Strike one!
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Strike one!
Checked out a 1992 Black Rose today. All I can say is photos can be deceiving. Advertised as mint condition. Saw the 92 this morning, looked great to me at first glance, but by the time my mechanic finished evaluating it I thought I was looking at a different car. Was hit in the front and rear (slight difference in paint tone), slight misalignment in passenger door, plus some mechanical problems. Was disappointed but relieved not to have bought it and found out later. One down more to go before I find the right one here in New York.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
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From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
personally, I wouldn't buy a used vehicle that you intend to elevate to some higher status as most do with Corvettes, from that part of the country. Winters are tough on machinery, and any up there that have been driven will carry the scar of the bad roads, many chances for slight fender benders that never get repaired, etc. and the hard driving that makes for a daily commute.
flame suit on,
flame suit on,
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
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From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Everyplace you find a Corvette, there are pluses and minuses.
In your neck of the woods, there's no snow, no salt, so the cars age better. But chances are in your area, a Corvette is a daily driver. Being a daily driver has it's own hazards. Very high mileage cars, and some look like they've been rode hard and put away wet.
In this part of the country, only the craziest among us would consider a Corvette for a daily driver. I bought an 87 last year, local car all it's life, 72k miles when I got it. It's sitting in my garage with 75k on it now. My 87 isn't pristine, but it's in pretty good shape for an old car.
For a basic used car you're right, cars that deal with winter salt and snow age faster. For a Corvette, many of them up here don't see that stuff.
In your neck of the woods, there's no snow, no salt, so the cars age better. But chances are in your area, a Corvette is a daily driver. Being a daily driver has it's own hazards. Very high mileage cars, and some look like they've been rode hard and put away wet.
In this part of the country, only the craziest among us would consider a Corvette for a daily driver. I bought an 87 last year, local car all it's life, 72k miles when I got it. It's sitting in my garage with 75k on it now. My 87 isn't pristine, but it's in pretty good shape for an old car.
For a basic used car you're right, cars that deal with winter salt and snow age faster. For a Corvette, many of them up here don't see that stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
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From: Irvine Ca
So lemme sum it up.....you went to look at a ~17 year old car and it had some problems......
Let's refocus for just a moment.
a 17 year old car. The question is not going to be "Does it have problems?" The question is "What kind of problems will it have" as well as "How many problems will it have" and are these problems ones that I want to deal with.
My '84....the original owner sold it to me.....it is clear that she liked to bump things with the nose of the car as the bumper cover shows all the scars....is that a problem I can handle? yes..
Let's refocus for just a moment.
a 17 year old car. The question is not going to be "Does it have problems?" The question is "What kind of problems will it have" as well as "How many problems will it have" and are these problems ones that I want to deal with.
My '84....the original owner sold it to me.....it is clear that she liked to bump things with the nose of the car as the bumper cover shows all the scars....is that a problem I can handle? yes..
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Little bumps i can handle too, but when my mechanic tells me its more than that, then its time to look elsewhere. Not to mention the minute scratches even I saw from too many car washes. I'm not picky, but when someone describes their vette as pristine to me, and prices it that way, well, thats what I expect to see.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 393
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From: Bartonville Illinois
used cars
Used cars are rated Xtra Clean, Clean, Average and so on. I sold muscle cars and sports cars for a while and found the average guy doesn't know the difference. There can be several thousand dollars worth of work needed on a used Corvette to change it from a nice car to a really nice car.
Pictures really are deceiving.
Pictures really are deceiving.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
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From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
That was the worst part of my own hunt for a C4. More than a couple of times I went to see cars that looked great in pictures. One car had a paint bubble the size of my fist on the driver's door, right in the middle. The seller said it was in excellent condition and took pictures such that the problem area wasn't easily seen.
Too darn many liars, and crooks, and people who think their average C4 is worth $20k because it sold for $27 new.
Having said all that, searching for my C4 was about as much fun as I've ever had with my clothes on!
Too darn many liars, and crooks, and people who think their average C4 is worth $20k because it sold for $27 new.
Having said all that, searching for my C4 was about as much fun as I've ever had with my clothes on!
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Wait, wait, wait, Differences inpaint tone usually mean paint work (not uncommon on a 16 year old specialty car), not neccesarily it's been wreaked. Slight door miss-alighnment also doesn't neccesarily mean wreaked. Some mechanical issues are also to be expected. Sounds like you're looking for the proverbial 40 year old virgin in a ***** house. But you are right not to have bought it, you wouldn't have been happy with it. What you've discribed is the ususal sub $9000 vette. It sounds like you need to start looking in a higher price range (still no guaratee you won't find turds).
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,443
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From: Grand Rapids Mi
Those that know the difference pay premium $$$$$ for premium cars! Those that can't tell the difference either find or pay someone to tell them or claim it doesn't make a difference! 
It takes several years and several cars to learn this! 
It takes several years and several cars to learn this!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
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From: Wellsboro Pa
There are nice Corvettes everywhere, not just in the south. Most Vette owners store their cars for the winters thus lower mileage and better shape. Keep looking, the one for you is out there somewhere.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 75
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From: Cortlandt Manor New York
Wait, wait, wait, Differences inpaint tone usually mean paint work (not uncommon on a 16 year old specialty car), not neccesarily it's been wreaked. Slight door miss-alighnment also doesn't neccesarily mean wreaked. Some mechanical issues are also to be expected. Sounds like you're looking for the proverbial 40 year old virgin in a ***** house. But you are right not to have bought it, you wouldn't have been happy with it. What you've discribed is the ususal sub $9000 vette. It sounds like you need to start looking in a higher price range (still no guaratee you won't find turds).
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Trust me, I feel your pain. Keep looking, there are alot of nice ones out there too. Unfortunately there are more rough ones. Take your time. You may want to look at the the 94-96's, they tend to be a little better condition. A good percentage of used vettes have had at least minor paint work, it's hard to perfectly match some of the darker metalics, and by this time they could have clear coat issues.(hence the spot painting). Car Fax, while not infalible, is your friend.Take your time and don't settle for less!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Looks are deceiving, especially on dealer bought vehicles. Many dealer bought vehicles will need paint jobs in a couple of years. These cars are buffed and the paint so thin on many that the prime will show through in no time.I would rather buy a private Corvette a little dirty with maintenance records than a shinny clean Corvette on a dealers lot.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Be patient, they made about a bazillion C4s, plenty to choose from.
The paint on front and rear bumpers can tend to fade a little faster than the rest of the car for some reason. May not have been wrecked but never hurts to investigate. A tap or fender bender wouldnt bother me as they are old enough the odds are it may have been smacked at one poiint. Prior frame/suspension damage, Id walk.
The paint on front and rear bumpers can tend to fade a little faster than the rest of the car for some reason. May not have been wrecked but never hurts to investigate. A tap or fender bender wouldnt bother me as they are old enough the odds are it may have been smacked at one poiint. Prior frame/suspension damage, Id walk.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,807
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From: Somewherein Pa
[QUOTE=jhammons01;1563811441]So lemme sum it up.....you went to look at a ~17 year old car and it had some problems......
Let's refocus for just a moment.
a 17 year old car. The question is not going to be "Does it have problems?" The question is "What kind of problems will it have" as well as "How many problems will it have" and are these problems ones that I want to deal with.
These cars are "used" so pick your poison. Mechanical or cosmetic!
Let's refocus for just a moment.
a 17 year old car. The question is not going to be "Does it have problems?" The question is "What kind of problems will it have" as well as "How many problems will it have" and are these problems ones that I want to deal with.
These cars are "used" so pick your poison. Mechanical or cosmetic!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
[QUOTE=bd2626;1565057208]
Great Post Denny your 100% spot on, Fred did you find that 40 YO Virgin yet?
So lemme sum it up.....you went to look at a ~17 year old car and it had some problems......
Let's refocus for just a moment.
a 17 year old car. The question is not going to be "Does it have problems?" The question is "What kind of problems will it have" as well as "How many problems will it have" and are these problems ones that I want to deal with.
These cars are "used" so pick your poison. Mechanical or cosmetic!
Let's refocus for just a moment.
a 17 year old car. The question is not going to be "Does it have problems?" The question is "What kind of problems will it have" as well as "How many problems will it have" and are these problems ones that I want to deal with.
These cars are "used" so pick your poison. Mechanical or cosmetic!
Great Post Denny your 100% spot on, Fred did you find that 40 YO Virgin yet?