old jack

Went and looked at a 98 with just over 45000 miles, very clean. He is asking $18000. I wasn't able to drive it because it's not registered. It's going to need tires. I offered $15000 cash on the spot. because unable to drive. He came back with $17500 lowest he would go. Told him I have to pass on it. Would you buy without driving?

Jack

4XLR8N

Never. Not even a brand new car at the dealership.

Guy probably did you a favor by not accepting your offer. Anyone not willing to allow a potential buyer to drive the car is likely hiding something. Move on...

ArtClassShank

I would not buy without a drive.


Then again, I would probably bring my own plates or something along those lines to give it a test drive.

jackjohnson_218

I bought my 98 with similar miles last summer without driving it. We fired it up, I poked around and went over all his maintenance records. I had a lot of comfort in it because he had owned it for quite a while and was dealer maintained. He even had all the maintenance from the previous original owner. It was also clean as a whistle. That was my situation if it helps. He also had a recent car history report.

Phanni

That's way too much for a 98.

Mayor111

First - I would never buy a car without driving it...I find it ODD that a guy selling a car would not register it, so it can't be driven...also, what would it hurt to at least just drive around the local area - not like your speeding and getting a ticket...

Second - that price is WAY high...according to Corvette DNA:

In EXCELLENT condition:

Auto: $11,000

Manual: $12,250

The price he is asking is for a SHOW condition car...maybe it is or its rare in some way...but if its only in EXCELLENT condition...walk and keep looking or download Corvette DNA on your phone and show the seller so he knows your coming to him with an educated offer - not just low-balling him.

Hope this helps!

Glasact

Vetteman Jack

I would not buy without a test drive. That seller did not prepare very well to sell that car.

And IMO, the values listed by Corvette DNA are rather low. NADA is usually what I use and at least for my car, there is close to a $5K difference in pricing.

waupachino

I think the whole not registered reason for no test drive is a bunch of BS. It's highly unlikely you're going to get pulled over during the test drive, and if you did, it's highly unlikely the LEO would issue you a Ticket.

Sydwayz

In Virginia, we can buy a 3-day trip permit from the DMV website for $5 bucks. You can use it to buy a vehicle and drive it home, or test drive, or whatever. You have to be a Virginia Resident to buy it though.

Perhaps your DMV/BMV has similar, and then the seller can't shut you down because you are legal to drive it. I could see no test drive because it's not insured, but that's just a phone call away too.

No test drive.
No buy.

c4cruiser

Does the state allow for "Trip Permits"? These are temporary licenses that are good for a few days. That would have mande a test drive possible and completely legal.

Maybe the guy didn't want to pay for another year's registration knowing that he was going to sell the car?

Mayor111

Its $5 in PA too - you do NOT have to be a PA resident...its just a plain temporary registration to get the buyer home legally.

Clancy209

No way

ApexerER

When I purchased my C4 many years ago. A took a Buddy of mine that is a mechanic and my wife to look at the car. I never even thought to ask if the car was registered. It had a plate on the rear. My buddy and I went out for a test drive. I drove it maybe 3 or 4 miles out and then I switched and my buddy drove it. It was nearing Dusk so my buddy flipped the headlights on and they wouldn't flip up all the way. We got pulled over almost immediately after we switched for the headlights. (it wasn't even dark out) Cop asked for ins and reg....I explained my buddy was testdriving the car for me and I didn't have any of that info. The cop followed us back to the private owners house where when I got out of the car my wife immediately started yelling at me that if this is how its going to be no way am I buying the car. The ahole cop wrote my buddy tickets for....No reg, no inspection, no insurance and something to do with improper equipment (headlights) all of which of course I had to pay because he was doing me a favor. Cop said it is the drivers responsibility to know if the car is road worthy and registered....I was so pissed....I did end up buying the car and negotiated the price with the cost of all the tickets....That being said....I wouldn't have purchased it without being able to drive it...

caddman11

To much money and nope even thought I didn't drive mine either. Bought mine from a Chevy dealer and the owner of the dealership took me out it in and pretty much did anything to it I asked short of burnouts (I didn't ask for that). I can appreciate this with the one owner, super clean car I bought--no freakin' tire kickers trying to burn the tires off.

02BlownZ06

With the combination of miles even though fairly low, and age I would not drive it without a test drive and that is notwithstanding the price which I think is too high. Considering price, I would pass on this one.

I bought my '02 with 19K on it without a test drive cause the deal was too good to pass up. I knew I was taking a big chance but I had it shipped here from Wisconsin and it exceeded my expectations in every area. The only surprise I got from not test driving was how loud the interior was. I did a really thorough noise deadening treatment and it is now the perfect car for me. I say search out a better deal, IMHO.

Forcedvert

I think you dodged a bullet, for those prices you can get an '01 and up.

BAT

He's from MA. It's HIGHLY likely he'd get pulled over and the car towed and driver ticketed with no plates. They could attach a plate from something else, but IF pulled over then, now there's additional fines.

No such luck here in MA. No temp tags or the like. The RMV and insurance companies are linked too. In order to get plates, you need an insurance stamp. In order to get insurance, you need to pay 20% of the annual premium.... too much of a PIA just for a few "test drives".

Now, not to say depending on where the car is, that it couldn't be taken for a short ride. Or, if you (or the seller) knows a repair show or car dealer, you may be able to borrow their plate.

Old Jack, I agree, $18k seems pretty steep for a '98. I bought my '99 vert last summer for $13.5k. It was clean, stock, almost 60k miles. I see plenty of high C5's on the local Craigslist and lots, and they're still for sale for a reason. There are always C5's popping up, and priced right. If this one didn't want to budge, I'd suggest to keep looking.

Mayor111

Caddman11 brings up a good point to clarify. If the owner of the car will take you for a drive - that's fine. Im selling my 94 and I dont let anyone drive it until they have cash in their hand - but I will take them for a test drive (meaning Im driving).

I think the OP was stating that this seller is not allowing the car to move - regardless of the driver...cause its not registered - and that is why everyone is saying walk away...

S.C. vette

.... not even if I were spending your monies. Run don't walk from that scam