Lemonsquad PPI
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 165
Likes: 34
From: North Cal
Lemonsquad PPI
Hello,
I am looking at buying a pre-owned C7 M7 GS from out of state. I could use some expertise from fellow forumers who have purchased pre-owned cars from out of state(1400miles from me).
Firstly, unlike large volume corvette dealers, this car i am looking at is at a small town dealer who usually sell a lot of pick up trucks. The good thing is, the car only has 3500 miles /one owner and is a CPO, so i am not super worried about the condition. Their website says they have been around for like 60 years, so that makes me a feel a little better. Still, the whole idea of buying a pre-owned car without looking at it/driving it is scary.
I plan to use Lemonsquad to do a pre-purchase inspection. Anyone have experience with Lemonsquad? Their standard inspection is 149, with the exotic one coming in at 200. $200 to validate a $60,000 purchase is totally justified, but i hope they do a good job and inspect properly.
I am looking at buying a pre-owned C7 M7 GS from out of state. I could use some expertise from fellow forumers who have purchased pre-owned cars from out of state(1400miles from me).
Firstly, unlike large volume corvette dealers, this car i am looking at is at a small town dealer who usually sell a lot of pick up trucks. The good thing is, the car only has 3500 miles /one owner and is a CPO, so i am not super worried about the condition. Their website says they have been around for like 60 years, so that makes me a feel a little better. Still, the whole idea of buying a pre-owned car without looking at it/driving it is scary.
I plan to use Lemonsquad to do a pre-purchase inspection. Anyone have experience with Lemonsquad? Their standard inspection is 149, with the exotic one coming in at 200. $200 to validate a $60,000 purchase is totally justified, but i hope they do a good job and inspect properly.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
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From: Ventura County, Calif
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 786
Likes: 155
From: Oak Island NC
Have no experience with LS, but either through the dealer or the LS I would try to get written confirmation that the engine has not been tuned...which if tuned would void any remaining warranty. When I purchased my used '13 stingray [from a non chevy dealer] I had a chevy dealer do the PPI. I think they charged me an extra $50 to run a diagnostic evaluation and provide me written confirmation that the engine had not been tuned and was still set to factory specs. The issue being you cannot prove you did not tune the car after it is driven off the lot.
Also, if not provided by LS or the dealer, take the car's VIN to a local chevy dealer and request a copy of the GM VIS report for the car. This report will indicte if any warranty work has been done to the car. Most dealers will run a copy of this report free of charge. GLWP!
Also, if not provided by LS or the dealer, take the car's VIN to a local chevy dealer and request a copy of the GM VIS report for the car. This report will indicte if any warranty work has been done to the car. Most dealers will run a copy of this report free of charge. GLWP!
Last edited by Yaupon; Feb 5, 2019 at 07:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
the lemon companies hire morons to poke around at cars and come up with a few bogus/minor concerns to justify their fee. I wouldn't waste your time with that.
if there is another Chevrolet dealer in the area use them or a highly rated independent shop capable of inspecting a new-ish vehicle.
the advice to scan the controllers is great advice, make sure you aren't buying something that has been de-modded or tuned in the past and if something happens under your watch you get screwed.
if there is another Chevrolet dealer in the area use them or a highly rated independent shop capable of inspecting a new-ish vehicle.
the advice to scan the controllers is great advice, make sure you aren't buying something that has been de-modded or tuned in the past and if something happens under your watch you get screwed.
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Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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being certified is great. No need to worry about anything covered by B2B warranty.
My issue with it being at the 'small' dealer that sells trucks, they don't move a lot of Corvettes and don't take care of them the way they should.
I purchased my 2015 Z51 from out of state, 900 miles away. It was at a small Buick dealership. They ran the car through the local carwash and had several scratches in the finish that took me quite a bit of time to get out, and some were still there. Mine had 740 miles on it when I picked it up too.
The lemon report someone else posted about did seem to include if there was wear and tear like this, but they also mentioned a lot of other small things... but to be fair, that car had 30,000 miles on it so it was easy to find all the issues. With the mileage you mention, it may be more difficult for them to find as much.
Getting a GMVIS from your local dealer should be the first thing you do. I have bought both of my C7's used with very low miles and I get the GMVIS before I even start dealing with them to ensure warranty is in effect, verify any warranty work or maintenance that was performed, and also to get in service date and RPO codes.
My issue with it being at the 'small' dealer that sells trucks, they don't move a lot of Corvettes and don't take care of them the way they should.
I purchased my 2015 Z51 from out of state, 900 miles away. It was at a small Buick dealership. They ran the car through the local carwash and had several scratches in the finish that took me quite a bit of time to get out, and some were still there. Mine had 740 miles on it when I picked it up too.
The lemon report someone else posted about did seem to include if there was wear and tear like this, but they also mentioned a lot of other small things... but to be fair, that car had 30,000 miles on it so it was easy to find all the issues. With the mileage you mention, it may be more difficult for them to find as much.
Getting a GMVIS from your local dealer should be the first thing you do. I have bought both of my C7's used with very low miles and I get the GMVIS before I even start dealing with them to ensure warranty is in effect, verify any warranty work or maintenance that was performed, and also to get in service date and RPO codes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,118
Likes: 4,618
Hello,
I am looking at buying a pre-owned C7 M7 GS from out of state. I could use some expertise from fellow forumers who have purchased pre-owned cars from out of state(1400miles from me).
Firstly, unlike large volume corvette dealers, this car i am looking at is at a small town dealer who usually sell a lot of pick up trucks. The good thing is, the car only has 3500 miles /one owner and is a CPO, so i am not super worried about the condition. Their website says they have been around for like 60 years, so that makes me a feel a little better. Still, the whole idea of buying a pre-owned car without looking at it/driving it is scary.
I plan to use Lemonsquad to do a pre-purchase inspection. Anyone have experience with Lemonsquad? Their standard inspection is 149, with the exotic one coming in at 200. $200 to validate a $60,000 purchase is totally justified, but i hope they do a good job and inspect properly.
I am looking at buying a pre-owned C7 M7 GS from out of state. I could use some expertise from fellow forumers who have purchased pre-owned cars from out of state(1400miles from me).
Firstly, unlike large volume corvette dealers, this car i am looking at is at a small town dealer who usually sell a lot of pick up trucks. The good thing is, the car only has 3500 miles /one owner and is a CPO, so i am not super worried about the condition. Their website says they have been around for like 60 years, so that makes me a feel a little better. Still, the whole idea of buying a pre-owned car without looking at it/driving it is scary.
I plan to use Lemonsquad to do a pre-purchase inspection. Anyone have experience with Lemonsquad? Their standard inspection is 149, with the exotic one coming in at 200. $200 to validate a $60,000 purchase is totally justified, but i hope they do a good job and inspect properly.
..If you're not willing to do that, for whatever reason then you're going to have to buy from an iron clad stellar used dealer. I'd suggest you buy from a known CF forum advertiser and a Top Tier used Corvette seller, like Criswell Chevrolet in Maryland.
...
..
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; Feb 5, 2019 at 04:45 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,118
Likes: 4,618
being certified is great. No need to worry about anything covered by B2B warranty.
My issue with it being at the 'small' dealer that sells trucks, they don't move a lot of Corvettes and don't take care of them the way they should.
I purchased my 2015 Z51 from out of state, 900 miles away. It was at a small Buick dealership. They ran the car through the local carwash and had several scratches in the finish that took me quite a bit of time to get out, and some were still there. Mine had 740 miles on it when I picked it up too.
The lemon report someone else posted about did seem to include if there was wear and tear like this, but they also mentioned a lot of other small things... but to be fair, that car had 30,000 miles on it so it was easy to find all the issues. With the mileage you mention, it may be more difficult for them to find as much.
Getting a GMVIS from your local dealer should be the first thing you do. I have bought both of my C7's used with very low miles and I get the GMVIS before I even start dealing with them to ensure warranty is in effect, verify any warranty work or maintenance that was performed, and also to get in service date and RPO codes.
My issue with it being at the 'small' dealer that sells trucks, they don't move a lot of Corvettes and don't take care of them the way they should.
I purchased my 2015 Z51 from out of state, 900 miles away. It was at a small Buick dealership. They ran the car through the local carwash and had several scratches in the finish that took me quite a bit of time to get out, and some were still there. Mine had 740 miles on it when I picked it up too.
The lemon report someone else posted about did seem to include if there was wear and tear like this, but they also mentioned a lot of other small things... but to be fair, that car had 30,000 miles on it so it was easy to find all the issues. With the mileage you mention, it may be more difficult for them to find as much.
Getting a GMVIS from your local dealer should be the first thing you do. I have bought both of my C7's used with very low miles and I get the GMVIS before I even start dealing with them to ensure warranty is in effect, verify any warranty work or maintenance that was performed, and also to get in service date and RPO codes.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 4,745
From: SE WI
I would seriously consider pricing out a new one as part of your process. The discounts right now are pretty deep and if you’re open to a 1400 mile distance you have a huge range of dealers to work with. I would not be comfortable buying it from the place you described. The forum dealers are all around 15% right now. They are awesome to deal with as many people here, including me, can testify.
Last edited by Zjoe6; Feb 5, 2019 at 08:49 AM.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
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From: MA
With 3500 miles and CPO, I wouldn't overthink it. Mechanically, everything is covered. I would talk directly to the sales manager, tell them your concern and have him/her send pics of ANY wear/damage that they can find, inside and out. No need to show how great it looks, tell them you want pictures of imperfections only. After that, you'll have a true sense of the condition and the warranty takes care of the rest.
I bought my DD Tahoe a couple hundred miles away at a tiny rural Ford dealership that only sold pickups and compacts. I'd never seen a smaller new car dealership in my life. They took the Tahoe in trade and had no use for a full size expensive SUV. I was lucky with the timing because it was headed to the auction. Had the manager send pictures of any damage/wear that he could find so that there would be no surprises when I picked it up. The remainder of the B2B warranty took care of any other concerns I had.
I bought my DD Tahoe a couple hundred miles away at a tiny rural Ford dealership that only sold pickups and compacts. I'd never seen a smaller new car dealership in my life. They took the Tahoe in trade and had no use for a full size expensive SUV. I was lucky with the timing because it was headed to the auction. Had the manager send pictures of any damage/wear that he could find so that there would be no surprises when I picked it up. The remainder of the B2B warranty took care of any other concerns I had.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 165
Likes: 34
From: North Cal
being certified is great. No need to worry about anything covered by B2B warranty.
My issue with it being at the 'small' dealer that sells trucks, they don't move a lot of Corvettes and don't take care of them the way they should.
I purchased my 2015 Z51 from out of state, 900 miles away. It was at a small Buick dealership. They ran the car through the local carwash and had several scratches in the finish that took me quite a bit of time to get out, and some were still there. Mine had 740 miles on it when I picked it up too.
The lemon report someone else posted about did seem to include if there was wear and tear like this, but they also mentioned a lot of other small things... but to be fair, that car had 30,000 miles on it so it was easy to find all the issues. With the mileage you mention, it may be more difficult for them to find as much.
Getting a GMVIS from your local dealer should be the first thing you do. I have bought both of my C7's used with very low miles and I get the GMVIS before I even start dealing with them to ensure warranty is in effect, verify any warranty work or maintenance that was performed, and also to get in service date and RPO codes.
My issue with it being at the 'small' dealer that sells trucks, they don't move a lot of Corvettes and don't take care of them the way they should.
I purchased my 2015 Z51 from out of state, 900 miles away. It was at a small Buick dealership. They ran the car through the local carwash and had several scratches in the finish that took me quite a bit of time to get out, and some were still there. Mine had 740 miles on it when I picked it up too.
The lemon report someone else posted about did seem to include if there was wear and tear like this, but they also mentioned a lot of other small things... but to be fair, that car had 30,000 miles on it so it was easy to find all the issues. With the mileage you mention, it may be more difficult for them to find as much.
Getting a GMVIS from your local dealer should be the first thing you do. I have bought both of my C7's used with very low miles and I get the GMVIS before I even start dealing with them to ensure warranty is in effect, verify any warranty work or maintenance that was performed, and also to get in service date and RPO codes.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 165
Likes: 34
From: North Cal
I would seriously consider pricing out a new one as part of your process. The discounts right now are pretty deep and if you’re open to a 1400 mile distance you have a huge range of dealers to work with. I would not be comfortable buying it from the place you described. The forum dealers are all around 15% right now. They are awesome to deal with as many people here, including me, can testify.