Currently seeking
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sweet Home Oregon
Currently seeking
Hello, I've been looking around the forums for the last few days. I am just starting to look for a C4 preferred is a '96 auto Black exterior/Gray interior.
I am looking at a Collectors edition tomorrow- what I do know about it so far: $16,000 45,000 miles automatic and.... it blew it's power steering pump yesterday, replaced today. Supposedly a garage queen. If that is the case- how can a low mile car blow a part already, 15yrs old or not? Does this seem like it should be closer to 11k than 16k? Should it be a 'look, but walk away' as everything else will go?
I would like to have a daily driver, that would probably only be 5k a year.
As far as waving goes, don't tell me I have to wave in a car... I hate it on the bike, but it goes with the territory
Scott
I am looking at a Collectors edition tomorrow- what I do know about it so far: $16,000 45,000 miles automatic and.... it blew it's power steering pump yesterday, replaced today. Supposedly a garage queen. If that is the case- how can a low mile car blow a part already, 15yrs old or not? Does this seem like it should be closer to 11k than 16k? Should it be a 'look, but walk away' as everything else will go?
I would like to have a daily driver, that would probably only be 5k a year.
As far as waving goes, don't tell me I have to wave in a car... I hate it on the bike, but it goes with the territory
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,103
Likes: 279
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Hello, I've been looking around the forums for the last few days. I am just starting to look for a C4 preferred is a '96 auto Black exterior/Gray interior.
I am looking at a Collectors edition tomorrow- what I do know about it so far: $16,000 45,000 miles automatic and.... it blew it's power steering pump yesterday, replaced today. Supposedly a garage queen. If that is the case- how can a low mile car blow a part already, 15yrs old or not? Does this seem like it should be closer to 11k than 16k? Should it be a 'look, but walk away' as everything else will go?
I would like to have a daily driver, that would probably only be 5k a year.
As far as waving goes, don't tell me I have to wave in a car... I hate it on the bike, but it goes with the territory
Scott
I am looking at a Collectors edition tomorrow- what I do know about it so far: $16,000 45,000 miles automatic and.... it blew it's power steering pump yesterday, replaced today. Supposedly a garage queen. If that is the case- how can a low mile car blow a part already, 15yrs old or not? Does this seem like it should be closer to 11k than 16k? Should it be a 'look, but walk away' as everything else will go?
I would like to have a daily driver, that would probably only be 5k a year.
As far as waving goes, don't tell me I have to wave in a car... I hate it on the bike, but it goes with the territory
Scott
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sweet Home Oregon
All input is appreciated as I am a total noobie on the Vette. I know what I like, but beyond that...
16k seemed high, he touts KBB as it's worth 18.500.... Edmunds shows it closer to 10-11k. (and that's closer to the budget)
If the Optispark hasn't been replaced- will that leave me stranded at some point or is it hit or miss on the quality?
16k seemed high, he touts KBB as it's worth 18.500.... Edmunds shows it closer to 10-11k. (and that's closer to the budget)
If the Optispark hasn't been replaced- will that leave me stranded at some point or is it hit or miss on the quality?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,955
Likes: 9,342
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
All input is appreciated as I am a total noobie on the Vette. I know what I like, but beyond that...
16k seemed high, he touts KBB as it's worth 18.500.... Edmunds shows it closer to 10-11k. (and that's closer to the budget)
If the Optispark hasn't been replaced- will that leave me stranded at some point or is it hit or miss on the quality?
16k seemed high, he touts KBB as it's worth 18.500.... Edmunds shows it closer to 10-11k. (and that's closer to the budget)
If the Optispark hasn't been replaced- will that leave me stranded at some point or is it hit or miss on the quality?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
All input is appreciated as I am a total noobie on the Vette. I know what I like, but beyond that...
16k seemed high, he touts KBB as it's worth 18.500.... Edmunds shows it closer to 10-11k. (and that's closer to the budget)
If the Optispark hasn't been replaced- will that leave me stranded at some point or is it hit or miss on the quality?
16k seemed high, he touts KBB as it's worth 18.500.... Edmunds shows it closer to 10-11k. (and that's closer to the budget)
If the Optispark hasn't been replaced- will that leave me stranded at some point or is it hit or miss on the quality?
Good luck on your hunt.
Mike
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sweet Home Oregon
This is the thrill of the hunt- right 
8-10k is a much nicer area that the 16k. Like I said, I'm just starting to look. It's always good to start with the folks that deal with and have a love for a hobby.
8-10k is a much nicer area that the 16k. Like I said, I'm just starting to look. It's always good to start with the folks that deal with and have a love for a hobby.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 2,138
From: Schaller Iowa
Last july I bought my 94 with 29020 miles on it when I picked her up so before I got it the average mileage was about 1900 per year throughout the previous owners. About 2 months later the waterpump went which took the opti so yes even on low mileage cars things can "wear" out if they're not used regularily to keep seals and gaskets in good shape. Mine also had the original tires which at 15 yrs old needed to be replaced so you might want to check the tires on any low mileage car you look at. I paid 13,500 for mine but it does have all documentation since new...service records and the like. Like many have/will suggest whatever year vette you end up buying your first purchase should be the FSM...factory service manual. Even if you dont do much of your own vehicle maintanence what little you do do with the FSM will more than pay for itself.
astepup said that
astepup said that
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque NM
From another new-to-the-forum type
Alchemy,
First, you'll need an LT1 if you want an automatic. All the LT4s came with 6spd manuals. There's nothing "collectible" about the Collector's Editions so don't let that fool you. If you want black on grety, a CE isn't going to work because they are all "seabring silver" exterior and either grey or red interior (now that I think about it they might have had some black interiors too).
Like the previous posts have said, the Opti isn't any more of a problem than any other part on the car with the 95-96 vented version. Mine's got almost 100K on it and I've had no problems with that part at least. Overall mine has been an extremely reliable car until very recently and I've just had a few starter gremlins.
16K does seem a little high to me.
By the way...I absolutely love my 96 Collector's Edition/LT4...wouldn't sell it for 16K...but if you're willing to go 25K I might consider it. lol
First, you'll need an LT1 if you want an automatic. All the LT4s came with 6spd manuals. There's nothing "collectible" about the Collector's Editions so don't let that fool you. If you want black on grety, a CE isn't going to work because they are all "seabring silver" exterior and either grey or red interior (now that I think about it they might have had some black interiors too).
Like the previous posts have said, the Opti isn't any more of a problem than any other part on the car with the 95-96 vented version. Mine's got almost 100K on it and I've had no problems with that part at least. Overall mine has been an extremely reliable car until very recently and I've just had a few starter gremlins.
16K does seem a little high to me.
By the way...I absolutely love my 96 Collector's Edition/LT4...wouldn't sell it for 16K...but if you're willing to go 25K I might consider it. lol
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Sweet Home Oregon
Welllll, it got sold last night..... he told me to come over today as the PS pump was being replaced. Apparently someone came right after it was installed and "I'll take it", paid 15k for it. Oh well, another time another place.
Until then, I'll drive the Bricklin
Until then, I'll drive the Bricklin
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 504
Likes: 2
From: Rockville MD
Scott, I paid $8500 for my 96 collectors edtion. 135k miles on it though. If its your daily driver, Dont worry about miles. COndition is more important than miles.
old cars are old cars regardless of miles.
if you were a collector i would understand a low mile car, but save your slef some money. you can get one for under $10k.
old cars are old cars regardless of miles.
if you were a collector i would understand a low mile car, but save your slef some money. you can get one for under $10k.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: LaGrange Highlands IL
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,884
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Don't believe it, I doubt he got 15k for it . I agree with Sarge and you would of been ripped off, its not worth more than 11K
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Auburn WA
This might be of interest to one of you. There is a '93 convertible (black/black) listed on Yahoo Autos that has piqued my interest, but I don't feel like flying to the Los Angeles area and don't really need another C4. It is in Tujunga, CA (close to Pasadena) at a car dealership (888.784.5260). The ad says it has 8500 miles and is listed at $7995. That seems much too low for an LT-1 convertible with so few miles. Maybe someone in the LA area can check it out.
Last edited by cj's c4; May 10, 2010 at 02:35 PM. Reason: Corrected exterior colour.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I believe an earlier poster was correct as what you were looking at was not a Collector Edition.
According to the Corvette blackbook, if Z15 is listed on the RPO code then it would be, but it would have more then likely been repainted as they were only put out in Sebring Silver.
I have been trying to sell mine for quite sometime and basically just gave up because of the economy, and I agree with others on here that the price he was asking was too high as you can indeed get into a C5 for around that amount.
According to the Corvette blackbook, if Z15 is listed on the RPO code then it would be, but it would have more then likely been repainted as they were only put out in Sebring Silver.
I have been trying to sell mine for quite sometime and basically just gave up because of the economy, and I agree with others on here that the price he was asking was too high as you can indeed get into a C5 for around that amount.