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Can someone explain the math?

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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 10:24 AM
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Default Can someone explain the math?

I’ve seen a lot of Corvettes that were sold with almost no miles for less then what the original price was, this makes no sense to me. The person put the Corvette into a climate controlled garage for years then sells it? People will say it was an investment, my checking account gives me more??

Drive the dam car !!
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 10:34 AM
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99% of all cars, and that includes Corvettes, are not an investment. They depreciate and any modifications also depreciate.

Over the years, I've seen high-mileage Corvettes that look like they were just drove off the showroom floor and I've seen low-mileage Corvettes that look like hell.

Buy it, mod it, personalize it, drive it, and enjoy it!
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 10:38 AM
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Owner could've purchased it with high hopes and dreams. Wife gets pregnant, so priorities change. Don't want to sell it yet because he just got it. Few years pass, kid grows up, owner goes for a few drive but he doesn't want to put a carseat in it. More years pass, owner rarely drives it. Kid's in school. Need some extra money, vette is paid for but can bring money in. Let's sell it.

Point is that everyone has a story. No point in judging people.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 10:39 AM
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Yep, I buy 'em to drive 'em. Only reason I don't take 'em out if it's gonna rain is that I don't want to have to detail them any more often than I have to. And I absolutely refuse to drive a dirty Vette.... <shudder>
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 10:42 AM
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A couple of reasons.
The C5 is not an investment no matter what way you look at it.
The economy is in the pits.
The C5 is 9 - 16 years old.
Take your pick.
Sure the C5 is a great value for what you get, But it is not a car you will make money on by not driving it.
Mr.Bill
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 10:44 AM
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Personally I get little enjoyment looking at a car in my garage. I drive the hell out of my cars.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 10:53 AM
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Why do people get BENT if people don't drive their cars. Why do you care? Just a nice deal for the next owner. It just a car, if they enjoy letting it sit, who does it hurt?
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 11:00 AM
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Default Garage Queens...

I drive my "garage queen", 50 miles a day, 7 days a week. Drive it like you "stole" it.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 11:11 AM
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I don't think anyone gets "bent" about folks letting them sit, we just don't understand it. They certainly aren't going to appreciate in value, that's for sure so what we don't quite comprehend is why they were bought in the first place... but get "bent" over it? Far from it.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 11:17 AM
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I hope people continue to buy 'em and garage 'em. Gives the rest of us the opportunity to buy a virtually new car at less than half the new price.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 3boystoys
Why do people get BENT if people don't drive their cars. Why do you care? Just a nice deal for the next owner. It just a car, if they enjoy letting it sit, who does it hurt?
I don't think it's about getting "bent" or "caring" about what other people do or don't do with their car. I personally don't care if someone sticks their car in a bubble, sits in their garage with a tub of Vasoline and stares at it. It's their money and their car. However, I interpreted the OPs comments about how some people view their Corvettes (and cars in general) as "investments".

I laugh when people say "I've invested $10K into the car" when the truth is they spent $10K on the car. I know a guy who could not understand why someone would not pay an extra $15K for his Corvette because he installed $15K worth of mods. Guess what, the mods are also used!

I just try to use the word "investment" correctly as I would like better than a -50% return rate on my investments.

Drive it, don't drive it, look at it, do whatever you want. Just don't kid yourself and think that it's an appreciating investment.

Last edited by MSG C5; Feb 25, 2013 at 04:43 PM.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by calvins
I don't think anyone gets "bent" about folks letting them sit, we just don't understand it. They certainly aren't going to appreciate in value, that's for sure so what we don't quite comprehend is why they were bought in the first place... but get "bent" over it? Far from it.
100% I won't say 110% either because that makes no sense.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 3boystoys
Why do people get BENT if people don't drive their cars. Why do you care? Just a nice deal for the next owner. It just a car, if they enjoy letting it sit, who does it hurt?
Have to agree with that. Doesn't matter to me whether the owner keeps the mileage low - makes for a good deal for the next buyer if the maintenance has been kept up.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 12:29 PM
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Default Stay happy

I have just recently bought my 03 z06 with 10k miles - in the couple months I have owned it I have put down 4500 more miles. They are cars you are meant to keep for your lifetime - but most dont because they dont realise they aren't buying an investiment into $$$, they are buying an invenstment into your mental health and happiness. A lot of times people dont realise it until they find that kids are more important and provide more happiness

I put down miles on mine, I love it to death. Others keep it stored for good looks and fun, more power to them. The car was made to make people smile, long as its doing that then I feel use it for whatever you want.

The only unreasonable use of a corvette is the one that doesn't make you smile, or if your buying it to destory it just to make sure others cant get one......
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 3boystoys
Why do people get BENT if people don't drive their cars. Why do you care? Just a nice deal for the next owner. It just a car, if they enjoy letting it sit, who does it hurt?
Not a single person on this forum got "bent" about this topic nor did they even remotely suggest anyone or anything got hurt by not driving a car. Your question is oddly emotional in its wording. Are you having a break down? Out of medication? Whats up?
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Crosis
Not a single person on this forum got "bent" about this topic nor did they even remotely suggest anyone or anything got hurt by not driving a car. Your question is oddly emotional in its wording. Are you having a break down? Out of medication? Whats up?
This kind of thread happens many times of year, somebody cares that this happens.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 02:35 PM
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Why do people care so much what others do with their car. People seem to be so critical that some one doesn't drive their car much , or that others beat the crap out of it. Its almost as if those critical of others are trying to say that " Their " method of care, or the amount they drive it or don't drive it is the right way to do it and imply that anyone else who does it differently is somehow less of a car guy. Of course if some one wants to buy me a New C7, they can tell me how they think I should care for it.
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 03:05 PM
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I've had my 02Z for 10 years, and it's only got <19k miles. There's been lots of downtime while I was doing mods in my garage, but until the C7 came out, I've never considered selling it. Just love the new car, but I'd have to give up 200 or so HP, and mine's paid for, so....
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by mxz800
I’ve seen a lot of Corvettes that were sold with almost no miles for less then what the original price was, this makes no sense to me. The person put the Corvette into a climate controlled garage for years then sells it? People will say it was an investment, my checking account gives me more?? Drive the dam car !!
Are you referring to the someone who still has the steering wheel wrapper on his 300- or-so mile C3?
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Old Feb 25, 2013 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
Why do people care so much what others do with their car. People seem to be so critical that some one doesn't drive their car much , or that others beat the crap out of it. Its almost as if those critical of others are trying to say that " Their " method of care, or the amount they drive it or don't drive it is the right way to do it and imply that anyone else who does it differently is somehow less of a car guy. Of course if some one wants to buy me a New C7, they can tell me how they think I should care for it.
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