Silly used car buying question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 234
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From: Phoenix (Fall/winter/spring); Seattle (summer)
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Silly used car buying question
Going to look at an 04 CE this afternoon and have a dumb question: At what point in the process should I have the car inspected by a mechanic? After reaching a tentative price with the seller, pending results of the inspection? Or before we get down to discussing dollars?
As always, thanks for the input here.
As always, thanks for the input here.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
I'd say after you've driven the car, examined the paperwork and get down to the point of saying "this is the one" . . . .then find a qualified Corvette inspector or shop.
No different than buying a house - - you pick it, make your offer/acceptance . . .then have a home inspection to address any real problems. Obviously, you're buying a used car so it might not be perfect, but I suppose that's a bit of a sliding scale in terms of valuation.
I would suggest however that you take a close look at the tires-- with a low mileage car, you may need to replace the tires simply because of age (there's a date on the sidewall you can decipher- by brand) A new set of Michelin run flats will run you $1500 +/- and you may need to replace the tire pressure sensors - - another $3-400.
Good luck - -
No different than buying a house - - you pick it, make your offer/acceptance . . .then have a home inspection to address any real problems. Obviously, you're buying a used car so it might not be perfect, but I suppose that's a bit of a sliding scale in terms of valuation.
I would suggest however that you take a close look at the tires-- with a low mileage car, you may need to replace the tires simply because of age (there's a date on the sidewall you can decipher- by brand) A new set of Michelin run flats will run you $1500 +/- and you may need to replace the tire pressure sensors - - another $3-400.
Good luck - -
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 234
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From: Phoenix (Fall/winter/spring); Seattle (summer)
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Thanks. Yep, tires are a big deal to me. The car I'm looking at today had tires replaced about 9,000 miles and three years ago.
I had considered a pristine 03 coupe with just over 30,000 miles but the owner insists the tires are in great shape despite being original tires to the car, and he's not budging off his $21k price.
I had considered a pristine 03 coupe with just over 30,000 miles but the owner insists the tires are in great shape despite being original tires to the car, and he's not budging off his $21k price.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
On the way, I'd stop for coffee, and leave the car running while you get coffee, with air conditioning on full; to make sure it doesn't overheat or get hot.
Then drive some more. Then inspect. Then decide what you think is a fair price you can live with.
Or, walk away, and start over.
Don
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: OK
I agree. Pre arrange an inspection, mutually understood by the seller. Drive, a long drive, to the mechanic who will inspect the car.
On the way, I'd stop for coffee, and leave the car running while you get coffee, with air conditioning on full; to make sure it doesn't overheat or get hot.
Then drive some more. Then inspect. Then decide what you think is a fair price you can live with.
Or, walk away, and start over.
Don
On the way, I'd stop for coffee, and leave the car running while you get coffee, with air conditioning on full; to make sure it doesn't overheat or get hot.
Then drive some more. Then inspect. Then decide what you think is a fair price you can live with.
Or, walk away, and start over.
Don
I'd leave the A/C off to see if the fans cycle properly...
Overheating can be caused by several things..... what you will want to see is about 190 to 200 while driving normally..
IF you haven't READ the STICKY at the top of the C5 General forum about buying a C5 you NEED to READ it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 6
From: Schaumburg IL
Silly used car buying question
If you are buying from a dealer, i would get a second opinion on it when you put a deposit down. I wish I would have done it. I had the dealer I bought it from put it on the lift to look underneath it. Seen it was leaking from the differential and their mechanic told me it was just overfilled and was leaking out the vent. Not knowing any better I trusted them. After I bought it I took it to the dealership I trust. Sure enough. The differential seal was leaking and was not overfilled. I will never buy another used car without a second mechanic looking at the car first.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
Yes, 12 year old Corvette tires are great........
for making planters, objects for squirrels to hop in and out of, but not very good as tires especially on a performance car.
I'd agree with the others and settle on an offer pending the inspection. A word of caution, be sure the mechanic inspecting the car has the jacking pucks needed to protect the underside of the car when jacking. If I were a seller, I would insist on them using my pucks or their own. That is a reasonable request by your seller.
for making planters, objects for squirrels to hop in and out of, but not very good as tires especially on a performance car.
I'd agree with the others and settle on an offer pending the inspection. A word of caution, be sure the mechanic inspecting the car has the jacking pucks needed to protect the underside of the car when jacking. If I were a seller, I would insist on them using my pucks or their own. That is a reasonable request by your seller.
Last edited by roadbike56; Aug 4, 2015 at 04:29 PM.
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If the seller has nothing to hide, this should be an OK thing to do. He may want to go with you to the inspection and I wouldn't have any problems with that.