Pricing Corvettes
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Instructor
Joined: May 2004
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From: San Francisco Ca
Pricing Corvettes
Im looking to by my first Corvette sometime this summer. Im trying to figure out what i can afford and what to look for. I have roughly somewhere between 10,000 and 12,000. Also, how much better is the Lt1 then the L98? What are the average life expectancys of both of these engines?
Race Director
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From: Milpitas ca
Re: Pricing Corvettes (philly1919d)
Im looking to by my first Corvette sometime this summer. Im trying to figure out what i can afford and what to look for. I have roughly somewhere between 10,000 and 12,000. Also, how much better is the Lt1 then the L98? What are the average life expectancys of both of these engines?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Re: Pricing Corvettes (philly1919d)
Im looking to by my first Corvette sometime this summer. Im trying to figure out what i can afford and what to look for. I have roughly somewhere between 10,000 and 12,000. Also, how much better is the Lt1 then the L98? What are the average life expectancys of both of these engines?
Base your purchase on what YOU like and want to spend - C4 prices are falling into the line of Condition & Options when determining price - NOT the "newer is better" - :bs
I personally prefer the 1989 Coupe with 6 speed, fx3, z51 and sport leather :steering:
I have a 1993 as well and would sell that before EITHER of my 1989's :cheers:
Team Owner
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From: SE NY
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Re: Pricing Corvettes (philly1919d)
The late ('88-'91) L98 engine is pretty strong and HP can be increased to close to 300chp with simple bolt ons.
According to May, 2004 Vette magazine pricing guide, for $12k you can expect to find a '92 coupe in average condition to a '88 coupe in good condition.
You will likely be happier with a Vette in good condition and it is much easier to mod the L98 than to "fix up" a Vette in "average condition". This is expecially true if you like a louder exhaust system than stock as the L98 rewards you very well from exhaust mods.
According to May, 2004 Vette magazine pricing guide, for $12k you can expect to find a '92 coupe in average condition to a '88 coupe in good condition.
You will likely be happier with a Vette in good condition and it is much easier to mod the L98 than to "fix up" a Vette in "average condition". This is expecially true if you like a louder exhaust system than stock as the L98 rewards you very well from exhaust mods.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Pricing Corvettes (65Z01)
Although prices can vary by market, in Feb. of '03 I only paid $12,000 for my '95 in good, (then) stock condition. It had 81,000 on it then and has never used a drop of oil before or since the rebuild and is an extremely reliable car. Of course being a mechanic I maintain it meticulously and I drive it more than my daily driver as long as the weather is decent. I was a bit intimidated by the LT1 being like nothing I had ever owned but with all the help and info on the forum, now that I've had it out and completely rebuilt and modified it, I love the engine. It has such a wonderful, smooth power band that pulls strong all thru the entire RPM range. It was a very strong car stock and now is even better and still very streetable and well mannered. It sounds like you can take some time and look around and in the meantime continue to learn more about the C4s here on the forum and decide which ones best meet your needs and tastes. Good luck and keep us posted!
