mraynek

Thinking of selling my '96 CE convertible. It has approx. 73K miles on the LT4, rare red leather interior. The car is fully loaded with every option, including F45 suspension and hard top. While the car does have 73K miles, it's in great condition with loads of paperwork from previous owner. Paper shows it as 1 of 41 made with this configuration....red interior, F45, etc. I've seen a wide range of prices for these CE's with LT4, so my question is what you all think is a fair price for what seems to be a bit more rare CE??

MyOtherCar

for whatever price you sell it for, and actually whenever you do, should the new buyer not be interested in the hard top, please keep me in mind.

I've got a 96 CE LT4 convert myself but didn't have an opportunity to get the hardtop when I bought it. Original owner didn't buy it.

Anyway, thanks

zr1fred

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It would depend on many things, vehicle history, time of year, economy, location, condition, etc. Prices are all over the board. Mileage is in that neverland, to high to be low, to low to be high. I always felt the 96 CE's never got the attention they deserved, maybe buyers were burned out by what seems to be a CE, anniversary, or pace car every year, the new C5, or maybe it was all of the attention given to the Grand Sport. I've sold several C4 verts over the years, and have offered the hardtops for extra money (usually about $600). They all passed on the top unless I was giving it to them. Price it with the top, and then say you will deduct X amount if they don't want the top...they are probably going to try to beat you down anyway.

Lloyd Smale

with that mileage id probably want 14 but would end up settling for 12. I think your better off selling the top separately because many don't use them and its probably just an "oh well" add on to the buyer. Some guys on here are in dream land and ask big money for them but for the most part there not moving. Just saw a low mile 87 convertible in mint shape go for 6k on an auction on tv. Yes yours is worth more but the only c4s that bring any more then my figure are mint shape grand sports.

C4in mesa

Here in the greater Phoenix area a 1996 CE LT1 convertible 57k miles, he's asking $18,000. He must be drunk. In Los Angeles same car with 91k asking $15,000. I think $12k is a tad high. With the top $10k not a penny lower. It always boils down to money. Repairs are right aound the corner. Buying a old car with more than 80k miles is going to require repairs. Alternator, opti spark, water pump, to name a few. By the way I love the car you have and will buy one next year. Convertible or Targa top.

mraynek

Thanks for the replies guys. Here in NC, 96 CE's with the LT4 tend to go between $15-20K depending on options, miles, etc. I guess at the $10-12K range, I'd be much better off keeping it and enjoying it. I sold a standard 89 convert a few years ago for $8.5K and that car is nowhere near this 96 CE. Maybe I'm lucky to be in a better market. I've even seen an ebay bid on a car just like mine (without F45) no sale, but the bid went to $18K. Anyway, thanks for the responses and maybe I'll give a try in a few months when the market is better.

Lloyd Smale

are you sure there actually going for 15-20. I see them all the time for sale with prices like that but who knows where the seller finally let it go at. I said 12k but kind of agree with c4 inmesa in that that is high dollar for a 73k car. Bottom line is if it has any more then 10k and for sure 20k on it the collectors interest is gone. Its now a driver. Just another c4 lt4 car with 70k on it. Personaly I hope you get what you want but I wouldn't hold my breath to long. Your competing against cars like this https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-blue-a4.html for the same money. Less miles, newer and just as fast and more reliable

C4in mesa

There are two ways to look at the C4 market. One being a buyer it's great ! So many nice cars that can be bought for a great price. Like I said be prepared to spend lots of cash on repairs. A buyer can hope it won't happen or see receipts for several expensive repairs. Second for the seller myself included the market is flooded with great C4's selling cheap. I didn't have one offer on mine. You have a great car with fair performance. $5000 and you can wake that LT4 up. Stock it is still a great great car. My friend had his 1996 LT4 black on black and a absolutely beautiful car inside and out. A $30,000 TD Wong build. My friend swaped out the stock leaf springs and spared no expense in its reliability overall. The fastest car I have ever been in running 10 seconds in drag radials. 600 rwhp. He couldn't sell it at $15k After a year a buyer flew in from Kansas City MO and drove it home from Phoenix for $13k. At the time I didn't have the money or it would be mine. The discussion of C4 value has been discussed many times on the Forum. The only C4's selling for more than $20,000 are the 1996 Grand Sport low miles of course and 1993-1995 ZR1's. Production numbers 449 each year. Rare cars and special indeed. I love the C4 so being able to buy one for less than $10k and in great shape (paint, interior) is awesome.

Renfield

Based on what I see for sale in the upstate SC craigslist, it's a good time to be a buyer.

As far as the "collectible" value goes, it seems to be a manufactured criteria. By offering a dazzling array of options, it is possible to have lots of "one of xxx" models. But if that option combination doesn't spin your propeller, it's just another 'vette.

Then too, sometimes options are rare for good reason.

When (if) my Miata goes up for sale, the hardtop will be sold separately.

Here's an interesting C5 I found nearby for less.

Good luck!

95tealconvert

Not only do you have pressure from the C5's coming down in price but you also have pressure from C4's that are not LT4's with low miles etc. competing on the other side.

I would question no matter how rare the F45 option is actually making your car more attractive to some buyers. I would think that anyone who knows about the LT4 would also know how difficult it is dealing with the one year only F45 suspension.

When I was looking for a late model vert I found a low mileage '95 6spd that is extreamly clean for aprox. half the price of a comparable LT4 vert. My '95 has the FX3 suspension which is much easier to service and get parts for since it was made for several years.

I would be interested to find out what you are able to sell your LT4 for when the time comes. I have always liked the silver with red interior combination.

PAPERBKWRITER

Not sure the rarity of your car will attract many buyers. I spent a lot of time this past fall looking and pricing 93 - 96 coups, convts, and manuals shifts. IMO if the car is really nice a good starting point would be $14k. I found several nice rag tops (96's) with low mileage (57k & 35K) the 57 was red and beautiful with a dealer and he wouldn't budge off $14. The 35k was private (white) and he was at $12 firm. Both were LT 1 auto. I bought a 45k mile '94 coupe auto in nearly perfect condition for $10.5. Hope this help you.

73n95

Speaking for the Wisconsin market, and maybe Chicago too, plenty available in the low teens and lower, with low miles. I feel the biggest cost driver is the depreciation of the C5's. There aren't a lot of them on the market but they are not drawing top dollar.

Renfield

This stunning C5 vert just popped up. Asking $12,900.

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5427127722.html

PAPERBKWRITER

Maybe you missed the 138k part. Who knows what's under the veneer?

Renfield

I think less than 10K a year is damn near perfect.

One photo is not enough. But it reads like a winner.

A car that sits year after year rots from inside unless the fluids are drained and it is on blocks.

My other car is a '94 with 225K. I would not hesitate to get in it and drive to California.

I would take this over (what I know about) the OP ride in a heartbeat, for the same coin.

zr1fred

Out west, its not just the C5's. Early C6's aren't moving unless they're under $20k here. I KBB'd an 08 with under 90k, vg cond, and it came up under $18k (pp)...ouch.