Corvette Upkeep
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Corvette Upkeep
Hey Guys,
So I am looking at a 2002 Black Vert with all the options. They are asking 32,900 which i think is pretty good. It only 25,000 miles on it. The thing that is holding me back from buying it is that i heard the upkeep on them is crazy expensive. I drive 2006 Mustang GT VERT but I have always LOVED the look of the Vette. I drive a Ford so I am use to the breaking down thing but how bad is the Corvette and how expensive is it to fix.
-W
So I am looking at a 2002 Black Vert with all the options. They are asking 32,900 which i think is pretty good. It only 25,000 miles on it. The thing that is holding me back from buying it is that i heard the upkeep on them is crazy expensive. I drive 2006 Mustang GT VERT but I have always LOVED the look of the Vette. I drive a Ford so I am use to the breaking down thing but how bad is the Corvette and how expensive is it to fix.
-W
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
From: Boise Idaho
With a few exceptions, outside of electrical pieces, you should be able to fix/repair a lot of items yourself if you have some mechanical inclination. Add to that the wealth of knowledge available on these forums. Many people are going on 100k miles with none or very few issues, though. These cars are a lot more reliable than they used to be.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 3
From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
75000 and all I needed was a new starter... besides the everyday things that any car needs. Although, the everyday things do have "Corvette Tax" applied to them- usually about 10%... 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 58,551
Likes: 95
From: The warm part of Anger Island
St. Jude Donor '09
Oil changes are a bit expensive if you don't do them your self.
Tires are definately expensive.
I do spend a lot of time doing upkeep and preventive maintenance on my car... but that's part of the fun of owning it.
Tires are definately expensive.
I do spend a lot of time doing upkeep and preventive maintenance on my car... but that's part of the fun of owning it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
94,000+ miles and only replaced oil pressure sensor ($46 part) and brakes ($160) and 2 sets of tires ($1200 a set). I do my own labor. Tires are main expense, especially if you stay with runflats (I do). I bought at 46,000 miles with a 36,000 mile/36 month warrenty, which I never used. I used as a daily driver. Needless to say it's a great car, no matter how bad a day you have at work 
, the drive home puts a simile on your face ! 
, the drive home puts a simile on your face !
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Virginia
I bought a navy blue 01 coupe about a year and a half ago. 19k miles for $29k. I went ahead and got the three year warranty. Three months after i brought her home the rear housing started leaking fluid from a seal. Three trips to the garage later, it was finally fixed. W/ no warranty, over $3k. With that said, you'll never want to get in another Ford if you join the ranks. It would still be worth it w/o the warranty.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Kearney NE
I bought my 02 coupe which was in nearly perfect condition, last March and have had about $900.00 in repairs which were covered by warranty. I paid $28,000 for my coupe with 16,000 miles on it. I think that what you are paying is a little high. IMHO.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I think your major up keep is going to be the fact that it's "black"! 
Black always looks beautiful when it's clean, but it's a bear to keep clean. I speak from experience as I have had black vehicles in the past.
As for mechanical ... It's probably better then most cars. OF course there is that "Corvette Tax" that you have to deal with when the time comes to do anything.
Black always looks beautiful when it's clean, but it's a bear to keep clean. I speak from experience as I have had black vehicles in the past.
As for mechanical ... It's probably better then most cars. OF course there is that "Corvette Tax" that you have to deal with when the time comes to do anything.
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Tires are expensive. Of course, it will depend on how much you drive the car as to what routine maintenance you have to perform. But for the most part, the car is pretty much maintenance free for a long time. There are some things like differential seals that have a tendency to go out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
If you not into modding it will be fine, but if you get the bug..it can get to be costly.
Originally Posted by Stock Man
The first service on the car is at 100k that's not bad. The most expensive thing will be the mods that you want to do to it. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,001
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From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by lynxshooter
I bought a navy blue 01 coupe about a year and a half ago. 19k miles for $29k. I went ahead and got the three year warranty. Three months after i brought her home the rear housing started leaking fluid from a seal. Three trips to the garage later, it was finally fixed. W/ no warranty, over $3k. With that said, you'll never want to get in another Ford if you join the ranks. It would still be worth it w/o the warranty.
And three tries at fixing??? FIND A DIFFERENT DEALER. 
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
One question i do have is when i drove the convertable on the highway, 75+ MPH, it was so loud i could not even hear myself think... Is that normal? Do you all get the same thing? I know the convertable is loud but my 00 GT Vert Mustang was not even that loud, and i had no cats or mufflers on it.
-W
-W
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,678
Likes: 34
From: Fayetteville GA
Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus
Oil changes are a bit expensive if you don't do them your self.
Tires are definately expensive.
I do spend a lot of time doing upkeep and preventive maintenance on my car... but that's part of the fun of owning it.
Tires are definately expensive.
I do spend a lot of time doing upkeep and preventive maintenance on my car... but that's part of the fun of owning it.
Have not had any major probs with my 99.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Redlands CA
Originally Posted by woodywoody
One question i do have is when i drove the convertable on the highway, 75+ MPH, it was so loud i could not even hear myself think... Is that normal? Do you all get the same thing? I know the convertable is loud but my 00 GT Vert Mustang was not even that loud, and i had no cats or mufflers on it.
-W
-W
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Yea i mean the vette i tested was so loud, i really could not even talk to the salesmen sitting next to me. I had to rase my voice pretty loud in order for him to hear me. Seemed really "wrong" to me but then again it was the first vette i had drove and i was not sure if it was normal or not. I guess it's not... Any reason you all can think of as to why it?
-W
-W
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: Torrance CA
Originally Posted by woodywoody
Yea i mean the vette i tested was so loud, i really could not even talk to the salesmen sitting next to me. I had to rase my voice pretty loud in order for him to hear me. Seemed really "wrong" to me but then again it was the first vette i had drove and i was not sure if it was normal or not. I guess it's not... Any reason you all can think of as to why it?
-W
-W