When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have wanted a vette forever, when I was finally able to buy one; I bought all the price guides and started my search. The thing I found odd is the book values, for example an 82 vette with low miles in mint condition is anywhere from 6-7 thousand, I never saw an 82 even in the worst condition going for that price. I finally bought a 93 with 44,000 miles in what I think is excellent condition, I paid 15200 for it. When I checked the book value its about 8000, I don’t know where they get there values from but I never, ever saw anything for that price unless it had 3x the mileage. So I’m curious where do they get book value from? Am I the only one who paid almost double book value? I love my vette to me it’s worth a million, I'm just wondering how they come up with those figures.
What book are you using? :eek: Could be a typo, maybe it's supposed to say 18K.
Unless the 93 is trashed I'd say you got a good deal on it. My 87 is valued around 8K in fair or good condition so your 93 should be much higher. :yesnod:
books dont buy or sell cars. books will get you in trouble. they make it hard to buy a car. its just an average estimate give or take 50%. it all depends on what the market is like in your area and what is available. you normaly dont see average corvettes at lots. you just see the best ones available at the time so you just see the high side of the book. the books dont have a price for that rare stand out car that is so much better than every thing else on the market.
buy the car that makes you happy and its easy to make the payments.
I think the book values are made up by the dealers so they can lowball you on a trade in. I just got the new issue (Sept) of Corvette Fever and it has a price guide. I think this is much more realistic. Guy
From: Frankenstein never scared me. Marsupials do, because they're fassst…and they DART, THAT'S crazy!
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Book Values (93aqua)
The book value comes from a national average of sales prices for that model year car in fair, good or excellent condition. They also give examples of what each condition consists of. The Black Book the banks use is a good resource for what true value is because it is what a bank will lend you on it period. Knowing Black Book prices will give you a good idea what to aim for as not to get ripped off.
Also, keep in mind that most people selling a Corvette ask a lot more than they are worth simply because they think since it’s a Corvette they can get whatever they want for it. I see people trying to pawn off basket case Vettes in terrible condition sometimes even with non-matching numbers for many times over what they are worth. It’s a song and dance you have to go through when shopping for a Vette. You just have to know what a Vette in a certain condition is worth, (that takes experience) stick to your guns on price and if they don’t sell for what you want to buy it for, move on to the next car. There are plenty of good Vette’s out there that you can get for the right price. You gotta shop around. :yesnod:
I just checked Kelley Blue Book and with standard options and an auto trans 93 coupe was $15,535 used retail and $12,725 used private sale..put in excellent condition for both..8k just sounds wrong...I think you did you did fine...BTW those prices were for central Florida..could be more up your way... good luck
one mans opinion of what is rough or clean is different from the other. everyone wants the same thing. THEY WANT CLEAN BOOK FOR THE CAR THEY ARE SELLING BUT THE ONE THEY ARE BUYING THEY WANT TO PAY ROUGH BOOK. the book does not tell you what a car is worth it gives you an idea of what they have sold for else where.
Wholesale auction sales:
I looked at the sale prices for the wholesale auto auction. These are cars that sold at auction for dealers only. 1993 Corvette Coupe 43k miles sold for $12,600. Thats what a dealer paid for the car with plans to resale it.
The dealer will ask anywhere from $13,600 to $16,600.
Low book for a 93 coupe is $10,750. Minus miles. Retail is $15,700.
Prices are up over the winter for LT-1's.
Some dealers in my area are asking as much as 20k for LT-1s 96.
Private party prices range from a low for a high miler at $8,500 to $19,500 for a really nice car with good mileage.
Forget the price, enjoy the car.
We all paid too much!