ok, this is kinda wierd...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Corona Ca
ok, this is kinda wierd...
I have a close friend that owns a 1998 Corvette, its white and has a tan interior. The body is immaculate and has only 40k miles. The seats are worn but other than that its in really great shape. I know almost nothing about 'Vettes, Always wanted one but never got around to learning about them other than the Z06 is what I would buy if I ever bought one. She has decided to sell her vette (she is now in real estate and needs an SUV or Minivan) and wants me to help her. I've bought and sold many cars (no vettes) and I know shiny sells. As mentioned before, the seats are an issue. My question is, should she get the seats re-done (new leather seat covers) before she sells or would a vette afficianado rather see the original seats ? Also, IF she has the seats done, should she go original tan or tan/black or black ? Do you guys care what color the seats are ? thanks in advance for your help....
btw, I drive a custom chevy avalanche so I'm still a chevy guy at heart
btw, I drive a custom chevy avalanche so I'm still a chevy guy at heart
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
Likes: 52
From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
yes the seats can be recovered, and the new buyer would probably be bobe the wiser, i would either stay with the origonal or go with a quality replacement. you can probably give the seats a good detail and tehy will look as good as new unless tehy have a rip in them
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: Olympia Washington
I agree with Navy, no harm in getting them re covered. There are several companys that sell great replacements. The first few years the C5 was out the bolsters were made of leather, it wore out very quick. I believe it was in 00 that they started to sew in fake leather in the bolsters and it is holding up much better.
I would stay tan, but this is simply my opinion.
Good luck in helping her sell it.
Vinnie
I would stay tan, but this is simply my opinion.
Good luck in helping her sell it.
Vinnie
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Corona Ca
thanks for the quick reply The drivers seat has a rip in the center, the pass looks okay but I think for about $750? I can get them re-done like new and get a decent price for the car. I drove it to work last week and was real impressed with the power (first vette I ever drove ) I really liked the ride, which suprised me because I've driven trucks for years 
I could definitely see myself in one of these in the future
The drivers seat has a rip in the center, the pass looks okay but I think for about $750? I can get them re-done like new and get a decent price for the car. I drove it to work last week and was real impressed with the power (first vette I ever drove ) I really liked the ride, which suprised me because I've driven trucks for years I could definitely see myself in one of these in the future
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,832
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You can also redye the seats by buying leather dye from Corvette America or one of the other suppliers. I have used this multiple times over the last 15 years and it works very well to dress up a seat. Will cost you very little to try and if it doens't work to your satisfaction you can spend $700 to redo the seat covers.
Forget it I didn't see the post about the rip although an upholsterer may be able to help in that reqard.
Bill
Forget it I didn't see the post about the rip although an upholsterer may be able to help in that reqard.
Bill
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mesquite, Texas
From the seller's standpoint, new seats would be a waste.....she'd never recoup the cost.
From a buyer's standpoint, no one is going to be looking for "valuable" original seats. If a buyer wants new seats, let him buy the car "as is", and he can have them done the way he wants.
From a buyer's standpoint, no one is going to be looking for "valuable" original seats. If a buyer wants new seats, let him buy the car "as is", and he can have them done the way he wants.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Corona Ca
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mesquite, Texas
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Corona Ca
wow, nice, and kinda pricey too
I think I'll stick with leather seats.com since we're just gonna pretty it up and sell her. If she was going to keep it...
thanks for your help. I'll post some pics after we fix the seats. It should sell fast, its a nice car.
I think I'll stick with leather seats.com since we're just gonna pretty it up and sell her. If she was going to keep it...
thanks for your help. I'll post some pics after we fix the seats. It should sell fast, its a nice car.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mesquite, Texas
GM service history...
With the number of recalls and service bulletins that have been issued throughout the C5's run, it would be nice to know what's been done to it service-wise. (Not that the dealerships are all that great with repairs, but at least you know what kind of problems its had.)
With the number of recalls and service bulletins that have been issued throughout the C5's run, it would be nice to know what's been done to it service-wise. (Not that the dealerships are all that great with repairs, but at least you know what kind of problems its had.)
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Corona Ca
GM service history...
With the number of recalls and service bulletins that have been issued throughout the C5's run, it would be nice to know what's been done to it service-wise. (Not that the dealerships are all that great with repairs, but at least you know what kind of problems its had.)
With the number of recalls and service bulletins that have been issued throughout the C5's run, it would be nice to know what's been done to it service-wise. (Not that the dealerships are all that great with repairs, but at least you know what kind of problems its had.)
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 1,357
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19