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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 12:33 PM
  #1  
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Default automatic vette question

hey guys,

I will be looking at a 1998 Corvette today.

some relevant info:
convertible
automatic
58k on the clock

mods:
rims
exhaust


Being an automatic at 58k, I was wondering what are some things to look out for?

What are some services that may need to be done very soon?

What major services SHOULD have been done already?

Cost of maintaining the car for the next 20 - 30k miles?

Insurance cost (full coverage) on avg 7k miles a year, clean driving history, age 50.

Lastly, what is a good price to pay?

Thanks!

Last edited by blaCkvette6; Sep 9, 2008 at 09:51 PM.
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 12:53 PM
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If you definitely don't want an automatic , then don't buy one.
I know it's easy for me to spend your money, but I would take some time and look at an 02 or newer. There are some great deals out there, if your budget allows a little more.
Good luck.
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 12:58 PM
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I just got a 98 coupe with 30k miles for $18500. My insurance runs $720 a year full cover. The is an auto .
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by booker5m
I just got a 98 coupe with 30k miles for $18500. My insurance runs $720 a year full cover. The is an auto .
My 04 with 25k miles was $30k last October. I think the above quote is about right for a 98. My insurance is about $1k a yr, but I'm in Houston. Ya, everything is bigger in Texas, including insurance.
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 01:32 PM
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Purchased my 99 auto two years ago, clock now has 44,000 on it. No problems, very reliable and especially enjoyable. Insurance is $42.00 a month with State Farm. Have added only a couple of minor mods, air and exhaust, and the best one of them all, 3.42 gears. What a difference! I say find what you want and like and enjoy every moment in it!
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 02:07 PM
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I agree with Steve8. If you don't want an automatic, don't get one. You may be disappointed with it later on... so go with exactly what you want NOW.

That being said, I bought my 1997 C5 with 30K on the clock. 6 years and an additional 125K miles, and it's been great! (I have about 156K miles total.) It's my daily driver, and while a stick car is undoubtedly more fun to run through the gears, my auto car has been a blast to drive. I don't worry about snow, or rain, or skip shifts.

I have serviced my car's auto trans every 35K miles and I have had zero issues.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Mark
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 03:24 PM
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thanks...

i went and got a quote from my insurance company.. $1,500 a year, full coverage just for the Vette only me as the primary driver. We have 5 cars under our policy. 3 of them are 18, 22, and 26 yr old drivers.

The car looks great, I know its automatic, but that is fine.

I cant really afford a 2002+ as someone mentioned.

Car is clean title; no accidents ever.

Last edited by blaCkvette6; Sep 9, 2008 at 09:51 PM.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 12:38 AM
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You're age 50, have a clean driving record and many other cars on the policy and your insurance company wants $1500/year just for the Vette - that's insane. If it were me, I'd be looking for a new insurance company.

When I was 50, insurance on mine was about $500/year, full coverage with two other cars on the policy and me as the only driver. Not sure where you live, but that's a heck of a difference for the premium.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 01:18 AM
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I got my 04 MY A4 with 19K on it from Reliable Chevrolet in Richardson,TX for $24,565 to include TTL(Texas taxes,I had to payanother $600 to register it in La.). I paid cash for it. I looked for almost 6 months, searched every known internet site as well as car mags-deals on wheels, etc. I am 44 and with my vette and my 98 3000GT VR4 my insurance is $975 a year through USAA-have to be or had been in any branch of service or dependent. Keep searching.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 01:54 AM
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hey man i have a 98 c5 and the tranny has lasted me 120k...it is actually getting rebuilt as we speak...it wasnt done yet either i just went to get fluids change and it was decently bad so im getting it al rebuilt good luck on finding your future vette
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
You're age 50, have a clean driving record and many other cars on the policy and your insurance company wants $1500/year just for the Vette - that's insane. If it were me, I'd be looking for a new insurance company.

When I was 50, insurance on mine was about $500/year, full coverage with two other cars on the policy and me as the only driver. Not sure where you live, but that's a heck of a difference for the premium.
A lot of cost difference is dependent on location...........Where you live and drive the car, as well as driving record of primary driver, AND other household drivers.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 12:07 PM
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Make sure your Insurance Co. understands that it is not a daily driver and you it is put down as a pleasure vehicle. I'm 29 with a convertable a4 and my Ins. is only 55.00 a month thru Farm Bureau. I do have several vehicles on the policy. My first vette was a 96 back in 1998 and I only paid 111.00 per month and yes that is full coverage with a 500.00 detuctable. Running thru the gears was fun but the A4 suits be better right now, it also helps if you get a tune to help your shift points and well I aslo put a supercharger on it, (that seemed to really help,LOL)
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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there is only 1 name on the policy holder. there are 4 other drivers under that policy holder. 5 drivers total. They said everyone needs to have their name on one car; cant add it as a second car for me.. weird

Im in Glendale, CA.. AAA insurance.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 04:53 PM
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I have my '98 insured through Grundy as a specialty car, no daily driver. It is covered for $18K and costs about $200 a year!
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:23 PM
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Default 98 oupe-$196 for insurance

Just bought a 98 coupe with 42,000 miles on it for $14,000. Automatic because of 9 knee surgeries and 58 years old. Insured at Grundys at $14,000 for $196.
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 08:54 PM
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I have not had any problems with my 97 auto. I got the automatic because I'm more into cruzing than raceing. My insurance only went up about $500 a year, it had 74,000 and I paid $16,000
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Old Sep 11, 2008 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by steve8
If you definitely don't want an automatic , then don't buy one.
I know it's easy for me to spend your money, but I would take some time and look at an 02 or newer. There are some great deals out there, if your budget allows a little more.
Good luck.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2008 | 03:14 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by TheHotRodJunkie
I have my '98 insured through Grundy as a specialty car, no daily driver. It is covered for $18K and costs about $200 a year!
Originally Posted by Wildcats
Just bought a 98 coupe with 42,000 miles on it for $14,000. Automatic because of 9 knee surgeries and 58 years old. Insured at Grundys at $14,000 for $196.
can someone elaborate on grundys? do they really insure you for everything? theft, hit and runs, getting rear ended, you rear ending someone? I just cant see how $15 a month takes care of you so much...
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