C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Corvette purchase

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 10:28 PM
  #1  
scott554's Avatar
scott554
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 93
Likes: 20
Default Corvette purchase

Well gentlemen I am looking at buying a 86 yellow convertible with 23600 miles I was wanting to know if 14,000 is high, I have looked around and found numerous different price ranges and wanted to get some opinion's. The veh appears to be in good condition and is a one owner car, this is my first vette and want to make a sound decision.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 10:38 PM
  #2  
jay1055's Avatar
jay1055
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 461
Likes: 20
Default

It's an 86 pace car with low miles probably not too much because of the mileage (just my opinion)..........Jay
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 11:23 PM
  #3  
84wuzmy1st's Avatar
84wuzmy1st
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 768
Likes: 24
From: Valrico Florida
Default

I think that is too much unless it's perfect.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 11:43 PM
  #4  
mnstrlt1's Avatar
mnstrlt1
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 3
From: Chandler Arizona
Default

I do believe it's priced slightly high. Unless it's mint. With that said, you want to be satisfied with the transaction, so if its worth $14k to you, than buy it and enjoy it.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 12:17 AM
  #5  
ccrazor's Avatar
ccrazor
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,889
Likes: 8
From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Default

From what I've seen the average deal on a good 86 is around $10 k.. But as stated, it is worth what a person is willing to pay for it..
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 12:21 AM
  #6  
kimmer's Avatar
kimmer
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Default

That's too high, you'r in c5 territory. I would not pay anymore than 10k.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 01:28 AM
  #7  
jay1055's Avatar
jay1055
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 461
Likes: 20
Default

It's still a low mileage YELLOW 86 pace car don't see those for 10k
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 01:29 AM
  #8  
speedycat3's Avatar
speedycat3
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
Default

It would have to be a very special, mint 86 for that price. You can get a much newer LT1 or LT4, nice lo miles for that amount, or a well taken care of but higher miles C5.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 02:08 AM
  #9  
lt4obsesses's Avatar
lt4obsesses
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
Default

Don't let this be the only one you look at and drive. There's always someone around the corner with a better car and bigger motivation to sell. If you have to wonder if it's too much, it probably is. However, if you really like it, and it's like new, and you can swing it, I don't think anyone is going to blame you if pay a little much.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 08:33 AM
  #10  
DinoBob's Avatar
DinoBob
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,496
Likes: 475
From: New Jersey
Default

It is worth that money as long as it is a perfect car.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 08:34 AM
  #11  
dslater35's Avatar
dslater35
Racer
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City MO
Default Depends on...

I'll weigh in.

Sounds a touch high to me but I've never seen the car.

A lot of this depends on you and your history/plans. If your intent is to buy something fun and enjoy it for 3 plus years and this Vette is super clean and calling your name go for it. If on the other hand there is any chance that you will need/want to sell this car and try to recoup your investment in 6 months to a year...don't buy it. My opinion is that you would be hard pressed to recover your $14K.

Good Luck with your decision!
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 08:52 AM
  #12  
Richard Raichert's Avatar
Richard Raichert
Racer
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 405
Likes: 15
From: Panama City Beach Florida
Default 94 Conv w/23000 miles

Originally Posted by DinoBob
It is worth that money as long as it is a perfect car.
I paid $14500 for my one owner and he had all the maint records, car fax, manuals, even a 94 corv VHS tape from Chevy, (had to find a player), etc.. I feel in love with it when I saw it! He even had the wheels sent off to be chrome plated. It's all what you are willing to pay, within reason, as others have said. Good luck!
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 08:56 AM
  #13  
ROBCAR's Avatar
ROBCAR
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Homer NY
Default

You could buy a c5 for that price which is 5 times the car. Not many c4's worth 14K....
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 09:20 AM
  #14  
DucXL's Avatar
DucXL
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 204
Likes: 3
From: Bristol Rhode Island
Default

27 years old and such low miles.Beware of ANY rubber/plastic components as they're time sensitive and not miles sensitive.Things like window seals,electrical plugs,or valve stem seals.If they're original the valve stem seals are useless and it likely smokes on startup.

I'm into my 60k mile '89 for over $18k minus $6500 buy in.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 09:27 AM
  #15  
856SPEED's Avatar
856SPEED
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
Default

wrong place to ask.......

look at similar cars and what they are selling for.......mileage/condition/records/convertible vs. hardtop/etc......


It's like asking how long is a string.....
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 10:38 AM
  #16  
Larrye's Avatar
Larrye
Racer
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 373
Likes: 31
From: Albion, Indiana
Default

look at similar cars and what they are selling for.......mileage/condition/records/convertible vs. hardtop/etc......
Very much agree. Attended the Auctions America sale @ Auburn Fall. If my memory serves me correctly a perfect '86 white vert with 50K miles sold for under $10,000. Even a ZR1 sold for like $14,500. Do your research, make your best deal, and buy what you'll be happy with.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 10:50 AM
  #17  
kimmer's Avatar
kimmer
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by ROBCAR
You could buy a c5 for that price which is 5 times the car. Not many c4's worth 14K....
5 times? Where do you get that from. It is more advanced but 5 times, I don't think so.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Corvette purchase

Old Sep 8, 2013 | 11:58 AM
  #18  
rhinoevans's Avatar
rhinoevans
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Las VEgas NV
Default

Hope this helps. Personally I would spend that money on a newer LT1or LT4 (92-96)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100505734@N08/9699665887/
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 12:10 PM
  #19  
Silver96ce's Avatar
Silver96ce
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
Default

Does it have new tires? How about the fuel injectors, coolant hoses, vacuum hoses, drive belt, weatherstrip, brake hoses, etc. When was the last time the trans fluid was changed? How about the brake fluid. If any of these are older than a few years then you are going to have to do some maintenance. That takes money as we all know and use it to negotiate the price.

How long has it been for sale. If it is on Craigslist you can go back and check earlier dates. The longer it has been for sale the more negotiating room.

Is $14k the asking price or bottom line after negotiating? If it's the asking price, offer 12K and see what happens.

In the end, however, only you can make the decision if it's worth it to you. Good luck with the purchase.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 01:11 PM
  #20  
zr1fred's Avatar
zr1fred
Race Director
15 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Default

I guess if you specifically want a yellow '86 vert. (all 86 convertibles are "pace cars"). If you are just looking for a corvette, or at resale, there are lot of better ones for that money.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:45 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE