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I have been shopping for my C7 for the last 9 months and can't decide if I am better off looking for a 2014/15 with 10-15k miles on it or spend the extra 10,000 and buy it new- anyone with advise? I know buying a corvette should not be a financial decision but 10k is 10k!
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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For the right car that has been well maintained and cared for, nothing wrong with getting a used one. Remember that the 14/15 cars came with a longer power train warranty, although the bumper to bumper warranty would obviously be less on a used car. For the savings, consider an extended warranty that would cover almost everything on the car (GMPP or GMEPP for example).
Admittedly, there are obvious pros and cons for either choice. Still, there's nothing quite as sweet as a brand new Corvette, especially one that you ordered exactly how you wanted it. I did it twice and am 100% convinced that my enjoyment of the cars has been enhanced because of it. YMMV.
I have bought most of my cars as new, wanted the new warranty, also did not want to chance a Corvette that had been used, well maintained or not. I have bought several used cars over the years and had good luck with them, although they were not 45,000-55,000 dollar cars.
The '14-'15 year model cars had a better warranty when new, a '15 will still have a bunch left. The difference would be the standard features in the 2lt and 3lt which would be the front facing cameras, a nice addition. Also the new wheels are better looking on the base car.
It would be a tough choice between a nicely optioned '15 and a new lesser optioned '16. As there are some good deals out there on in stock '16 year model cars, i think that I would go with the new car and get the upgrades, and lesser warranty. I have always liked breaking in my car, if it breaks...my bad.
Which ever you do you won't go wrong the C7 is a great car, you will love it. Good luck.
I prefer buying new, but have considered buying used before. I like the idea of being the first owner enough to paid for it. One of the thing i always hated about used was that you dont always know how the person treated the car.
But if i were to buy used, it would have to have some warranty left. I think people are crazy to buy cars used without warranty.
I jest bought a 16 new. In retrospect I feel that the front camera and d wheel can be added to a 15 LT 3 for not much . And looks ... a C7 is a c7 new or used .
6 Mos ago not as many less money 15s today I would go for a 15 with more warenty and save 6to10 k.
Good luck either way you will enjoy a C7 stingray! !!!
I've bought several newer used cars and have had great results.
Do some checking when you find something you like.
Good Luck
This. New is not necessarily better.
Financially the smart person lets the other person eat the depreciation. Cars are 99.9% of the time a depreciating asset. If you find a clean used one you like with good remaining warranty, that is the best move. Use your savings on something else.
If you've been looking for 9 months, have you recorded your data on a spreadsheet? It helps to make the information visible. I did and the data talked to me, helping to recognize what was a good deal and what wasn't. I just bought, this week, a 14 with Z-51, 2LT, mag ride, Nav, dual mode exhaust and it's certified adding one year to the warranty. I paid less than what a discounted new 16 with no options cost. One thing became very clear to me, the higher optioned 14's deprecated more than the base cars by a noticeable amount. If I were buying a 1LT base, I probably would have bought new as the price differences were minimal after factoring in remaining warranty.
One thing is for sure. Now is the time to buy. A friend told me he's waiting until the spring to buy. I'll bet that's a mistake.
Last edited by roadbike56; Jan 6, 2016 at 09:17 AM.
Admittedly, there are obvious pros and cons for either choice. Still, there's nothing quite as sweet as a brand new Corvette, especially one that you ordered exactly how you wanted it. I did it twice and am 100% convinced that my enjoyment of the cars has been enhanced because of it. YMMV.
If the deal is right I'd say buy a used C7. I got a new C7, but that was simply because I've never bought a new car before and wanted the experience. Pretty neat, but I'll probably go back to used.
If it's new it obviously depreciates more, but another thing is the first blemsish. I've been pretty lucky in the 5k I've driven mine, but seeing the small rock chips on the wheels ect sucked. If you buy used, it's pre blemished, so you don't experience that first blemish depression. I do the same with guitars, because just like cars, you're gonna find a way to scuff the thing if you use it.
As mentioned, 14s and 15 get a 5 year 100k powertrain warranty so it's possible they have even more powertrain warranty than a new one.
Find a very low mileage 2015 which was probably used as a weekend car and not a daily driver. If you purchase from an individual, make sure he is over 50. Make sure the car is still in warranty so if there is a problem you are covered. When you price a very low mileage 2015, check as see what you could order a 2016 base 1LT car for, if you don't need all the extras. Most dealers add a lot of extras to the car (Z51, 2LT) when they order it to make more $$$$ on the sale. If you don't need the Z51 or 2LT you maybe able to order a 2016 1LT for less than a used 2015. Good Luck!!!!