how are you all?
my name is Adam and i an 20 years old in the United States Marine Corps. i have always been a huge fan of Corvettes, especially the C6's. in 11 months im planning on purchasing a c6 vette...but i dont want to spend over 40,000. im looking into a used maybe '05-'07 right now. is it worth it or should i wait to buy a 2013 for when my first enlistment is over? right now im driving a 2002 Trans Am which i love to death but im debating if im going to but the "For Sale" sign on it now or when my enlistment is over. The problem is not money. i've been saving for a c6 vette for awhile now.

so my question is...at my age, do you think that its in my best interest to get a brand new vette or a earlier C6 model? I know corvettes hold there value really well so it could possibly be an investment opportunity to always have a nice car by my side?




opinions?

 

If I was you I'd buy an 05' or 06' and invest the money you would have spent on a new one. My 05' C6 has been the nicest, most fun vehicle I've ever had.

 

If your budget is $40k, a year from now you should be able to find a nice 2008 model. Pass on the 2005 models. Nice cars, but the $h!t for brains GM engineers put very weak differential cases in these cars, and they are prone to catastrophic failures.

Be prepared for very high insurance costs at your age.

And, thanks for your service. Be careful out there.

 

For $40K an '08 would be the way to go. Numerous mechanical improvements including LS3 engine, Tremec 6060 transmission, improved auto trans & steering gear and somewhat updated interior trim. I picked up an '08 with under 500 miles on it for $40K.

Thanks for your service and be safe.

 

There are a few things you need to consider here. Just because you can pay $40K for a Vette doesn't mean that you can afford it. As a few have mentioned already, your insurance will most likely be very high so you have to take that into consideration. Another is the cost of repairs if and when they are needed (the dreaded "Corvette Tax"). So make sure whatever year you buy, and there will be some disagreement here from some forum members, make sure there is some remaining warranty on it or purchase a GMMP extended one. One other thing to consider would be buying a brand new left-over model which are usually drastically reduced around this time of year to allow for sales of the new model. Kerbeck Chevrolet (A forum vendor) usually has quite a few good deals going on at the end of the year. I know if I was going to budget $40K for a Vette I would rather have a new one than a used one. Check it out. They have a 2010 1LT advertised for $39,990. Good luck in whatever you decide and thanks for your service.

 

As noted the differentials were slightly improved starting with the 2006 model year. That said I don't believe the 2005 differential is quite the catastrophy portrayed. If you're a serious drag racer doing high RPM launches off-the-line (with sticky drag radials) then I'd be more concerned about the 2005 differential. Otherwise, the 2005 differential will likely serve your purposes well. I put-down some decent power and road race a lot with my 2005 differential. Except for high RPM drops off-the-line I push the car hard. I've never had a problem with the 2005 differential. If the truth be known, I've read of a couple later model C6 differentials that detonated coming off-the-line as well.

My 2005 has been an incredibly reliable and trouble-free car but Iwould always recommend you buy the newest model year possible.

My other thought is don't be 'car poor.' You sound pretty responsible and although you've been saving for a while don't blow your wad on a car. After your wake-up you may find the money isn't rolling-in for a while. Jobs can be hard to find. It's always nice to have some cash to fall back on. It's a tough economic climate but give thought to investing something for the future. It's hard to imagine at 20 but it really does help to start planning for the future now. Good luck and thanks for your Service!

 

And thanks for your service.

 

Thanks for your service in the Marines

For $40K you will be able to find a very nice 08-09 or a new 1LT 2010.

If you're driving a TA now, you are probably already paying a lot of coin for insurance. As far as maintenance, get a GMPP extended warranty for some peace of mind if the thought of some big repairs. Yes, there is a "Corvette Tax" on some parts and service but these cars are just as dependable as anything out there if you take care of it and drive it reasonably.

Have fun and enjoy!

 

I say save the money and get a low mileage '08. You can pick one up in great condition in the low 30's.

Also - a corvette is a car. A car is never a "good investment". You use them, enjoy them, but you never get out what you put in. When my brother was 19 he was sold on the idea that his mustang would be a good investment and he could sell it in a few years and make money on it after driving the **** out of it

 

Thank you for you service !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Buy a used one and save your money ;-)

 

I would ask myself during my enlistment will I have the opportunity to enjoy the car? I am not sure what your assignemnts will be and you might not want to upgrade to a corvette now and have it sit for months at a time.

From an investment point of view , or for that matter less of a negitive investiment, buying a used car, several years old, usually makes more sense. However you don't want another persons problems. So you need to find the right car, low mileage, in good shape. Also consider if you can get a car in the color and options you really want. I bought my first corvette used but it was not exactly what I wanted. Years later when I bought my second and current corvette, I ordered it with the exact options I wanted.

If you want till 2013 you can then likely buy a 2010 used for the $ you are talking.

Thank you for your Service!!!!!

 

In 11 months you may even find many 09s in your price range and I would get as new as you can afford and again thanks for your service

 

I'm sure many will disagree, but If I were you, I would wait until I was 25 to buy the Corvette. I'd save my money and then buy a very nice used Vette with cash when my insurance rates would be lower. Like I said, many will probably disagree.

 

You have been given some good advise so far and I don't want to preach to you, but I was a young Marine years ago, so I will give you my prospective. Don't put all your money in a car at the age of 20. I did that and was sent over seas while my car sat in storage. I still had to make the payments and the car lost value while it sat undriven. You will have plenty of chances to own a vette, maybe sooner are maybe after the "future family" is provided for. Insurance is high, up-keep is high and "most" guys your age get in trouble with a 400hp + HP car. Wait until you are more stable, or until you know where you will be down the road and when the economy is better. Stay safe and bless you for your service! "Semper Fi"

 

 

exactly what I would've said.

 

At 20, you have your whole life ahead of you. Don't make any quick decisions. A 40K purchase may be the wrong thing for you right now and you may regret making that obligation later. Concentrate on your Marine career right now and take advantage of all the learning opportunities that it offers. You have plenty of time ahead for a Corvette in your life; and from this Vet to you - Thanks for doing what you are doing with your service to this country.

 

Got my 06 Z51 with 23K for 30 grand almost a year ago

Buy one cheap and use the change for mods

 

Don't take the big depreciation hit by buying a new one...let the older retired guys do that...its easy to find a low mile used one.

 

You asked for opinions. My opinion can be summed up in one word: WAIT!

Your young and have plenty of time.

Appreciate your service.