I'm awaiting a reply about the Carfax descrepencies.
Odometer Readings
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
Odometer Readings
So lots of talk about mileages and values. So how hard would it be for someone to disable the odometer or turn back mileage?
I'm contemplating a 94 with really low miles. According to the Carfax the current owner would have bought it in 03 but only put about a thousand miles on it since then. Guess it's possible but doesn't make much sence to me. It's 10 hrs away or I'd just go look at it.
I'm contemplating a 94 with really low miles. According to the Carfax the current owner would have bought it in 03 but only put about a thousand miles on it since then. Guess it's possible but doesn't make much sence to me. It's 10 hrs away or I'd just go look at it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
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From: Phoenix Arizona
The mileage in the 90-96 corvettes is resident in the body control module (also known as the central control module). To change it would require replaceing the module. Carfax is not infallible, so there may have been a mistake back then. With all the deals out there, if its a problem with you, pass.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If the CCM had been replaced, there is (was) a 100 mile frame where the "real" mileage would have to be entered into the CCM. After that, the CCM becomes locked and no updates can be entered.
The CCM also holds the VIN (which has to be entered if a new or reman CCM is installed); it also has the diagnostics for the C68 Electronic Climate Control option if the car was equipped that way.
The easiest way to check the CCM is to use a scan tool to check the VIN, if it matches the car, then either the mileage is correct, or the CCM was replaced and the VIN updated but not the mileage. Or maybe the owner really didn't drive the car that much.
The CCM also holds the VIN (which has to be entered if a new or reman CCM is installed); it also has the diagnostics for the C68 Electronic Climate Control option if the car was equipped that way.
The easiest way to check the CCM is to use a scan tool to check the VIN, if it matches the car, then either the mileage is correct, or the CCM was replaced and the VIN updated but not the mileage. Or maybe the owner really didn't drive the car that much.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
Thanks. I didn't think it would be that easy to change. Who knows?
It's just that it's the color I want and a 6spd supposedly in exellent condition with just under 40thou. He claims to be the second owner but the report shows 3 owners and 2years, 6thou mile registered to a rental company.
And he's willing to deal on the price. Then again..If it's too good to be true.........
It's just that it's the color I want and a 6spd supposedly in exellent condition with just under 40thou. He claims to be the second owner but the report shows 3 owners and 2years, 6thou mile registered to a rental company.
And he's willing to deal on the price. Then again..If it's too good to be true.........
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks. I didn't think it would be that easy to change. Who knows?
It's just that it's the color I want and a 6spd supposedly in exellent condition with just under 40thou. He claims to be the second owner but the report shows 3 owners and 2years, 6thou mile registered to a rental company.
And he's willing to deal on the price. Then again..If it's too good to be true.........
It's just that it's the color I want and a 6spd supposedly in exellent condition with just under 40thou. He claims to be the second owner but the report shows 3 owners and 2years, 6thou mile registered to a rental company.
And he's willing to deal on the price. Then again..If it's too good to be true.........
Carfax is pretty good, especially if you're looking in a state that does annual or biennial smogs/inspections as the mileage is listed each time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
Ok, so he says his wife did the ad & the miles may be a few higher which would explain. That could be honest cause she made a mistake on the year too.
Biggest thing that scares me about rental cars is damage history. Rental companies are self insured. When one gets damaged they don't fix them they just sell them at auction. I know cause I bought an Enterprise car (Dodge Neon) with the frt end whacked. When I went to sell it the report came up Fleet Usage but no damage reported.
More photos are coming so we shall see.
Biggest thing that scares me about rental cars is damage history. Rental companies are self insured. When one gets damaged they don't fix them they just sell them at auction. I know cause I bought an Enterprise car (Dodge Neon) with the frt end whacked. When I went to sell it the report came up Fleet Usage but no damage reported.
More photos are coming so we shall see.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would bet that a Corvette rental car would have been beat pretty hard, even though the insurance cost for a rental Corvette would be high and be limited to certain age groups.And I would be a little uneasy if the owner said he was the 2nd owner when Carfax shows something different. When it comes to transfer of ownership in terms of various DMV's doing title transfers/issues, Carfax should be fairly reliable for that. Damage reporting maybe not so much.
There are lots of nice C4's out there for sale. Take your time and find the best car you can for the money you have to spend. Try not to limit yourself to a particular color or options; look for the best car.
Also, when you narrow your choice down to a single car, take it to a reputable auto repair facility and have then do a UVI or Used Vehicle Inspection. This should cost about $125 but you will get a written report on the condition of the car to include all of the mechanical stuff. It will let you know what is needed in the way of repairs and when it needs to be done.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
Thanks for the input. Trouble with the internet is it lets you find exactly what you want but it is too far away to just go look at.
Buddy of mine rented a Ford Escort in FL back in my wild & crazy youth. I agree that I wouldn't want that one. LOL But 6 thousand miles in a year and a half isn't like it had it's wheels run off. And if it was beat up why did succeding owners obviously only drive it as a toy? Not to mention it's 17yo so who knows what went on the rest of the time. If only they could talk.
I totally agree about the second owner claim. That is what has me worried the most.
As far as lots to chose from, I do see many for sale. The nice ones seem to have crazy asking prices or never meet the reserve at auction. Lot of asking prices getting near C5 prices.
There are a few other colors I would settle for and some I just would hate. I have decided it has to be a Vert.
Thanks again for answering all my goofy questions.
Buddy of mine rented a Ford Escort in FL back in my wild & crazy youth. I agree that I wouldn't want that one. LOL But 6 thousand miles in a year and a half isn't like it had it's wheels run off. And if it was beat up why did succeding owners obviously only drive it as a toy? Not to mention it's 17yo so who knows what went on the rest of the time. If only they could talk.
I totally agree about the second owner claim. That is what has me worried the most.
As far as lots to chose from, I do see many for sale. The nice ones seem to have crazy asking prices or never meet the reserve at auction. Lot of asking prices getting near C5 prices.
There are a few other colors I would settle for and some I just would hate. I have decided it has to be a Vert.
Thanks again for answering all my goofy questions.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
OK so after I slept on it I sent a message that I'm passing on the car. The claim of being second owner compared to the actual history scared me the most. There were other things that didn't add up. So then you start to wonder how acurate the rest of the desription is. I've been on lots of wild goose chases but never one 10hrs away.
Car is Aqua with Charcoal interior, newer black top, ZR1 wheels, 6spd, factory hardtop and around 40thou. Exactly what I was looking for but oh well. It's on the Autotrader. Located 30 miles from GreenBay WI. Just in case any Superbowl Champs want to check it out.
Car is Aqua with Charcoal interior, newer black top, ZR1 wheels, 6spd, factory hardtop and around 40thou. Exactly what I was looking for but oh well. It's on the Autotrader. Located 30 miles from GreenBay WI. Just in case any Superbowl Champs want to check it out.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,818
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From: White Oak PA
Pass on this one
Hello,
I have owned a C4 for over 10 years and live in Pittsburgh. My opinion is to find another one that makes you feel more comfortable. Why waste the time and effort investigating one so far away that may have issues. There is an amazing 1988 C4 convertible for sale locally that I can forward to you. I was even interested in it but cannot justify having 2 C4 convertibles with a child in college.
Take your time. It is truly a buyer's market right now.
John
I have owned a C4 for over 10 years and live in Pittsburgh. My opinion is to find another one that makes you feel more comfortable. Why waste the time and effort investigating one so far away that may have issues. There is an amazing 1988 C4 convertible for sale locally that I can forward to you. I was even interested in it but cannot justify having 2 C4 convertibles with a child in college.
Take your time. It is truly a buyer's market right now.
John
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Carfax is only as good as what has entered and is perhaps the greatest legal scam of all time. Somehow they have managed to convince the entire American public that they need this before buying a car. Wish I would have thought of it.
My 2004 GTO was wrecked 3 times, had a speedometer replaced (which affected the odometer), was stolen, and recalled twice. The only original painted body panels on the entire car were the passenger door, the roof, and the trunk. When I sold it, the Carfax was clean as a whistle.
According to Carfax my track car is a 12,000 mile 1996 beauty.
My 2004 GTO was wrecked 3 times, had a speedometer replaced (which affected the odometer), was stolen, and recalled twice. The only original painted body panels on the entire car were the passenger door, the roof, and the trunk. When I sold it, the Carfax was clean as a whistle.
According to Carfax my track car is a 12,000 mile 1996 beauty.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: Alpine, Texas
Now that you mentioned it's in Green Bay, that might be the way to go. Perhaps ask someone from that area to check it out, and then tell you their experiences first hand. As for the 'rental"...maybe it was a lease? My car was a lease, and I'm the third owner, and couldn't be happier. But it's always a crap shoot if you can't see it up close and personal.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Now that you mentioned it's in Green Bay, that might be the way to go. Perhaps ask someone from that area to check it out, and then tell you their experiences first hand. As for the 'rental"...maybe it was a lease? My car was a lease, and I'm the third owner, and couldn't be happier. But it's always a crap shoot if you can't see it up close and personal.
Yeah, that would be great if it happened.
There were just too many contradictions for me to feel comfortable. I'm 58 and been messing with cars before I had a drivers license. So I kinda have a sence for when someone is BSin me. First contact stated they are second owner and came from a GM employee that maintained it religiously. When I showed the history report, the only reply was they bought it at a big GM dealer. That to me is BS.
Does seem strange they would have a stick as a rental. Personally never saw that before.
Race Director
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
