C5 Value Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 32
From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
C5 Value Question
A friend of mine is thinking of selling his black '98 this spring. The car is kept in a heated garage and has only 4k mi on it. It really is like new. How much, if any, does this affect the the asking price of the car compared to blue book, etc.?
Thank You
Thank You
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
The car should bring a premium ( at least several thousand) over book value, just how much will be determined by you and the seller. What a waste of $ for the original purchaser - these cars are made to be driven and enjoyed not looked at in a heated garage. Someone will get a virtually new Vette for a great price.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,201
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
The car should bring a premium ( at least several thousand) over book value, just how much will be determined by you and the seller. What a waste of $ for the original purchaser - these cars are made to be driven and enjoyed not looked at in a heated garage. Someone will get a virtually new Vette for a great price.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,671
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 32
From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
Thanks guys, he really hates to sell, he's been putting it off for a long time. Even he says it needs to go to a good home and not sit around another year. I did get to drive it when it was new, it's quite different than my C3! 
Mick
Mick
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Sorry about your friend's eyesight.
Without a doubt, he should get more than book price. If I was in the market for a car, I would definitely be interested in your friend's Vette
Without a doubt, he should get more than book price. If I was in the market for a car, I would definitely be interested in your friend's Vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I disagree, these cars (and everything else) were made to do whatever the person who PAID for them wanted to do with them. If that is looking at them in their garage, it's their decision and their right. I don't get why anyone gets so bothered by a low mile pampered car, yet when time to buy one, guess what they look for.
They want the lowest miles and pampered cars then they just beat the snot out of them anyway !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
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From: pawleys island sc
I disagree, these cars (and everything else) were made to do whatever the person who PAID for them wanted to do with them. If that is looking at them in their garage, it's their decision and their right. I don't get why anyone gets so bothered by a low mile pampered car, yet when time to buy one, guess what they look for.
iagree:You are 1000% correct. It is that person's money and he is certinly entitled to do as he wishes. My only disagreement is with a person who maintains a garage queen solely due to his/her expectation that some day his C5 will be worth the current value of a
C2 or C3 split window coupe. That's NEVER going to happen in this life time.
And, yes if I were looking to buy another C5 I'd start with low mileage cars. However, not TOO low milage - these things were originally designed to occasionally move.There's nothing worse than putting a car that's been in storage 20 years back on the road. As me how I know.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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Well, I have to disagree with a price of $25K - a '98 just isn't worth that IMO even with only 4K miles on it. You can get a much newer car with not many more miles on it for that price. It should bring a little more than book provided there are no problems at all with the car.
And sorry about your friends health issue - I'm sure it is painful having to sell the car.
And sorry about your friends health issue - I'm sure it is painful having to sell the car.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,923
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From: Dunedin Florida
I disagree, these cars (and everything else) were made to do whatever the person who PAID for them wanted to do with them. If that is looking at them in their garage, it's their decision and their right. I don't get why anyone gets so bothered by a low mile pampered car, yet when time to buy one, guess what they look for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
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From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kannapolis NC
This is not the first thread about it. It only took one post for the "what a waste" line to come in. It's hypocritical to admonish someone for having low miles and then searching for a low mile car to buy. Just because some want to drive their cars 100,000 miles a year or race them doesn't mean that those who don't are wasting their money. I don't buy any car for an investment, only for my personal enjoyment. In this case there's a very good explanation for why the car wasn't driven, and the owner liked the car so much he didn't want to sell it. Understandable to me.
Don't project emotion on me, I'm just stating my opinion. Maybe it just sounds emotional when written and not spoken. I'm smiling as I'm typing.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Mar 6, 2013 at 09:25 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Well, I have to disagree with a price of $25K - a '98 just isn't worth that IMO even with only 4K miles on it. You can get a much newer car with not many more miles on it for that price. It should bring a little more than book provided there are no problems at all with the car.
And sorry about your friends health issue - I'm sure it is painful having to sell the car.
And sorry about your friends health issue - I'm sure it is painful having to sell the car.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 19
From: Los Angeles
It's worth as much as someone is willing to pay. You really can't go with book value on our cars. I would price it high and see what happens. 4k miles is basically a brand new car. I'm sure there are plenty of collectors out there.
Plus the '98 was Motor Trend's Car of the Year, if that means anything.
Plus the '98 was Motor Trend's Car of the Year, if that means anything.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park IL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Wow, not being able to drive your Vette anymore -- that sucks. Although you have a nice mix of comments here, you should generally avoid asking for the value of a Vette in this Forum. 
I'm waiting for someone to suggest that your friend won't be able to give it away.
Check the usual locations (Craigslist, Autotrader, Cars.com) then price it accordingly. If it is listed too high it won't sell. If it's listed too low, it will be gone in one day. GLWS!
I'm waiting for someone to suggest that your friend won't be able to give it away. Check the usual locations (Craigslist, Autotrader, Cars.com) then price it accordingly. If it is listed too high it won't sell. If it's listed too low, it will be gone in one day. GLWS!