Advice requested
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 44
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From: Colorado Springs CO
Advice requested
I'm looking to buy my first vette, and have found one that looks like it may be worth a closer look. It is a one owner 2004 coupe with removable hard top. Here's the thing which brings me here for advice, it has 101K miles on it. Carfax indicates it has had regular maintenance, so to me the mileage may not be a big deal, but you guys are experts, so would you give it a second look for $17K? It is at a car dealership about 60 miles from my house, and at this point I do not know if maintenance records are available.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Oceanside California
Not a super great price, you may be able to ask lower. But sounds like a trustworthy car. One owner and maintenance reports means it was well cared for so the millage will not be a big deal.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 44
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From: Colorado Springs CO
I thought the price may have been too high for the mileage, but NADA and KBB both show it as reasonable. I would certainly offer less if you guys think it's worth it, but I am apprehensive about that many miles.
There's another 2004 in my area with 10K miles on it for $28K, but that seems high based on the book value. I'm trying not to be in a hurry, so I can afford to shop around.
There's another 2004 in my area with 10K miles on it for $28K, but that seems high based on the book value. I'm trying not to be in a hurry, so I can afford to shop around.
Team Owner
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Well the thing with those buying guides are they give more cred to the year than they do miles without understanding miles is the life of a car, not year.
But it sounds as though it has been cared for. It's a tough call on this car.
But it sounds as though it has been cared for. It's a tough call on this car.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Appleton WI
Mileage woundn't be a concern if the maintenance records can be verified and the car is in excellent shape.
The dealer probably paid between $11K and $12K for the car. I'd offer them in the $14K range. Negotiate and see what they will do. Always best to start low and work your way up. If you're willing to walk away, you can use that to your advantage.
Trust your gut feel on the car. If something doesn't quite seem right, pass on the car.
The dealer probably paid between $11K and $12K for the car. I'd offer them in the $14K range. Negotiate and see what they will do. Always best to start low and work your way up. If you're willing to walk away, you can use that to your advantage.
Trust your gut feel on the car. If something doesn't quite seem right, pass on the car.
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I'm not sure I would trust CarFax for good maintenance records. I would want to see something (like detailed records) from the previous owner.
The C5, properly maintained, is a very reliable platform so the mileage could be OK. But I would want the car checked out thoroughly by a good mechanic before making an offer.
The $17k would be more than I would want to pay for a car with 100K miles but if the rest of the car is in excellent shape, it could be a tough call. If you pursue this car, make an offer a few thousand lower and see what the dealer says.
The C5, properly maintained, is a very reliable platform so the mileage could be OK. But I would want the car checked out thoroughly by a good mechanic before making an offer.
The $17k would be more than I would want to pay for a car with 100K miles but if the rest of the car is in excellent shape, it could be a tough call. If you pursue this car, make an offer a few thousand lower and see what the dealer says.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
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From: Tulsa OK
IF it is the car you have been looking for, ie: color, trans, options, then by all means drive over and take a look. $17k is only a starting place when working with a dealer and can be effected by: trade in, financing, etc. Again, if it is the car you want and you don't have a trade in then offer $15,500 and expect to pay $16,000 (if it has good tires, $800 less if not). 100k miles isn't a big deal on a well cared for C5; However, getting any service history or even the name from the previous owner through a dealership will be tough due to the current privacy laws. 
Okie
Okie
Le Mans Master
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
I paid in the neighborhood of 14,9 almost for years ago with 80mi on the clock...you can easily get a much, much, better deal...
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Racer
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From: ft valley ga
I bought mine at a dealer, similar to the one ur looking at (lower miles), & it only took me two months.
Reminded them the first time I drove it, nobody needs a Vette, it is purely a want, and how many folks have u had come in and offer to write u a check for it. They called me every week/10 days dropping the price 5-700.00, till they finely got to my price.
Bottom line, summer is over, dealers need to sell worse than you need to buy!
Reminded them the first time I drove it, nobody needs a Vette, it is purely a want, and how many folks have u had come in and offer to write u a check for it. They called me every week/10 days dropping the price 5-700.00, till they finely got to my price.
Bottom line, summer is over, dealers need to sell worse than you need to buy!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 44
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From: Colorado Springs CO
Thanks everyone for the advice. The consensus is pretty much what was lurking in the back of my mind, so I'm going to pass on it. My wife would rather I used the money to do some stuff around the house anyway, but will not complain if I buy one. She's an 
I'll keep looking...
I'll keep looking...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Orland Park IL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If it was well maintained, and in good shape right now, AND you're not planning to put a lot of miles on it, I'd go for it and offer $15K. If you're going to put a lot of miles on it, you may rack up a lot of repairs and maintenance in a hurry. Good luck.