Something fishy about this?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Hemet California
Something fishy about this?
Well, the first deal I had posted about a corvette a couple weeks ago kind of fell through...And by fell through, I mean that after working out all of the details, the guy selling it is being flaky and not returning phone calls anymore. So we'll see where that goes.
Anyways, a few days ago I saw a '99 nassau blue corvette for sale for $8,900, but I didn't have time to stop and look at it. But today, I saw it in a different location, so I stopped, and it seemed to be in really good shape, as far as I could tell by looking through the windows. But it didn't, however, say how many miles it had on it. I called the guy selling it, but there was no answer.
So, I'm wondering if you guys think that this could actually be a really good deal, or if you think I should stay away from it. Because I know 8,900 is dirt cheap as far as any non-wrecked c5 is concerned. I know I would still have to go look at it, but I'm sort of at a disadvantage, because I'm not to handy at checking for details when it comes to mechanics or things like that.
Thoughts on the situation?
Anyways, a few days ago I saw a '99 nassau blue corvette for sale for $8,900, but I didn't have time to stop and look at it. But today, I saw it in a different location, so I stopped, and it seemed to be in really good shape, as far as I could tell by looking through the windows. But it didn't, however, say how many miles it had on it. I called the guy selling it, but there was no answer.
So, I'm wondering if you guys think that this could actually be a really good deal, or if you think I should stay away from it. Because I know 8,900 is dirt cheap as far as any non-wrecked c5 is concerned. I know I would still have to go look at it, but I'm sort of at a disadvantage, because I'm not to handy at checking for details when it comes to mechanics or things like that.
Thoughts on the situation?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
When something is too cheap or too good to be true, it usually winds up costing you more in the long run than something that is more in tune with a logical price.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,681
Likes: 24,666
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 '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Just based on the price alone, I'd say either there is some problems with the car, it has a lot of miles on it, or the guy is really, really desperate for money. Could be a combination of any of those. Only way to really tell is to personally check it out with the owner.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Get ahold of the guy and talk to him . The more you talk with him the more info you will get . Just tell him you are interested and you want to have a mechanic look at it . If he agrees take it to your mechanic for a check up and get his opinion . If he doesn't you will know something is up . I would also run a vehicle history on it . My not be all inclusive , but might shed some light on what is going on . After Rita and Ike down here there are alot of salvage title cars . That means insurance paid someone . That would be a cash deal and a gamble . You probably wouldn't get your money back out of a salvage title car so you would have to drive the wheels off of it . I looked at a perfect 72' swb Chevy truck . Spotless , salvage title . I had to walk away . I also looked at a spotless blue C6 convert that was a done deal until he pulled out the title , salvage .
Last edited by Hotrod 80; Jul 31, 2011 at 09:56 PM.
Gotta be a salvage title.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Hemet California
Thanks for all the quick replies. Definitely appreciate it. I talked to the guy very briefly tonight, but he was at church or something...Guess I can't blame him, it is Sunday night after all. He said he'd give me a call back sometime tomorrow. So we'll see what he says. I'm guessing something is wrong with it, because he was very intent on not telling me ANYTHING tonight. Not even the mileage 
So now my question is that what if mileage is reasonably low? Like, not too much over a 100k. Would it be worth putting the extra money into it if it is a salvage title? Or if there is something wrong with it? Because my guess is that I could get it for 8 grand.
So now my question is that what if mileage is reasonably low? Like, not too much over a 100k. Would it be worth putting the extra money into it if it is a salvage title? Or if there is something wrong with it? Because my guess is that I could get it for 8 grand.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Really depends on the salvage reason . Salt water flood , no run away . Front and rear body damage , then buy back and repair , maybe if done right . Kinda depends on what happened to it , if it even has a salvage title .
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
even if it is salvage you could part it out for way more than that...we vette folks gladly pay ridiculous $$$ for used parts...the body panels alone are worth a bunch.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
To little information and to many assumptions already made. It does sound to good to be true. But sometimes you come across a good deal that you can't pass up. You might be willing to accept some problems and repair them with the savings. You've already mentioned you're not mechanically inclined so repairing those problems will add up quickly if performed by professionals.
If you can clearly see the vin, copy it down and pay for a short subscription to CARFAX or similar. It may give you some clues. Keep in mind that CARFAX is only as good as the data input into the system.
If you can clearly see the vin, copy it down and pay for a short subscription to CARFAX or similar. It may give you some clues. Keep in mind that CARFAX is only as good as the data input into the system.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Aug 1, 2011 at 11:30 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 906
Likes: 2
From: Cornwall ON
$100 bucks on some reports might save you 8900$ on a paperweight/moneypit. Don't write checks until you've been able to drive it, or have had it checked out
GLWS my friend
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Don't assume anything, check it out thoroughly. At that price you could afford to do some work to it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 4
From: either, ca/ohio
leaving out the mileage or any other real info makes it hard to help you.
until you get a hold of the guy and find out the details/mieage and drive the vehicle anything written here is just guessing.
until you get a hold of the guy and find out the details/mieage and drive the vehicle anything written here is just guessing.
Last edited by imavettegirl; Aug 1, 2011 at 01:11 PM.
