Must ask questions when buying.

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Dec 9, 2011 | 08:49 AM

Ekul61

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2011

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From: Grove city Ohio

Must ask questions when buying.

When talking to the seller about buying his car. What questions besides Do you have any maintenance records?
Has the car been wrecked? Does the car have any issues now?

What other questions would you ask the seller about his car

Dec 9, 2011 | 08:55 AM

dgrant3830

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From: Van Buren Arkansas

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Sit down in the seat and pull the codes. I saw a use C-5 for sale a while back at a small dealer. I pulled the codes and found that at some point, the odometer had been disconnected. Not sure if on purpose or what the reason was, but it was enough for me to "walk". Dealers will not tell you the truth generally speaking. In this case, the dealer may not have even known about this. Ask about any accidents to the car, flooding and so on. Pull a CarFax on it although understand they aren't always accurate but better than nothing. Look for holes in the engine bay as if turbos were mounted. Look for other items indicating certain mods that you might want to re-think about the car and so on. A GM dealer can pull the GM history maintenance on the car but that will only tell you what was done at a GM dealer.

Dec 9, 2011 | 09:18 AM

Vetteman Jack

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I have a Corvette Buyers Checklist that might help you out. If you'd like a copy, PM me your e-mail address and I'll forward it to you.

Dec 9, 2011 | 12:40 PM

3sACROWD

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From: Appleton WI

If I'm talking to a private seller, I always finish with this question; If you were to keep this car, what 3 things would you do to it. It isn't a question they're expecting and many times will tip their hand as to why they are selling if it is a mechanical or accident issue. This question is extremely helpful if you're talking on the phone and haven't seen the car yet.

I've had more than one tell me the vehicle is mechanically in perfect condition only to tell me they would have the transmission replaced when I ask the question later.

Another time the person said: "replace the shifter boot and fix the scratch on the passenger door." I was told the car was never in an accident but when I investigated the black car, the passenger door with the scratch had red paint showing through. I opened the door to probe further and verified the car that was "never in an accident" had a red door on it that was poorly painted black.