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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 07:07 AM
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Default Advice on a used Vette

This past weekend I test drove a 98 coupe, 6MT with ride control and traction control. The car ran fine and the transmission/clutch was good too. The only thing that seemed wrong besides minor appearance issues was the ABS and Traction Control service messages were on the whole time. I researched it on here and it looks like it could be a simple fix up to an expensive part replacement. With a price of 15,000, is this a worthy purchase, or should I step away? I appreciate any help as this would be my FIRST vette if purchased.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 07:22 AM
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Why not have the owner get it checked to determine what the problem is? Should be able to pull codes and then see what it might take to repair the car.

Just remember, there are a lot of C5s out there to choose from - and many have no issues for you to be concerned about.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 08:41 AM
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This is not an uncommon problem with C5's. I had my ECBM replaced under warranty, by a local Chevy dealer, and I believe the final total was around $1300-$1400.

Without knowing a little more information about the car, it is hard to determine if it would still be a good deal if you were to invest another $1300 to get the repair done. If it is a very clean low milage, one owner car, it could be worth it with a purchase price of $15,000. Perhaps you can negotiate all bit lower based on this problem.

Also, there is a place (I don't know the web site off the top of my head) that you may be able to get the ECBM repaired at. If you do a search you should be able to find it. Very reasonable pricing, if your "codes" match the ones that are repairable, and many members have had theirs repaired there.

Good Luck,
roscoe
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 09:14 AM
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Knock $1500 off the price, then send the part to absfixer for repair.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 10:57 AM
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That's a pretty good price but what's the mileage?
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by PostShawn
That's a pretty good price but what's the mileage?
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 11:31 AM
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Sounds like a very good price.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Why not have the owner get it checked to determine what the problem is? Should be able to pull codes and then see what it might take to repair the car.

Just remember, there are a lot of C5s out there to choose from - and many have no issues for you to be concerned about.
Better to know for sure than to guess.
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Old Feb 25, 2008 | 01:53 PM
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You need to find out the error codes that are being thrown.

The most common for the TC/ABS warnings is the 1214 code, which can fairly easily be fixed for about $200.
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