I am new to the corvette world and am very close to making a purchase of an 04 vert.
Here is my question:
I am interested in 2 cars, both are the same price. One has about $7,000.00 in mods (rotors, calipers, wheels, exhaust are the major ones) and has 4500 miles on it. (all original parts come with the car)
The other has less than 300 miles but all stock.
It may seem like a no brainer to some but I have gotten mixed opinions from friends on which one to buy.

I guess I am looking for more opinions.

Here is a list of the mods:
Aftermarket chrome Z06 aluminum wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport Tires - (265/40ZR17 front, 295/35Z18 rear)
Bauer Eradispeed drilled and slotted rotors
red Z06 calipers
Hawk brake pads
Stainless Steel brake lines
Borla Stainless Steel quad oval exhaust system
ZO6 Leaf Springs front and rear
ZO6 2004 Shock Absorbers
ZO6 Swaybars front and rear
Kewl Products Engine Compartment Dress Up Kit - Radiator Cover, Coolant Tank, Washer Tank and Engine Covers with Oil Filler Cap.
Stainless steel lettering inserts, License plate surround and Exhaust Filler Plate
Trunk lid liner and Quite ride compartment divider
Chrome Bolt Package by Design Specialties that includes Hood Perimeter, Tank Nuts, Door Latch, Trunk Perimeter, Bumper Stud nuts and washers
ZO6 Stainless Steel Fog Light screens, and Stainless Steel Front brake duct screens, and Stainless Steel Side Fender Styling Screens
3M factory installed clear bra, Column Lock Bypass, CAGS 6-Soeed Skip Shift Bypass, Multi-Layer Fabric Car Cover (The best available), Wheel Center Cap Decals, Aluminum Lift Pad Set, Hardbar Shift **** (Not installed), Top Down Tech Window Valet

Thanks for you time.

 

Thats a tough one! Good luck!

 

Are the mods that are done to the car mods that you would be doing anyway? Is the car very clean? If not, get the one with super-low mileage

 

seems like a no brainer to me......pick the one you like the best and enjoy

 

That helped.

 

Go with stock.. 300 miles cant be traded... you don't know how those things were installed, who installed them, what quality they are, what quality workmanship was put into them, how the guy drove it once he got it... There are a lot of "what ifs" you have to consider.. what is the point of buying a bunch of performance mods on a car... to make it perform better... who gets all that stuff and doesn't use it at all?!? NObody... point is.. you want to buy a car that hasn't been dragged or raced or driven heavy... 300 miles and stock is worth its weight in Gold, in my opinion.. I would go for the stock one... you will save yourself the hassle and probably cost in repairs and maintenance... not to mention being able to buy an extended warranty or worrying about having service done under factory warranty.. some of that stuff may have voided warranty on some things... you will be stuck with a HUGE bill, replacing performance parts...

STOCK!!!!!

 

Really depends on how much into doing mods you are. As long as you get the original equipment you can always go back. Sell the mods and recoup some of the original cost.
Also depends on how much you're going to drive it. 3 years and 20K miles from now the 4,700 miles won't make much difference. But 3 years and 5K miles from now to 300 miles will make a difference.

 

Both cars are mint.
I was thinking about some of the mods, but got mixed opinions on what they do to the value of the car.
Are mods realy worth it?

 

If you look at it from the perspective that a car will last 100k miles, then both of them sound like low mileage to me. If the mods are ones you like, and everything else is about equal, why wouldn't you go for the one with the mods - you're only talking about 3000 miles difference, not 30,000...

$.02 given

 

That is a tough one, but for me it would be made easier by the mods. I like the aftermarket exhaust and other items you mentioned. The mileage is so close it is not relevant IMO to the decision, unless you plan on your Vette being a garage queen. If the color is good on the modded one, that is the one I would choose. BTW, welcome to the Forum and don't forget to post pics of the one you chose.

 

Take the one with the mods, if you don't like them you said you are getting the original parts. Take the modded part, sell it and replace it with the original.

 

In both of these cars the mileage is not significant and would not be a factor to me. If both are in excellent condition and you like the mods, and if you view "My Corvette photos” you will know which side of the fence I’m on.

 

I like mods too, but you have to think about the things I said in my first post... do the mods yourself.. you will spend more money now, but it may save you even more in the long run... warranty issues, maintenance issues... $7k seems like a lot in mods.. but if you get them done right (by searching on here), you can have a peace of mind... Like I said, cost now vs possible even more cost later... and then you can get what YOU want, not what HE wanted...

 

According to the seller, all the mods were proffessionally installed.
Of course, I will need to see proof of this.
Nothing was done to the engine or drivetrain.

 

Take the MODS!

 

I'd take the modded one. The mods listed are not the type that would cause someone to go out and abuse the car, such as a H/C package or S/C.

 

Take the virgin vette, you can trust her more......

Do the mods yourself and enjoy getting to know you new love.

 

I would personally go with the one with 300 miles. Like someone already said, you don't know who put it together. I have also heard that factory parts (like the parts the other car) are expensive. Really it is your oppion because you are going to be the one driving it. I appreciated you asking for other peoples oppion but, you have the ultimate choice. Good luck


Mike

 

Just out of curiosity, do you know what wheels are on the modded one?

 

Here is a list of the mods:
Aftermarket chrome Z06 aluminum wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport Tires - (265/40ZR17 front, 295/35Z18 rear)
Bauer Eradispeed drilled and slotted rotors
red Z06 calipers
Hawk brake pads
Stainless Steel brake lines
Borla Stainless Steel quad oval exhaust system
ZO6 Leaf Springs front and rear
ZO6 2004 Shock Absorbers
ZO6 Swaybars front and rear
Kewl Products Engine Compartment Dress Up Kit - Radiator Cover, Coolant Tank, Washer Tank and Engine Covers with Oil Filler Cap.
Stainless steel lettering inserts, License plate surround and Exhaust Filler Plate
Trunk lid liner and Quite ride compartment divider
Chrome Bolt Package by Design Specialties that includes Hood Perimeter, Tank Nuts, Door Latch, Trunk Perimeter, Bumper Stud nuts and washers
ZO6 Stainless Steel Fog Light screens, and Stainless Steel Front brake duct screens, and Stainless Steel Side Fender Styling Screens
3M factory installed clear bra, Column Lock Bypass, CAGS 6-Soeed Skip Shift Bypass, Multi-Layer Fabric Car Cover (The best available), Wheel Center Cap Decals, Aluminum Lift Pad Set, Hardbar Shift **** (Not installed), Top Down Tech Window Valet