Joepat

As the title states, I am thinking of buying a 1989 Corvette coupe. Body and paint (blue) look nice and clean. Drove the car for a while today, everything seems to be working properly, though I have no experience with vettes.

Car has 109k miles, and is owned by a snowbird in my neighborhood (fla).

I know his mechanic who told me that the car "seems fine". Just to be safe, I am taking it to my mechanic tomorrow.

I love the look and feel. It's an auto, with ac and power seats. He is asking 6000 for it. Any thoughts on a fair price or offer? Also, what sort of things, unique to this car, should I discuss with my mechanic as he gives it a once over.

According to the (elderly) owner he bought it 9 years ago and has put about 7000 miles on it since then. The paperwork bears this out.

Owner claims he replaced the injectors, weatherstripping and the headliner.

I love the look and feel of the car like I said, but am trying to decide based upon a little less emotion. It will be a 2nd car/hobby car, so I won't put many miles on it. My perhaps biggest concern is I don't want to start throwing a ton of money into it, if possible.

Thanks for any tips or advice, as well as thoughts on price.

Joseph

gunnerjuju

that's a fair price

Joepat

Thank you for the quick response. I would add I have checked the online value guides but the prices seem all over the place.

True Mountaneer

I recently bought an 89,also with high miles but very well maintained..I test drove it and loved it..The owner was asking 6,000 for it too..He would not budge on the price,but I did talk him into filling it up with gas..

Glenno

If the car is all there, everything works well, it drives and brakes nice, no smoke, leaks, bad noises, and overall condition is good then the price seems fair. Good Luck

Glenno

And have him write a $1000 or less bill of sale!

Joepat

Thank you.

Netfly

Good that he replaced the injectors, as that is the one sore spot in these cars I can tell you. The ethanol in today's gas ruins the old injectors. With that many miles I'd check the front end for loose joints. Good luck with your purchase.

Joepat

After a trip to the mechanic and nice long ride on the highway, I bought it.
Mechanically it feels good. Only issues jumping out at me are the dash pad being wavy up by the windshield, the steering wheel not being centered (though the alignment seems fine), and a whine coming through the radio when it is on, which sounds like it is picking up engine or electrical noise.
Wish me luck. Oh, got it for 5500.

zr1fred

Cruisinfanatic

the wavy dash pad could be a dash pad cap that is used to cover up the original cracked one.
I've had my steering wheel off. I can't remember if you can align that way or not.
Whining radio? Is it the original?

True Mountaneer

T he radio on the 89 I just bought did the same thing.I saw on another thread that it's called the Bose ghost,Bad amp on one speaker...Mine seems to have gotten better,but it's still not perfect...I love the sound of the pipes more than the radio anyways.

ch@0s

Nice find post some pictures.

Netfly

The whine in the radio is caused by old tantilum capactors in the radio that wear out. They can be changed out. As I recall there are about a dozen of them in there, but its easier to just swap out the radio.

MidlandZR1

I bought an 88 last July for $5400 so you did well but my radio and speakers are terrible. Can anyone recommend a manufacturer and model that fits in easily ?

Joepat

Thanks everyone. Will try to post some pictures tomorrow.

It is the original Bose radio. That may be down the line fix. I'm currently enjoying the sound of the motor. Might look into some type of remote iPod setup, and leave the original radio in. The dash will be a priority at some point.

The exterior is almost flawless.

Thanks for all the help. If I can, knock on wood, avoid any major mechanical difficulties, this car sure seems undervalued.

robert007

I have a awesome 88 for sale. 36000 miles. not a dent or scratch on the outside perfect interior. silver w red interior....removeable glass top...for pictures email me at ilovemydog72@yahoo.com $14,500 or best offer

zr1fred

You align the wheel with the tie rods. The steering wheel only goes on one way.

Cruisinfanatic

I woul;d hope there are no dents since vettes don't dent. They crack.
Post under for sale and hope to get 8-10K for it

Joepat

Good call on the dash pad cap. It is in fact a cap over the pad. Will address that at some point. My inclination would be to replace it properly, instead of a new cap.