How many miles can I expect?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 139
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How many miles can I expect?
I am looking to purchase my first vette and am wondering how many miles to expect out of a stock ls1 with some bolt ons installed at around 50k miles( probably mild cam, heads, LTs, vararam, tune). The car will be properly maintained(fluids changed regularly, full sythetics). The reason I ask is because I am looking at a bone stock 99' FRC with 50k miles that I could probably get for $19k. Would this be a good route to go or should I be patient and wait for a lower mileage one to come around if I plan on modding. I want the car to last 3-4 years being driven 10-12k miles a year. Any input is appreciated. Thanks - Colin
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
200 K miles is a good rule of thumb.
At 50 K miles it is just getting broken in. Depending on the overall condition, the $19K is about right.
In some markets at this time of season you might be able to get one for a bit less... $17-18K
At 50 K miles it is just getting broken in. Depending on the overall condition, the $19K is about right.
In some markets at this time of season you might be able to get one for a bit less... $17-18K
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 45
From: Las Vegas Nevada
The only variables are the previous owner and the care or neglect given to the car, and the driving habits of same. Any moron can drive it like he stole it and do zip for maint.
It's kind of like the guy on NPR yesterday, he had damaged the drain plug on the sump of his car, so rather than fix it right, and really learn how to use a wrench, he decides to change the oil by removing the filter and firing off the motor to pump the sump dry, and then spin up a new filter, filler up with oil, and figure that's OK.
Just because its a vette doesn't mean the previous owner is not a
person of less than stellar judgement or knowledge. IMHO, do good
research. Good luck.
It's kind of like the guy on NPR yesterday, he had damaged the drain plug on the sump of his car, so rather than fix it right, and really learn how to use a wrench, he decides to change the oil by removing the filter and firing off the motor to pump the sump dry, and then spin up a new filter, filler up with oil, and figure that's OK.
Just because its a vette doesn't mean the previous owner is not a
person of less than stellar judgement or knowledge. IMHO, do good
research. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 0
From: Gallatin tennessee
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by vettman96
It's kind of like the guy on NPR yesterday, he had damaged the drain plug on the sump of his car, so rather than fix it right, and really learn how to use a wrench, he decides to change the oil by removing the filter and firing off the motor to pump the sump dry, and then spin up a new filter, filler up with oil, and figure that's OK.
. Good luck.
. Good luck.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 45
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Dead serious, I listened to him and the 2 gentlemen on the
program were nearly apoplectic by the time he was done telling them the problem and his "solution".
I did not hear what kind of vehicle it was, but I imagine that
every bearing in the motor is C**P now.
program were nearly apoplectic by the time he was done telling them the problem and his "solution".
I did not hear what kind of vehicle it was, but I imagine that
every bearing in the motor is C**P now.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,071
Likes: 0
From: Hoover Alabama
Originally Posted by rws.1
200 K miles is a good rule of thumb.
At 50 K miles it is just getting broken in. Depending on the overall condition, the $19K is about right.
In some markets at this time of season you might be able to get one for a bit less... $17-18K
At 50 K miles it is just getting broken in. Depending on the overall condition, the $19K is about right.
In some markets at this time of season you might be able to get one for a bit less... $17-18K
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by vettman96
Dead serious, I listened to him and the 2 gentlemen on the
program were nearly apoplectic by the time he was done telling them the problem and his "solution".
I did not hear what kind of vehicle it was, but I imagine that
every bearing in the motor is C**P now.
program were nearly apoplectic by the time he was done telling them the problem and his "solution".
I did not hear what kind of vehicle it was, but I imagine that
every bearing in the motor is C**P now.
The Car Talk guys are the Best. Their radio show is so funny and many times they can diagnose the problem over the phone.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24,592
Likes: 44
From: The Rock Arkansas
Elite Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
Originally Posted by DangerousMind
Thanks guys. I just had to ask because I heard of one guy who bought his c5 with 87k miles and the engine blew at 102k. I just wondered if that was common. - Colin
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The LS1 engine should be good for 150-200K miles with proper maintenance. As with anything mechanical, that number is not a hard and fast fact, but there are many here that have well over 100K on their cars and they are going strong.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,743
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From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by vettman96
Dead serious, I listened to him and the 2 gentlemen on the
program were nearly apoplectic by the time he was done telling them the problem and his "solution".
I did not hear what kind of vehicle it was, but I imagine that
every bearing in the motor is C**P now.
program were nearly apoplectic by the time he was done telling them the problem and his "solution".
I did not hear what kind of vehicle it was, but I imagine that
every bearing in the motor is C**P now.
Makes you want to
I got 52k on my FRC and am thinking about going with Lingenfelter 500 HP H/C package this coming March 