Yes, I know, another "how much should I pay for this" thread. I know these probably get annoying, so I'll try and keep it short.

I'm considering buying my own Vette and drove one this morning. (The one in my signature is my Dad's)

2003
17,000 Miles
Sport Seats, Hud, Dual climate control, both a painted top and clear top.
Automatic

Now, what price do you think is fair? Keep in mind it is at a dealership and from my experience; cars, especially low mileage cars tend to go for a bit more in Washington state. The Blue Book for this car is $34,115.

Your Thoughts?

 

It does depend on location like you say, I'm not familar with your area but factoring in dealership and what you have said probably $31K would be the max.

By the way, I'd say this thread is properly located based on the content but it seems the buyers hang out in the for sale section and owners more here, so you'd probably get some different perspectives from a thread over there. As might be expected this one tends to be a little high and the other a little low....regardless of owning one I try to stay objective. The best thing is to spend some time reading this forum and looking at for sale websites. Quite a lot of information exists here on what other's have paid not just what asking prices are.

 

Believe me, I have been reading a lot. I've been on this forum for a couple years now because of my Dad owning one. I've always liked the C5 Corvette, and my Dad got all giddy when I told him I was thinking about buying one.

I have also looked in the for sale section, and a lot of those are lower than this car, but they do have more miles-usually.

Thank You very much for your opinion.

 

I love the C5, my dad is excited too since he has owned 3 Corvettes over the years. I have nothing to gain by saying they are worth less, just trying to offer an honest opinion. I'm not buying or selling for quite some time. I did get a heck of a deal it seems on my car, but mid 30's sounds high to me. However, if you really want it and aren't concerned with getting the best deal it will certainly make the process easier. I got a good price but I had to spend a lot of time and energy.

Oh and I've got 10.2K miles and loaded with options (check signature).

 

I never said I was going to spend 34k.

I posted what the Blue Book value was as a starting point for converstaion. I wanted to get opinions BEFORE I actually posted the price I have written on the back of the dealer's business card.

 

30 max.

 

 

Thank You.

After doing some further research it seems the 2003s on this forum whether they are coupe, Z06, vert, etc. have asking prices at an average of 33,900. (I did a search in the for sale section for 2003s, randomly clicked on 11 different threads, took down the prices and calculated the average.)

I think I would be getting an ok deal if I purchsed this car for 30-32?

Thanks again for the opinions so far.

 

OK, sounded like you were leaning that way but thank goodness not. I'll go back to my previous post, $31K max at a dealer if the area is more expensive like you say. Personally I'd not exceed $30K as others have said.

 

I guess I'll stop keeping secrets. The price I have in writing on the back of his card is 31k. Gotta sleep on it and think about this. I'm not one to rush into things.

 

Bingo

 

I'll sell you an 04' with 6800 miles for a grand more.

 

I don't know if you are serious or not, but I'm the kind of person that has to see a car in person, drive it once or twice, then make my decision. I'm not looking to buy out of state.

 

Wuz serious....

Out of state buys are hard and I am the same way about cars.. Have to drive 1 or 2 times, although these cars are little different.

I bought the same day I drove it. Which is probably why I am sellng now.

 

Yeah, I could never do that.

Right now I am leaning towards buying it. We'll see.

 

buy private party
get a Z06
live a happy life
don't buy an auto

 

WOW,...SERIOUSLY,...THIS GUY IS SPEAKING 'NA TRUTH!!

 

Thank you for the insightful imput.

I want an automatic. When I start asking you for money, then you can tell me what to buy.

 

To give you a little perspective as to pricing, I bought my '02 Millineum Yellow roadster 6 spd, 12 cd player, HUD, High polished rims, 3 way adj. suspension and every other option except Z51 for $38,500 three years ago in Jul 2004 from an individual here on the forum. I simply posted a detailed exact description of the car I was looking for and a few days later the owner e-mailed me. The car was two years old with 4007 miles on it and was in showroom condition. The owner had just purchased the GM zero deductible bumper to bumper extended warranty that is good till April 2009 or 52k miles. I now have 25k miles on the car. The original sticker price on my car was over $55K.
In case you don't already know, roadsters always carry a several thousand dollars higher price due to their higher initial price plus their added disirability later as used cars.
I live on the Gulf Coast and we flew to Philly, Pa to buy our car and then enjoyed every mile as we drove it home.
As a C5 owner I would like to think that after three years I would still be able to get over 30K for my vert if I decide to sell it.
I am like the other posters in that I think it is priced a little high. I would offer $29K, leave my phone number, and walk away. If they call you , fine , but if they don't , you can still find a better deal here on the forum.
I generally look at it as there being two types of Vette owners. 1. People who buy the Corvette because they like the looks ,etc., but then they drive it as a daily driver, to work, etc. and it sits in the blistering hot sun for two or three years and then they trade it on something else. I wouldn't consider buying one of those type cars because, even though they still look good, they generally have extreme wear and unsurfaced damage to the weather stripping and paint and the interior is already starting to fade and get brittle.
2. The owner who buys a new Corvette during middle or older age and it is the pride and joy of his life. He doesn't hot-rod it, never drives through automatic scratch machines, I mean automatic car washes, keeps it garaged and uses it mostly for pleasure cruising, car shows, and Corvette Club functions. The car is being sold because of the death of the owner or because he is upgrading to a newer model.
Good luck in finding the car of your dreams!

 

Hey 91LSMAN...

To put a little perspective onto this thread...you can buy a NEW '07 C6 for around 39K. For 8 or 9K more you could be driving a new car. Think carefully before dropping more than 30K on an '03.

I sold my '02 (Red Racer) last summer for $26,300. 31K seems a bit much for an '03. You must be looking at Friendly Chevrolet...

In any case, good luck with the purchase.