Looking at 96 LT-4 CE
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From: Gold River/Rancho Cordova Ca
Looking at 96 LT-4 CE
I'm really looking hard at a 96 LT-4 CE that's for sale locally, 37,800 miles, really clean for a 15 year old cruiser . Seller claims it's one of only 600 or so CE's with the LT-4 motor that has the grey leather interior. Also the paint on the top of the nose / bumper has some spider webbing like cracks in it , not bad but noticeable up close at maybe 3 ft. Also has Corsa exhaust and a Hurst shifter..... Think it's worth $15K ? anybody ?
Last edited by philibuster; Dec 23, 2011 at 05:05 AM.
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From: Gold River/Rancho Cordova Ca
I don't have pics of it, showed me a clean car fax and has a clear title though. I saw two go for 20K on Barret Jackson & Mecum this past summer. Guess it's not such a good a deal as I was thinking.
He also showed me a Kelly Blue Book print out that says it's worth $18,000 for "in good condition", fair condition is $17,200 for private party ($16,130 trade in) but those can be faked. When I test drove it the car seemed to run perfect and had all the power I wanted, the corsa exhaust I liked alot!.
I know you guys are ultra picky and, I don't want to use the word "cheap" (it's the only word I can think of), maybe very conservative when it comes to buying a used corvette is why I'm asking here first to get some feedback.
He also showed me a Kelly Blue Book print out that says it's worth $18,000 for "in good condition", fair condition is $17,200 for private party ($16,130 trade in) but those can be faked. When I test drove it the car seemed to run perfect and had all the power I wanted, the corsa exhaust I liked alot!.
I know you guys are ultra picky and, I don't want to use the word "cheap" (it's the only word I can think of), maybe very conservative when it comes to buying a used corvette is why I'm asking here first to get some feedback.
Last edited by philibuster; Dec 23, 2011 at 01:37 AM.
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From: Santa Cruz CA
St. Jude Donor '15
Looks like it's lowered. And the cheap bastich isn't even getting the smog check. 
Decent looking but yeah I'd say 15K is kind of high. I'm not sure what they're going for so do some price comparisons
Sorry I thought those were the sellers pics
phil, set your photobucket album to "private" if you don't want anyone to see it.
Dave
Decent looking but yeah I'd say 15K is kind of high. I'm not sure what they're going for so do some price comparisons
Sorry I thought those were the sellers pics
phil, set your photobucket album to "private" if you don't want anyone to see it.
Dave
Last edited by ZR-71; Dec 23, 2011 at 01:42 AM.
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From: Gold River/Rancho Cordova Ca
That "cheap bastich" as he's being called is an acquaintance of mine and is in a wheelchair now and can't enjoy driving it anymore let alone get it up to be tested ! I'm getting some friends together to maybe help him get it smogged and maybe even re-listed with better pics. I just got my butt chewed for starting this thread for him.........that's why this last post mostly got deleted, Oh well, try and help some people........
Last edited by philibuster; Dec 23, 2011 at 07:59 AM.
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St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I'm really looking hard at a 96 LT-4 CE that's for sale locally, 37,800 miles, really clean for a 15 year old cruiser . Seller claims it's one of only 600 or so CE's with the LT-4 motor that has the grey leather interior. Also the paint on the top of the nose / bumper has some spider webbing like cracks in it , not bad but noticeable up close at maybe 3 ft. Also has Corsa exhaust and a Hurst shifter..... Think it's worth $15K ? anybody ?
625 Coupes with LT4 and Grey Interior
157 Convertibles with LT4 and Grey Interior
But that really doesn't make them worth that much more.
They are not considered "collector" yet.
37k is low mileage for a good driver car, but for "collector value" the mileage would need to be under 5k
$15k is not unheard of, but probably a little on the optimistic side.
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Phil, without seeing the car it is hard for me to tell, but it sounds like it is well worth the asking price, being an LT4 with low mileage to boot. Things that can be pricey if not in good shape are the interior and weather stripping around the doors and rear hatch, and of course paint. If all these things are to your liking, i say go for it. I love my CE, and have had nothing but fun with the car since my purchase.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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From: Gold River/Rancho Cordova Ca
Here are some pics I took for his CL add, hope this works. I want the car bad, just a little steep for me right now.
And the weatherstripping looks like it's new.
And the weatherstripping looks like it's new.
Last edited by philibuster; Dec 23, 2011 at 08:19 AM.
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From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
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Well worth the asking price in my opinion.
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Beautiful car. I think the 96 CE is the best of all the C4s, and the LT4 is a great engine. Barret Jackson numbers are complete BS as are the book numbers. I think $15k is a good price, especially with the front bumper needing re-shot ($500-$1000). The Corsa exhaust is an awsome system and really sings with the LT4. You'll will probably love the car. As long as you are not planning a short term resale you should be all right. At $15k it's probably going to take him some time to sell it in this market. On the other hand, clean, low mileage CE's are getting hard to find. I wish it were mine!
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Things to consider at that price point, if it has good tires and what appears to be nice weatherstripping that has value. Leatehr looks decent as well. Any recent maintence done. In other words, if you buy a $12K car, need to spend a bunch on stuff, not necessarily a good deal. If this one is ready to go, perhaps. The spider webbing in the paint you mention seems odd though?
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Not having seen the car, "spiderwebbing" is very common on rubber bumper cars, it's geneally caused by parking lot bumps. (Many if not most C4's have it at least to some extent). It can be magnified if the bumper has been touched up somewhere down the line. It doesn't mean the car was wreaked.
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From: Gold River/Rancho Cordova Ca
Only maintenance needed that I know of was he did a oil change last year some time. Front tires look new, rear about 50% maybe more.
Here's the shiz on the front bumper, looks to me like it got "bumped" slightly maybe. A pro detailer told him to leave it alone, he could cover it up (make it go away) but it'd come back in a few years and be even worse.
Here's the shiz on the front bumper, looks to me like it got "bumped" slightly maybe. A pro detailer told him to leave it alone, he could cover it up (make it go away) but it'd come back in a few years and be even worse.
Things to consider at that price point, if it has good tires and what appears to be nice weatherstripping that has value. Leatehr looks decent as well. Any recent maintence done. In other words, if you buy a $12K car, need to spend a bunch on stuff, not necessarily a good deal. If this one is ready to go, perhaps. The spider webbing in the paint you mention seems odd though?
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Just needs to have that top part stripped to bare urethane and repainted. If you just sand it and shoot over it, it will come back. It does look bad, and it will cost him a lot of sales (I'm sure he's already discovered that). He should be able to get $13k+ in a couple of months. I wish him well.
Last edited by zr1fred; Dec 23, 2011 at 11:12 AM.
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From: Gold River/Rancho Cordova Ca
It was that way when he bought it 2½ years ago, hasn't changed. I told him to leave it, you can't see it until your up really close like maybe 4-5', buy a bra and cover it up like a dealer would do. There was a black 96 convertible w/LT-4 that had almost the same condition that I checked out at a dealer that even had a small ding on the left rear Q/P. they put a bra on it and sold it last week for $14,995 and w/108K miles on it. "low mileage car" yeah right.
Last edited by philibuster; Dec 23, 2011 at 11:59 AM.
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From: Gold River/Rancho Cordova Ca
Funny, I notice the members that are critical of the car and the price don't own one. Just looking at their avatars "garage is empty" one of the real senior members PM'd me LHAO and told me to check em out............he's right.
Gotta get some sleep now...........night all.
Gotta get some sleep now...........night all.
Last edited by philibuster; Dec 23, 2011 at 12:44 PM.