I am looking at buying a Corvette,im looking at a 96 showroom cond,but it has160k miles on it,automatic,same owner for last 13 years,wants 5k for it,should I be concerned about mileage for that engine and tranny, second car is 89 convertible,dealer,137k on it,bad leak in AC system,which could be exspensive repair,he wants 5k for it,interior and body look in very good shape,im leaning more towards the 96 because it seems to be a better car,any input would help being Iv never owned a Corvette before

 

I was scanning Ebay last night and saw an 86, gold/tan 100k, $5k I think another was an 87 or 88 dark red, 80k ish miles IIRC, $6200. Others will tell you miles dont matter... IMHO, they do matter. I would try to buy the lowest mile car possible for what I wanted to spend... Just my .02 I think you can do better on the $5k budget youre looking at...

 

A 96 with 160K on the clock isn't showroom condition! While the LT1 is a darn reliable motor, parts wear out. As 81C3 mentioned pay a little extra and find something under a 100k, they are out there.

 

160k is a buttload of miles any price is too much. Why buy one of these if you have to baby it aroud worrying about whats going to break next?
As said there are tons of lowermi cars that are maintained and cheap.
For some reason guys dont drive these cars, look around be patient

 

i have purchased TWO C4's in the past 12 months and both have right around 100k miles on them and my average purchase price for the two is $3900 each. they are both great cars...just be patient and dont jump on the first car in you price range.

here's a link to my channel if you want to see what kind of car you can get for under $4k

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC49...4LdMJ_d2KjBznw

 

What is your max budget? It helps let us know what your range is.

Try not to buy anything with over 100k unless it comes with air tight service records; knowing where it has been and whats been done to it is valuable.

 

5k tops,the 96 body and interior like knew.had lots of parts replaced inlast 2 years,water pump,radiator,starter ac compressor,cap wires pluds.headlamp motor,i have looked at a couple 85s for 2800 3500 with low miles and they were complete junk needed so much work,il keep looking

 

Theres a sweet 88 on ebay right now 58k miles.... $5700.

 

What state are you in?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-Chevrol...xZYSY8&vxp=mtr


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Chevrol...FZKyj2&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-Chevrol...pZY9Nc&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1990-Chevrol...dZYiOD&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-Chevrol...dZTDfO&vxp=mtr

This is the one I mentioned:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-Chevrol...9ZZCH1&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Chevrol...FZUFQq&vxp=mtr

IMHO, I would jump all over the 88 I pointed out. Id try to come up with the $700. more dollars or make a deal somehow, and go get that car & drive it back... Just my .02

 

Yes be patient, it will save you time and money. I bought mine 2 owner 107k for 6250 and all it needs is weatherstripping. Waited months to find it and still had to drive 400 miles round-trip but it was worth it. Stay focused and don't settle.

 

You can get into a sweet 92 (LT1 motor) with about 70k miles for $5000 - I've done it...you just have to be patient.

Browse Craigslist everyday...see which C4s aren't selling and then contact the seller to see where he/she may lower their price too...

Id be looking at C4s that are asking around $6500 - you might just get lucky...

Also - (just my opinion) but I think EBay cars are WAY overpriced...so I wouldn't make that your primary place to shop...

Good luck - I hope you find what you want...

 

you gotta remember.. once an auto car hits 150K miles, the tranny will be the big question.

 

I have to agree with the others. I would try to find something with fewer miles, even for $5K.

 

Orlando,Fl

 

Its really hard to determine what is good value when there is not alot of information given about the ones you are looking at. I will though give my 2 cents when it comes to buying a car, even a corvette with high mileage. every time I see a post like this, there are the same couple dozen posters, saying how you should run from one with alot of miles. To me, it all depends on how it was driven, how it was taken care of, are the miles all highway, and what has been replaced. You have all these closet toys on here that have never been driven with very low mileage, and the car is 20-30 years old, and considered the best buy. Not all the time. Alot of sitting and dry rotting, can cause you just as many problems down the road as a car with high mileage.
Next thing you need to ask yourself, is what your intentions are. Are you daily driving it, or only pulling out for a picnic here and there and a trip to the beach ?

The one car is a 96, the last year of the c4. It might be worth a look at and test drive. See what the guy has done or replaced over the last 13 years. look at everything, including fluid colors, and any leaks.
I nor anyone here can really help you on the true condition of a car unless you give us alot more information than you did.

Oh, 90% of the cars I have bought in my 38 years of driving, had over 100,000 on the clock and i have never bit my nails wondering if I am going top make it to the store without breaking down. And price wise, the 94 corvette I own now, had 124,500 on the clock when I bought it, mint condition everything worked except the cruise control, and that was just a vacuum hose. Except for a couple rock chips in the paint, looks and runs like new. I paid $ 5,000 for it. I drive it round trip to work 100 miles every few days. It now has 129,202 after 9 months.

 

Low milage doesn"t tell you how hard it was run or abused. use caution. Also a good new paint job can cost 8k or more

 

Bought my 89' with 225k mi without to much history on the car . The PO or PO's must have really taken care of it because it's in great shape. Planning a trip with it next month 1kmi.
My 17 yr old son talked in into entering a local show. Judge was shocked when I told him milage. Milage is only one variable,not the only one.
Check for overall soundness of the car. Look problem prone areas . Don't be afraid to Ask questions. If you don't get the right answers , Pass

 

Great advice. A low mileage car doesn't mean a no-wear, no-problem car. 25+ years old is the key, much wear is time-based, not mileage-based.

More important is what the Previous Owners (POs) have done recently. Look and smell, might find a rose you didn't expect.

 

I think low mileage is a bigger concern when looking at a C5 Z06 or a C6 with low miles.... Those cars can be easily auto crossed with a tire swap.... The engines they have don't really show leaks and its hard to know if they've been beat on because they're still relatively new... Much more deceiving IMO

When looking at a older C4, low miles are a plus IMO.. I don't think there were a ton of guys buying a 1987 L98 with the weekend warrior auto crossing thing in mind... Its not real hard to tell if a Gen 1 small block has been whooped on... They wouldn't hold up as well as say an LS6 ...

Lots of things to consider.... How many previous owners were there? How old was the previous owner? Where was the car stored? Maintenance records to back up condition and miles?

Color me crazy, but all things being equal, (good paint, no mechanical issues, interior good) I will always choose the lower mile example.... I will also pay more for a car thats got 80k less miles on it.... but whats ok with me.... might not be for everyone else.

I think everyone has a tolerance level.... a tipping point.... When does the money spent justify the miles and condition?