Potential c6 owner
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
Potential c6 owner
Hello everyone I’m currently in a search for a 2008+ ls3 vette. I’m in a position to afford the car and seeing as I’m 20 and most of my close friends have sports cars I’m now in a position to comfortably afford this machine. HOWEVER…. due to the market being what it is and seeing a downtrend in car sales I prematurely sold my reliable f150 with almost half a million on the dash. So now I’m carless and shopping for a 08+ vette as a daily / Friday night fun car. My commute everyday is 10 minutes to work and that’s about it. I live in the DFW area and the market is just horrid as from what I can tell. I know about the harmonic balancer wobble , gas tank fumes but what else should I look for? Should I buy a daily and hold until I can find a better deal? Alll 40-70k mile c6s are in the 28-33k range and I can’t see myself spending that. I’ve done some research and ready to cash out buy I just don’t want to end up with a money pit especially since this will be my first true sports car. Any thoughts ? What to look for? Appreciate everyone’s time if you’ve gotten this far! Feel free to ask me anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 6,824
Likes: 278
From: SE Ohio
I’ve owned my 09 since Aug. of 21. I tried to do a lot of research and searched for 08-13 like yourself. My understanding was the HB was more of an issue with LS2 engines. After a month, I found a 5,000 mile base 09 1LT 6MT. After 13 months and over 1,600 miles (live in Ohio so a few months in the garage) and have had no issues so far. Best of luck on your search. Based on my singular experience, I think these are great cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
If you are highly concerned about finances, then a C6 may not be the sports car for you right now. You'll most likely have an issue to repair in a used '08 or '09 within the first few months, even with under 40,000 miles on it. Then there's the inevitable urge to mod it and you won't have the cash to do it. You need to buy food and pay the rent.
However, if you can find an LS3 with under 25k miles on it, and it's in your price range...Maaaaaaybe?
However, if you can find an LS3 with under 25k miles on it, and it's in your price range...Maaaaaaybe?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
yes I’ve priced insurance and gas but that won’t be an issue and I don’t mind spending that for some fun. since I don’t drive much and I don’t mind filling up at the end of the week twice. Worse comes to worse I just buy another gas friendly daily car or stick to my sisters older car.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
If you are highly concerned about finances, then a C6 may not be the sports car for you right now. You'll most likely have an issue to repair in a used '08 or '09 within the first few months, even with under 40,000 miles on it. Then there's the inevitable urge to mod it and you won't have the cash to do it. You need to buy food and pay the rent.
However, if you can find an LS3 with under 25k miles on it, and it's in your price range...Maaaaaaybe?
However, if you can find an LS3 with under 25k miles on it, and it's in your price range...Maaaaaaybe?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
I’ve owned my 09 since Aug. of 21. I tried to do a lot of research and searched for 08-13 like yourself. My understanding was the HB was more of an issue with LS2 engines. After a month, I found a 5,000 mile base 09 1LT 6MT. After 13 months and over 1,600 miles (live in Ohio so a few months in the garage) and have had no issues so far. Best of luck on your search. Based on my singular experience, I think these are great cars.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
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Likes: 5
P.S - I’m a college student living with parents and very few payments. I’ll be making 60k salary this upcoming year & Rent isn’t an issue.
Last edited by Aztec; Sep 17, 2022 at 10:23 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,282
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From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
How come? It’ll be a daily so my commute 10 to work 10 back + lunch time drive to the nearest macdonalds and then maybe go hangout with my girlfriend after M-F. The car won’t be sitting more than a couple days at a time if any. Maybe a week during the winter but that’s about it. Should I look into that as well? Thanks !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 6,824
Likes: 278
From: SE Ohio
I looked at an LS2 Vette with about 30k miles before finding my 09. Miles. It had a wobbly HB. I found estimates of $1,200+ to fix - I passed. My BIL has a 98 with LS1, he’s a pretty fair shade tree mechanic and replaced the HB on his himself - bought 2 new tools and said it was a PITA.
Work and service on Corvettes seem to be more expensive than your typical Chevy but not import performance expensive. My limited experience is that these are pretty well made cars, but like buying any used car, care from previous owner(s) will affect its reliability. Unless you personally know the previous owner, you check services records (if available) and CarFax, and inspect it in person the best you can. Still, it’s a bit of a crap shoot.
Work and service on Corvettes seem to be more expensive than your typical Chevy but not import performance expensive. My limited experience is that these are pretty well made cars, but like buying any used car, care from previous owner(s) will affect its reliability. Unless you personally know the previous owner, you check services records (if available) and CarFax, and inspect it in person the best you can. Still, it’s a bit of a crap shoot.
Last edited by Brent4880; Sep 17, 2022 at 03:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,309
Likes: 2,211
From: San Antonio, TX
Did you ever say what your budget is? The first post mentions, "some are $28-$33k range and I can’t see myself spending that."
Also, I didn't see anywhere that you indicated if you wanted an Auto or Manual transmission.
Do you have a preference on color? Or will any color do as long as it meets your budget and mileage concerns?
Have you checked Corvette Warehouse in Dallas? They have several C6 in the high $20's or low $30's. I've gone in there several times and they seem to buy clean good looking cars.
All Inventory (corvettewarehouse.com)
Look at autotrader.. I set the distance of 300 miles from DFW and there's 7 used C6 under $28K.
Hell there's even a 2010 GS in Oklahoma for $27,995 w/ 52k miles. Not sure if there's anything wrong with it other than the headlights look jacked up, but it's worth taking a look.
Also, I didn't see anywhere that you indicated if you wanted an Auto or Manual transmission.
Do you have a preference on color? Or will any color do as long as it meets your budget and mileage concerns?
Have you checked Corvette Warehouse in Dallas? They have several C6 in the high $20's or low $30's. I've gone in there several times and they seem to buy clean good looking cars.
All Inventory (corvettewarehouse.com)
Look at autotrader.. I set the distance of 300 miles from DFW and there's 7 used C6 under $28K.
Hell there's even a 2010 GS in Oklahoma for $27,995 w/ 52k miles. Not sure if there's anything wrong with it other than the headlights look jacked up, but it's worth taking a look.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,139
Likes: 80
From: Los Angeles CA
to a reasonable amount yes. I looked around and the harmonic balancer was something that could be fixed for 1200$. I don’t mind fixing up a car but I don’t want to end up giving it plastic survey. I know coming into these cars the issues + I also have a very good mechanic I trust and any minor issue I can probably fix myself. I just don’t want to have an engine blow up on me.
P.S - I’m a college student living with parents and very few payments. I’ll be making 60k salary this upcoming year & Rent isn’t an issue.
P.S - I’m a college student living with parents and very few payments. I’ll be making 60k salary this upcoming year & Rent isn’t an issue.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
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From: Question Government
It's all fun and games, being single with a Corvette...BUT, throw a girlfriend or wife & kids, or loss of job into the mix and it can all change and become a problem.
This public service announcement was brought to you by "Corvette Dream Crushers"
This public service announcement was brought to you by "Corvette Dream Crushers"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,309
Likes: 2,211
From: San Antonio, TX
OP buy the car that you like and not worry about what others think. You only live once and most of us wish we had a Corvette at 20.
Of course conventional wisdom would say finish college, find your own place, get married and have kids, have a ton of money in your 401K, your kids college fund paid for and then buy the Corvette.
Then you could fit the typical Corvette owner age of 59 or so. I'm 48 for what it's worth and bought my 1st Vette at 39. I wish I would have bought my 1st Vette in 1999 when I finished college.
So screw that, get it now and have a ******* blast.
Last edited by jbc1995fb; Sep 17, 2022 at 03:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 21
Likes: 5
LMAO.
OP buy the car that you like and not worry about what others think. You only live once and most of us wish we had a Corvette at 20.
Of course conventional wisdom would say finish college, find your own place, get married and have kids, have a ton of money in your 401K, your kids college fund paid for and then buy the Corvette.
Then you could fit the typical Corvette owner age of 59 or so. I'm 48 for what it's worth and bought my 1st Vette at 39. I wish I would have bought my 1st Vette in 1999 when I finished college.
So screw that, get it now and have a ******* blast.
OP buy the car that you like and not worry about what others think. You only live once and most of us wish we had a Corvette at 20.
Of course conventional wisdom would say finish college, find your own place, get married and have kids, have a ton of money in your 401K, your kids college fund paid for and then buy the Corvette.
Then you could fit the typical Corvette owner age of 59 or so. I'm 48 for what it's worth and bought my 1st Vette at 39. I wish I would have bought my 1st Vette in 1999 when I finished college.
So screw that, get it now and have a ******* blast.