I have been looking into buying my first corvette for the last couple months. I am going Sunday early afternoon to look at the car. It is a 1999 Coupe. It has power everything, HUD, Silver with Gray interior. The car has under 23,000 miles and the owner wants $21,500. I have spoken with the seller and he seems pretty firm on his price. The car looks good from the pictures I have seen. He said everything is original. What should I look out for?? Dry rot tires, brakes, hoses, rubber seals. I am at the top of my limit for this car. I know to do a Carfax but that does not tell everything!! My concern is that when I get it home if something goes wrong I'm stuck!!! Please advise. Thank you

 

Kelley Blue Book posts a $16,900 in excellent condition for a private sale.

Kelley is on line and easy to use, no charge also.
Good luck

 

Forgot to mention that it is also a 6 speed!!!!
Thanks for the info MdC5Norm.

 

I bought a MY 02 1SC coupe six speed with 33,000 miles on it for $22,000 last month, the car was garage kept and in perfect condition. I would keep looking unless he lowers his price alot.

 

 

99 missed a few options that you may consider before that particular car.
1. 99 and 2000 had smaller fuel injectors (26# vs 28#) so if you mod it, you won't get very far before needing injectors too.
2. 99 didn't have "competition mode" which leaves active handling on, while turning off traction control. All you'll get to do is turn it all off.
In 2000, it was an option.
3. Telescoping wheel was (I think) first available in 2000. If I'm wrong, I'm sure there will be hundreds of posts pouncing on me within seconds.

Now, onto things to look for...
because it's such low mileage, I assume it sits more than it's driven. There are 3 things to check that sitting cars tend to have
1. Passenger window. Does it go up/down? Cars that haven't used them tend to have problems. They are fixable by BEATING on the inside door pnl while holding the down switch.
2. Fuel gauge read correctly? They get sticky and read "0" when there's actually gas in there. It's correctable.. to a point.
3. Oil pressure gauge read correctly? They go bad. Look at the thread in tech at the top of the stickys.

oh, BTW, I also agree that the price is a bit high for todays market... however if it tickles you.. GET IT.

 

Always stuff to have checked out, but would bet you could move up a year or two, just as clean, and a newer year

 

You want an "01 or newer if your going to spend 22k. Plus, look more local so you can actually SEE the car. I don't care what "savings" you think your getting by buying a car via pictures. That's taking to much chance for me.

 

Not quite... gotta pounce! My 99 has the "Competitive Driving Mode" and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel.

The price seems maybe $1K high, but the mileage is low and if it's really the car you want and it's in great shape, don't beat yourself up over it... you'll love the car.

 

over priced you can do better good luck

 

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I'd have to say "PASS!" For that kind of money you should be looking for a 2001 or newer.

 

That's waaaaay too much for `99. there's plenty of newer ones with low mileage out there. Be very careful! I just got screwed on a `01that was as beautiful as they come. I'll git-er-fixed tho. If yur really thinkin ya just gotta have this one, take a mechanic with you and have him/her check it out
Good luck, they're more fun than the law allows! REALLY!
Some a these ol' kids on the forum that obviously think they're more fun to look at than drive don't know what they're missin. To each his own

 

pass way to high

 

The seller has the usual emotional fee attached to his vette- that is very common on a vette and something you don't see on most cars! All vette owners believe their car is worth more than it actually is. That is normal and I believe the same about mine.

There are a bunch of nice C5's on the market- be patient and get one that some owner has babied but also understands the nature of the auto market at the present time.

I waited 3 months and finally got the right one at the right price!

Whatever you get-you will smile all the way down the road and the price paid will be a distant memory to the fun you will have!

 

Thank you to everyone that replied. I just did a carfax and everything came back clean. My biggest concern are the tires. I have been told and reading here on the forum no matter what the tires will need to be replaced. The car is a 1999 and the tires are original with 23,000 miles on them. The car is going on ten years old and every tire shop is telling me to put Goodyear run flats on or Michelin run flats. Prices range from $1,200 to $1,800. That would be over and above the $21,500 he is asking. I think if the seller drops of the cost of the new tires and if I can get him to bring to my mechanic to check I might have a new vehicle in my garage midweek. FYI there have been four owners. Again thank you all.

 

You seem "intent" on buying THIS car..... So...., forget the run flats. They suck! PERIOD!!! You can do better with half the money. (Carry a jack, a compressor & a plug kit.)
As for the car having four (4) owners; that's a lot. Two would be my limit.

I wish you luck.

 

Hello to everyone who replied. I went to see the car today. Seller was 45 minutes away. Car looked good!!! Minimal paint chips on door and some slight scratches. Interior had only one flaw. Burn mark about the size of a dime on the back of driver seat. As I figured the tires were bad. Rear tires were almost bald. Fronts had some tread. Test drove car. First time I have driven a stick in 15 years. I did good; just like riding a bike I guess. When push came to shove I wanted $1,000 dollars of for the cost of tire replacement. Seller would only come down $500.00. I remember during the time we talked he told me he had the cars speed up to 170 mph. With the rear tires bald he might have been ragging on the car. So we parted ways all because he would not come down $500.00.

 

You did the right thing.

It's difficult to pass up something that looks so damn good right there in front of you. Be patient, it'll hit you when it's right.

 

I think you did the right thing to pass on this one
Price was to high for what he had............
For sure the tires will have to be replaced...........
Sounds like maybe it was rode hard and put away wet.........
For that money there's a better one out there............