Interested in purchasing a '04 Vette
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Interested in purchasing a '04 Vette
So I'm new to the world of corvettes, leaving the realm of crotch rockets. I've owned several bikes, and I've finally convinced myself to get a corvette.
The corvette I'm looking at is a '04 corvette with the LS1 (non-z06 version) with an auto transmission. It's sitting at 84k miles. He's asking $14k. As far as performance mods go, it has a full magnoflow exhaust which was installed by the prev owner. Other than that, it looks pretty much stock.
The bad:
It has a rebuilt title which he said was due to the prev owner damaging the front right wheel fender (it's all been fixed). Also, the ABS and traction control lights are on, on the display (I assume that this means that both are dysfunctional?). On top of that, it says service engine, service ABS, service traction control, on the notification thing on the display (I think this is all due to the ECBM?).
I'll obviously be talking him down a grand or two, but in terms of this sale, what do you guys think? (Please keep in mind, I'm a newbie when it comes to cars, I'm more motorcycle-oriented than cars
)
Thanks!
The corvette I'm looking at is a '04 corvette with the LS1 (non-z06 version) with an auto transmission. It's sitting at 84k miles. He's asking $14k. As far as performance mods go, it has a full magnoflow exhaust which was installed by the prev owner. Other than that, it looks pretty much stock.
The bad:
It has a rebuilt title which he said was due to the prev owner damaging the front right wheel fender (it's all been fixed). Also, the ABS and traction control lights are on, on the display (I assume that this means that both are dysfunctional?). On top of that, it says service engine, service ABS, service traction control, on the notification thing on the display (I think this is all due to the ECBM?).
I'll obviously be talking him down a grand or two, but in terms of this sale, what do you guys think? (Please keep in mind, I'm a newbie when it comes to cars, I'm more motorcycle-oriented than cars
) Thanks!
Last edited by Indecisive; Jul 1, 2014 at 12:10 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 171
I would never buy a car with check engine lights on, but thats just me. I feel its a reflection of how a car was maintained. The owner isnt even willing to have the car serviced to get the lights off before selling it? I wouldnt buy it. 84k miles is tempting though.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
The check engine light is not on, it just says service this, service that, at the bottom of the dash board. It switches from "Service engine" to "service ABS" to "service traction control" at the bottom of the dash board. The only lights that are on is the ABS light and tract control light.
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I personally wouldn't buy a car with a rebuilt title unless it was very, very cheap. And I agree with the previous poster about not getting it with the warning messages being fixed. Could be a bad battery, but would want that checked before making any decision.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
Probably best to walk away from this one mainly because of the rebuilt title. If that is not a concern to you (read resale), then it might be worth another look. Depending on what codes come up, the EBCM can be rebuilt.
Here is how to get the codes
Here is how to get the codes
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Actually, I just asked the guy for the VIN # to see how much it'd cost to insure it. I decided to google the VIN and this is what I found haha...
He told me just the right front part of the car was damaged "a little". Anyways, this is how it looks now:
The previous owner did all the repairs. I think walking away from this one will be best haha
He told me just the right front part of the car was damaged "a little". Anyways, this is how it looks now:
The previous owner did all the repairs. I think walking away from this one will be best haha
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 195
From: Boxford Massachusetts
Actually, I just asked the guy for the VIN # to see how much it'd cost to insure it. I decided to google the VIN and this is what I found haha...
He told me just the right front part of the car was damaged "a little". Anyways, this is how it looks now:
The previous owner did all the repairs. I think walking away from this one will be best haha
He told me just the right front part of the car was damaged "a little". Anyways, this is how it looks now:
The previous owner did all the repairs. I think walking away from this one will be best haha
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Don't walk...RUN away from that thing. That was a HARD hit clearly.
As others have already said, I wouldn't mess with a salvage title car unless you're talking $4k - $6k or so. Just not worth the hassles that come with that.
As others have already said, I wouldn't mess with a salvage title car unless you're talking $4k - $6k or so. Just not worth the hassles that come with that.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
What do you think?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 563
Likes: 2
From: San Mateo CA
Under $10K doesn't sound too bad... But I'd thoroughly have it inspected to see what you are getting into.
