Best Price Guide?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 57
From: Kensington MD
Best Price Guide?
What's the most accurate online price guide for C5 Corvettes? I understand pricing used cars is an inexact science, especially because each used car is different.
NADA? KBB? Edmunds? Something else?
ETA: I would be a buyer, not a seller, if it matters.
NADA? KBB? Edmunds? Something else?
ETA: I would be a buyer, not a seller, if it matters.
Last edited by huesmann; Sep 21, 2015 at 01:27 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,507
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
I think pricing varies a great deal by location and especially with Corvette models/years there are a lot of variables that come into play that NADA et al simply don't reflect.
It's like the cars for sale here on the forum - - -generally, the pricing is strong (in my view) because we're all mostly fanatics about our cars and we all think our cars are worth just a bit more than market because of their options, care and condition. Just like those on Craig's List-- there's the asking price and the selling price.
I suppose you've got to start somewhere- maybe the average of NADA and KBB to start . . .then factor in location, year/options and all the other stuff.
If you post your "possibles" here, you will get plenty of opinions but be sure to include photos and no detail is too small. (like finishing your profile and location)
Good luck-
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Out of all the online resources out there, I usually consider NADA to be fairly accurate. Some of the pricing guides take into account only certain options so consider that too when you are looking at a vehicle.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,067
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From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
OP, It's good to know what the three "books" say a car is worth, but actual asking prices are the best guide. I like autotrader, some like Cars.com and others like ebay, and craigslist. Figure about a 10% inflation for asking to selling. Sometimes you can do better than that, but it depends on circumstances.
This is all good until you find "The One" that you take one look at and think to yourself, wow, that's beautiful. That's when if the price is anywhere near reasonable, you just reach deep and buy it.
This is all good until you find "The One" that you take one look at and think to yourself, wow, that's beautiful. That's when if the price is anywhere near reasonable, you just reach deep and buy it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
nada usually, watch ebay, watch manheim closes. this lets you know where things are selling. try and find similar mileage and condition to what you're comparing
also keep in mind what updates have been done. new tires, new cooling system, no existing issues, no leaks etc that's worth a premium. many c5s have a few problems when they go to sale and if you find one of those pay accordingly.
also watch condition overall. some c5s have been beat on and are not worth buying anywhere near market rate
nada clean trade would be the number i tried to shoot for {and did} but i also received a trade in level car. it was overall very clean but needed a waterpump, tires, brakes, just like many trade ins
kbb has never been accurate with corvette. they are good with civics and high volume cars but always off on corvette, either high or low, it varies
also keep in mind what updates have been done. new tires, new cooling system, no existing issues, no leaks etc that's worth a premium. many c5s have a few problems when they go to sale and if you find one of those pay accordingly.
also watch condition overall. some c5s have been beat on and are not worth buying anywhere near market rate
nada clean trade would be the number i tried to shoot for {and did} but i also received a trade in level car. it was overall very clean but needed a waterpump, tires, brakes, just like many trade ins
kbb has never been accurate with corvette. they are good with civics and high volume cars but always off on corvette, either high or low, it varies
Last edited by racebum; Sep 21, 2015 at 07:23 PM.
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