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Hey guys, I've recently decided i want a convertible again and have been looking around my area and saw an 01 silver conv't with about 17k miles on it. If i get it , which i'm really leaning towards, it would become my daily driver. I'm kind of put off by the fact its 10 years old, but it has almost no miles and seems almost new inside and out. I was wondering what you guys thought, and if there is anything i should look out for that may not be apparent with a normal walk around or through reading this forum. I did read most of the water leak thread, but didnt see anything that mentioned if or how bad the drop top leaks in the rain(no covered parking at work). Any advice or opinions would be appreaciated. TIA.
the windows (side windows) are adjustable and will help cure most water leaks when properly adjusted. i live in so florida and we had torrential downpours here during our rainy season and my 04 convertible stays dry under some sever conditions. to be fair however in a really windy rain while stopped it is possible that rain can be driven over the window, but it is very infrequent (almost never). if the gaskets have been taken care of and aren't torn or worn, you should be able to deal with anything that may present itself in the "leak" category. the car wash idea is a good one to get a feel for what you have going into the deal, except i would make it a hand wash and you control the hose. direct the water in every position you believe a rain storm can come at the car from nd you should be able to see exactly what's up.
i would also get a dealer print out on the service record on the car and make certain that all the required warranty work has been completed (column lock, etc), and a car fax will give you an idea of the car's history as far as number of owners, reported accidents, etc.
Thanks for the info guys, theres a carwash right across the street from the dealer, but this thing sat in a garage its whole life and all the rubber i saw looks good. I had a 99 323 and i got a shower whenever i took the damn thing through a wash (only did that twice though), but every time i was driving and it was raining more than a drizzle the top left corner would start dripping on my lap. Supposedly the manager at the dealership knows the previous owner so i may be able to get all the main't records. they just dropped the price so i may have to pick it up this weekend.
I dont see a price on this but if that is good and the car should be fine with only those miles on it. Dude go for it and have youself a corvette again.......
Last edited by robert miller; Oct 20, 2011 at 11:58 AM.
Rain an a vert is not much of a big deal. I drove a vert as a daily for 4 years. Only time drips of water came down the window was when wind blew hard.
I wouldn't go to a car wash an spray where the windows meet the seals. It will leak ofcourse because of the pressure of the water.. That's a given on any very an high power pressure washer.
Just look the car over an make sure it exactly what you want..
With the steering lock by-pass.. Even if it doesn't have one there only 50 bucks an a 10 min install.
So I wouldnt let those two issues steer you away from buying a vert..
Just make sure it's exactly the vette you want.
An the car drives an preforms like it should..
If it's not what you want just keep looking.
The one for you is out there..
Thanks for the info guys, i've never had a vette before, but cant wait to have a vert again. They just dropped the price from 26,9 to 24,7 hope it lasts until the weekend.
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Well, IMO that price is pretty high for an '01 even with those miles. But, if it is what you want and you're willing to spend that kind of money for it, sounds like a nice car. If the weatherstripping feels pliable and no tears, you should be OK. To test it, you can see if the dealer will let you take it across the street and spray some water on it - doesn't have to be a direct stream on the windows - just soak the car good and see if it leaks.
Around here there are several with 30-40k or more going for low to mid 20s, and most are coupes. I've driven it once, everything seemed good. Wonder if my 50"ish rifle case will fit in the trunk. The dealer did offer to let me take it home to see if the case fit(until they found out i lived 40 miles away) so i imagine they'd let me take it to a car wash or at least take it to their detail bay. Hopefully my biggest concern with the car will be what kind of accent lighting, if any, to put in the front fender vents. Again thanks for all the input guys,
its a link to an auto trader ad, i tiny url'd it for readability. Both have free carfax reports on the site.
I'm leaning towards the silver due to the possibly lower milage, and the fact it wasnt in the flood zone. The silver one has some strange odometer readings in the carfax report. Mostly that it jumps from 7k to 9k then from 9 to 11 and from 11 to 22 in the space of a few months then resets to 7300. all while being registered in IL and NC. Anyone have any insight?
its a link to an auto trader ad, i tiny url'd it for readability. Both have free carfax reports on the site.
I'm leaning towards the silver due to the possibly lower milage, and the fact it wasnt in the flood zone. The silver one has some strange odometer readings in the carfax report. Mostly that it jumps from 7k to 9k then from 9 to 11 and from 11 to 22 in the space of a few months then resets to 7300. all while being registered in IL and NC. Anyone have any insight?
Not the most experienced but if you are on this forum long enough you will see that most of us don't believe CARFAX to be accurate especially when it comes to accident and damage reporting. But with odo readings that does seem a little sketchy (IMHO). I believe both give you some wiggle room to talk the price down, but if you are unsure, give it time there are plenty of Vettes out there and many for sale on here from other members.
Around here there are several with 30-40k or more going for low to mid 20s, and most are coupes. I've driven it once, everything seemed good. Wonder if my 50"ish rifle case will fit in the trunk. The dealer did offer to let me take it home to see if the case fit(until they found out i lived 40 miles away) so i imagine they'd let me take it to a car wash or at least take it to their detail bay. Hopefully my biggest concern with the car will be what kind of accent lighting, if any, to put in the front fender vents. Again thanks for all the input guys,
Your rifle case should fit in easily. The trunk opening is about 46" wide and when you put one end in the trunk over to the side you could get something almost 55" long in there.
Take your time in choosing a car and get what you want. Check it out and feel comfortable with your purchase. Don't get caught up in buying something just because it's cheaper. Many times there is a reason it's cheaper. Nothing wrong with paying extra for a really nice car.......just do the best you can to make sure that is what you are getting.