Flying out to look at a 2004 CE Coupe (1100 miles) tomorrow and if all looks good, I am having it shipped at no charge enclosed trailer from NY to my home in Chicagoland.

I made a short list to look at it. Let me know what your thoughts are and any revisions I should add/delete?

Checklist:

• Exterior & Fit/Finish
1. Paint finish general
2. Excessive Swirls (Orbital buffer?)
3. Unusual Scratches?
4. Dents/indentations
5. Body panel alignment?
6. Body panel clips/screws in place – if not, possibly panel repair
7. Rubber seals around doors/trunk/targa top – are they pliable or cracked?
8. Windshield, windows – cracked or chipped?
9. Glass targa top – cracked or chipped?
10. Tires – uneven, excessive wear?
11. Wheel wells – Rotors look good? Do brakes pulsate when braking – do the rotors need to be turned?
12. Brake pad wear okay?

• Interior
1. Leather color?
2. Cracked, cuts, unusual indentations?
3. Smell – smoker/non smoker?
4. Stitching acceptable?
5. Steering wheel wear – are there signs of excessive wear?
6. Pedals – are there signs of excessive wear?
7. Trunk area appearance – is there the extra body colored targa top and what is the condition of it?


• Electronics/Misc
1. Radio/CD function.
2. Presets set to local area stations? If not, car was not from local area.
3. Antenna function okay (if any external) ?
4. Column lock issue fixed? Service history shows it was taken care of already.
5. AC/Heat okay? Heads up display function okay? Dual zone climate functioning?
6. Memory seats okay?
7. Power windows okay?
8. Active handling button functioning?

• Engine
1. Clean?
2. Air intake/MAF okay – clear, no obstructions?
3. Anything appear modified?
4. Paint overspray anywhere?
5. Hoses, belts uncracked?
6. Tranny fluid nice and pink color?
7. Brake fluid
8. Oil appearance
9. Other fluids.

Thanks,
Ron

 

Thats a pretty complete short list! Since it's so new there's not much else to look for. You may want to print out the DIC listing and check for DTC's.

Also, while you're looking at the wheel wells look for pieces of rubber stuck to the exhaust and rear whell well which would be a sign of being raced.

 

You may want to check this post too

 

That's a pretty complete list most of which makes sense if you're buying any car, new or used - Corvettes or something else (Is there really anything else that matters? )

You might check out the sticky at the top of the C5 Gen page (here's a link to make it easy - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927) for some more Corvette specific issues and concerns.

Good luck finding your car!

 

I am not sure what re-calls if any there are for the 04 year, but make sure they are done too. Maybe check the rear diff. for any signs of leakage as well, but with those low miles probably won't be any probs. there. Good luck!!

 

With only 1100 miles I'm fairly sure there won't be any but check the rear end for any signs of fluid around the differential.

 

Looks like you got it covered.

Good Luck !

 

Looks like a very good list of things to look at. With such low mileage and being an '04, you should have plenty of warranty left. I have a more comprehensive checklist at home on a Word document that I could send you if you like. It was developed by a fellow forum member a while back and I just kept it for future reference. I think it was designed for use with a car with more mileage, but it could well serve you on this one. PM me with your e-mail address and I will be glad to forward it to you. Good luck with the purchase.

 

Check for scraping damage on the impact plate and the rocker panels. Look under the battery, even though it's supposed to be a gel-type battery.