Trying to decide between a 02 and a 04 that are both spec'd just about the same auto,active handling,targa top,Hud,the 02 is $17,000firm with 67,000 miles and the 04 is $22,000 (possibly 21) with 35,000 miles really need some advice here is 2 model yrs and 30,000 miles really worth 4 or 5 g's? both have clean carfax one is a 2 owner and the other is a 3 owner

 

Well seeing how you asked, yes it is worth 4 or 5k extra for the 04...at least it is to me. That represents approx. 5 years of driving to me! A little better resale value too down the road.

 

Absolutely, the 04 on the basis of price is the better deal. You say the cars are spec'd similarly, but you don't specifically mention any difference in color combo, curb appeal, or your own like for one car over the other. If you like the 04, and I have to assume that you do, you will most likely find it to be the wisest choice in the long run.

Best of luck in your decision.

 

I bought a 98 2yrs ago and i should have went for a newer one... if you can spend the 20 something go even newer than the 04, maybe 05,06.. G/L

 

Well to be honest I like the color of the 02 better (silver ext and black int) the 04 is white and tan but I'm also trying to think of long term value.Just wondering if there was a clear cut better bang for the buck so to speak.Thanks for the responses this is our first vette and trying to make the best decision.

 

from what i have read on this forum, 01 and 02 models burn a lot of oil.

 

The 04 makes better sense but I also do not like them in white!

 

I'm with everybody else on the 04. If you're not crazy about the color keep shopping around, lots of deals out there right now.

 

I'm going to take a different approach here. Miles and year are not the only thing to consider here. How well was each car maintained? I've seen cars with double the miles of another car and the higher mileage car is in better mechanical shape. All things equal the 04 would be worth about 2K more. The 30K less miles is probably worth 3K so value wise they are equal.

Which car had 3 owners and why? You will be the 4th owner of a car 5 or 7 years old.

Bottom line there are a lot of Corvette's available. Make sure you get the color combo and options you want. Don't compromise or you will most likely be looking again in a year or so

 

If you like silver then by all means go for the silver. If you want an 04, don't buy either one. Keep looking.

I was in love with the spiral gray and I refused to buy any other color. So I waited a while and one showed up!

If you end up with a vette in your garage that you don't like looking at, what's the point?

I don't know about you guys, but everyday I look at my vette I can't wipe the smile off of my face.

 

Ok I was wrong both of them has only had 2 owners I have looked at so many carfax's they are all running together thanks for all the advice going to look at both of them tomorrow but not buying I always take a day or 2 to decide. I never buy a high ticket item without stepping away for a day or so and If it sells in the meantime then it wasnt meant to be.

 

Yes, the '04 would be worth the extra dollars to me. But I do agree that if the '04 does not have the color combo you want, keep looking. There are some very good deals out there and you can probably find one in the color you want.

 

Corvettetomct Why do you feel you should have went for the for the newer one ?

 

Sure like your approach. I'll bet you don't have buyers remorse very often.

Keep us in the loop!

 

I'd scratch both off your current short list. Definitely get the color you want or you will regret it later. With way over a million vettes, you narrowed it down to these two?

CF Rule: Buy the newest, most optioned, lowest mileage vette you can afford. Add the color factor to that.

 

first, I can't believe people on here say crazy things like, I don't like white

I think you should just keep shopping. seems like you can afford the $22k, so hold out for a silver/black 04. good luck!

 

That is a very sound approach.
I also use the reasoning that "If it sells before I'm fully decided it wasn't meant to be."

Color choice is personal, but IMHO the white with tan is a very nice combo. Much rarer than silver with black.
For me there are many colors that I like a lot, but I generally prefer the ones that I see less often.
You are taking a good approach and that generally leads to good results.

 

A good approach, but IMO you need to look at and drive an MN6

 

I went thru what your going thru about a year ago.

So heres my two cents, car has been picked, narrow it down to type, coupe, convertible, or FRC, I assume you want a C5, I did. After you get vette and what type, research your options that you are definitely looking for??


get a book that will tell you what the car is suppose to come with, alot of vette owners buy a car that is suppose to have two tops and only come away with one top, mine has the tinted top and the top that is matching the paint commemorative edition stripes.

did the car originally have a factory 10 Disk Cd changer that was or is suppose to be in the rear comaprtment??
I removed mine, and installed a sirus system.

MN6 manual tranny vice the
A4 automatic

I would say since its going to yours Assumption:

spend the money to get the color you want, theres no rush, btw your shopping during high season, you can wait till fall, and might get a better price. Take your time, factor in why your buying it weekend toy, track car, daily drive, are you planning major mechanical mod's?

One major benefit is the car gets great mileage on road trips, I have seen 31 MPG on long road trips, average speed 80 MPH.

The car will require you to learn about it, some maintenance things that are pricy, tires, oil changes, whether or not it qualifies for a factory warranty that right now I probably would opt out of since they are filling chaper XX??

tranny maint, if you have not read alot of the posts that start out with help. read all of the posts that start out with help?? it may scare you a bit, but you will go into this eyes wide open. If you can find a car on a lot that is GM preowned, certified. Those will be harder and harder to find,

Common problems are the column lock issue, valve springs, windows stops working requires the removal of the door panel and banging a hammer on the motor frees it up, works fine, the windows need to be exercised option, not sure why but they do freeze up.

having said that I love mine, its waiting patiently for me when I return.

I am looking forward to driving it almost as much as I am looking forward to buying my new harley once I return.

Clean car fax means it was involved in no reportable accidents. Does not mean its necessarily clean. I would opt for an 04 thats the body style last year made most if not all bugs were worked out. Insure you get everything that suppose to go with the car.

good luck.

 

My 2 cents,and comming from a guy who has a black car.............I love the white tan combo,alot more than the silver,dont see as many.So if it where me, out of those 2 cars it would be the 04..But thats me,Good luck.