Buying Used
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Buying Used
Buying a used C7. I found one on Carvana (heard good things about them) and getting nervous about pulling the trigger on the car. Some things I am thinking:
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 939
From: Bonney Lake Washington
Yup
Buying a used C7. I found one on Carvana (heard good things about them) and getting nervous about pulling the trigger on the car. Some things I am thinking:
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2,203
From: Massachusetts
C7's are very expensive now. I say pay a little more or wait a little more, find a 1-owner if possible. Multi-owners does indicate possible problems, possible abuse. Good luck and best wishes with your decision.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Thanks Ron, fortunately, I have a C6 to trade and that helps to offset the price increases in used cars. The first two owners had it a total of 5 years, the third owner a little over 2 years. Only the last owner had it for a few months. It's a 2014, so about 8 years old.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,287
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From: Green and Wet Western Oregon
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
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In addition to the Carfax, ask your dealer's Service Dept. to run a report (used to be called GMVIS report) to see all maintenance done at dealerships. Sometimes that will reveal if there are persistent problems.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
Buying a used C7. I found one on Carvana (heard good things about them) and getting nervous about pulling the trigger on the car. Some things I am thinking:
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
Then, report your findings here on the car.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 54
Likes: 17
From: Georgia, USA
Congrats on your impending C7 purchase. Just a few thoughts:
1. Now is a really bad time to buy a car. Prices in the used market are absurd, and the C7 market is even worse due to the lack of C8 availability. I'm sure you know this, but just thought I'd throw that out there.
2. The 2014 model year, being the first year of the C7, lacks a few features that I would not be to forgo. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is unavailable, the automatic transmission are six-speeds instead of eight, being able to get MRC without the Z51 package, the automatic electronic hatch pull-down, the front curb camera...
If you can find a 2016-2019 Corvette, these features should be available. Just my two cents based on what I'd do if I was in the market for a C7 right now.
1. Now is a really bad time to buy a car. Prices in the used market are absurd, and the C7 market is even worse due to the lack of C8 availability. I'm sure you know this, but just thought I'd throw that out there.
2. The 2014 model year, being the first year of the C7, lacks a few features that I would not be to forgo. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is unavailable, the automatic transmission are six-speeds instead of eight, being able to get MRC without the Z51 package, the automatic electronic hatch pull-down, the front curb camera...
If you can find a 2016-2019 Corvette, these features should be available. Just my two cents based on what I'd do if I was in the market for a C7 right now.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 145
From: Tucson
Can't see the car, it is online. I set up an inspection with the Chevy dealership in town.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 772
Likes: 164
From: Chicagoland
Buying a used C7. I found one on Carvana (heard good things about them) and getting nervous about pulling the trigger on the car. Some things I am thinking:
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
1. It has had 4 owners and may have been on eBay and Facebook prior to Carvana. Does it matter?
2. How good is Carfax and Carvana's 150 point checklist? Are there other options to check a car?
3. I know it comes with a 7-day return and I checked with the local Chevy dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection done.
4. I've had three used Corvettes, an MB 560SL, Boxster, etc. So I'm no stranger to a used sports car, just always bought from local dealers.
5. Am I overthinking it, or should I just get the car and have it inspected? The car has everything I want.
Thanks for any constructive thoughts you might have.
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Four owners for a '14 would be a bit concerning. If the car can be inspected with no charge from Carvana (for instance shipping charges if the car is not local to you), see what that inspection says. If it passes with no problems, you will be in a better position to make a final decision.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 823
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
The number of owners is of no concern to me IF I know how the vehicle was cared for, stored, climate and # of miles. You can get a good idea with the ownership record on Carfax... that being said, I would never purchase without seeing the vehicle with my own eyes. I've tried that on two occasions years ago...1st one no go, 2nd one I paid an NCRS judge to inspect, no go. Both were flipped asap..........NEVER AGAIN for me
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL