Today I put a deposit on an '02 coupe with 864 miles on it. The car appears completely "as new" but it's still 4 years old. What I'm wondering is if I should have the dealer change out some of the fluids before delivery. I'm thinking oil and coolant as a minimum but I honestly don't have any evidence to base this on, just a general impression.

Any comments on which, if any, fluids should be changed? Any other needed maintenance on a car of this age and mileage?

It's my first Vette. Please bear with me if I'm being overly concerned.

 

Oil change. Mobil 1 5W30
Coolant should be fine
Tranny should be fine
Change the brake fluid ( absorbs water) and the clutch fluid (same Product) if it is a manual
Go with Valvoline Synpower DOT 3 & DOT 4 widely available and is less prone to absorb water

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Thanks for the replies. Profile updated.

 

I would change out the coolant also. Here's my reason why, GM advertises the Dexcool to be good for 5 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Even with the very low mileage that car has, the coolant is approaching 5 years in that system. So for the low cost to replace the coolant with new Dexcool, my thought is it would be inexpensive insurance. The other advice on changing the brake fluid and clutch fluid if it's a manual is also sound advice.
I would drive it 500 - 1000 miles then change the engine oil and filter. Let the original oil flow through the engine for several heat cycles to pick up any moisture that may be inside the engine from condensation, the moisture will be trapped in the filter or cooked off if you can get the oil temp above 212. Then when you change the oil and filter, all the possible contaminates will be in the old oil, not in the new.
Belts, hardly any mileage, but again it's been sitting and the belts may have taken a set over each pulley. Here's how to check, start the car, let it run or drive it about 5 minutes. Remove the belts and see if they have permanent set curves in each belt. They should not have hard set kinks or curves, if they do, again cheap insurance to replace both, they are not inexpensive, but cheaper than having them fail someplace inconvienent.
From that point on, you essentially have a brand new car.
Sounds like a very nice Vette that you found, best wishes on your new ride.

 

Congrats on your first Vette and welcome to the forum.

Personally, I would change all the fluids, if for piece of mind only. I changed my oil, tranny and diff fluid all at 800 miles on the clock and put in good synthetic that met factory specs. FYI, the specs are:
Oil: Synthetic oil meeting GM Standard 4718M
Tranny: Fluid meeting GM Dexron III specs
Diff: Synthetic 75w90

I'd also change the coolant and brake fluid for the reasons mentioned above.

 

I just bought a '99 Black FRC w/15,000 miles on it in December. I like to do as much work (really it's fun) on my cars as possible. However, I can't change the power steering fluid easily or the cooling system. I had both of these flushed using the BG flush system at my garage. Bled the brakes and Clutch master cylinder. Changed oil, of course. Next week or so will be changing the transmission fluid and differential fluids. That way I have a maintenance baseline on all the fluids. As said above, a low mileage car probably has unwanted moisture/contaminants in the fluids. Best to change them all and get a fresh start. I also changed all the filters. I'd also look at the belts and hoses on the vehicle. 834 miles is not a lot of driving and a lot of sitting. Also get the alignment checked as well as tire balance. Sounds like a lot, but once your maintenance baseline is established, it's easy. Best of luck.