C4 Buying help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
All very true, but.....
Maybe you are one of the lucky owners who hasn't had to replace or repair many parts, but at some point 20-yr-old parts can and will fail. This isn't unique to Corvettes -- I've had a few money pit "classic" motorcycles, too.
It's a cost of ownership that most of us are willing and able to bear, but prospective owners should not be lulled into thinking the purchase price is all they will pay to own and operate one of these cars.
Maybe you are one of the lucky owners who hasn't had to replace or repair many parts, but at some point 20-yr-old parts can and will fail. This isn't unique to Corvettes -- I've had a few money pit "classic" motorcycles, too.
It's a cost of ownership that most of us are willing and able to bear, but prospective owners should not be lulled into thinking the purchase price is all they will pay to own and operate one of these cars.
Don't buy one of these cars, unless you're ok with throwing money at it. Sometimes, hardly at all. Other times, often, depending on what felt like wearing out, breaking or just plain failing. Anciano is spot on about willing and able to bear, because we love our 'Vettes and are good with the cost of keeping them!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: CANISTEO New York
Thanks everyone for all your help and insights. I am now leaning towards a 94 - 96, w/ LT1 and ideally a 6 speed.
Hoping to spend under 8k, but would stretch that if necessary for the right car.
If anyone comes accross something let me know. Im in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, but willing to travel for the right car.
I am leaving on vacation Saturday for a week, but plan to really start searching when i get home. Hopefully test drive a couple over the next few weeks.
Oh, and I am okay with the idea of a rouch interior if the car is mechanically sound.
Hoping to spend under 8k, but would stretch that if necessary for the right car.
If anyone comes accross something let me know. Im in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, but willing to travel for the right car.
I am leaving on vacation Saturday for a week, but plan to really start searching when i get home. Hopefully test drive a couple over the next few weeks.
Oh, and I am okay with the idea of a rouch interior if the car is mechanically sound.
If you genuinely want a Corvette and one that has low miles (less than 40,000) that will not need any work being done, search the internet for a guy called Ken Becker (Kens Collision - Canisteo NY). There is nothing he doesn't know about Vettes and has many himself. Don't let his business put you off either, that is his business. Tell him Tony said to call and he will be 1000% honest with you about how much you are looking to pay for what you want and MIGHT even have something or know someone who has.
As I said, if you are genuine about owning a Corvette, give Ken a call and be ready to spend money once you buy one - even a top shape one - to my knowledge, there is no such thing as a "Cheap weekend drive in a Vette"
Wombat457
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
thanks for your input Wombat457, I really appreciate your help. I will certainly check out Kens Collisions, and give him a ring. Likely a good reference to have, and a great place to start. I will let you know how i make out.
Thanks again for the insight.
Cheers.
p_mac_44
Ps: just looked up Kens shop, and hes just south on Syracuse, about 4.5 hours from where I live. I would be really easy to scoot down there if he turn something up.
Thanks again.
Thanks again for the insight.
Cheers.
p_mac_44
Ps: just looked up Kens shop, and hes just south on Syracuse, about 4.5 hours from where I live. I would be really easy to scoot down there if he turn something up.
Thanks again.
Last edited by p_mac_44; Jul 1, 2011 at 11:31 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
IMHO, you should remember that these are quasi-exotic cars that are almost 20 years old so as others are emphasizing, you can expect to need to perform routine, i.e., consistent, attention to the car. While not a Ferrari or Lambo, they do have a lot of parts that are unique to Vettes and can be difficult to find, ex. try to find an ABS relay for my '88 - apparently no longer made and used ones are suspect - so I ended up making one. A lot of the potential expense is interior related - ALL of these parts seem super expensive, especially since many seem to be cheap plastic.
Having bought numerous used cars over the years, my philosophy is that the purchase price has to be low enough so that I can repair the most expensive/difficult to fix part on the car if it messes up unexpectedly and still feel like I got a reasonable deal. That idea has served me well. Finally, the tough one is to realize that there are lots of cars out there. Be patient and don't fall in love with the first nice that you see. The more you check them out, the more informed you will be as a buyer.
But on the way home after buying my C4, I stopped and texted my younger son with this message, "The drive home was worth the price!"
Having bought numerous used cars over the years, my philosophy is that the purchase price has to be low enough so that I can repair the most expensive/difficult to fix part on the car if it messes up unexpectedly and still feel like I got a reasonable deal. That idea has served me well. Finally, the tough one is to realize that there are lots of cars out there. Be patient and don't fall in love with the first nice that you see. The more you check them out, the more informed you will be as a buyer.
But on the way home after buying my C4, I stopped and texted my younger son with this message, "The drive home was worth the price!"
