You know what they say....In your 40's I wish I knew what I do now, when I was 20.. And I'm sure when I am in my 60's, I will say I wish I new what I do now when I was in my 40's! Believe me, these guys in their 40's (like me) know what they are saying, the guys in their 60's even know more! Wait, do not spend 40K on a car, when you are a young, hard working man with so many unkown posibilities ahead of you. Now if you have a big trust fund or win the lotto....Go buy a ZR1..

 

What he said, and thank you for your service. Semper Fi.

 

I would do this but go with an 06. I have an 05 myself and love it but there are just little improvments that make the 06 nicer. Padded center consol nicer interior trim stuff like that. You can take the extra money and invest or buy some kick *** mods.

 

That all depends. I bought my '62 for $1k back in '72. Since then I've put approx $30k in the car (It's now fully done/restored top to bottom) What do you think it is worth today? I'm not selling, but I know I can can much more than what I have into it, plus I've gotten 38 years of enjoyment from the car.

 

Because you are in the military ( thank you for your service) take advantage of USAA insurance. You will be happily surprised at the cost to fully insure a Vette.

We have a 2005 and love it.

 

I tend to agree with the above advice. Just take it easy....you don't need to get into big bucks cars when there's so much more to do with it, the cash. While you may be able to comfortably afford a later model, '08, spend less. It's called "living below your means" (LBYM) and it allows you all kinds of possibilities because you're not stretched to the max, money-wise.

Or you could even pass on the purchase like subvette sez, but somehow I doubt that will be your choice. Good luck whatever route you take.

 

Here's another perspective for you...

I just bought a fully loaded 08 3LT coupe w/16k miles and the exact exterior and interior color combinations I was looking for, still has its 3 yr/36k mi bumper to bumper warranty AND a 5 yr/75k mile extended warranty transferred to me - for $28k. The previous owner treated it like a patio chair (no cosmetic coddling, lots of dings and curb rash) - so I'm getting it custom re-painted for $8k, putting $5500 in CCW wheels/Michelin PS2 tires, adding another $1500 or so in custom leather interior items - and getting lots of cosmetic things fixed under warranty.

At the end of it all, I'll have a custom painted (re-painted in the stock color), stunning vette with a better paint job than what the factory puts out... with fully custom wheels and top notch tires, and a killer customized leather interior in the colors I want, fully loaded, with 16k miles AND two awesome warranties... for around $43k.

Note: (I'm not counting the CA registration fee and shipping fee from the state I bought it from - which is another $3k or so).

It's nice to have this and know I didn't spend a dime of my money on "immediate" depreciation - you know, what happens in the first year you buy a brand new vette off the lot. That financial hit is much better invested, in my opinion, in customizing a used car that's still under warranty - because you will *want* to customize it the second you roll off that lot - but you'll have hit your budget already.

But hey, this is just my opinion!

Have fun and good luck with whatever you choose. Just be sure you *love* the color, or can afford to paint it in the color you want and that painting cost still makes it a good deal. No *deal* is worth it if every day you're going to look at the car and wish you had a different color. No matter the HP

And, thank you for your service.

 

Buy the newest one you can afford. Insurance will be high, set aside money for repairs after the warranty runs out. Semper Fi

 

yes i looked into USAA insurance and i was pleasantly suprised.

 

yes i'll consider this but like i just posted...USAA handles military insurance and they tend to have the best prices around

 

sir for some reason this post stuck out the most to me. before i start, i first want to say Thank YOU for your service. Marines before myself (like you) are the reason that the USMC is still running strong. OORAH! hmm...i see what your saying about not buying a car while im still in the military. and who knows, i might have a family and then the car would have to go to support my family. but about "most" guys my age getting in trouble with a 400+ hp car...my trans am is a LS1 and honestly i dont tear it up as often as one would think. i would say im more responsible and careful with my vehicles then your average driver. i obey the speed limits, dont do burn outs, and preform maintenance more often that what is recommended.

i appreciate your opinions. all of you! thank you for your insight and be on the lookout for another forum posted by me im a couple months on what i decide to do.



Semper Fi

 

First off, Thank you for your service! Second check with your insurance agent before you make any deal on a Vette. My 20 yr old son bought a new Cobalt SS and they wanted over $2500.00 every six months if he were on his own policy! And thats for a $#@& box Cobalt! His insurance would have cost more than his car payments! You may get sticker shock at the prices to insure a Vette! I would shop for a used one when you are ready, I bought my 06 3LT with less than 9K on it for just over $30. The car is basically new and at 1/2 the price of a new 2010!
Again thanks for your service, as an Amry Dad we really do appreciate all you sacrifice for our country! Stay safe!

 

Bought my 1st Vette when I was a young SSgt in the Marines and only had it for 2 months. I got orders overseas and told the wife I was putting it up on blocks because I didn't want her to be driving it around with the young children and she said no way so I sold it (bad move). Didn't get another until she bought it for me 20 years later because I couldn't afford it. Raising kids, buying a home and taking care of the family can be quite a task on military pay. After 30 years in the Corps I have retired from military life and am currently on my 5th Vette and loved them all. As I stated in a previous post Corvette maintenance can be expensive so be prepared for it and if possible make sure you have some type of warranty. New or used doesn't make that much of a difference, you will have fun driving one and believe me, age doesn't matter, it is hard not to want to push the car every chance you get. After all, hopefully that's why you bought it.

 

You only go around once.....go for it, enjoy it, and have some fun.... How many of these posts have been from owners that had to wait 20 plus years to get a Vette? You never know what will happen tomorrow ...... so go for it, and you will never look back, and if you do you will have some good memories. Not to mention wudda, shudda, cudda blues...... Thanks for you service......because of Patriots like you.....a lot of people have the privilige of driving a very cool ride..
:fla g:

 

Thanks for the kind words and I can see you are very mature and responsible for your age. That's why I said "most" guys at age 20 and not all. You see, I understand how important car ownership was to me at age 20, just like today. It's not just transportation, it's a hobby and a desire I truely enjoy and love! If there is a way you can afford a C6, go for it, but just keep in mind that you will have the opportunity to own many vettes in your life and no matter how much you love your car(s), a baby boy or girl will steal your hart very fast! Be safe and enjoy life!

 

Yeah - that is the rare case where a car is an investment. Like, if you would have bought a C1 or C2 and only ran it a few times a year and it had less than 1,000 miles on it with all original equipment (except probably tires). Man - could you imagine what that would be worth?

Although, a new 1960 corvette cost $4,000 in 1960. If that was invested in a fund that earned 7.2% interest over the last 50 years, $4,000 in 1960 would be worth $128,000 today. (ok, sorry about all the numbers - I'm an engineer - give me a break! )

The thing is though, he definitely plans on driving his corvette. So, I still stand by the fact that calling a nice car an investment is (99.99% of the time) wrong.

No disrespect at all towards you. BTW - you drive the car that made me fall in love with cars. While I love my C6 now, a '69 - '72' corvette is my dream car. One day I will restore one myself and then I can die a happy man.

 

Go ahead get what you want.And enjoy it.

 

Bought my first C5 at 19 working 50-60 hrs a week as a personal trainer... now 7-8 vettes later the C6 is the best decision I ever made... I'm only 24 so age has nothing to do with this, if you want something bad enough don't let anyone stop you from SPENDING YOUR MONEY!!

Thank You For Your Service!!!