C6 Trade-In
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 154
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C6 Trade-In
I am currently doing a 18-24 month overseas tour in Afgh. I have an 08 Coupe and was wondering would it be smart to get rid of my car so that it doesnt sit for 2 years straight.
Here is the deal:
I bought the vette almost 8 months ago for 39,100 with 2K miles
Put brand new tires on it right before I left with 16K miles (tires cost 1300)
The KBB for trade-in is 36,100
CarMax is offering me 30,000
I am curious if ya'll think it would be smart just to take the 9K lost and buy a new vehicle when I get back.
I am not worried about losing the money as much as having a good vehicle to drive when I get back.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
Mike
Here is the deal:
I bought the vette almost 8 months ago for 39,100 with 2K miles
Put brand new tires on it right before I left with 16K miles (tires cost 1300)
The KBB for trade-in is 36,100
CarMax is offering me 30,000
I am curious if ya'll think it would be smart just to take the 9K lost and buy a new vehicle when I get back.
I am not worried about losing the money as much as having a good vehicle to drive when I get back.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
I think you should try to sell privately and if you have to $30k isn't too bad for a trade. The C7 will probably be out when you get back so I would think the C6 market might be in the dump. I think you would do better to sell the car. Just my $.02 Good Luck and thanks for the service.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
I think you should try to sell privately and if you have to $30k isn't too bad for a trade. The C7 will probably be out when you get back so I would think the C6 market might be in the dump. I think you would do better to sell the car. Just my $.02 Good Luck and thanks for the service.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,641
Likes: 464
From: Houston TX
I think you should try to sell privately and if you have to $30k isn't too bad for a trade. The C7 will probably be out when you get back so I would think the C6 market might be in the dump. I think you would do better to sell the car. Just my $.02 Good Luck and thanks for the service.
in fact, in two years, the value of your '08 could even be lower...whatever you do, be safe and thank you for your service
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Rochester IL
If you check back and leave an address or APO, Im sure that several here INCLUDING myself, would be more than willing to send remembrances from home, IE, magazines, candy, or anything else.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
There is some merit to this but the car will sit for 2 years. The OP would be better off selling this one and buying another 08 in 2 years. I don't know how the car would be after sitting 2 years. Also I bet the 08 prices will be ~$25k after the C7 comes out.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Schweinfurt Bayern
I stored my 07 for 15 months while I was Iraq. I couldn't wait to get back and drive her. My advice to you is, if you really love your vette why sell it? It will be there for you when you get back. Stay safe!
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Thread Starter
Instructor
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Michael Cousineau
1225 CSSB SASMO
APO AE 09355
Thank you so much!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
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I do love the car....but dont know how safe it would be to leave it sitting for 24 months
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,641
Likes: 464
From: Houston TX
if you both prepare and store it indoors properly, the car should be OK
(fresh oil & filter, StaBil in the full fuel tank, increase air pressure by about 10-12 lbs cold in each tire,
disconnect the negative battery terminal, steel wool in the ends of the exhaust pipes, small dessicant
bags in the interior footwells, indoor car cover)
the only issue I would be concerned about is some possible drying-out of engine seals...not sure if 24 months
is a bit too long. I have stored cars in the past for the winter (six mo's) but not longer...
maybe some other CF members can chime-in with additional suggestions here...
Last edited by Gary '09 C6; Apr 23, 2011 at 03:01 PM. Reason: sp
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
if you both prepare and store it indoors properly, the car should be OK
(fresh oil & filter, StaBil in the full fuel tank, increase air pressure by about 10-12 lbs cold in each tire,
disconnect the negative battery terminal, steel wool in the ends of the exhaust pipes, small dessicant
bags in the interior footwells, indoor car cover)
the only issue I would be concerned about is some possible drying-out of engine seals...not sure if 24 months
is a bit too long. I have stored cars in the past for the winter (six mo's) but not longer...
maybe some other CF members can chime-in with additional suggestions here...
(fresh oil & filter, StaBil in the full fuel tank, increase air pressure by about 10-12 lbs cold in each tire,
disconnect the negative battery terminal, steel wool in the ends of the exhaust pipes, small dessicant
bags in the interior footwells, indoor car cover)
the only issue I would be concerned about is some possible drying-out of engine seals...not sure if 24 months
is a bit too long. I have stored cars in the past for the winter (six mo's) but not longer...
maybe some other CF members can chime-in with additional suggestions here...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,641
Likes: 464
From: Houston TX
...didn't realize you were going to have someone drive the car regularly during your deployment...that's totally different than storing it, obviously.
you probably only need to have the oil/filter changed once a year, assuming not many miles will be put on the car...
just keep a battery tender on the car all the time while it sits, and you should be fine. I use a Deltran Battery Tender Plus;
others here use a C-TEK 3300. There are also other brands available, but these two appear to be the most popular here on the CF.
Last edited by Gary '09 C6; Apr 23, 2011 at 03:22 PM. Reason: add'l. comment
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,872
Likes: 294
From: St. Louis MO
As others have said, THANK YOU for your service & kick some Taliban A$$.
$30k is way too low. If KBB is $36k, sounds like a well-equipped, lower mileage car ... I'll assume paint, interior are clean. If that's the case, why not put it on Autotrader.com? Spring is here and once the top goes down or can be removed, prices go up! Agree on the C7, but I can't get over how damn ugly that rear end looks. We'll see ...
Be safe.
$30k is way too low. If KBB is $36k, sounds like a well-equipped, lower mileage car ... I'll assume paint, interior are clean. If that's the case, why not put it on Autotrader.com? Spring is here and once the top goes down or can be removed, prices go up! Agree on the C7, but I can't get over how damn ugly that rear end looks. We'll see ...
Be safe.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
As others have said, THANK YOU for your service & kick some Taliban A$$.
$30k is way too low. If KBB is $36k, sounds like a well-equipped, lower mileage car ... I'll assume paint, interior are clean. If that's the case, why not put it on Autotrader.com? Spring is here and once the top goes down or can be removed, prices go up! Agree on the C7, but I can't get over how damn ugly that rear end looks. We'll see ...
Be safe.
$30k is way too low. If KBB is $36k, sounds like a well-equipped, lower mileage car ... I'll assume paint, interior are clean. If that's the case, why not put it on Autotrader.com? Spring is here and once the top goes down or can be removed, prices go up! Agree on the C7, but I can't get over how damn ugly that rear end looks. We'll see ...
Be safe.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Are you making payments on it? If so you know the car will lose value in 1 1/2 to 2 years and then you are throwing money into it anyway. You can concentrate on your duties and coming back safe.
Not surprised about Carmax's offer. That is about 20% below KBB which is about what dealers offer these days. That way they can dump it on the auction if needed and not lose money or sell it and make a killing.
Not surprised about Carmax's offer. That is about 20% below KBB which is about what dealers offer these days. That way they can dump it on the auction if needed and not lose money or sell it and make a killing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Are you making payments on it? If so you know the car will lose value in 1 1/2 to 2 years and then you are throwing money into it anyway. You can concentrate on your duties and coming back safe.
Not surprised about Carmax's offer. That is about 20% below KBB which is about what dealers offer these days. That way they can dump it on the auction if needed and not lose money or sell it and make a killing.
Not surprised about Carmax's offer. That is about 20% below KBB which is about what dealers offer these days. That way they can dump it on the auction if needed and not lose money or sell it and make a killing.
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Your profile dosn't mention what state your from or the car, but if your car is in the NJ NY PA MD DE area there's a great Corvette only broker close by that can handle a sale for you. Conte's Corvettes in Vineland NJ.
Just another option for ya.
Just another option for ya.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 178
From: Jacksonville, NC
Good luck on your deployment. If you have a safe place to store it, I would tell you to keep it. You should get 15 days RR somewhere in there and if you are there 24 months, you should get two 15 day RR breaks. While I didn't have my Vette yet, I did the same thing with my truck and it works great. Just drive the crap out of it while home and then change the oil and re-inflate the tires and put it back in storage.
Then again, if you hold the title, sell it privately, save up the combat pay plus what you get back on your current Vette and buy a newer Vette outright when you return. Stay safe and keep your head on a swivel. My twins leave in the very near future for Afghanistan. It is their first deployment so they are excited and apprehensive.
Then again, if you hold the title, sell it privately, save up the combat pay plus what you get back on your current Vette and buy a newer Vette outright when you return. Stay safe and keep your head on a swivel. My twins leave in the very near future for Afghanistan. It is their first deployment so they are excited and apprehensive.