Wanted to ask you gurus about a 2001 Convertible Base model that I looked at today. Have included pics to help your thoughts. The dealer was asking $15,999 for this car with 118,5

00 miles, automatic transmission and LED headlights. Everything else is stock. I had an appointment and thought perhaps the car would have been detailed, but it wasn't. Perhaps too much to ask. Walked around the car and found a few spots in the paint, the smudge on the left headlight and a small scrape on the passenger rear fender. The chrome on the wheels was not the cleanest and in some places flaked off. The tires on the rear wheels do fully fit the rim which was a little strange (if you zoom in on the pic you can possibly see what I'm talking about). First point of concern. And the tire on the passenger front wheel was mounted inside out. When I got in to start the car I got a CEL and it would not start. Went back in to find the sales rep and told him and he said that was strange because he had just started it. They put a jump charger to it and got it to start and it seemed to run fine. Second point of concern. No codes were pulled and then the car was shut off. I got back in and started the car without issue and the battery showed 14 volts or better for the entire test ride. Tested pretty much everything on the test ride and everything worked well from the pop up headlights, cruise control, wipers, radio and antenna, HUD, seat adjustments and climate control. The display on the climate control was blank, but believe that's a simple fix. In the last mile of the test ride, the TPMS warning came up for the passenger front tire. Third point of concern.

After the test ride, checked the headlights and turn signals from the outside of the car and they definitely worked. The convertible top had only some small pin holes and stored as it should. I went in to talk with the sales rep and said $15.9k was too much in my opinion given the items of concern. He said he could see if they would replace the tires for the list price and I said that was still too high and offered $14.5k with confirmation of the battery charge and new tires. He took it to the manager who agreed to $14.5k and the vehicle as-is, no fixes. I said thank you and walked out.

Absolutely understand the car is 20+ years old and would never be perfect, so on 2 hour drive home, I wondered if I should reconsider? Did I expect too much or is that a good counteroffer from the dealership?

Sorry for the long post and thanks for any input you all might give.

 

Forgot to mention, reviewed the Carfax on this vehicle and there is a reported accident from 2019 on the right front corner. Did not see any damage on it when inspecting the car today.

 

No. With the miles and the potential issues, and after Corvette season has ended, I'd probably say about $10.5K maybe 11.5 tops. Many more fish in the sea. Once the taillight warranty expires, the dealer won't treat you any better than would an individual. In this economy it's getting harder to sell toys.

Edit: with the mark on the carfax, I'm going to change that to a "hell no."

 

Too much money for that many miles

 

Looks like tires are wrong size too. Rears look to be 245 wide. With issues listed including pinholes in the top and cel I would pass on this one and not worry about it. Not for their asking price and as-is terms.
Pass...

 

Thanks for the input. I didn't feel bad for walking away, but you have made me feel better about the decision.

@Big_Mike_SD The tires were the wrong size which is what I was trying to convey.

 

Hard pass. I can't see past the mis-matched tires/wheels.

 

I almost walked when I first saw them, but the sales rep said they might be able to work something out on them. Certainly just sales speak.

 

Price is too high, and you don’t want to buy a new top.

 

I bought a very nice 2002 coupe with 112k miles in season and while the market was still hot for $12,200. Granted it is a coupe and not convertible.
I have had my shares of vert C5s and I never could keep water out of them. I would not buy another one.
IMHO, on a car like this, skip the dealer and buy from an individual.

 

Or a new battery or tires.

 

It looked better in the pics. It being a Vert meant little to me honestly since I have a Triple Black C6. There will be something that shakes itself loose from the trees. And if not that's fine, too. I read your thread about your purchase. Hope to find that diamond in the rough like you did.

 

You made the right decision, there is others out there, just don't rush one will pop up!

 

How the Hell do you get pinholes in the top? Maybe someone vandalized it? My top is 23 years old, and no holes that I know about.....

 

Lol…. I laugh a bit when I hear a senior, such as myself, or others use the ‘how in the hell!” ….
Our family was going to breakfast one morning and while we were walking from the car to the restaurant, there’s this old guy waving his cane in the air and spouting in a gravely voice “where the hell are they?!!!”…. I guess he and his companion were tired of waiting on others to arrive.

Anyway, we cracked up and thought that was a classic and referred to it for years to come. I use it, and encourage you to keep on. It keeps those younger folks on their toes!

 

So true.

 

I would keep looking. Too many things need to be fixed for that kind of money.

 

This car is for the younger in spirit... for those "new comers" to world of fixer-upper cars to be tinkered with constantly.... Been there. That's ok... just no longer for me.

 

Agree. A decade ago I likely would have tried to work a better price, but don't have the desire to put much repair time into something still relatively young.