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Buying in winter

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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 02:58 PM
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Default Buying in winter

Still looking for the right one. What do you think about buying a c5 while in winter storage? Knowing I'm not going to be able to test drive, it will have to have maint records, low miles and 6 speed. I'm looking to spend around $15,000 to 18.5. Plus shipping.
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 03:19 PM
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No reason you couldn't drive the car as long as the weather permits. If the seller is hesitant to let you drive the car when the roads are clear, I'd question whether he wants to sell it or not. I wouldn't buy a used car without a test drive.
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 03:31 PM
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No test drive = no for me. Not a chance.
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by grantv
No test drive = no for me. Not a chance.
I had a 5 day test drive when I bought my 02 vert
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 03:51 PM
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Test drive the wheels off it. Winter is the best time to buy. Prices around here dropped about $3k over the winter. I started looking in August and bought in November. The prices just kept dropping and cars were available a lot longer.
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 04:37 PM
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I would question why it's in winter storage at the beginning of October. I agree with the others. No test drive no bueno.
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Macleod52
I would question why it's in winter storage at the beginning of October. I agree with the others. No test drive no bueno.
I don't think there is a particular car in mind, sounds like soon into the future thinking.
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 11:12 PM
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I personally would not let someone test drive my c5 if it was for sale in the winter. Here in Pennsylvania the chemicals that they put on the roads to melt the snow and ice are so corrosive that brand new parts look ten years old after a. Couple weeks of winter driving.
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by old jack
Still looking for the right one. What do you think about buying a c5 while in winter storage? Knowing I'm not going to be able to test drive, it will have to have maint records, low miles and 6 speed. I'm looking to spend around $15,000 to 18.5. Plus shipping.
No test drive, no sale.
That said their are some outstanding deals out there in the winter months.
Especially here in the Northeast. I saw a beautiful C5z with 50k on the clock go for 15k. And a few other awesome deals on C5's.
I am still a tad pissed I din't buy it to flip it, but thought it might be nice to let someone get a great deal and enjoy it.
Buy ohhhh they are for sure out there.

As for chemicals.... if the road is dry and you live near heavy traffic, I wouldn't worry. If you do take it to a car wash they does the bottom asap. It will survive.
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by v8srfun
I personally would not let someone test drive my c5 if it was for sale in the winter. Here in Pennsylvania the chemicals that they put on the roads to melt the snow and ice are so corrosive that brand new parts look ten years old after a. Couple weeks of winter driving.
That's why you wouldn't list it for sale in the winter, right? I would never expect someone to buy my car without driving it. But I did have someone buy my sport bike without riding it, but it scared them.
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 03:01 PM
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Thanks for the advice. Being a tight wad, I tend to buy toys in the off season and get a better deal. Example I just bought a 5th wheel camper, and saved a few thousand because end of camping season. In this case I'll take advice and insist on test drive, if I find one to my liking.
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by 66dts-v
That's why you wouldn't list it for sale in the winter, right? I would never expect someone to buy my car without driving it. But I did have someone buy my sport bike without riding it, but it scared them.

True no argument here.
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by old jack
Thanks for the advice. Being a tight wad, I tend to buy toys in the off season and get a better deal. Example I just bought a 5th wheel camper, and saved a few thousand because end of camping season. In this case I'll take advice and insist on test drive, if I find one to my liking.
I buy my Motorcycles, my boats, and my Corvettes in the winter, bought my 4x4 truck in the middle of summer. When the snow hits, the price of a 4x4 goes up and the Corvette comes down.

I too am a cheap bastard, but I have good taste. Paying retail is for suckers.
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