Hello all!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 4
From: Ft Smith, AR
Hello all!
I am new to the Forum and have already learned a lot about the best vehicle on the road, the Corvette! I have never owned one, but have wanted one since I was about ten years old....I'm 51 now and it's time to stop wanting and start buying! I am looking for 2008-2013 base or GS, manual, for $35K or less. I have already found so many better deals on here than just mindlessly scanning Carguru and Auto Trader. Thanks for any advice in advance on what to expect with first time ownership of one of these great cars! I live in Fort Smith, AR. Thanks for having me!
Donnie
Donnie
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Going to move this to the C6 General section where you should get some great advice on the cars you are looking to purchase.
Welcome and best of luck with your search.
Welcome and best of luck with your search.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 552
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Welcome. The standard advice is to buy the newest car you can afford. When you get a VIN ask your local Chevy dealer to run a VIS vehicle history report on service. Buying a Carfax report can't hurt either - they are sometimes missing things, but it's another source of information. And if possible have a mechanic inspect it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 2,211
From: San Antonio, TX
welcome. You are like many of us that wanted a Corvette as a child or for as long as we can remember but life or priorities get in the way.
I think the major decisions are:
Coupe or Convertible
narrow or wide body
color
transmission
Everything else is just options and can me added or modified later
some of most popular options that some can’t live without and others can are:
dual mode exhaust (sometimes referee to as the NPP exhaust)
HUD = Head Up Display
Magnetic Ride Control
Nav Radio - I have this and don’t mind it, most say it’s crap
best of luck in your search,
Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 1,309
From: North Little Rock, AR
Welcome to the forum. I can’t add a lot that has not already been said. My advice is determine exactly what you want and look for that car. That would include coupe/vert, auto/manual, options, color, budget, mods/not, mileage, and distance willing to travel. Took me a little over 4 months to find mine but I only looked at cars that checked every box.
As you can tell from my avatar…Go Hogs…
As you can tell from my avatar…Go Hogs…
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 213
Likes: 92
From: Wisconsin
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
A couple of items to watch for or have checked out;
Harmonic balancer.... check for wobble
Driver's side fuel tank gas smell. find out if it had the problem and if it was repaired. make sure it is full of gas drive it around and smell for it. Also look and smell by rear drivers tire for gas smell.
Power extend steering column .... Make sure it extends and retracts without effort or noise.
Starter... look for baked or cracked terminals on starter.
Roof panel... Look and listen to make sure it is tight with no rattles.
Convertible.... be aware the tension straps stretch with age and the window will bump when opening and closing top. Easy repair....
Tires.... check the date codes If you replace them consider non run flat tires The difference is night and day for ride quality and noise. With new tires consider tire warranty from tires plus...
Make sure it is aligned for street driving if you are not tracking it. They come set up for track driving and the front tires will wear prematurely if you are just using it for pleasure driving.
If buying from a dealer consider an extended warranty for these items.
Enjoy the ride, I take mine on 2000 mile plus trips.
Ron
Harmonic balancer.... check for wobble
Driver's side fuel tank gas smell. find out if it had the problem and if it was repaired. make sure it is full of gas drive it around and smell for it. Also look and smell by rear drivers tire for gas smell.
Power extend steering column .... Make sure it extends and retracts without effort or noise.
Starter... look for baked or cracked terminals on starter.
Roof panel... Look and listen to make sure it is tight with no rattles.
Convertible.... be aware the tension straps stretch with age and the window will bump when opening and closing top. Easy repair....
Tires.... check the date codes If you replace them consider non run flat tires The difference is night and day for ride quality and noise. With new tires consider tire warranty from tires plus...
Make sure it is aligned for street driving if you are not tracking it. They come set up for track driving and the front tires will wear prematurely if you are just using it for pleasure driving.
If buying from a dealer consider an extended warranty for these items.
Enjoy the ride, I take mine on 2000 mile plus trips.
Ron
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Verdad Gallardo
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Eastern
Welcome and good luck in your search. As mentioned, based on your budget, buy the newest year that you can, with the option group, transmission and color that you want. Each year, there have been improvements in many areas, from interior trim, to better steering, reae end differential improvement, to engine upgrades, etc. etc.
It took me about 6 months to find exactly the one I wanted. I didn't want to have to say later, I wish I had..
I purchased a 2006 in 2009, low mileage with 3LT options because I wanted the adjustable lumbar and side bolsters for our many road trips thst we gad planned for this C6. It has privided us with 80,000 miles of road trip enjoyment of the 112,000 miles presently on the clock. Still brings a smile everytime I start it up.
It took me about 6 months to find exactly the one I wanted. I didn't want to have to say later, I wish I had..
I purchased a 2006 in 2009, low mileage with 3LT options because I wanted the adjustable lumbar and side bolsters for our many road trips thst we gad planned for this C6. It has privided us with 80,000 miles of road trip enjoyment of the 112,000 miles presently on the clock. Still brings a smile everytime I start it up.
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Jan 29, 2022 at 03:50 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 500
Likes: 343
From: Raleigh, NC
I have had my first Corvette for about a year and I keep asking myself what took so long to get one! I swear I honestly will just go look at it sitting in the garage and smile. 
This place is a wealth of knowledge, ask any and all questions you have. This is by far the best car forum I have ever been a member of.
As others have said, figure out exactly what you want and don't settle. I was lucky enough to find the exact color, options etc. 15 minutes from my house! That doesn't happen too often. The harmonic balancer and tires are two big things that have been mentioned already and will probably even be mentioned again. Check them! One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is the lower radiator support. A lot of people hit parking blocks and curbs with these cars and the lower radiator support gets cracked/broken.
Whatever you decide to get, post pictures! And always, always ask questions! The people on here know so much!
Good luck with your search!
This place is a wealth of knowledge, ask any and all questions you have. This is by far the best car forum I have ever been a member of.
As others have said, figure out exactly what you want and don't settle. I was lucky enough to find the exact color, options etc. 15 minutes from my house! That doesn't happen too often. The harmonic balancer and tires are two big things that have been mentioned already and will probably even be mentioned again. Check them! One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is the lower radiator support. A lot of people hit parking blocks and curbs with these cars and the lower radiator support gets cracked/broken.
Whatever you decide to get, post pictures! And always, always ask questions! The people on here know so much!
Good luck with your search!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 22
From: Lewistown Ohio
Welcome Donnie,
Our stories about wanting to own a corvette sound " very " similar. Only my 1st was a POS 1990 base coupe ( I was in a hurry to own a corvette ). So
best advise " patience weed hopper ". Use the wealth of knowledge the people on this forum have and are more than willing to share. I'm not kidding
when I say, I believe some on here know these cars better than the people who built them. Again welcome ! Oh, did I say " patience weed hopper "
Our stories about wanting to own a corvette sound " very " similar. Only my 1st was a POS 1990 base coupe ( I was in a hurry to own a corvette ). So
best advise " patience weed hopper ". Use the wealth of knowledge the people on this forum have and are more than willing to share. I'm not kidding
when I say, I believe some on here know these cars better than the people who built them. Again welcome ! Oh, did I say " patience weed hopper "
