Quick background...I've wanted a C5 Z06 since I first saw one on the street in late 2000. I've been saving since I got out of college and I finally have saved the amount I wanted. So...

I have been looking for an EB on black car, and finally located one. It's in California, and I am in Oklahoma. The car seems really clean and after talking with the owner I'm as confident as I can be in a car without seeing it. Specs:

2002 EB on black
166XX miles
100% stock
garaged, etc....

I looked up the KBB and NADA values, and get $28.5k. The asking price is $33k. What is a reasonable price to expect to pay? I am going to have to ship it since driving through the Rockies in winter is out of the question, but there are no acceptable cars in my area.

I'm looking for what you think fair market value is, how much I can expect to pay for enclosed shipping, and how much I should hassle this guy. I am not desperate, but frustrated with the lack of a regional selection.

 

That's too much for a 02. You can find some here in Texas a little less than that. Don't get in a hurry..

 

Price is high, mileage is low, probably ~25-27k.

 

You should eventually be able to find something from the DFW area. Then you are only a 4 hour drive away. You would be crazy to buy a car without personally examining it no matter how good the pictures look. It amazes me how many people I hear doing this. I am suspicious even when I have the car sitting right in front of me.

I live in Iowa where the selection is obviously nil so I waited until the car I wanted showed up in the Chicago area. I drove 4 hours, examined it, and drove it home.

 

Well , the only thing different that I would say is this..and I did this..
If you are making an Internet, Auto Trader, Craigs List, over the phone Dealer purchase, and are willing to make the trip, and all of the UP FRONT questions have been answered and are truthful, you must have the right of refusal with no down payment loss at inspection time should you choose to pass on the car.

The final deal should always be based on the representation of the Car before you see it...and that it conforms to when you DO see it.

Any reputable dealer or seller will have no problem with this.

I made a purchase in Georgia like this and I had two other deals going as well , Florida and Ohio, where they both said..Come see the Car, come drive the car, come inspect the car, if you like it it's yours, if not, nothing lost but your time and an Airline ticket..or drive...neither asked for a deposit, both said they would not sell the car while I was in transit...same thing with the Georgia deal, no DP..he held the car on a telephone handshake pending my arrival as I stated. The deal was based on my approval after seeing the car.

For me 500 miles is the max distance to travel to buy a car...

regarding the 02 price, I looked at two in Nov the best one was an awesome RED with black/red int. and it had 33K on it, a one owner car..they were initially asking $29K but then a week or two later the price was $26.9 K. The other 02 was a POS and I offered them $12K for it and told them it was a bargain for THEM not me ! they passed...( of course )

 

Wise advice.

That's how I sold my last Vette.

Maybe you could post something in the "Pacific" regional section asking someone to go by & check it out?

 

Thanks for the advice gents (keep it coming). I will not pay $33k for an '02. You have also re-affirmed my hesitance of not seeing the car in person.

As for Texas, it seems like there would be some, but I've had no luck. Reliable Chevrolet is asking $33k for their EB, and there are a couple with mod red....

 

Personally I like the Mod Red and EB. I did not come across one when I was looking or I may have wound up with one like that. I was not set on Mod Red and picked up EB with black interior and 12k miles. I am very happy with the car. It is a blast to drive and do not miss the mod red at all.

 

This looks like a very nice car, I know that it is an 03 but the price doesn't seem too out of line. I would be happy to check it out for you, let me know.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1860041

 

I waited several months before what I wanted showed up in Chicago. You just have to be patient. By the way, I got my BSEE from OSU in 1975 (noticing your moniker). I am originally from OKC and my family still live there.

 

GO POKES! I got a BSME in December 2004, and just moved back to OKC in April.

 

Thanks, I had forgotten about that car. I am a little scared of the LED work on the interior. Should I be? As stupid as it sounds, I only prefer the 2002 because I don't like the "50th" C5 emblems on the 2003 cars and because it'll save me a few pennies. Lame, I know.

 

I hope you can find a decent engineering job in OKC. I had to move to Dallas.

 

If the car is in the San Diego area, I can go by and take some pictures for you.

 

If it's stock and mint and low mil That's a good buy.

 

So did I. But then I found something here a couple years later.

 

Thank you!

The owner took some hi-res ones for me (which were....enlightening). The car is also in Santa Rosa, which I believe to be a bit of drive from San Diego.

So, I will probably end up just moving on from this car because I just don't get a great feeling anymore. I noticed some paint swirling, and he has put cheap tires on the front of the car. Certainly not worth $33k, and probably not worth my effort to explain to him why it's not.

Thanks to all for the advice. I guess I will just have to be patient.

 

Santa Rosa is about 600 miles from San Diego (it's about 2 hours northeast of San Francisco).

Pass go, save your $200!

 

SLO VETTE,
Come and buy mine. 02 EB, black, 21,500 miles, mostly stock (borla, aftermarket stereo and LED tails). I'll be happy to return it to stock (except borla). I want 30K for mine with the stereo and tails, 29 without.

 

Sounds great, but sorry I'm not in the market for one (i already have an '04 Z). I was just pointing out some geography for the original poster, and suggested they look to the "pacific" regional section as often local folks will go check out a car for an out-of-state member.

The original poster is looking for one though. Maybe shoot them an email. Good luck with the sale.