Hey guys,
I've been looking around and was wondering if this was a good deal. I found a 2000 base, black on black, 6sp, with around 128,000 miles on it. It was traded in on a 07. The dealer says that they have checked it over and evening is in good condition. I took a look at it and the paint is in real good condition. I asked about the miles and he said the previous owner did a lot of interstate miles for trips. The interior looks good as well. They are asking 12,900. What are some things I should be looking for.

 

Read through this sticky - - it has a lot of good information that addresses your question on what to look for: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ion-files.html

As far as price-- seems a bit high, but photos will help . . . also, suggest you fill out your location for two reasons - -one, it helps in terms of the car's value and secondly, members on the forum may be familiar with the car and can provide insights.

Also- if you've not owned a Corvette before, you might try to find a local Corvette club and a member that could assist you in determining if the car is solid. Every dealer in the world justifies higher miles with the notion that they're all highway miles since people accept that as being 'better' for the car . . .

Good luck-

 

It sounds like a reasonable price. At least, you should pull the codes and clear them. Then take it for a drive and then pull the codes again and post them if any for us to comment. If you don't know how to do this here are 2 links to help. If you still need help to pull these let us know.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...codes-how.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ull-codes.html

You need to enter the manual scroll or they may go too fast to write down.

If you know a good C5 mechanic or owner you trust you can get him/them to evaluate the car for other issues like compression, handling, etc. that would not show up as codes.

PS: Where do you live? If close to me I would be glad to assist. I'm in Columbia, SC.

 

Thanks, I'll try that. I live in central ky. The thing is I'm in a dellima. I have a 96 corvette. Unfortunately I had a date with a guardrail a couple days ago. Nothing mechanically wrong from accident just cosmetic. Insurance said cost too much to fix. They gave two options. Give it up and get 10000 for it, keep it and get 7500. The estimate was around 7600. But that was just preliminary, could be more. It also has transmission problems that need to be fixed, switches that need to be replaced, and a few other codes to be worked out. Those were all prior problems. I'm just trying to weigh my options. Keep it and fix it and still have prior issues to deal with or look at something like this c5 which is newer and has less miles. And as of now no problems that they know of. But we all know how that goes...I think I'll at least test drive it. Cause really I'll only be paying 3000 for it myself with the 10000 they give me for the other. Decisions decisions.......

 

let go of the C-4.
Take the money, offer the dealer 12,000 out the door (taxes and everything else paid.)
He'll counter at 12,500 out the door.

Do the code check to insure all is OK with the car.

 

let it go and upgrade to the C5, you will not be disappointed. I have a 2000 myself. There are unique things on the 2000 that year different than 99 and 01. bought my with 110000 and have done a lot of work, upgrades and some MODS all worth it i think.

Since you've already owned a corvette you know what to look for, feel with it. go throughout it, try to get history of it if able, repairs, upgrades, etc.

 

I'll join the choir - - - time to move on from the C4 and enjoy the new car . . .good luck !

 

Upgrade to a C5, if not this one, you will find another. I'd want to drive this car for at least 1/2 hour or more in city traffic to see if it will throw a code. My car had a bad cat on it when I bought it, didn't show any codes on my test drive but after I drove it in stop ans go traffic for 30 to 45 minutes it throw a code for the right cat. My car had 125,000 on it when I bought it, and it doesn't use any oil between changes. Love the C5.

If it's throwing any codes don't deal on it till it's fixed.

 

If it were me, I'd let the C4 go and get a C5 - whether or not it is the one you are looking at is up to you. Many updates between the C4 and C5 and also between the '97-00 C5s and the '01-04 cars.

 

Stepping up to a C5 is a smart move. Gotta love how the dealer says they looked everything over and it's in good condition. Again, here the dealership tells you that the previous owner did a lot of highway miles. That in fact may be true but, that is an old dealer trick. This is in fact a 14-year old car or soon to be one. 128,000 miles equates to a little over 9K average a year. That's lower than most car's average miles per year but, certainly higher average for Vettes but, that doesn't mean it was all highway miles.

Let's just say the car to them is worth 12,900. Fine...Let's break it down to see why they are asking that.

First off, what's the maintenance history on this car?
1) Has this car been plagued with the column-lock/and has it had the recall/fix completed?
2) Any recurring problems?
3) Has the car been vandalized/wrecked/ or had body damage?
4) Look underneath the car and see if it's been bottomed out and look at the front-air dam and the condition of the front. That'll give you an idea how well the previous owner knew how to park it.
5) What is the option list on this particular 2000?
6) Is this car equipped with F45 ride control? If it is, ask them when the shocks were replaced because that should've happened a long time ago, that is an expensive replacement with those OEM shocks.
7) Are there any mechanical or body enhancements?
8) What is the condition of the tires and wheels? Are the tires run-flats or not? Do they have good tread depth?
9)How good do the key fobs work? Does it have the Owner's manual?
Do all the gauges,switches, lights, HUD (if so equipped) work?
10) Open up the hood and see how clean the engine area is.

11) Lastly, If you have your heart set on this one. Take the car to someone in your area that is well-versed in C5's and let them put it up on a rack and look it over inside and out. Better to pay a few dollars now for an inspection and peace of mind, then getting blindsided by unforeseen problems.

As far as the asking price, I can't tell you if it's a good deal or not without some feedback but, I would NEVER offer their asking price. The cheaper you get it, the less sales tax you pay. Good luck

 

 

Some one wants to give you money for a C4? Man you hit the lottery.

 

Thanks guys for all the info. That was the way I was leaning towards already, obviously by already looking, lol. Yeah even if it's not this one, I can take my time to find a good deal. And now know what to look for on these cars.
One other thing though, I was reading about a problem with the abs/traction control? I cant exactly remember but I recall that it can be replaced or fixed on 01 and newer but not older? So if that goes out what exactly would happen to the car.

Anyway, again thanks for all the info. I might go out and test drive it today. And Ill do that code check. That's something I never would have known to do. But there is a lot on these cars that I don't, so if I do come home with one, you'll see me on here quite often. lol

 

If you are open to flying to pick one up.. there are a lot of great deals in California. I bought my 98 Vert in August for $12,500 with 55k on it. It was all stock but I've been adding my own touches. I'm always seeing great deals out here.


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/4260748233.html