Great forum and I've learned a lot but I need to shorten my learning curve!
I've just located a 98 white coup with a little less then 24K miles on it in nearly perfect condition except for a chip out of the paint on the hood about the size of an pencil eraser and needing tires. A independent dealer has it and is asking 22900 which is high according to posts that I've read here. The dealer says he will put on a new set of tires and have the chip repaired.
I have a 06 Miata that at best I could get maybe 18500 for, so I go and offer him $4500. and the Miata / difference on the road. I figure at least $1250 of the 4500 is taxes and title stuff. Anyway the dealer lets me leave the lot and calls me back the next day and says that it is mine if I want it for 4500 difference.
Here is my thinking....Most Internet pricing guides have the C5 and Maita at just about the same retail value so it might seem strange to offer 4500 difference but if 1250 is taxes and title stuff that you will never avoid paying, the difference really is $3250. and I'm thinking in just a few years the C5 will be worth much more then the MX5 and will be much easier to sell! Now back to the cost of the C5, Since the Maita is worth a best 18500 and I'm paying an actual difference of 3250 that puts the 1998 C5 with 23918 miles on it @ $21750.
Two things I need to know?


1. Is 21750 that far out of line considering I'm trading and getting top dollar for my trade
2. If I buy this car, you know the dealer is going to try to put the cheapest tires he can on it, so what would a reasonable tire be to request and what tires should I not except and watch out for.

I was able to locate the PO and he said he was the 2nd owner and had no problems with the car and that the first owner was a friend of his and that no one under the age of 55 ever drove the car if that makes any difference. Just for the record I'm about to turn 56 and only plan to use the car on sunny Saturdays and Sundays for local drives.

 

Sorry almost forgot! It is white with longhorn red interior, automatic and traction control and ?

 

Welcome to the CF.Just an FYI.Guys will be quicker to answer if you fill out your profile and give them a little info.

 

Having a 98 myself and knowing what I paid three years ago, I personally do not think that the price is much out of line. I certainly would want the new tires on it. You should make sure that they put only the original tires on "GY runflats ". They are not cheap... You could then sell them and get what you want likely for less $$$.

 

The car sounds good to me. I bought a white '97 about four months agod for $20K and it had 44K on it and was nearly perfect. But I have seen them cheaper in other parts of the nation. The only mod it had was the Y2K thin spoke wheels.

Location can sometimes matter. Fill out your profile. I'm from CA and sometimes cars here go for a little more than elsewhere.

Less than 24K on a '98 is a good find, if you ask me. Sounds like the car has had good care in the past. $20 to $22K sounds about right. I'd go for it!

 

Deal sounds to me to be right in the ballpark.I'd probably do it myself.Is the interior Longhorn or (firethorn) red?Check the build codes on the glove box door to see what else is on the car,gear ratio (G92) etc. besides the A4 and ABS/TR.Most of the tire manufacturers make tires for the C5 but you'll probably get to put on some Goodyears or Firestones RF's.jerry

 

Most likely they will put on Kuhmo's. They are a great tire for the money. There is not too many cheap tires with these sizes. Price is not too bad, considering he'll put on new tires and repair the hood. I would offer $20,500 out the door and see what he says.

As for the Miata......

(You know that was coming, it is a Corvette board!!)

Lowball 'em. See what they come back with.

Good luck!!

V.

 

I also have a 98 Arctic White coupe and don't think the price is out of line with that low mileage. If the car is in great shape, go for it. By the way, I'm guessing the car you're looking at has a "Firethorn" interior.

 

Sorry Folks,,,,,,,,,profile has be taken care of!

Yes, firehorn interior

 

Not a great deal, but a good one. I have a friend that had a Miata, had a hard time getting the $$ that they are offering you. Considering the hassle and risk selling a car these days, I would trade it in and be very happy with my clean, low mileage C5 with new tires. Good luck with your decision!!

 

Here's my 2 cents: I paid $16,500 for my '98 last Sept. with 73k miles and in need of 4 tires and a complete brake job. (That was $1,800 out of my pocket.) Then there were the little things; TPS replacement, extra key & remotes, etc, etc, etc. These set me back another grand. Total cost was closer to $20k. Double check that everything is there AND works! If so you are doing good.

The low milage is a big plus. Knowing the pervoius owners and the offer of new tires and paint chip pepair is a plus. However, it never hurts to go back to the negotiation table. The dealer seemed anxious; he called you back AND is willing to take your car in at high book trade. It appears you are on your way to a good deal........... It looks like a $20k car plus another $1,000 for tires and a chip repair. See if he goes for $21k and fees. I bet you will reach a nice compromise.

And GOOD LUCK and welcome to good times............

DJ
Hawaii

 

If theyre giving you a high price for your trade, then they have room in the price on the vette. If you dont mind the hassle, sell the miata yourself and work em on the price of the vette, they have room to move.

 

I have a 98 and I paid $22,500 for it.

Course, that was three and a half years ago.

 

I paid $18,250 out the door in May '06 with mine. It had 50,468 miles and they put on new Kuhmo runflats all around. They even delivered it to me for free.

There's always room for negotiation.

 

I had a 98 Coupe for 3.5 years and really it was one of the best cars I ever had.

 

Not the best deal,,, but I would take it
Keep us posted

BTW;,, Welcome to the forum

 

if you are in love with the car and must have it, then its a great deal, if the car doesnt inspire passion, move on.

Just my opinion.



Brad

 

This one seems to be a fair deal to me

 

Go for it! Sounds like a reasonable deal to me.

 

BrandTheCorvetteShow that is by far the best post in response to the original post. Gsmith I cant say this enough when it comes to giving advise to car buying. Whatever you pay now a year or 2 from now it'll look like you got ripped off. Find the car that you want (dont settle on color or year or miles just for price) if its clean buy it. You know if you got a good deal about 2yrs from now when the check engine light never came on ac still blows ice cold tranny is still strong and the car starts every single time with no odd noises. Because 2yrs from now you will look back and say dang cars depreciate once you see what your car will be selling for (which you already know) but then you will say but at least I got one hell of a well maintained car that'll last me for years to come with no problems. Enjoy your new car dont lose the car for price. Ask any of the guys that bought a used corvette and never had a problem with it but paid a good retail for the car. Ask them if they had to do it again if they would. I bet they would. Why? Because the car was a mint car and never gave them problems. Pay the price if its mint. Obviously try to get it as cheap as you could. Take care and thank you for your time in reading my post.