more like 18 - 19000 if in real good shape.JMO 
Question on a '97
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: You are here to build strength, not demonstrate it
St. Jude Donor '08
Question on a '97
Driving home today I go past a white C-5 for sale.
Beautiful, plain and simple.
I call the gentleman and he tells me everything.
"97, red interior, both tops, 49,000 miles, original owner (older guy), some little mods- nothing really performance enhancing, mostly just nice body touches here and there.
Plus its the 93rd Vette made in 97
He wants $24,000, and I think its a little high.
Beautiful, plain and simple.
I call the gentleman and he tells me everything.
"97, red interior, both tops, 49,000 miles, original owner (older guy), some little mods- nothing really performance enhancing, mostly just nice body touches here and there.
Plus its the 93rd Vette made in 97
He wants $24,000, and I think its a little high.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
I would pay around 20K for it. I paid 22 for mine, with less mileage, but i also have a fairly rare color. Another big thing is the tire condition...they cost 1500 by themselves...so if they are good then 20K is fair, if they are crap and need immediate replacement, i think 18500 to 19000 is fair...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 272
From: SC
I would pay around 20K for it. I paid 22 for mine, with less mileage, but i also have a fairly rare color. Another big thing is the tire condition...they cost 1500 by themselves...so if they are good then 20K is fair, if they are crap and need immediate replacement, i think 18500 to 19000 is fair...
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,336
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From: North Canton OH
What exactly are the 'little' mods? If its stuff like seat covers, chrome thin spokes, etc. it would add up quick. Still a hard stretch to 24k tho. I paid $22 for my white 97 with 32k miles a few years ago, and it was from a dealer.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Driving home today I go past a white C-5 for sale.
Beautiful, plain and simple.
I call the gentleman and he tells me everything.
"97, red interior, both tops, 49,000 miles, original owner (older guy), some little mods- nothing really performance enhancing, mostly just nice body touches here and there.
Plus its the 93rd Vette made in 97
He wants $24,000, and I think its a little high.
Beautiful, plain and simple.
I call the gentleman and he tells me everything.
"97, red interior, both tops, 49,000 miles, original owner (older guy), some little mods- nothing really performance enhancing, mostly just nice body touches here and there.
Plus its the 93rd Vette made in 97
He wants $24,000, and I think its a little high.
Bill
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: You are here to build strength, not demonstrate it
St. Jude Donor '08
I'm in agreement with all above, I also think its too much.
He put a new air cleaner/intake on it, grills in the front and he has both tops (white & clear)
He seemed pretty stuck on 24, cause he thinks since it has been babied and cared for by him, its worth more. He could be right, he could be wrong.
He also said he does not have to sell, so he's gonna wait for the money, if he doesn't get 24 for it, he'll keep it.
I'll keep my eye on it though
He put a new air cleaner/intake on it, grills in the front and he has both tops (white & clear)
He seemed pretty stuck on 24, cause he thinks since it has been babied and cared for by him, its worth more. He could be right, he could be wrong.
He also said he does not have to sell, so he's gonna wait for the money, if he doesn't get 24 for it, he'll keep it.
I'll keep my eye on it though
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 272
From: SC
Offer him $20,500 cash, if he say's no...walk away. There are to many nice 97-99 vettes for under 20k out there. Look at it this way, a lot of people paid 55k for 04 vert, 3 years ago and you can now by an 07 vert for 51k, point meaning, take the time to look, cars loose value, so spend less, lose less...
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I agree $24K is too high. Offer less and see what they say.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: 90% of all Fords are still on the road.....the other 10% actually made it home!
It's one of those Pride things with this guy, (which is pretty normal from an original owner) but I agree with the majority here. For what's out there right now, 24k is a bit over the going price. I paid 17.5 for my '98 a few months ago. Sure, it has about 15k more miles on it but it was maintained very well and it still looks and drives down the road like a new car. I wouldn't expect this guy to budge at all.......it sounds like he really doesn't want to sell his car.
Just my .02 worth though.
Just my .02 worth though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
Excellent comments here.
The one-owner aspect is a big positive -- ya know where the car's been.
The tire condition, mentioned earlier, is another factor.
(How do the seats look? Is the leather shot? Good quality new leather seat covers range from $1-2,000 -- another big expense.)
IMHO, $24K is too much for this car. Depending up the tires, $20K may be fair. If you really like the car, stay in touch with the seller. He may reduce his price after a while.
The one-owner aspect is a big positive -- ya know where the car's been.
The tire condition, mentioned earlier, is another factor.
(How do the seats look? Is the leather shot? Good quality new leather seat covers range from $1-2,000 -- another big expense.)
IMHO, $24K is too much for this car. Depending up the tires, $20K may be fair. If you really like the car, stay in touch with the seller. He may reduce his price after a while.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 9,737
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From: You are here to build strength, not demonstrate it
St. Jude Donor '08
Excellent comments here.
The one-owner aspect is a big positive -- ya know where the car's been.
The tire condition, mentioned earlier, is another factor.
(How do the seats look? Is the leather shot? Good quality new leather seat covers range from $1-2,000 -- another big expense.)
IMHO, $24K is too much for this car. Depending up the tires, $20K may be fair. If you really like the car, stay in touch with the seller. He may reduce his price after a while.
The one-owner aspect is a big positive -- ya know where the car's been.
The tire condition, mentioned earlier, is another factor.
(How do the seats look? Is the leather shot? Good quality new leather seat covers range from $1-2,000 -- another big expense.)
IMHO, $24K is too much for this car. Depending up the tires, $20K may be fair. If you really like the car, stay in touch with the seller. He may reduce his price after a while.
Thats what I'm doing.
It is tough to drive by it every day though
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 120
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From: Bloomington Illinois
Be patient. I bought my white '97 in the Summer of 2005. It was for sale at a dealership on consignment. It had 19,000 miles, and was in perfect shape. The asking price was $27,900. I made contact, told them what I was willing to pay, and several months later I got a call, and I ended up buying the car for $22,000. Not cheap, but I was willing to go that high on the car because of its condition and low mileage. The moral of the story is let the seller know you appreciate his car, but have a spending limit. If he either can't sell at his asking price or needs to sell in a hurry down the road, you may get a call!
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