WTB: Still looking for a C4 vert, stick shift
07-05-2019, 07:58 PM
#1
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Still looking for a C4 vert, stick shift
My friend Steven in Belgium is still looking for a nice C4 to import. He has done this before and knows how to get it accomplished.
Car must be at least 30 years old to meet relaxed (less costly) import restrictions.
He prefers a 6 speed 89 vert but might consider others. Maintenance and reliability is a must as it will spend some time on the Autobahn in Germany.
Money is wired from his major European bank to yours. Title does not get signed over until your bank verifies that you have the cash with no possibility of it being taken away from you. This happens thousands of time a year with no problems. Why are sellers so afraid? Check with your bank manager to verify.
Eastern or Western or even Southern states are preferred as it costs less for him to have it shipped to a seaport.
Car must be at least 30 years old to meet relaxed (less costly) import restrictions.
He prefers a 6 speed 89 vert but might consider others. Maintenance and reliability is a must as it will spend some time on the Autobahn in Germany.
Money is wired from his major European bank to yours. Title does not get signed over until your bank verifies that you have the cash with no possibility of it being taken away from you. This happens thousands of time a year with no problems. Why are sellers so afraid? Check with your bank manager to verify.
Eastern or Western or even Southern states are preferred as it costs less for him to have it shipped to a seaport.
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Steven_Belgium (07-06-2019)
07-06-2019, 07:58 PM
#4
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Commission ? Finder's Fee (such as a cup of coffee, atta boy, etc)
In all seriousness, there are a few for sale on the different car sites.
Here you go:
https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...ette/101101068
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/25861654
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/22606757
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/50036032
https://classiccars.com/listings/vie...-florida-33755
Then go to autotrader.com use 44203 as the zip code, search within 25 miles. autotrader links are too long for me to post here on the forum
there is a red 1989 convertible with 16,563 miles on it for $14,750
In all seriousness, there are a few for sale on the different car sites.
Here you go:
https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...ette/101101068
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/25861654
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/22606757
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/50036032
https://classiccars.com/listings/vie...-florida-33755
Then go to autotrader.com use 44203 as the zip code, search within 25 miles. autotrader links are too long for me to post here on the forum
there is a red 1989 convertible with 16,563 miles on it for $14,750
Last edited by drcook; 07-06-2019 at 07:59 PM.
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Steven_Belgium (07-07-2019)
07-07-2019, 12:59 AM
#5
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Thanks , David !
I’m definitely willing to buy a coffee , beer or something stronger for a tip who leads me to a good Vette
As I live in Belgium a +10 K car simply becomes too expensive when adding up inland transport cost , sea freight , VAT and import tax here in Belgium.
I have seen a real nice one in Tampa FL , but so far had no luck in finding someone to inspect it for me.
And apparently some sellers are not willing to sell to a foreign buyer , as they seem to find it risky.....
I’m definitely willing to buy a coffee , beer or something stronger for a tip who leads me to a good Vette
As I live in Belgium a +10 K car simply becomes too expensive when adding up inland transport cost , sea freight , VAT and import tax here in Belgium.
I have seen a real nice one in Tampa FL , but so far had no luck in finding someone to inspect it for me.
And apparently some sellers are not willing to sell to a foreign buyer , as they seem to find it risky.....
07-07-2019, 02:08 AM
#6
Safety Car
Steven,
cars such as this one
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/22606757
can have an offer made as it is at a business, and they tend to have them marked up, expecting a counteroffer. you could offer them less than 10 and see if they would accept it.
the finder's fee was in jest, that is why I said coffee, atta boy etc.
it seems convertibles AND 6 speeds still have an implied premium as far as cost associated with them. I read some more of the descriptions on the more expensive one I posted the link to and the dealership selling it talks about valuing it according to "book value" and listed the 2 sources of the prices. book value hasn't caught up to the realities of the next generation Corvettes becoming less and less expensive. NADA CURRENT VALUE and HAGERTY VALUATION TOOLS haven't adjusted to market conditions yet and have dealerships keeping cars for sale for years.
on some of the sites, you can read further down and see how many days that the cars has been listed. that can help in a counter offer
unfortunately also, the more you get under 10 (for a manual and convertible) the greater the chances that it is going to take a lot of repair expense as those tend to be the higher mileage or abused, not well maintained cars OR just someone trying to unload a car in a hurry and it gets bought up fast
good luck with your search.
cars such as this one
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/22606757
can have an offer made as it is at a business, and they tend to have them marked up, expecting a counteroffer. you could offer them less than 10 and see if they would accept it.
the finder's fee was in jest, that is why I said coffee, atta boy etc.
it seems convertibles AND 6 speeds still have an implied premium as far as cost associated with them. I read some more of the descriptions on the more expensive one I posted the link to and the dealership selling it talks about valuing it according to "book value" and listed the 2 sources of the prices. book value hasn't caught up to the realities of the next generation Corvettes becoming less and less expensive. NADA CURRENT VALUE and HAGERTY VALUATION TOOLS haven't adjusted to market conditions yet and have dealerships keeping cars for sale for years.
on some of the sites, you can read further down and see how many days that the cars has been listed. that can help in a counter offer
unfortunately also, the more you get under 10 (for a manual and convertible) the greater the chances that it is going to take a lot of repair expense as those tend to be the higher mileage or abused, not well maintained cars OR just someone trying to unload a car in a hurry and it gets bought up fast
good luck with your search.
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Steven_Belgium (07-07-2019)
07-07-2019, 03:05 PM
#7
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St. Jude Donor '05
there are decent ones for 10k, seller just have to get their heads out of the clouds. When they hear guys passing theirs up cause they found a mint C5 for the same money...
Being afraid to take a wire transfer is foolish, be patient your cars out there somewhere.
Being afraid to take a wire transfer is foolish, be patient your cars out there somewhere.
Last edited by cv67; 07-07-2019 at 03:07 PM.
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Steven_Belgium (07-08-2019)
07-07-2019, 04:53 PM
#8
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The issue is 30+ years old, which makes it a 1989, a convertible, maintained and in shape to go and run on the Autobahn. Taking a 4+3 to Europe is risky, as is a high mileage car. Waiting until 2020 opens up a 2 year window, 2021 a 3 year, but I wouldn't take an Optispark car to Europe due to the issues with the earlier ones and then having to have a decent one shipped across the pond.
Sometimes it is just better to pay a little more up front and not have to spend it on the backend doing repairs, buying tires, etc.
Going to a coupe opens the market up much more.
Sometimes it is just better to pay a little more up front and not have to spend it on the backend doing repairs, buying tires, etc.
Going to a coupe opens the market up much more.
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Steven_Belgium (07-08-2019)
07-08-2019, 03:34 AM
#10
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The issue is 30+ years old, which makes it a 1989, a convertible, maintained and in shape to go and run on the Autobahn. Taking a 4+3 to Europe is risky, as is a high mileage car. Waiting until 2020 opens up a 2 year window, 2021 a 3 year, but I wouldn't take an Optispark car to Europe due to the issues with the earlier ones and then having to have a decent one shipped across the pond.
Sometimes it is just better to pay a little more up front and not have to spend it on the backend doing repairs, buying tires, etc.
Going to a coupe opens the market up much more.
Sometimes it is just better to pay a little more up front and not have to spend it on the backend doing repairs, buying tires, etc.
Going to a coupe opens the market up much more.
Not necessarily needs to be a convertible , coupe is good also , but definitely want a 6 speed.
Bit afraid of an optispark car , also considering that there are not many shops in Belgium who are used to work on older Corvettes.
07-08-2019, 06:15 AM
#11
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Here is one that I just found
When you contact the guy, ask if there is a local dealership or other reputable local business that he would be willing to work through. People are
afraid of scams and/or having to go through too much effort.
You could contact the managers of a couple local banks (local to where the car is) and/or have your bank manager initiate a contact so that you have a referral to include in your communications to individuals.
1989 Convertible on Autotrader
When you contact the guy, ask if there is a local dealership or other reputable local business that he would be willing to work through. People are
afraid of scams and/or having to go through too much effort.
You could contact the managers of a couple local banks (local to where the car is) and/or have your bank manager initiate a contact so that you have a referral to include in your communications to individuals.
1989 Convertible on Autotrader
Last edited by drcook; 07-08-2019 at 06:22 AM.
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Steven_Belgium (07-08-2019)
07-08-2019, 09:41 AM
#13
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Sometimes I don’t really understand people advertising on CL.
I contacted / emailed two owners just recently , one never bothered to get back in touch with me and the other ( knowing I live in Belgium ) replied “ stop by , look at the car and bring cash “
I contacted / emailed two owners just recently , one never bothered to get back in touch with me and the other ( knowing I live in Belgium ) replied “ stop by , look at the car and bring cash “
07-09-2019, 10:10 AM
#14
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Have considered already to wait 1 or 2 years as I then definitely have a wider range of cars to choose from.
Not necessarily needs to be a convertible , coupe is good also , but definitely want a 6 speed.
Bit afraid of an optispark car , also considering that there are not many shops in Belgium who are used to work on older Corvettes.
Not necessarily needs to be a convertible , coupe is good also , but definitely want a 6 speed.
Bit afraid of an optispark car , also considering that there are not many shops in Belgium who are used to work on older Corvettes.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...eed-coupe.html
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Steven_Belgium (07-09-2019)
07-09-2019, 06:54 PM
#15
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Thread Starter
Jimmers, your car is well known here on the forum and you have a good reputation for taking care of it.
the key to importing a car in Belgium is that it must have been at least 30 years since the car's initial registration. If it was first registered in , say November 1989 then it would be eligible to import without the higher fees in November of 2019. See if you can track that date down.
the key to importing a car in Belgium is that it must have been at least 30 years since the car's initial registration. If it was first registered in , say November 1989 then it would be eligible to import without the higher fees in November of 2019. See if you can track that date down.
07-09-2019, 09:51 PM
#16
Racer
My recommendation: wait a year, get a first-year C4 ZR-1 and enjoy the huge performance increases that the LT5 provides. All ZR-1s were equipped with ZF 6-speeds, so no challenge finding a manual transmission. Routine maintenance and the majority of repairs can be done with moderate mechanical ability and common hand tools. Any serious internal engine work - which is very rare and highly unlikely because the LT5 is a stout motor - may be obtained through specialty mechanics (the only one I'm familiar with in Europe is located in Basel, Switzerland, but he does excellent work and you may discover more with a little investigation).
Good luck with your search!
Scott
Good luck with your search!
Scott
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Steven_Belgium (07-10-2019)
07-10-2019, 11:06 AM
#17
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Jimmers, your car is well known here on the forum and you have a good reputation for taking care of it.
the key to importing a car in Belgium is that it must have been at least 30 years since the car's initial registration. If it was first registered in , say November 1989 then it would be eligible to import without the higher fees in November of 2019. See if you can track that date down.
the key to importing a car in Belgium is that it must have been at least 30 years since the car's initial registration. If it was first registered in , say November 1989 then it would be eligible to import without the higher fees in November of 2019. See if you can track that date down.
I've looked through all the documentation I have but couldn't find anything regarding initial registration. I'm the second owner of the car so I have no idea where to even find that. I purchased it in 2005.
My build sheet shows the car was built on the 233rd day of 1989. Not sure if that helps or is even relevant.
07-10-2019, 12:11 PM
#18
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Build sheet unfortunately is irrelevant.
No idea how it works in other countries , but in Belgium the initial registration date is marked on the car registration no matter how often the ownership changes.
No idea how it works in other countries , but in Belgium the initial registration date is marked on the car registration no matter how often the ownership changes.
07-10-2019, 05:33 PM
#19
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I didn't think the build sheet would help. My registration only shows when it was first registered to me, nothing prior. I have all the papers from the previous owner but I don't see anything that mentions registration dates. If you're somewhat interested I can try and dig something up.
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Steven_Belgium (07-11-2019)