Need Help? Good Deal or?
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 59
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From: Mahwah New Jersey
Need Help? Good Deal or?
I put a deposit from private owner of a 1998 White Vert white top tan interior- 42,000 miles checked car over and we agreed on 20K.
Car needs tires and right headlamp motor seems to stay on - most likely from bushings worn out inside motor Is this a steal or average buy- car is in excellent condition other than seats a bit worn.
Also the car has run flat tires- what am I in for on new tires- non name brands I have used before like Kumho? I am an exC4 owner!
Also info needed 1G1YY32G8W512529
Car needs tires and right headlamp motor seems to stay on - most likely from bushings worn out inside motor Is this a steal or average buy- car is in excellent condition other than seats a bit worn.
Also the car has run flat tires- what am I in for on new tires- non name brands I have used before like Kumho? I am an exC4 owner!
Also info needed 1G1YY32G8W512529
Last edited by MVetteNJ; Apr 15, 2007 at 11:10 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Seems about right to me...you might be able to keep looking for one with better seats and new tires, but thats if your being really picky and want to wait till you find one. Make sure you get it checked out, check the codes (hopefully they havent cleared um). Not sure about the headlamp issues or tyre recomendations 
Id say if everything else looks good go for it
Not sure why Z16 doesnt like it, but I just got mine in October and then another in November, so let some others chime in too
Id say if everything else looks good go for it
Not sure why Z16 doesnt like it, but I just got mine in October and then another in November, so let some others chime in too
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
I'd say for a '98 with those miles $20k is about $2-3k high expecially if it needs tires, the seats are showing wear and a headlight gear which by the way is a DIY for about $50. $.02 deposted. Nevertheless, welcome to the Forum.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio Texas
You can plan on the following expenses:
1. Tires. $1000 or so.
2. Headlight repair. ??
3. $1500 or more for unknown expenses to get into perfect shape within the first 6 to 12 months. That is what I have experienced in buying many many personal family cars.
4. Additional $$ for what we call Corvette tax.
Good luck. Read some more comments prior from forum members.
Ed
1. Tires. $1000 or so.
2. Headlight repair. ??
3. $1500 or more for unknown expenses to get into perfect shape within the first 6 to 12 months. That is what I have experienced in buying many many personal family cars.
4. Additional $$ for what we call Corvette tax.
Good luck. Read some more comments prior from forum members.
Ed
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,409
Likes: 288
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Dont think it is a steal, you did not list the options. But even so it is high. Check out www.edmunds.com TMV, KBB, etc to get an idea of pricing.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65,010
Likes: 133
From: Title town, Champs live here.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Since there is a difference in prices per location it may not be a bad deal, just plan on 1 grand for tires,$50 for headlight , and at least $5-600 on stuff you will need or want
Good luck and welcome to the CF.
Good luck and welcome to the CF.
Last edited by BOTYNV1; Apr 14, 2007 at 03:26 PM. Reason: sp
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
I don't think thats to high, not for a vert that wasn't even driven on avg. of 5K miles a year, especially if it's in good shape other than the few things you mentioned. You can't expect that kind of price for a perfect car. Also see if the owner will agree to have a mechanic that's familiar with c5's take a good lookover at the car(that goes a long way in gauging the owners honesty also). Just MHO I'm sure others will disagree. Tires like mentioned 1k, and gears for both headlights $100 since you should do both as it's a common problem and the other is probably not far behind. good luck with your deal
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,615
Likes: 4,619
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Sounds like a good price for a '98 C5 Convertible in excellent condition with 40K miles. A set of 4 Khumo runflats are a little over $700 plus installation. Headlight gears are inexpensive, around $50 shipped. Check out this website for Rodney Dickman replacement headlight gears for C5's. Look under electrical: http://www.rodneydickman.com/retail.html
Try this sticky in C5 General and look up Headlight gear replacement: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Good luck, sounds like a nice car at a good price.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 25,239
Likes: 451
From: Sun Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '03-'26
I put a deposit from private owner of a 1998 White Vert white top tan interior- 42,000 miles checked car over and we agreed on 20K.
Car needs tires and right headlamp motor seems to stay on - most likely from bushings worn out inside motor Is this a steal or average buy- car is in excellent condition other than seats a bit worn.
Also the car has run flat tires- what am I in for on new tires- non name brands I have used before like Kumho? I am an exC4 owner!
Also car fax info needed 1G1YY32G8W512529
Car needs tires and right headlamp motor seems to stay on - most likely from bushings worn out inside motor Is this a steal or average buy- car is in excellent condition other than seats a bit worn.
Also the car has run flat tires- what am I in for on new tires- non name brands I have used before like Kumho? I am an exC4 owner!
Also car fax info needed 1G1YY32G8W512529
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral Florida
ok
not too high anyone who says its too high wouldnt sell there car for this money. needs tires big deal i need tires yearly, altleast rears BFG KDW no complaints going to put a real good rain tire on my 2nd set of wheels . 98 garage queens with 10k on then need parts. if its the color and style u want buy it if not 100% sure drive them all i hate verts but thats just me a coupe with painted roof or frc. make sure you drive both autos and 6 spd big differance in car. auto you can drink coffee and talk on the phone. 6 spd yahooo no time to talk. i say by a z06 your going to end up buying all the parts anyway i wish i did
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,605
Likes: 2
From: Latrobe PA
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 9
From: Camdenton MO
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My opinion would be if you like it, and are comfortable with the price, then it's a good deal. It might be high for some areas, but overall, it seems to be reasonable for a lower mileage C5. Especially when we're coming into the season to enjoy these cars. The prices will rise a little in the Spring, and drop some in the Winter due to popularity at that time.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 5
From: Naples Florida
My opinion would be if you like it, and are comfortable with the price, then it's a good deal. It might be high for some areas, but overall, it seems to be reasonable for a lower mileage C5. Especially when we're coming into the season to enjoy these cars. The prices will rise a little in the Spring, and drop some in the Winter due to popularity at that time.
Have someone check it out that has some corvette expierience even if it costs you money it would be money well spent IMO.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Honestly, with that mileage, and with the things it needs, it does sound a little high.Try to get the price of the tires taken off, or at least a good part of it( figure at least $700 for an inexpensive set of non-runflats), and you may be about right. HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT BY A QUALIFIED VETTE MECHANIC.The old vette tax is no joke. A few seemingly minor things can get expensive real fast. Pay $100 bucks or so to have the car gone over with a fine tooth comb so there are no other suprises.I did this before I got my car. It eliminated a car that would have cost several thousand to get %100, so that $100 was well worth it, and the peace of mind of knowing that the car I got WAS OK.