What's it worth--> newbie
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
What's it worth--> newbie
How's it going vette forum! First post here, I'm looking at purchasing a 99 with 119,000 miles white 6 speed with an exhaust. He's asking $15,700 which is over blue book but it seems they all are?? Is this a fair price? Car looks very clean I haven't seen it in person although he says it's perfect. Is there anything I should look at or be concerned about when I go look at it?
Thanks Eric
Thanks Eric
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 2
From: Walnut Creek CA
Hi Eric,
Welcome to the forums. This is a common question here, so be prepared for everything from "buy it right now - great deal" to "find a lower mileage version" to "that price is too high for the miles".
I'll start - That price is about right (maybe a bit high as you saw in blue book) for the miles but you may be able to find a lower mileage version at about the same price. I don't know if you've tried yet, but start looking in other areas/markets. Many of the guys here have found that if they expand their search they find some great deals. At the very least, search around and just satisfy yourself that there aren't better cars (lower miles, better condition, better options, etc.) at the same or lower price.
Good Luck!
Welcome to the forums. This is a common question here, so be prepared for everything from "buy it right now - great deal" to "find a lower mileage version" to "that price is too high for the miles".
I'll start - That price is about right (maybe a bit high as you saw in blue book) for the miles but you may be able to find a lower mileage version at about the same price. I don't know if you've tried yet, but start looking in other areas/markets. Many of the guys here have found that if they expand their search they find some great deals. At the very least, search around and just satisfy yourself that there aren't better cars (lower miles, better condition, better options, etc.) at the same or lower price.
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
Thanks Rob I just started looking around and this white one caught the old ladies eye and she Loooves white. Obviously I'm not expecting a perfect car but it does look very clean. I just want to make sure there's no hidden gremlins in it as I'm new to the sportcars.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 2
From: Walnut Creek CA
At the very least, you should have a good mechanic look it over for any issues. There are a lot of C5s that run to 200k miles or better, but there are also some that have lived "exciting" lives and end up with transmission or engine problems that can be expensive to fix - you don't want one of those.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa AL
It's really all about the condition of the car. Get it checked out.
my advice would be to wait and watch corvette forums vette for sale section. It's a buyers market.
If you mechanically inclined then maybe a 100k vette. Vettes are great cars in every way. But even the best cars with high mileage will have some issues. If you just want a fun car to drive and not worry about hold off for a lower mile car thats in great shape. They are out there.
For 15k you should be able to get one in the 70-80k mileage range imo.
I bought a 2004 vert with 58k for 18,500.
my advice would be to wait and watch corvette forums vette for sale section. It's a buyers market.
If you mechanically inclined then maybe a 100k vette. Vettes are great cars in every way. But even the best cars with high mileage will have some issues. If you just want a fun car to drive and not worry about hold off for a lower mile car thats in great shape. They are out there.
For 15k you should be able to get one in the 70-80k mileage range imo.
I bought a 2004 vert with 58k for 18,500.
Last edited by Razzputon; May 23, 2011 at 02:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
At the very least, you should have a good mechanic look it over for any issues. There are a lot of C5s that run to 200k miles or better, but there are also some that have lived "exciting" lives and end up with transmission or engine problems that can be expensive to fix - you don't want one of those.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
It's really all about the condition of the car. Get it checked out.
my advice would be to wait and watch corvette forums vette for sale section. It's a buyers market.
For 15k you should be able to get one in the 70-80k mileage range imo.
I bought a 2004 vert with 58k for 18,500.
my advice would be to wait and watch corvette forums vette for sale section. It's a buyers market.
For 15k you should be able to get one in the 70-80k mileage range imo.
I bought a 2004 vert with 58k for 18,500.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
So I would be right around your range with a few extra miles. I might be able to talk him down too, his asking price is 15,700 it doesn't say firm
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 476
Likes: 1
Have a good mechanic look it over. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable paying over book value on a (stock) used car, and that's a good bargaining chip for you to use. Check NADA, and KBB value. If u hold off I'm sure u can find something with less miles for that price, all up to u bud. Either way u are going to end up with a hell of a car for around 15k enjoy it, I smile every time I start mine and the DIC says
"Corvette by Chevrolet"
"Corvette by Chevrolet"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
Have a good mechanic look it over. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable paying over book value on a (stock) used car, and that's a good bargaining chip for you to use. Check NADA, and KBB value. If u hold off I'm sure u can find something with less miles for that price, all up to u bud. Either way u are going to end up with a hell of a car for around 15k enjoy it, I smile every time I start mine and the DIC says
"Corvette by Chevrolet"
"Corvette by Chevrolet"
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 104
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
At the very least, you should have a good mechanic look it over for any issues. There are a lot of C5s that run to 200k miles or better, but there are also some that have lived "exciting" lives and end up with transmission or engine problems that can be expensive to fix - you don't want one of those.
your profile doesn't indicate where you are from, but as one member mentioned, if you are comfortable with it expand your search "area". corvettes in southern california, south florida, arizona and perhaps the northeast seem to bring more money than other geographic areas in the US. at the very least you should have a qualified mechanic look any car over. as you will come to realize (and if you have been around looking at other posts here before posting for the first time), there is a corvette "tax" that seems to follow our cars, lol. kind of like the same tax associated with BMW, mercedes, porsche, etc (i guess you are getting the picture). obviously the object is to buy as low a mileage car in as great a condition as possible for the least amount of money. once you realize that is a pretty tough assignment, you do the best you can do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake Minnesota
I'm in Minnesota so I kinda thought they would be a little cheaper around here but who knows? I haven't had to much time to search the forum but did look a little Ill check it out some more in the next week. Do you mean there is literally a corvette tax or just that they are a little bit pricier then the average car? I can definitely travel to get the car that's nit a big deal, I need a little vacation anyways and driving across country in vette sounds like just the dose of medicine I need!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, Nassau County New York
my 01 cost be $12,900 with 103k back in september. Car was in excellent shape. The dealer also put 4 new tires and new brakes all around and threw in a 90 day bumper to bumper warranty...
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,534
Likes: 24,825
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I'd say that car is $2-2.5K too high in price. For that kind of money, you should be able to get a car with much lower mileage on it.
I've got some Word files that might help you out, including a Corvette Buyers Checklist. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address. I am traveling right now, so if I don't get back to you quickly, it may be because I am on my way back home.
I've got some Word files that might help you out, including a Corvette Buyers Checklist. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address. I am traveling right now, so if I don't get back to you quickly, it may be because I am on my way back home.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 2
From: Harrisburg Pa.
I'm in Minnesota so I kinda thought they would be a little cheaper around here but who knows? I haven't had to much time to search the forum but did look a little Ill check it out some more in the next week. Do you mean there is literally a corvette tax or just that they are a little bit pricier then the average car? I can definitely travel to get the car that's nit a big deal, I need a little vacation anyways and driving across country in vette sounds like just the dose of medicine I need!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,214
Likes: 1,140
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
How's it going vette forum! First post here, I'm looking at purchasing a 99 with 119,000 miles white 6 speed with an exhaust. He's asking $15,700 which is over blue book but it seems they all are?? Is this a fair price? Car looks very clean I haven't seen it in person although he says it's perfect. Is there anything I should look at or be concerned about when I go look at it?
Thanks Eric
Thanks Eric
I think you can do better than 15.7 for a 99 even in white. For 6.5 we here on CF can get you all into a real nice white 93 w/113K on the clock (not mine) but I know you want C5. Just saying if you get that many miles get it for less. But if pay that much, get at least a newer year. Me, I would go for an white FRC since you mention 6-speed and white in your post.
This is required reading before you get too emotional abt buying C5 -
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1249213
Then Click Forums, & Intro to introduce yourself over there to the whole gang.