I'm in the market for a under 50K miles C5 convertible. Advertised prices mostly seem higher than I expected. This is my first experience trying to buy a Corvette. Is there a lot of "Dreamer Premium" typically attached to Corvette for sale ads?

Can anyone comment on what the market is generally for these cars in great condition?

Is there a reliable source of online information regarding what these cars are currently selling for?

Thank you!

 

For a 2001-2004 convertible with around 40,000 in great condition at the beginning of summer, I would expect if you found one between $20,000 at the bottom end and around $25,000 at the top end you would be doing good. For this I would expect the tires to be in great condition (run-flats unless you're looking at a Z), blemish free exterior, clean engine, no wear evident in the interior (incl seats), clean car-fax, etc.
You will find some under this range and you will find some over. I put a lot of stock in who is selling the car and how I perceive they took care of it. If the owner had the documentation history on the car, that would also be a positive that I would factor in when determining what I was willing to pay for the car.
These cars are 10-13 years old and prices are going to vary greatly and in some cases the owner is seeing his/her car thru rose colored glasses and will have the car priced $2-3,000 over comps. That will be evident to you after you've looked at a few.
You want to feel good about your purchase and lowest price is never my goal as is finding the best car for "me" at a price that I feel is "fair".
Book values you can use a general guide, but should be taken with a grain of salt. KBB tends to run a little high and NADA runs a little low.
Somewhere in between is probably more realistic as a base.
Good luck and I hope this helps!

 

Very helpful info, thanks!

 

Get one - you'll love it

 

Where are you ? It matters - -northeast less . . southwest- more.

 

Southeast - TN

 

I bought this 2002 M6 with 19,768 miles on the clock in mint condition as described by ironranger for 26,470 in Upstate NY in July the first day I went looking.
It was on a GM Dealer lot and I didn't feel like looking any further to save a few k as it was almost perfect for what I was looking for
in new car condition.
Blue or green may have been better but I like black interior

 

Forgive me for showing off but 7 months and a few bucks later plus 120 hrs of my time for everything except the A&A SC kit it looks like this

 

VERY nice!

 

Thanks

It also has a killer 1200 watt rms sound system with my Note 2 as the clip in head unit mixed with old school Rockford and Kenwood.

This is the other 60-80 hours I put in before the SC and Bodywork.

 

Sometimes the seller does have the car priced too high, but to me it depends on whether there is a good maintenance record, how well the car looks on the interior/exterior and how well it runs (does everything work well). For the right car, I'm willing to pay a bit more knowing that I am getting just what I am looking for.

Check out the pricing resources available (KBB, NADA, Edmunds, even the FS section here on the forum) and see how things shake out. Then set a budget on what you are wanting to pay for everything you want on the car.

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-c...pd-19-3-k.html
Check out this vert. Won't be disappointed.