Truth.

 

Picture I snapped before I left.
112k miles, auto, 93
Good points.. new tires, new top, runs great, everything works
Bad points, have to fix the lights since they are stuck up, few cosmetic issues on the interior, CD player error, side is rough compared to the C4 and C5 I's used to driving.
For the Price the C4's are going it was a no brainier, really pleased with it.
Thanks for all the info and advice

 

Just sold my 89 with 120k for 6k. I know I could've gotten 6.9k but discounted it to a veteran

 

maybe 10,000

 

Please keep us updated as you fix it up. We love the stories. My bet is a few hours of TLC and it will be sweet.

 

Price of C4- 1 month ago today I paid $12,000 for a Garage Queen 1995 Torch Red Automatic, black interior, with 24,000 miles from the original owner. It is IMMACULATE. New tires too. He wanted $14,900 but when I said I could have a bank check in his hand the next morning, he said yes. Many people on here think I paid too much and I respect their opinion. I took it to a local corvette specialist, they put it up on the lift and it is showroom new. I looked at a TON of $8,000 corvettes- very nice. I looked at some $10,000 vettes again very nice. But this $12,000 car is really like new/mint. Paint looks like it should be in a showroom in 1995, leather appears to never have been sat in. Carpet looks like slippers were only worn. I guess when I look at the price of used cars, and yes I know this vette is used, BUT I LOVE it and was worth the extra grand or two to find the perfect car for me.

 

Sounds like you got a steal! This car in this condition should give you years of trouble free pleasure and that is what you are really paying for!

Doug

 

I ended up paying 6K OTD, spent yesterday driving around all day with the top down, was great.
Stopped by a buddies and checked the lights, motors work fine up and down with direct power to them ( good news ) now to check the replays and switch. Its a little hard turning at slow speed, so a rainy Sunday researching some issues.
The C4 sure gets a lot of attention and comments

 

I'm a new user/first post and I don't own a Corvette but I'm seriously shopping... considering this C4:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/3799853957.html

Drove it a couple days ago, also had it inspected at a local Firestone shop.

Pros:
-- clean/straight body, no dents or noticeable damage
-- drives great, 100% of everything works (can't say I feel the SRC setting change when driving)
-- has selective ride control (SRC) suspension option
-- recent manual transmission service and diff service
-- new compressor and charge on A/C system
-- new serpentine
-- new water pump & coolant
-- new distributor/shaft/seals, cap, rotor, spark plugs & wires
-- new oil pan and valve cover gaskets (still has slight valve cover leak on one side)
-- recent smog check, runs squeaky clean (nearly zero emissions after 105k miles? What the heck)
-- normal wear to interior and upholstery, generally good inside
-- Firestone says all suspension and external drivetrain components are tight and in very good condition

Cons:
-- same size tires (275) and wheels (?) front and rear, supposed to be staggered
-- clutch feels OK but current owner did not have it replaced and he doesn't know about the history of that particular part... no information available
-- tires are 7 years old with 50% tread remaining, current owner just didn't drive it much the last 4 years... Firestone says they must be replaced when they reach 9 years old? Seems too long to me. It's a negotiating point if the tires *must* be replaced now.
-- brakes have 30% remaining... front discs can be turned but rear discs are at spec limit and must be replaced at next service, but should be OK for maybe another 10k miles.
-- weatherstripping around passenger cabin is shot, owner says it "will leak a bit" in an automated car wash; weatherstripping around hood and rear glass in fair condition at best
-- driver's door panel needs re-securing in a couple places (screws provided lol)
-- needs an oil change (not a big deal)

In short, it's in good condition and appears ready to go another 10k miles before tires & brake replacement. I'll want to get the weatherstripping replaced before winter, maybe another negotiating point.

Owner is a nice person, honest and forthcoming and reasonable, he's asking $8400 and is willing to negotiate. I want to start at $7200 but don't want to turn the guy off cold by low-balling him... I just don't really know what's a reasonable starting point. KBB, Edmunds and NADA give numbers all over the board, from $6,500 to $11,000. I want to know where to start negotiating, what you think it's worth, or if I should keep looking, etc. Sorry for long post, thanks for reading.

 

To encourage negotiations - ask him if there's any wiggle room.
That question will be an honest request - not an insult.


Tires and weatherstripping could approach $2,000 combined... consider your budget.

 

So the owner and I agreed to $7900 as the final sale price. I'm picking it up this weekend... first Corvette, first V8 engine, pretty excited! Hello summer!

 

there is asking price and there is the price someone is willing to sell.

I just put up my 96 coupe and priced it based on condition, blue book and local sales.

Book on it was $9500,thats a bit high around metro Atlanta, I thought, as most go for around $8000-8500. I have seen higher mileage ones go for less and lower mileage ones go for more.

Since I am willing to sell for 8500 and book is 9500 I listed it as 9500 and OBO. This will tell folks I will deal, but lowballers will be ignored.
Mine has not had a resto but I have been very serious about maintaining and repairing issues so they dont stack up. I think this adds value since I have service records for all 3 owners.

anyway, shameless plug but there is more to price than book value, and notice I didnt mention what I had in it at all.

 

If I am selling:
I dont think 7200 is a low ball. I consider a low ball anything above 20% off asking price ($6720). That will assume we will end up at 10% below asking price unless one of you flinches.

If you came at me with $7200 I am going to assume you want to be at around $7800-7900 in the end. I will feel you out a bit and see if you want to go through the motions or just cut to the chase.


for purchasing:
My rule when I am looking for cars is the asking price -$1000 is where I want to buy. with that in mind I figure my budget and set my autotrader alerts up and have a figure for searching craigslist.

This doesn't really jive with my selling practice since I use percentages there but its sets my mind to the right place and its all a mental game after all.


Dont get involved emotionally. Make it a numbers game and don't go outside the numbers. Be prepared to walk, but if you have done your homework before the test drive you already know if you are going to walk away with the car provided it meets expectations when you see it.

It sounds like you ended up right where you thought you would. Assuming the car is what you expected I think you got a fair shake.