Help With Bucket List
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Help With Bucket List
I'm not getting any younger so it's time to buy my first Corvette. I want a car that is comfortable enough to take on a road trip with my wife so a late model C6, preferably an '08 or later. As I will never drive the car to its full potential, I will stick with a base model or maybe a Grand Sport. A completely stock car with no aftermarket mods is preferred. Since I already have a late model BMW Z4 I am leaning toward a Coupe. I am open to any guidance on locating a nice low mileage, pristine car. Is it worth buying from a dealer in order to get a CPO car? If I find one from a private seller, should I consider an extended warranty? Any major differences in the '08 or '09 models? Are there any potential problem areas I should be aware of? Thanks for any help. I am in western MD. PMs are welcome.
Last edited by rmorin1249; Sep 3, 2012 at 01:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
You will not be disapointed in buying any coupe, especially 2008 and above. As you already mentioned, the c6 is a very comfortable ride on road trips. My wife and I do at least one long (2-4K miles) road trip a year, with many other weekenders during the summer, and we never have any issues with fatigue or sore muscles etc after any day of driving in the coupe.
I personally bought a CPO from a forum dealer, and when I was looking around at prices, the dealers were pretty much in synch with any private seller for the same mileage cars. A coupe will be a bit less expensive than the same year vert.
I also looked for a fully loaded 3LT including Nav. The way I looked at it, there was not enough difference in cost between a bare bone, and 3LT when I bought to steer me towards a bare bone car.
I may not use all the options, but I have them if I need them.
I really like the Nav in the C6, mainly because the directions show up on the HUD. A lot of members use Garmin or other portable units instead of getting the built in Nav as an option.
There is alot of forum dealer listed, and most will give comparable deals, I would think.
Good Luck with your search. Once you buy, make sure to post pics so we can all drool over your new ride
I personally bought a CPO from a forum dealer, and when I was looking around at prices, the dealers were pretty much in synch with any private seller for the same mileage cars. A coupe will be a bit less expensive than the same year vert.
I also looked for a fully loaded 3LT including Nav. The way I looked at it, there was not enough difference in cost between a bare bone, and 3LT when I bought to steer me towards a bare bone car.
I may not use all the options, but I have them if I need them.
I really like the Nav in the C6, mainly because the directions show up on the HUD. A lot of members use Garmin or other portable units instead of getting the built in Nav as an option.
There is alot of forum dealer listed, and most will give comparable deals, I would think.
Good Luck with your search. Once you buy, make sure to post pics so we can all drool over your new ride
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
You will not be disapointed in buying any coupe, especially 2008 and above. As you already mentioned, the c6 is a very comfortable ride on road trips. My wife and I do at least one long (2-4K miles) road trip a year, with many other weekenders during the summer, and we never have any issues with fatigue or sore muscles etc after any day of driving in the coupe.
I personally bought a CPO from a forum dealer, and when I was looking around at prices, the dealers were pretty much in synch with any private seller for the same mileage cars. A coupe will be a bit less expensive than the same year vert.
I also looked for a fully loaded 3LT including Nav. The way I looked at it, there was not enough difference in cost between a bare bone, and 3LT when I bought to steer me towards a bare bone car.
I may not use all the options, but I have them if I need them.
I really like the Nav in the C6, mainly because the directions show up on the HUD. A lot of members use Garmin or other portable units instead of getting the built in Nav as an option.
There is alot of forum dealer listed, and most will give comparable deals, I would think.
Good Luck with your search. Once you buy, make sure to post pics so we can all drool over your new ride
I personally bought a CPO from a forum dealer, and when I was looking around at prices, the dealers were pretty much in synch with any private seller for the same mileage cars. A coupe will be a bit less expensive than the same year vert.
I also looked for a fully loaded 3LT including Nav. The way I looked at it, there was not enough difference in cost between a bare bone, and 3LT when I bought to steer me towards a bare bone car.
I may not use all the options, but I have them if I need them.
I really like the Nav in the C6, mainly because the directions show up on the HUD. A lot of members use Garmin or other portable units instead of getting the built in Nav as an option.
There is alot of forum dealer listed, and most will give comparable deals, I would think.
Good Luck with your search. Once you buy, make sure to post pics so we can all drool over your new ride
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
...Is it worth buying from a dealer in order to get a CPO car? If I find one from a private seller, should I consider an extended warranty? Any major differences in the '08 or '09 models? Are there any potential problem areas I should be aware of? Thanks for any help. I am in western MD. PMs are welcome.
You're probably looking at mid- to upper-$30k's for a typical-option (3LT) 08/09 CPO Corvette from a dealer.
But for a once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list purchase, might as well get a new C6 -- that's what I did! And right now is a great time to buy new... leftover 2012's have big discounts & other incentives (0% financing?).
And for a little more, I expect you could order a new 2013 base model C6 for mid-$40k's. Also consider contacting forum dealer Kerbeck Chevy in Atlantic City: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-d...ted-daily.html
But the 2013 model year will be shorter than usual (the all-new 2014 C7 debuts early next year). So if you're ordering new, it'll have to be soon.
Enjoy your search!
Last edited by CO Lightfoot; Sep 3, 2012 at 02:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
Thanks for the encouragement. Need to sell one of my Bimmers, probably the 635CSi, before I get the Vett so I can garage it. Criswell is just down the road and seems to be a large volume dealer so a visit in a few weeks is planned. Anyone familiar with the used Vett dealer in West Chester, PA? My local dealer, Hoffman, almost never has a Vett in stock. I need to test drive a car as I have never driven a C6.
I had never driven one either. I flew in to Dayton, they picked me up at the airport, and we drove to St Mary's and 1.5 hours later, I was on the road, 1250 miles from home
. I found the C6 really easy to get used to.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19,694
Likes: 10,187
From: www.corvettefurman.com Gaithersburg, Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12, '15
301 212 4420 Mike Furman www.criswellcorvette.com
I sent you an email reply to what you had emailed into our company. Thanks for the opportunity. www.criswellcorvette.com
Mike Furman
301 212 4420
Criswell Chevrolet
Mike Furman
301 212 4420
Criswell Chevrolet
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
I'm not getting any younger so it's time to buy my first Corvette. I want a car that is comfortable enough to take on a road trip with my wife so a late model C6, preferably an '08 or later. As I will never drive the car to its full potential, I will stick with a base model or maybe a Grand Sport. A completely stock car with no aftermarket mods is preferred. Since I already have a late model BMW Z4 I am leaning toward a Coupe. I am open to any guidance on locating a nice low mileage, pristine car. Is it worth buying from a dealer in order to get a CPO car? If I find one from a private seller, should I consider an extended warranty? Any major differences in the '08 or '09 models? Are there any potential problem areas I should be aware of? Thanks for any help. I am in western MD. PMs are welcome.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 385
Likes: 26
From: Cape Cod
I'm not getting any younger so it's time to buy my first Corvette. I want a car that is comfortable enough to take on a road trip with my wife so a late model C6, preferably an '08 or later. As I will never drive the car to its full potential, I will stick with a base model or maybe a Grand Sport. A completely stock car with no aftermarket mods is preferred. Since I already have a late model BMW Z4 I am leaning toward a Coupe. I am open to any guidance on locating a nice low mileage, pristine car. Is it worth buying from a dealer in order to get a CPO car? If I find one from a private seller, should I consider an extended warranty? Any major differences in the '08 or '09 models? Are there any potential problem areas I should be aware of? Thanks for any help. I am in western MD. PMs are welcome.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 2
From: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
If you want a C6 that is really comfortable on long trips you will want the standard coupe equipped with the optional F55 Magnetic Adjustible Suspension that adjusts the shocks independently on all four wheels in milliseconds to road conditions, and avoid ones with the optional Z51 sport suspension which is more suitable for autocrossing on smooth, flat sufaces on warm, dry days.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,667
Likes: 159
If I were going to buy a used vette for road trips with my wife, I would do as you are thinking, get a 2008 or newer, get one with the F55 magnetic ride suspension, and I would also get the Michelin all season run flat tires for it (if it is a base C6).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 8
From: orange county n.y.
I can't tell you what to buy but I can tell you what I did. I have two Mercedes 2008 and 2011 and two Corvettes 1995 and 2003. I needed a change and I wanted the wife to ride in the Corvettes for vacations. I went out and bought a 2012 Grand Sport and never looked back. She loves it and loves the NPP exhaust with the M2W switch. Now she loves the Corvette. I sold the 2003 to make room for the 2012. NO regrets!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 642
Likes: 11
From: Reno, NV
I sent you an email reply to what you had emailed into our company. Thanks for the opportunity. www.criswellcorvette.com
Mike Furman
301 212 4420
Criswell Chevrolet
Mike Furman
301 212 4420
Criswell Chevrolet
OP. If you're interested in a private sale, use the forum classifieds. We all watch out for eachother and are pretty much aware of what the car is worth. Good luck with your hunt?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 163
Likes: 6
From: Nashville Arkansas
I, too, was looking to fulfill my bucket list. I wound up with a brand new 2011 LT3 Coupe with Nav and NPP that my local dealer had. I am in a small town so the demand is not very high for Vettes and he had this in the showroom for quite a while. I still didn't think I could spend that much be he needed to sell it pretty bad so I got a great deal and it followed me home. Keep looking, the deals are out there, sometimes in the most unlikely places. Good luck. Jim
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
I, too, was looking to fulfill my bucket list. I wound up with a brand new 2011 LT3 Coupe with Nav and NPP that my local dealer had. I am in a small town so the demand is not very high for Vettes and he had this in the showroom for quite a while. I still didn't think I could spend that much be he needed to sell it pretty bad so I got a great deal and it followed me home. Keep looking, the deals are out there, sometimes in the most unlikely places. Good luck. Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 416
From: hardyston new jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'25
A 2012 or 2013 2LT coupe would be perfect. They will have the new seats, HUD and Nav. You don't need to much else. The only option on the 3LT that I miss on occasion is the memory seats. As a previous poster said, you will find them in the mid $40,000. I went for the the 2LT in June and still have a smile on my face.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
If you want a C6 that is really comfortable on long trips you will want the standard coupe equipped with the optional F55 Magnetic Adjustible Suspension that adjusts the shocks independently on all four wheels in milliseconds to road conditions, and avoid ones with the optional Z51 sport suspension which is more suitable for autocrossing on smooth, flat sufaces on warm, dry days.
I have over 45K miles on my car, mostly road trips, and I agree that when I had the GY tires on it, it rode rough, but when I went to the Firestones Wide Ovals, it was night and day difference in ride, road noise , and especially running on rain filled roads.
I do agree that the F55 suspension will offer a softer ride for sure.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 91,519
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From: o|||||||o
CI 4-5-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '11
I bought mine from Bud's Chevy in Ohio (Foum dealer). They also post on Autotrader.com and other sites as well. I found the car from Bud's on autotrader, searching for dealers only.
I had never driven one either. I flew in to Dayton, they picked me up at the airport, and we drove to St Mary's and 1.5 hours later, I was on the road, 1250 miles from home. I found the C6 really easy to get used to.
I had never driven one either. I flew in to Dayton, they picked me up at the airport, and we drove to St Mary's and 1.5 hours later, I was on the road, 1250 miles from home
. I found the C6 really easy to get used to.