What should I do?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
What should I do?
My neighbor is selling a 1987 2Door Coupe Hatchback Black... I really want to buy it like now! But there are a few things I am considering... For one, there are several things wrong with it, such as:
1. RPM meeter doesnt work(everything else on the dash works fine)
2. Cracks in the paint at various locations on the Exterior
3. the Horizantle light on the back left of the car is cracked in half...
4. drivers seat is ripped in 2 spots
5. 133,500 miles??
Thats about it except one really weird thing... When I looked on the back of the car it only has 3 tailpipes... 2 on the left and 1 on the right(when looking from behind the car)! Is this normal or is on missing? I didn't think much of it when I saw it but now I havnt seen it like that in any pictures online...
Also, he is asking $4500 or best offer for the vette...
I really want to buy it cause I love Corvettes and want one to work on and make my hobby and then hopfu;;y clean it and fix it to show quality.
What do you guys think I should do, how much would those problems listed above be to fix? And, most importantly how much should I offer him for it? since he did say Or Best Offer?
Thanks guys!
1. RPM meeter doesnt work(everything else on the dash works fine)
2. Cracks in the paint at various locations on the Exterior
3. the Horizantle light on the back left of the car is cracked in half...
4. drivers seat is ripped in 2 spots
5. 133,500 miles??
Thats about it except one really weird thing... When I looked on the back of the car it only has 3 tailpipes... 2 on the left and 1 on the right(when looking from behind the car)! Is this normal or is on missing? I didn't think much of it when I saw it but now I havnt seen it like that in any pictures online...
Also, he is asking $4500 or best offer for the vette...
I really want to buy it cause I love Corvettes and want one to work on and make my hobby and then hopfu;;y clean it and fix it to show quality.
What do you guys think I should do, how much would those problems listed above be to fix? And, most importantly how much should I offer him for it? since he did say Or Best Offer?
Thanks guys!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
It's probably worth more than he is asking, IF that's all that is wrong with it.
Sounds like you should have the car looked at by someone who is knowledgeable about cars/Corvettes.
BTW, Corvettes are not, generally, referred to as "2-door hatchbacks", but I'll let that slide since you're new to this.
Just say "coupe" and we'll know what you mean. 
Larry
code5coupe
__________
not easily impressed....
Sounds like you should have the car looked at by someone who is knowledgeable about cars/Corvettes.
BTW, Corvettes are not, generally, referred to as "2-door hatchbacks", but I'll let that slide since you're new to this.
Just say "coupe" and we'll know what you mean. Larry
code5coupe
__________
not easily impressed....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Pass on it. Spend a couple grand more and get one that's in better shape. You'll probably end up spending a couple grand in fixing the car's issues alone, and 133K miles is a bunch. Also you talk about making it a show condition car which would REALLy mean big bucks and these cars aren't exactly collector's items. I know money doesn't grow on trees, but buy the best Vette you can afford now instead of a fixerup. Good luck in your search
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2
From: Canandaigua New York
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Antioch California
And you shall!
Only you know what it's worth, as well as what you are willing to part with. For all we know, it may be a real queen with a couple of issues...maybe it's not. Good luck with your decision.{-------p.s. count em'...4
Last edited by JrsTurn; Jul 10, 2007 at 11:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Have 87 also, got as project car, and rebuilt... but
1. tac could be as easy as ground or tac filter or broken wire at distributor (not a deal breaker)
2. Paint job or touchup (cheap for touchup or 2500-4000) repaint
3. light cheap DIY
4. Seat covers from iggee (200)
5. Millage okay for C4... check engine, drive train rear end, tires, rims,etc
6. Exhause, no should be 2 & 2 (deduct for exhaust system ) $650
All in all i'd say $3500, but figure your going to put more than $1000 and be all-right knowing that you'll have repairs, etc
There are alot of stuff for 87-88 on the forum, use the search, advanced, archive posts and you'll find your answers.
Final: If you do get it: get the FSM immediately
1. tac could be as easy as ground or tac filter or broken wire at distributor (not a deal breaker)
2. Paint job or touchup (cheap for touchup or 2500-4000) repaint
3. light cheap DIY
4. Seat covers from iggee (200)
5. Millage okay for C4... check engine, drive train rear end, tires, rims,etc
6. Exhause, no should be 2 & 2 (deduct for exhaust system ) $650
All in all i'd say $3500, but figure your going to put more than $1000 and be all-right knowing that you'll have repairs, etc
There are alot of stuff for 87-88 on the forum, use the search, advanced, archive posts and you'll find your answers.
Final: If you do get it: get the FSM immediately
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FSM= factory service manual 
welcome to the forum. 
place
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
okay here is the website of the car?
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
Should I buy it? and if so what should i try to haggle the price down too?
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true
Should I buy it? and if so what should i try to haggle the price down too?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I wouldnt bother, keep looking. Theres a very clean 89 coupe around here for $5500 that needs nothing....Another identical to it with 80k miles (and this thing was NICE) sold for $4500. Both cars were dark red metallic/beige/auto. The one with 80k was very hard for me not to buy, it was a steal.
Get one thats nice to begin with...Keep looking, the deals are out there.
The one with 80k was very hard for me not to buy, it was a steal. Get one thats nice to begin with...Keep looking, the deals are out there.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Wayne NJ
My neighbor is selling a 1987 2Door Coupe Hatchback Black... I really want to buy it like now! But there are a few things I am considering... For one, there are several things wrong with it, such as:
1. RPM meeter doesnt work(everything else on the dash works fine)
2. Cracks in the paint at various locations on the Exterior
3. the Horizantle light on the back left of the car is cracked in half...
4. drivers seat is ripped in 2 spots
5. 133,500 miles??
Thats about it except one really weird thing... When I looked on the back of the car it only has 3 tailpipes... 2 on the left and 1 on the right(when looking from behind the car)! Is this normal or is on missing? I didn't think much of it when I saw it but now I havnt seen it like that in any pictures online...
Also, he is asking $4500 or best offer for the vette...
I really want to buy it cause I love Corvettes and want one to work on and make my hobby and then hopfu;;y clean it and fix it to show quality.
What do you guys think I should do, how much would those problems listed above be to fix? And, most importantly how much should I offer him for it? since he did say Or Best Offer?
Thanks guys!
1. RPM meeter doesnt work(everything else on the dash works fine)
2. Cracks in the paint at various locations on the Exterior
3. the Horizantle light on the back left of the car is cracked in half...
4. drivers seat is ripped in 2 spots
5. 133,500 miles??
Thats about it except one really weird thing... When I looked on the back of the car it only has 3 tailpipes... 2 on the left and 1 on the right(when looking from behind the car)! Is this normal or is on missing? I didn't think much of it when I saw it but now I havnt seen it like that in any pictures online...
Also, he is asking $4500 or best offer for the vette...
I really want to buy it cause I love Corvettes and want one to work on and make my hobby and then hopfu;;y clean it and fix it to show quality.
What do you guys think I should do, how much would those problems listed above be to fix? And, most importantly how much should I offer him for it? since he did say Or Best Offer?
Thanks guys!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
money pit
I say drive it, and then drive another one. compare everything.
the light is nothing, and the rest is normal wear and tear.
I'd cut him down a few bucks on the spoiler and the tach thing.
The tach is in a cluster, and it could cost you $200-$300 for a replacement. keep the old one for parts.
get a decent set of wheels, and buy a left seat upholstery kit, and some hog ring pliers and rings.
lift up the back compartment lids, and check out the three digit RPO codes on the white tag.
look them up, and it will tell you if that car is anything special. Do a search here for RPO codes, and you will know
the light is nothing, and the rest is normal wear and tear.
I'd cut him down a few bucks on the spoiler and the tach thing.
The tach is in a cluster, and it could cost you $200-$300 for a replacement. keep the old one for parts.
get a decent set of wheels, and buy a left seat upholstery kit, and some hog ring pliers and rings.
lift up the back compartment lids, and check out the three digit RPO codes on the white tag.
look them up, and it will tell you if that car is anything special. Do a search here for RPO codes, and you will know
