Hey everyone, i'm kind of new in this forum. I've always been a fan of American cars, even though i'm Chinese. My uncle just bought a beautiful 2006 Corvette. Since I don't have that kind of money i'm looking at buying a 1996 Corvette coupe. It's white, paint job still shines, the whole interior has been re-done, no body damage, no leaks, about 140,000 miles. The rear tires are brand new but I'm probably going to have to change the front ones in about a year and the door and window gaskets are still in okay shape but will still need to be replaced. I've been negotiating with the owner (2nd owner) and finally have settled on $7,000.00 total. Is this a good price? He's holding it for me until Monday so i'm trying to get as much info as possible before buying it. The only issue that I have is that the gas gauge doesn't work correctly sometimes and that even if the gas gauge shows 3 bars, it might be close to empty. He says that he usually fills up the car when the gauge shows 5 bars. Could it be the sending unit. I don't want to guess how much gas I have left and stress about being stranded. Is this common and what could cause this? Does anyone have any ideas on what is wrong and how much trouble or money it's going to take to fix? Also, what are other common problems with this car and are any of the problems major or costly. Expect to get plenty of questions once I purchase the car Thanks in advance, Ed

 

Thats the way those gauges are, seems once they hit about 1/3 tank they drop like a rock so find a station.


Wouldnt say its a deal. Rear tire replaced because of age or someone burning the rear tires off? What kind of owner has it, rundown of maintenance other than interior worK?

140k it can still run good but wouldnt be running the car hard, thats a fair amount of miles. Personally Id pass and get something with WAY less miles on it. Youll just be replacing things constantly and hate it after awhile imo. May still have some life left in it just how much though?

Not trying to be a downer just honest.

 

I just searched on this site regarding gas gauges so at least I know that it can be fixed. Even though the car has some miles on it, when I drove it, everything seemed tight and drove really well. I compared it to driving my uncle's 2006 and the steering and everything seemed just as tight. The car is owned by a 60 year old man who just lost his wife and is trying to get things as simple as possible. He said that the rear tires were replaced because a friend of his had it sitting in his garage and gave them to him. I've driven alot of cars, mostly American, and even though the mileage seems high, (less than 10,000 miles) the car is in really good shape. I've been looking for awhile and most 1996 Corvettes are at least $1500 more and that's not including tax, and other fees. He is also giving me a new set of front tires that I can have put on, a car cover, and 6 new original oil filters. I will post pictures on Wednesday when I pick it up. Cheers, Ed.

 

Sounds like you had your mind made up before you asked our opinion. With the proper maintainence an LT1 can last well above 200k miles.


Good Luck
-Mike

 

How fresh is the car? It drives good as you say, newer interior, tight road manors, sounds like a decent deal to me. Look it over one more again and say to your self is this going to need x in so many miles. Look under the hood, a engine that looks like it has been steam cleaned may have been, just to hide a leak, but at 140k not everything will be spotless. If your happy with it ger it but keep in mind when you start looking to replace parts they get pricy

 

Here is a possible fix for the gas gauge:

 

The car could be on the other side of the old age cycle where a lot of things had to be changed 30k miles ago, you might ask about any suspension work that was ever done since he has had it. Altenator opti and other things come to mind as well. If you are going to buy a C4 I would turn the key on and make sure all the system indicator lights work with key on and engine off. You should see one for engine abs security etc. Above all make sure everything electric and electronic works as expected and cylce / run everything right down to the cigarette lighter and power seats mirrors etc. and take no excuses as to why they don't.
Dave

 

If Love American Cars & V8 power in a C4 Corvette package & don't mind making repairs on occasion as needed on a 20 + year old car.

Buy it.

Offer $5 K and negotiate a price between there & $7 K asking price.

You will find a happy medium price that makes you both happy.

Any C4 you find these days will need long needed maintenance or repairs likely.

Unless you find a fellow C4 Forum's members Vette & he made all repairs as necessary throughout the years.

Mine is not for sale.
Runs too good & I love it.

 

It also depends on location if you are willing to travel to find a nice car they are different value depending on area. I bought a much nicer car in Philidelphia than i could possibly buy in CT. We tarded a bunch of pictures settled on a price if all was as stated. Took a one way commuter flight and got picked up at the3 airport looked over and test drove the car bought it registered it with temp plates and drove it home. If I did not like it would just catch an Amtrk back home as I have a station a mile from my house so maybe a 300 dollar gamble to save a ton of money. Something to think about is the local price vs. the national price. Another plus is when you buy. I waited until Novemeber and in New England the driving season is almost over as is most chances for making a sale at top dollar.
Dave

 

If you are searching all over the state of California, or nationwide.......

Have people send you pics of there cars to your email address.

Or with their cellphone.

You can then send them to your email & view them easily on computer full size at home.

C4's are awesome road driving machines with some TLC & good budget planning ahead of time.

They run like a bat flying out of hell for such an old EFI sbc with some simple old hotrod tricks & good maintenance.

Best bang for the $ these days I think for a 2-dr. coupe sportscar/ American muscle machine.

Make sure the paint is nice too.

You mention Corvette to a bodyman & I want a nice show quality paintjob smooth as glass & glowing shine in sundown lighting.........

They come back with a price of $8 k to 15 K here in Illinois.

$15 K in Chicago burbs.

LOL.

Thieves............

 

^^^ Good advice ^^^