1990 mint condition value
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
1990 mint condition value
I've always wanted a corvette but never really had a good opportunity until now. I found a steel blue metallic 1990 mint condition with 36k miles and garage kept. I know nothing about corvette value but 36k isn't many miles and the car is not from cali or zona so it's not baked. Somebody please tell me if $9900 is over priced. Thanks.
Last edited by westscoot@yahoo.com; Jul 24, 2016 at 05:10 PM. Reason: Wrong paint
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 2,177
From: Schaller Iowa
Is it a manual or auto? IIRC that's a unique color and I know it looks great. If it has maintenance records and new/good tires it doesn't sound out of line to me. If the tires need replacing that will run around 800 to 1000. Weatherstripping can be costly as well. Others will say it's worth what someone will pay. Is there anyone that knows C4's you can have look it over? Let us know if you grab it....and we like pics!
astepup said that
astepup said that
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
Looks nice, make sure the seats (it has sport seats) work; with that kind of mileage the tires might have plenty of tread, but still be old enough to need replacing, check their age. And, of course, get a mechanic to check everything out. If all everything works the price seems OK to me.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Manual is way more rare.
It's been driven, the seats don't look too good for that amount of miles, but they can be brought back.
36k sounds great, 1/4 century+ old car not being driven much can need just as many parts as one that has been driven.
belts, bushings, shocks, wheel bearings, ac, tires, seals get brittle, etc...
IFFFF you like stock, it's a good car for 8500-9k. IFFF you like fast modified cars, RUN towards one of those.
It's been driven, the seats don't look too good for that amount of miles, but they can be brought back.
36k sounds great, 1/4 century+ old car not being driven much can need just as many parts as one that has been driven.
belts, bushings, shocks, wheel bearings, ac, tires, seals get brittle, etc...
IFFFF you like stock, it's a good car for 8500-9k. IFFF you like fast modified cars, RUN towards one of those.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
36k sounds great, 1/4 century+ old car not being driven much can need just as many parts as one that has been driven.
belts, bushings, shocks, wheel bearings, ac, tires, seals get brittle, etc...
Its a good price for a rare color, low mileage car.....a 26 year old one. Be careful not to fall into the low mileage trap. Check it out carefully. You probably can't duplicate it for that price, but then again you won't be able to sell it for that either.
belts, bushings, shocks, wheel bearings, ac, tires, seals get brittle, etc...
Its a good price for a rare color, low mileage car.....a 26 year old one. Be careful not to fall into the low mileage trap. Check it out carefully. You probably can't duplicate it for that price, but then again you won't be able to sell it for that either.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 114
From: Bang Bang Chicago Illinois
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Not seeing it in person but photos and your description it sounds good. If you like it maybe offer a little less but I do think 9900 is reasonable and possible a good deal. I do own a 1990 if I can answer questions about that year let me know.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
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Thanks Yukon. I offered him 8000 out the door cash and he refused. Makes me think he knows what he has. When I go tomorrow and assuming everything is working and shifting and all that. I'll offer him 10000 out of the door tax and all and if he says no, I'll walk away.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 114
From: Bang Bang Chicago Illinois
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Somebody offered me $12,000 last year. Not on the market but the car was on my friends driveway and his red Corvette was there too parked in front of mine. I wanted more and I told him that if $12,000 was as high as he would go then the answer is no and I would rather drive the car instead. Later I put an ad on both Craigslist and Cars.com and $12,000 was as high as everybody would go so that’s what I am guessing it is worth. My bottom line is to go with your gut and offer what want and walk if it is not what you want. I walked from those offers because I think my car is worth more.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
10 would be absolute tops youre in C5 territory
Unless youre in love with it and its your dream car then...
Let him sit on it awhile bet he calls you back they usually do.
They can have a ton of inquiries but how many actually got cash?
Unless youre in love with it and its your dream car then...
Let him sit on it awhile bet he calls you back they usually do.
They can have a ton of inquiries but how many actually got cash?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Thanks Yukon. I offered him 8000 out the door cash and he refused. Makes me think he knows what he has. When I go tomorrow and assuming everything is working and shifting and all that. I'll offer him 10000 out of the door tax and all and if he says no, I'll walk away.
Let him sit on it for a while or someone might buy it, but at that price if they do you go lucky to not have been the buyer.
Lots of nice cars fors ale here for 10k. I don't know your finances or priorities, but 15k gets you an 96 GS or even a Zr1. No c4 compares to a zr1, especially not what you are looking at for 10k.
Tell him:
New tires, refurbished bose stereo system, clean srs sensors, new rear y pipe, new wipers, new fluids, belts, pads, fuel filter, air filter, and a professional detail and then you'll consider his pricing. These are all things that can and do wrong once these get back on the road. I'm not being a jerk, I'm saying you are the buyer and in control of your destiny.
Last edited by pologreen1; Jul 24, 2016 at 09:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
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From: MOORESVILLE NC
Pics are nice. Check all electricals. Interior has to be in good shape. Low miles help. Go for it.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
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One of my main concerns is I always see vettes with low miles like people just drive them once a month or something, I plan on driving it 30 miles to work everyday. I'm trying to save miles on my main vehicle. I was getting the vette for a beater car. Should I just move on to something else? I did find a 2004 mustang GT with 80,000 mIles for $8000 cash. It may hold up better.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,431
Likes: 609
From: Minneapolis Mn
Remember you're comparing apples to oranges with the Mustang vs Vette question. There's almost 15 years difference in age there to the Mustangs advantage.
The Vette will have (I suspect) many of the same issues of comparable age autos: some parts age out, some aren't available, things wear out over time. Finding replacement parts can be an adventure in itself at times.
It will take consistent attention to keep everything working as it should along with some $$. Not to say you can't do it, but be aware it can take work on your part to make it happen.
For a daily driver, IMO go with the newest one you can. For fun, go with the Vette.
My opinions.
The Vette will have (I suspect) many of the same issues of comparable age autos: some parts age out, some aren't available, things wear out over time. Finding replacement parts can be an adventure in itself at times.
It will take consistent attention to keep everything working as it should along with some $$. Not to say you can't do it, but be aware it can take work on your part to make it happen.
For a daily driver, IMO go with the newest one you can. For fun, go with the Vette.
My opinions.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Low miles are always good but its no guarantee you wont be working on it...its an old car so you will be here and there. Corvettes have always been a little on the high maintenance side of ca
Figure you may put a grand or so into any used car you buy within the first 6 mos...maybe you will maybe you wont just assume.
A 3 yr old car with those miles less likely to have something go wrong..usually.
If you really dig the car though you wont mind.
Last edited by cv67; Jul 25, 2016 at 11:58 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
One of my main concerns is I always see vettes with low miles like people just drive them once a month or something, I plan on driving it 30 miles to work everyday. I'm trying to save miles on my main vehicle. I was getting the vette for a beater car. Should I just move on to something else? I did find a 2004 mustang GT with 80,000 mIles for $8000 cash. It may hold up better.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Something strange here. You want to pay $9,000- $10,000 for a 26 year old "beater car" as you put it, and use it as an everyday car? Why would you not just go out and buy a 2008-2010 Hyundai, Toyota, etc. for that kind of money as an everyday beater car? Driving ANY 26 year old car as an everyday car is a bad decision. This 1990 Corvette in it's mint condition will hold a higher price because, first of all it's a Corvette, and second of all it's now in a category that it will most likely only be owned as someone's toy, weekend car, or hobby car. In those categories, this 26 year old car will be fine. Otherwise you may be looking at the wrong car for your needs because it's at the age where many things ($$$) will need replaced to keep it dependable for everyday use.
Well said.