Summer prices???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Summer prices???
Hey, im in the process right now of looking at craiglist, ebay, and autotrader 24/7 in the hopes of finding the right vette. Im wondering if i really need to worry prices going up during the summer on a vette? Cause im really wanting an lt4 or a cheap c5 and im short like a grand. Give it a month and ill have the cash but will i find myself short another grand at that point? thanks guys.
*Not hatin on the lt1, its just the fact that ive driven all (ls1, lt1, and lt4) and i think id just be dissapointed if i got an lt1. Always wanting the extra engine.*
*Not hatin on the lt1, its just the fact that ive driven all (ls1, lt1, and lt4) and i think id just be dissapointed if i got an lt1. Always wanting the extra engine.*
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
IMO it all depends on how the economy is doing. Why don't you continue looking now and you'll have a better feel for the market when you're ready. I wouldn't jump at a car on the price factor alone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Don't think you need to worry. I purchased mine in summer and there were no price difference's. Also what steve said about the economy, don't think you need to worry, nothings going to change fast.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
decide on what you want and then save the money for it. Don't buy something you're not sure of or something with more miles than you're comfortable with.
The prices won't fluctuate much between now and when you're ready. IMO
The prices won't fluctuate much between now and when you're ready. IMO
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 5
From: Bowling Green KY
If you are serious about parting with your money you will find the right car. In my experience people will ask more for a toy like this during the nice weather, but when you flash a nice wad of cash they will think harder about your offer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 3
From: Holland MI
I had to increase my search radius in order to find one in my price range that I wanted. A helpful way to search craigslist is to go to google and type in site:craigslist.org lt4 corvette
and then start looking through the results. Sometimes the differences in price more than make up for the plane ticket and gas to drive it back (or have it shipped)
Prices really depend on condition though. I have watched a 75k mi 92 vette in August go for 7500 dollars, where as in the following December a 92 with a 100k was going for 9000. Both were identical.
and then start looking through the results. Sometimes the differences in price more than make up for the plane ticket and gas to drive it back (or have it shipped)
Prices really depend on condition though. I have watched a 75k mi 92 vette in August go for 7500 dollars, where as in the following December a 92 with a 100k was going for 9000. Both were identical.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Traditionally, prices are lowest in the first three months of the year as winter drags on and holiday bills come in. With the spring thaw (in winter climates) people get the urge and sportscar and motorcyle prices rise. They level off in the summer, and tend to drop in the fall with the end of the ""driving season". 4x4 sales tend to go up then. For years my neighbors would fly off to California from Omaha in March with a towbar and bring back two vettes apiece, and make pretty good money. Now on the internet, there is a tendancy to think that the exception disproves the rule. Prices are driven by demand, and demand is highest in spring, in the north. In the "summer climates", prices tend to rise with the start of football, and decline in the spring. One of the big changes in the last few years is the internet, which makes car searches national which tends to delute regional demand changes. With the economy (or perceptions of the economy), and the fact that C4's average about 20years old and haven't reached the collector status, the demand curve is somewhat distorted (or depressed). I would go with Sailorsteve's advice, post #2.
Last edited by zr1fred; Feb 13, 2011 at 08:23 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Ya . The nearer the summer the greater the price pull, (based on demand). It's best to pick them up in the low season, fix them, detail them and get them ready before the price crunch makes it's annual return. A last minute purchase will usuallly cost you more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,516
Likes: 1,303
From: Windermere FL
IMHO prices will not go up - don't worry about it. Search until you find something you like in your price range that is in decent shape. Good to be patient and save up a contingency fund of a few thousand $ to take care of all the hidden work that will no doubtlessly come up. The rule is to buy the newest Vette with the lowest miles for your budget that you can find. Keep searching - you will know when you find the right one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
To be frank I too have driven and owned a l98 (88), a lt1 (95) and ls1 (98) but have only driven a few Lt4's both were naturally 6 speeds...
Seat of the pants away from a red light feel ???? Well to be frank the l98 felt stronger but it just plain quits after 60 or so feet as it runs out of air...
The lt4's actually Felt stronger then my Ls1 or my lt1 but not by a heck of a lot... so I can understand your question...
Personally I could live with either...
Heck if I can live with and smile when driving my 180 Hp L48 76 the engine is only as strong as you can make it sound with the right mufflers... LOL
Bob G
64 72 76 79 88 and 98 Corvettes waiting for April Fools day so the driving season can begin....
Seat of the pants away from a red light feel ???? Well to be frank the l98 felt stronger but it just plain quits after 60 or so feet as it runs out of air...
The lt4's actually Felt stronger then my Ls1 or my lt1 but not by a heck of a lot... so I can understand your question...
Personally I could live with either...
Heck if I can live with and smile when driving my 180 Hp L48 76 the engine is only as strong as you can make it sound with the right mufflers... LOL
Bob G
64 72 76 79 88 and 98 Corvettes waiting for April Fools day so the driving season can begin....
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,590
Likes: 48
From: W MI
1 vote for wait and buy when you have the cash.
A deal will eventually come by, be ready for it, and if you miss it, there will be another one eventually. I wanted a Jaguar XK8 and eventually I saw a XKR on my local craigslist for XK8 money, minty, and $10.5k for a $16k car(according to accepted completed ebay prices). That was this January. I bought a BMW 740i last year in July for $1800; a $3000 car. Stuff happens when it happens, just be ready.
A deal will eventually come by, be ready for it, and if you miss it, there will be another one eventually. I wanted a Jaguar XK8 and eventually I saw a XKR on my local craigslist for XK8 money, minty, and $10.5k for a $16k car(according to accepted completed ebay prices). That was this January. I bought a BMW 740i last year in July for $1800; a $3000 car. Stuff happens when it happens, just be ready.
