Requesting First Purchase Advice
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
You have to see the car to make the determination. I've often paid for pristine cars, basically new condition. At that price, I'd go a little higher and get decent zr-1. CE is a paint job. Myself I'd offer 12,000 on the last day of month but you have to be prepared to lose the car.
Kbb does not apply in this economy. Supply and demand and what someone is willing to pay dictates price.
Also if you want a ce, you should get 6 speed with lt-4 motor which is faster, unique - 1 year motor.
Last edited by xlr8nflorida; Sep 8, 2010 at 09:42 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
A pristine 99 convertible c5 with 49k miles just sold for 14,500.
You have to see the car to make the determination. I've often paid for pristine cars, basically new condition. At that price, I'd go a little higher and get decent zr-1. CE is a paint job. Myself I'd offer 12,000 on the last day of month but you have to be prepared to lose the car.
Kbb does not apply in this economy. Supply and demand and what someone is willing to pay dictates price.
Also if you want a ce, you should get 6 speed with lt-4 motor which is faster, unique - 1 year motor.
You have to see the car to make the determination. I've often paid for pristine cars, basically new condition. At that price, I'd go a little higher and get decent zr-1. CE is a paint job. Myself I'd offer 12,000 on the last day of month but you have to be prepared to lose the car.
Kbb does not apply in this economy. Supply and demand and what someone is willing to pay dictates price.
Also if you want a ce, you should get 6 speed with lt-4 motor which is faster, unique - 1 year motor.
You get 330 hp instead of 300 and rev limiter is higher. True hp rating is probably 345. Lt-4 will keep it from dropping like a rock.
Last edited by xlr8nflorida; Sep 8, 2010 at 09:48 AM.
Banned Loser
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From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
I agree as long as the car has been taken care of and is in good shape, although i would offer $14000 even. I bought my CE a few years ago and have loved it ever since. If it is the car you have your heart set on go for it!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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For your first 'Vette, it doesn't look like you're in for a disappointment. I'd offer $14,000 even and drive away a happy camper.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
It sounds like it's in Great condition. It's very hard to find a 96 C4 in that condition with those miles these days.
If you don't buy it, someone else eventually will and you'll be left scouring the internet for another one just like it. I wouldn't let a few hundred dollars get between me and a Pristine 96 Vette!
If you don't buy it, someone else eventually will and you'll be left scouring the internet for another one just like it. I wouldn't let a few hundred dollars get between me and a Pristine 96 Vette!
Last edited by GKK; Sep 8, 2010 at 01:41 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park IL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thanks to all for your opinions and comments. They're much appreciated! For those that suggested a C5, my interest has been strictly in a late C4 that was in good shape. I looked at a few late C4s that had multiple issues. The one I described in the OP was the one in the best condition and the lowest miles in my price range. I'll be back hopefully soon with the results of my "final" offer on this 96 CE!
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,425
Likes: 250
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Thanks to all for your opinions and comments. They're much appreciated! For those that suggested a C5, my interest has been strictly in a late C4 that was in good shape. I looked at a few late C4s that had multiple issues. The one I described in the OP was the one in the best condition and the lowest miles in my price range. I'll be back hopefully soon with the results of my "final" offer on this 96 CE!
Good luck, let us know how you make out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
the point to a "you can pick up a C5 for that price" is a fair and politically correct way of saying that's too much for that car, without pissing people off
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
'$16k !! , whatareyoustupid??'
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: York Pennsylvania
In this area you can't touch a nice low mileage C5 for 16k so your price points don't apply.
Dealer, but Jackson has some of the better pricing in the area, and he moves cars
http://www.jacksonsautosales.com/inventory.aspx
Dealer, but Jackson has some of the better pricing in the area, and he moves cars
http://www.jacksonsautosales.com/inventory.aspx
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
In this area you can't touch a nice low mileage C5 for 16k so your price points don't apply.
Dealer, but Jackson has some of the better pricing in the area, and he moves cars
http://www.jacksonsautosales.com/inventory.aspx
Dealer, but Jackson has some of the better pricing in the area, and he moves cars
http://www.jacksonsautosales.com/inventory.aspx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,965
Likes: 2
From: North side of Houston Texas
Like some others have already said.....if it's worth it to you, then it's a good deal.
Personally, I think it's getting harder and harder to find these cars in the kind of shape you're talking about this one being in, so to my way of thinking it's probabaly worth a little more than what most perceive as "market value" for these cars. It's a judgement call.
What I can say for certain is that if you pay less a car that's got what appears to be a few minor, fixable issues and they turn into something more than you anticipated due to high miles, neglect, etc.....you'll be kickin' yourself in the *** for paying the extra for this one.
Personally, I think it's getting harder and harder to find these cars in the kind of shape you're talking about this one being in, so to my way of thinking it's probabaly worth a little more than what most perceive as "market value" for these cars. It's a judgement call.
What I can say for certain is that if you pay less a car that's got what appears to be a few minor, fixable issues and they turn into something more than you anticipated due to high miles, neglect, etc.....you'll be kickin' yourself in the *** for paying the extra for this one.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: York Pennsylvania
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
From: Somers N.Y.
96 vette
Always a Corvette dreamer, never an owner, but with your advice, that should change shortly! 
I've been shopping for the last month, and have decided on the following, but want to be sure that the experts here feel that this is a fair deal:
1996 CE, automatic with 37K miles
- 100% stock/no mods
- excellent condition in and out
- both tops
- brand new brakes, newer tires
- Only issue I know of is the keyless entry opens only the hatch and not the doors. (which was the case for a few of the Vettes I looked at)
Price: $14,400
Based on my shopping experience, this seems to me to be a very good price. Do you agree? If not, I'll reply back with details of my second choice -- a 94 with 83K.
Thanks to all!!
I've been shopping for the last month, and have decided on the following, but want to be sure that the experts here feel that this is a fair deal:
1996 CE, automatic with 37K miles
- 100% stock/no mods
- excellent condition in and out
- both tops
- brand new brakes, newer tires
- Only issue I know of is the keyless entry opens only the hatch and not the doors. (which was the case for a few of the Vettes I looked at)
Price: $14,400
Based on my shopping experience, this seems to me to be a very good price. Do you agree? If not, I'll reply back with details of my second choice -- a 94 with 83K.
Thanks to all!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park IL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
My First Vette!
It's official! My first Vette! I bought the one described in the OP for $14,300. And actually, the remote keyless does work. Thanks to all for your help and opinions. I'm sure I'll be back several times for help and advice!
