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First post guys, so be gentle! I'm a newbie to the Corvette world. Getting rid of my 2011 Road Glide to pick up a vert (Here's a pic in case anybody's interested in a trade!). So here's the question:
I can get into an 05 or 06 year model pretty easily or I can wait and save up to get into a later model. (I've even read on the forum that the 2014 C7s will drop in price in the next 6-12 months.) While I don't like to, I can delay gratification if doing so results in something I can be happy with a long time.
What do you think? Buy now, older and/or with more miles, or wait and save a bit more? Thanks in advance! Can't wait to join the party.
You can wait until you had the money to get a later C6 like a Grand Sport or even an early C7.......It all depends on how fast you want to get going and how much bucks you got......Lots of nice C5 Z's our there or early C6's.....I'm not much on waiting especially with the season upon us......
Getting exactly the "right" one is important, but do you even know what the "right" one is? I would gladly take back any of my five previous Vettes, and about the only thing I knew when I was buying the first three was that they were a Vette. There are a limited number of days remaining in your life and every day you delay the purchase is just one more Vetteless day in your life.
I ended up buying a very nice '07 two years ago, knowing that '08s and up had a lot of improvements, but I have no regrets.
What pushed me over the top was my buddy telling me something like: Do you want to drive a Vette this spring or keep looking and wait until next year?
FWIW: I'm 65 and that DOES make a difference. I sold my '88 Softail last spring after riding motorcycles for 45 years, and surviving going down twice. That phase of my life was over and I wanted to move on to something safer.
For me, low miles and absolutely bone-stock were my two criteria that I would not budge on. YMMV.
The million $ question is depending on your budget.
That is what will determine where you can go with the year and model.
While all the answers above are good, this one above is it. Just exactly how much do you have now and does it fit with what you want to buy in an '05 or later? And then, how much can you save in say 3 months or 6 or 12 that will take you to which next model year car (say, an '09 or '12 or '13---the last model year for the C6)?
I mean, if you save enuff and wait long enuff you can probably buy a new one. So, the general rule is to:
- look for exactly what are the features and write-ups (on here, for instance of issues and great stuff)
- and then the model years and equipment you want,
- and then to know that it is wisest to buy the latest year with the lowest miles you can comfortably afford.
That also means, it's a good idea for when the time comes to buy, you need to be ready to pounce, which means not waiting for the sale of the motorcycle---it has to be sold with cash in hand.
Depending on what you want, and how far you're willing to travel, it may take weeks or months to find what you want. If you're not picky, it could take hours.
This is my method, maybe not yours. Is it really anything new to you because I doubt it.
It all depends on what you want. I bought a fully optioned 05 convertible with 14k miles that looked like it came off the showroom floor (garage queen) and kept my 13 Limited.
with post #5. Save your money, sell the bike around mid summer to add towards your corvette savings and buy what you can afford without going in over your head. I happened to cruise over to the new generation camaro forum the other day and I couldn't believe this one member had a monthly payment of, get this, $2,000.00 a month!!!! Paying that kind of money for a car? And on top of that, a camaro???
Most of these guys posting have a lot more years of wisdom than I do. They are giving you good advice. Only thing I can say is that I looked for about 6-7 months before I bought. I didn't get "exactly" what I wanted...because it's almost impossible to find exactly what I wanted. The color combo, trim level, Grand Sport, year range, price range....there's no way I was going to get closer than what I got and that's when I pulled the trigger.
I think that if you already know what you want color and options wise...that's the most important. Year and mileage come in after the others in my opinion. Most of these cars were taken care of and will yield years of enjoyment if you continue to care for them.
Sounds like you are "flexible" and , like a number here have said: depends upon how long you want to "wait" and the economics of it all....that being said it IS a good thing to "not rush" and make a mistake! You want one that makes you happy in the long run! Maybe you have already done this...but perhaps attend a local Vette show in your area...look at the cars, talk to the guys? I did that prior to my first Vette purchase and learned a lot!
with post #5. Save your money, sell the bike around mid summer to add towards your corvette savings and buy what you can afford without going in over your head. I happened to cruise over to the new generation camaro forum the other day and I couldn't believe this one member had a monthly payment of, get this, $2,000.00 a month!!!! Paying that kind of money for a car? And on top of that, a camaro???
Amazing! Talk about driving something you can't afford.
Just because someone offers you the credit doesn't mean you should necessarily take it.
A guy I worked for in the '70s told me that the (old European) rule of thumb for a home mortgage was: You should be able to pay your mortgage AND buy your groceries with ONE weekly paycheck.
Haha, how far have we sunk since that wise advice?
At some point the rubber band will break. Apparently 2008 wasn't the time. How many years out can car loans go? Not much farther, I don't think, and cars are getting increasingly expensive with all the government mandates.
Oh well. Just claim bankruptcy and move on. No problem!
I think the answer to your question is really a combination of the two options you provided. Find what you want and then get it.
All model years for the C6 are good. Later models had more options but don't get all wrapped up in that. Find a good looking, low miles car and get in it. You can always trade "up" later.
I would do some reading here first though. Take a look at the FAQs on the top of this page in the "stickies" section. Huge amount of information on the various model years and problems, both resolved and not. It will help you through the process.
I bought my first Vette in 2012 on a lark. It was a 2007 base coupe. I was thrilled with it. The dealer called me a year later with a super low mile 2009 convertible and I traded the 07 for it. I am on number four now, a 2008 convertible I bought last year. My point is that this is your first Vette, not your last...
Amazing! Talk about driving something you can't afford.
Just because someone offers you the credit doesn't mean you should necessarily take it.
A guy I worked for in the '70s told me that the (old European) rule of thumb for a home mortgage was: You should be able to pay your mortgage AND buy your groceries with ONE weekly paycheck.
Haha, how far have we sunk since that wise advice?
At some point the rubber band will break. Apparently 2008 wasn't the time. How many years out can car loans go? Not much farther, I don't think, and cars are getting increasingly expensive with all the government mandates.
Oh well. Just claim bankruptcy and move on. No problem!
Bruce, I was completely dumbfounded with some of those monthly payments. Some guy on the camaro forum asked people what kind of monthly payments they had on their cars and I almost fell out of my chair. I didn't read all the way thru, when I got to the clown paying 2 grand for a camaro I had to stop. It's funny but yet it isn't, if you catch my drift. If I were paying that much a month for a car it would be a new Z06, that's for sure.
I ended up buying a very nice '07 two years ago, knowing that '08s and up had a lot of improvements, but I have no regrets.
What pushed me over the top was my buddy telling me something like: Do you want to drive a Vette this spring or keep looking and wait until next year?
FWIW: I'm 65 and that DOES make a difference. I sold my '88 Softail last spring after riding motorcycles for 45 years, and surviving going down twice. That phase of my life was over and I wanted to move on to something safer.
For me, low miles and absolutely bone-stock were my two criteria that I would not budge on. YMMV.
Basically did the same thing and purchase a very low mileage model 06 with all the options with no regrets at all. Life is to short to not own a American sports car like the vette....
Last edited by extrapilot; Apr 7, 2016 at 12:12 PM.
From: Caught between the moon and New York City TX
Buy it now. You can always trade up later, if there is a "later".
Full disclosure: At my age I've quit buying green bananas and I've had about 12 different Vettes in the last few years. Loved them all and the next one was always better than the last.
Makes no difference what year or model you buy....as long as it's in your price range... BUY IT.....If this is your FIRST Vette you are going to kick yourself for NOT getting one SOONER....Good Luck in your search....
General question
with post #5. Save your money, sell the bike around mid summer to add towards your corvette savings and buy what you can afford without going in over your head. I happened to cruise over to the new generation camaro forum the other day and I couldn't believe this one member had a monthly payment of, get this, $2,000.00 a month!!!! Paying that kind of money for a car? And on top of that, a camaro???
I didn't read all the way thru, when I got to the clown paying 2 grand for a camaro I had to stop. It's funny but yet it isn't, if you catch my drift.
If I were paying that much a month for a car it would be a new Z06, that's for sure.
