have a vette with zero miles on the engine for 11500. Plus the exterior and interior both show very little wear at all. Usually better than most cars with half the miles. I guess its just the market right now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 1
From: Assault is a behavior, not a device! Cypress TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by vpunteney
I would agree with a couple of other posts, I wouldn't try to sell my Vette here, and the pricing here is very low. I think people forget that prices vary in different parts of the country. Your car in the NW would bring a good 17k.
I also think that because a few got the deal of a life time that in their mind that is the price. Could be, but not real in my life. The bottom line is that you have to find the right @ss for the right seat. If someone is looking for a very sharp Ruby like yours, they will step up and pay the price.
I would post it in the big metro paper within a 100 miles from your house and in the Trader. I would think you would get some calls on it and if it's as clean as the picture and what you say, you should be able to sell it. Other wise, bring it up here and sell it.
Good luck, it's a beauty.
Vinnie
I also think that because a few got the deal of a life time that in their mind that is the price. Could be, but not real in my life. The bottom line is that you have to find the right @ss for the right seat. If someone is looking for a very sharp Ruby like yours, they will step up and pay the price.
I would post it in the big metro paper within a 100 miles from your house and in the Trader. I would think you would get some calls on it and if it's as clean as the picture and what you say, you should be able to sell it. Other wise, bring it up here and sell it.
Good luck, it's a beauty.
Vinnie
My experience has been that a premo car will eventually bring a good price. Be patient...someone that appreciates your Ruby for what it is (and eventually will be) will come along and give you a good price. You can find ragged out Rubies every day but the geniunely good ones are getting harder and harder to find.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 1
From: NY
Unless I missed it somewhere, I don't think you mentioned the mileage on the car....that typically plays into it's value.
And just an observation - the seat bottom/bolster area leather is far too loose. The seat leather in those areas should be snug to the underlying cushions. If you had them redone by a company, I'd have them tighten those areas up.
Do you have a factory hardtop? That will always add value as well. And I have to agree with the lowball value comments that are made here. I've been a member for some time, and I've never felt that this was a great place to either ask for opinions on the value of a car or sell a car. JMO.
And just an observation - the seat bottom/bolster area leather is far too loose. The seat leather in those areas should be snug to the underlying cushions. If you had them redone by a company, I'd have them tighten those areas up.
Do you have a factory hardtop? That will always add value as well. And I have to agree with the lowball value comments that are made here. I've been a member for some time, and I've never felt that this was a great place to either ask for opinions on the value of a car or sell a car. JMO.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
Originally Posted by rocco16
In 30 years, $20,000 will be worth what $8,000 is worth today.
Inflation skews these trains of thought...
That's why it is so funny to hear people say, "yeah, I could have bought big-block C3's for $2500 all day long back in 1970!" Of course you could have; $2500 back then was the same as $40,000 is today....can you afford to buy a dozen '95 ZR-1's at $40,000/each TODAY??? Of course not, and you couldn't afford to buy Corvettes at $2500 back then either....'cause if you could have, you would have!! Same with me.....back in 1970 I was making about $7000 a year and no way could I afford a Corvette, even at $2500.
You must keep prices/inflation in perspective.
Larry
code5coupe
Inflation skews these trains of thought...
That's why it is so funny to hear people say, "yeah, I could have bought big-block C3's for $2500 all day long back in 1970!" Of course you could have; $2500 back then was the same as $40,000 is today....can you afford to buy a dozen '95 ZR-1's at $40,000/each TODAY??? Of course not, and you couldn't afford to buy Corvettes at $2500 back then either....'cause if you could have, you would have!! Same with me.....back in 1970 I was making about $7000 a year and no way could I afford a Corvette, even at $2500.
You must keep prices/inflation in perspective.
Larry
code5coupe
We'll all starve if the price suddenly jumped up that high...