C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

please help with possible purchase

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 7, 2017 | 01:07 PM
  #1  
moti12's Avatar
moti12
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default please help with possible purchase

Hi. a man sells me convertible of the 91 with 240000km. The exterior condition is good but the interior has to repair a few things and change the valve seals because it consumes a lot of oil and burns much smoke at idle. I am from Spain and the price is 8000 euros and I estimate that I will have to spend another 1000 euros as a minimum. Do you think they are many km ??? Is it a good buy ?? I need help to buy it and especially what areas are more problematic in this car and pay close attention. Thank you
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2017 | 01:20 PM
  #2  
Cruisinfanatic's Avatar
Cruisinfanatic
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Default

Originally Posted by moti12
Hi. a man sells me convertible of the 91 with 240000km. The exterior condition is good but the interior has to repair a few things and change the valve seals because it consumes a lot of oil and burns much smoke at idle. I am from Spain and the price is 8000 euros and I estimate that I will have to spend another 1000 euros as a minimum. Do you think they are many km ??? Is it a good buy ?? I need help to buy it and especially what areas are more problematic in this car and pay close attention. Thank you
That's almost 150K miles and $9400 plus repair.
You can probably do better, keep looking.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2017 | 01:22 PM
  #3  
Whaleman's Avatar
Whaleman
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 1,318
From: LeClaire Iowa
Default

Have a mechanic do a compression test. Do not believe the seller if he says valve seals. A lot of miles. I sure do not know your market. Dan
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2017 | 01:52 PM
  #4  
81c3's Avatar
81c3
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 950
From: Communist Colorado
Default

I realize its Spain.... but thats a bunch of miles and alot of money. You already know its going to cost you repairs.... Keep looking is my advice.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2017 | 12:06 PM
  #5  
moti12's Avatar
moti12
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default

in Spain the market is much more expensive. here the convertibles are between the 10000-14000 euros.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2017 | 12:14 PM
  #6  
Edv92c4's Avatar
Edv92c4
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 551
Likes: 42
From: "Exit 8" New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by moti12
in Spain the market is much more expensive. here the convertibles are between the 10000-14000 euros.
...and I'm sure there isn't one on every corner like here in the US. Either way...even if you have to spend more I'd look for a better example. You can try to put a price on repairs but it usually doesn't work out...especially with an oil burning problem...could need an entire rebuild.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2017 | 01:44 AM
  #7  
moti12's Avatar
moti12
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Edv92c4
...and I'm sure there isn't one on every corner like here in the US. Either way...even if you have to spend more I'd look for a better example. You can try to put a price on repairs but it usually doesn't work out...especially with an oil burning problem...could need an entire rebuild.
and which parts are most critical in this car?
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2017 | 08:01 AM
  #8  
yd328's Avatar
yd328
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 732
Likes: 72
From: the confused state CT
Default

If it was just the seals it would smoke briefly on startup then go away. If it continues to smoke there are probably bigger problems. The seat covers, carpets and window seals can get expensive. There are cheaper seat covers if you don't want the leather.
If you can post some pictures it would help.

Gary
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 9, 2017 | 10:16 AM
  #9  
mickey5's Avatar
mickey5
Drifting
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 144
From: on Barnegat Bay Joisey
Default

How much would it cost to ship a car from the USA? Are there any import duties? You can get a decent coupe with mid miles for 6 to 8000 US. Verts 10-20% more

If not already done your car will probably need a partial suspension rebuild (bushings,bearings, ujoints) and new injectors. Refurbish the interior will cost between 1to 2K US depending on the quality of the materials plus 300-400 for weatherstripping if needed. Tires another 500-800. Don't rely on tires that look good but are more than 5-6 years old. Check the mfr date code.

Good luck with the hunt.

Last edited by mickey5; Oct 9, 2017 at 10:25 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2017 | 10:33 AM
  #10  
moti12's Avatar
moti12
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Default

finally and seeing all things to repair the seller has lowered the price to 6000 euros. I discovered that the hood was previously red. the mechanic has discovered that he took a blow in the front but it seems that it did not affect the chassis. you need at least an investment of about 3000 euros to be able to repair everything. I still do not know what to do ...
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2017 | 11:02 AM
  #11  
81c3's Avatar
81c3
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 950
From: Communist Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by moti12
finally and seeing all things to repair the seller has lowered the price to 6000 euros. I discovered that the hood was previously red. the mechanic has discovered that he took a blow in the front but it seems that it did not affect the chassis. you need at least an investment of about 3000 euros to be able to repair everything. I still do not know what to do ...
Find a different car.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2017 | 11:05 AM
  #12  
Space387's Avatar
Space387
Racer
All Eyes On Me
Photoriffic
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 452
Likes: 55
From: Marianna Fl
Default

Keep looking. This is not the Vette your looking for.

The 1990 coupe I just bought was $1000 and its already driving, total investment will be about $3000 after tires and all the little bits now. It would be cheaper for you to go through an import dealer and have a good US car shipped over than get that one fixed up right.

Last edited by Space387; Nov 4, 2017 at 11:08 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2017 | 11:18 AM
  #13  
FAUEE's Avatar
FAUEE
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,335
Likes: 6,509
From: Melbourne, FL
Default

I'm going to disagree. I'm no expert on Spain, but I think it's fair to say these cars are very rare there, since they were never exported there, which can be said for pretty much everywhere but Canada.

It's an older car with some issues. But as you said, that's why it's 4000 euros cheaper than it should be. You've got a budget, I'd just double check the budget to make sure its realistic I have no idea what it costs to get parts to Spain).

The real question is if it's a car you want If you ended up with 10k euros into the car, would you still be happy with it? If so, then go ahead and buy it.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To please help with possible purchase





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:17 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE