100k mile corvette thoughts
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: So Cal California
100k mile corvette thoughts
okay being 17 i dont have a bunch of money to go drop on a corvette, so i was looking a vettes and found this one, its got a bunch of miles on it which freaks me out. what do you guys think?http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-...sting=66018377
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: 34°0′34″N 95°30′53″W Indian Territory
Do a Car Fax and have a reputable mechanic (that has NOTHING to do with the seller) do an inspection. If neither of those two items come up negative you might be on to something. The pictures look decent - if the car was abused it should be evident.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 12
From: Manayunk PA
I just recently bought my 08 with 84k miles on the clock... not scared at all. Albeit if something happens I already have a few build ideas in the back of my head but car is becoming my daily driver at least for a nice little period of time. I say go for it but if you plan on modding remember the rule of thumb... if you mod $1000, have $2000 ready incase you need to fix something or go back. These are reliable cars that can bring thousands of miles worth of smiles.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 24
From: Dry Shiddies Washington
You only have so many sunrises and sunsets in life to live. Life is too short to drive boring cars...go after this. The vette is a strong car and you can find more parts and service help all over so don't let the miles scare you away...but don't throw your money away either. You will find on any number of forums folks who have taken on high mileage cars...and you will also find an equal number of hits and misses when it comes to each of these cars.
Suggestion:
1) Carfax is important as has been said above.
2) If you have the money, get a PPI (pre purchase inspection). If something comes up as an issue, you have a negotiation point for a lower price or to have the seller fix.
3) Make sure that you won't get buried under insurance. Affording a car is one thing, the insurance can be a killer.
Post up if you get her and good luck!
Suggestion:
1) Carfax is important as has been said above.
2) If you have the money, get a PPI (pre purchase inspection). If something comes up as an issue, you have a negotiation point for a lower price or to have the seller fix.
3) Make sure that you won't get buried under insurance. Affording a car is one thing, the insurance can be a killer.
Post up if you get her and good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 4
From: 34°0′34″N 95°30′53″W Indian Territory
You only have so many sunrises and sunsets in life to live. Life is too short to drive boring cars...go after this. The vette is a strong car and you can find more parts and service help all over so don't let the miles scare you away...but don't throw your money away either. You will find on any number of forums folks who have taken on high mileage cars...and you will also find an equal number of hits and misses when it comes to each of these cars.
Suggestion:
1) Carfax is important as has been said above.
2) If you have the money, get a PPI (pre purchase inspection). If something comes up as an issue, you have a negotiation point for a lower price or to have the seller fix.
3) Make sure that you won't get buried under insurance. Affording a car is one thing, the insurance can be a killer.
Post up if you get her and good luck!
Suggestion:
1) Carfax is important as has been said above.
2) If you have the money, get a PPI (pre purchase inspection). If something comes up as an issue, you have a negotiation point for a lower price or to have the seller fix.
3) Make sure that you won't get buried under insurance. Affording a car is one thing, the insurance can be a killer.
Post up if you get her and good luck!
And since I mentioned California: I know of a lot of people having an issue with a smog certificate or something to that effect - something we don't have to deal with where I live. I'd make absolutely sure that the car will pass any testing - I would insist the seller provide anything current you may need for registration so you're not on the hook for an expensive repair - maybe something in writing stating the car will pass a smog test or a full refund/undo the deal.
Again, Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 1
From: Ridgewood NJ
I've had two C6's over the 100k mark. My '05 is still being driven spiritedly by its second owner at about 150k miles. So far, no issues.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg Pennsylvania
With that many miles make sure all the proper maintenance has been kept up with. Check the CarFax and definitely give it a good look over.
Just remember, just because the car is $20,000 doesn't mean that it won't end up being a $25,000 car by the time all needed repairs and maintenance are said and done with. Not to mention being able to afford all the upkeep that comes with owning a Corvette.
That being said, my C6 has almost 180,000 fun-filled miles and she still purrs like a kitten.
Just remember, just because the car is $20,000 doesn't mean that it won't end up being a $25,000 car by the time all needed repairs and maintenance are said and done with. Not to mention being able to afford all the upkeep that comes with owning a Corvette.
That being said, my C6 has almost 180,000 fun-filled miles and she still purrs like a kitten.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
If properly maintained, the miles should not be an issue. Modern cars can go a 200K miles if they are taken care of.
For me, it's more of the cosmetics. Seat and carpet wear are fairly common. Fading of interior surfaces. Worst for me is the beating the paint takes. Check out the front end, and behind all the wheels; these areas tend to get rashed pretty bad.
Last piece of advice from me, if it's 100K miles and the car is still stock I would consider it. A modded drive train & 100K miles, I would stay away no matter how nice it looks.
For me, it's more of the cosmetics. Seat and carpet wear are fairly common. Fading of interior surfaces. Worst for me is the beating the paint takes. Check out the front end, and behind all the wheels; these areas tend to get rashed pretty bad.
Last piece of advice from me, if it's 100K miles and the car is still stock I would consider it. A modded drive train & 100K miles, I would stay away no matter how nice it looks.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 247
Likes: 12
From: Canon City CO
You only have so many sunrises and sunsets in life to live. Life is too short to drive boring cars...go after this. The vette is a strong car and you can find more parts and service help all over so don't let the miles scare you away...but don't throw your money away either. You will find on any number of forums folks who have taken on high mileage cars...and you will also find an equal number of hits and misses when it comes to each of these cars.
Suggestion:
1) Carfax is important as has been said above.
2) If you have the money, get a PPI (pre purchase inspection). If something comes up as an issue, you have a negotiation point for a lower price or to have the seller fix.
3) Make sure that you won't get buried under insurance. Affording a car is one thing, the insurance can be a killer.
Post up if you get her and good luck!
Suggestion:
1) Carfax is important as has been said above.
2) If you have the money, get a PPI (pre purchase inspection). If something comes up as an issue, you have a negotiation point for a lower price or to have the seller fix.
3) Make sure that you won't get buried under insurance. Affording a car is one thing, the insurance can be a killer.
Post up if you get her and good luck!
Having the money for insurance is a biggie. What do your parents think. If you get any tickets or any accidents your insurance will skyrocket at your age.Do you have the maturity to handle a Corvette? Be honest about answering this question. When I was your age I wrecked 12 cars. I loved speed. I probably would have killed myself (and any passenger) if I had a Corvette.
All I am saying is I encourage you to think this through!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,260
Likes: 6,461
From: Melbourne, FL
Completely avoiding the age issue...
IMO, I'd rather a well maintained lower mileage C5 over a high mileage C6. Just my opinion.
That said, if you google that VIN, it was wrecked. "Side impact". I'd run away personally. I don't buy wrecked cars, or trust my life on the bet that a shop fixed it right.
IMO, I'd rather a well maintained lower mileage C5 over a high mileage C6. Just my opinion.
That said, if you google that VIN, it was wrecked. "Side impact". I'd run away personally. I don't buy wrecked cars, or trust my life on the bet that a shop fixed it right.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Any modern car will last 200,000 miles and more with proper maintenance. All require maintenance, but the car is as reliable as can be expected, and as low cost to maintain as almost anything out there.
As others have stated, have a independent mechanic who knows Corvettes go over the car thoroughly. And as others have posted, insurance acceptability may be a bigger issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,260
Likes: 6,461
From: Melbourne, FL
I'd be much more inclined to spend $15k and have $5k laying around for emergencies than spending all $20k on a car. Especially one without a warranty, that has been wrecked, has 100k miles, and isn't particularly cheap to fix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 7,244
Likes: 3
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
And that's why you wait to buy those kinds of cars for big money until you have that sort of extra money laying around for fixes.
I'd be much more inclined to spend $15k and have $5k laying around for emergencies than spending all $20k on a car. Especially one without a warranty, that has been wrecked, has 100k miles, and isn't particularly cheap to fix.
I'd be much more inclined to spend $15k and have $5k laying around for emergencies than spending all $20k on a car. Especially one without a warranty, that has been wrecked, has 100k miles, and isn't particularly cheap to fix.
My wife's car was just involved in a "side impact" accident: in a parking lot! $550 to fix, but that will show up on Carfax as an accident. Why will it show? I taught her and my two children (now 25 and 21) to always call the police just to cover their own behinds. Cars get hit, be they three year old Mazda 3s or Corvettes. As has been stated, check it out. Cars are damaged and repaired all the time.
As to having $5K laying around, good advice but most 17 year-old kids don't have that whether they are buying a $15K or a $20K car. That, in most families, falls on Dad's back!
And finally, as I stated before, no car is cheap to fix. Those days are gone.