My Corvette Story
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Lilburn Georgia
My Corvette Story
I love cars …. grew up in Detroit where my Dad bought a 1964 Pontiac GTO Coupe with Tri-power and a 4 speed when this American Muscle car hit the street in September of ’63. I was 14. He wouldn’t let me touch it. Of course I managed to sneak it out of the garage on numerous occasions and appeared on Woodward Avenue with it frequently beating just about everything stock except the ’64 Vette fuelies .... and I couldn't get my hands on one fast enough. That's where it started.
But I just couldn't swing the $8700 I needed for a 1 year old British Racing Green, ’66 Coup with side pipes that caught my eye. But I had the $4500 for the "Goat." Bought my first car, a GTO in 1967, going back to a burgandy ’64 Coup. I tricked this one out with a bored 389, headers with knock off pipes otherwise through Thrush glass packs, high-lift but street able cam, two Carter quads on an Edelbrock manifold and a Muncie 3 speed tracked to a 4:11 rear end. I turned 12.1 quarters around 108 in modified stock at Motor City Dragway and won plenty of money racing buddies I worked with in the Corvair plant in Ypsilanti. We raced on a new stretch of I-75 that wasn’t opened yet and the police never patrolled. It was a colorful and memorable part of my early years …. except for those Vette’s that kept finishing me off about 100 yards from the quarter mile marker …. damn them. A few more bucks and I could have had that Green, 66 Coup.
9 years later, in 1979, I bought my first Vette – a 1975 LT1 Coupe with headers and those black side pipes – monster noise. The original owner had oval tracked it. The body was fine but the motor was beat. Took me about a year, spending a little at a time, to get it back to race shape. By now I had a seven-year-old son of my own and I got his hands greasy and his head into loving cars - especially Vette's - just like my Dad had done with me with his '39 LaSalle, 4dr Touring Sedan .... "slightly" modified! I owned, drove hard and loved my first Vette for 5 years …. sold it for about $5K more than I had in it and began a long trek of driving station wagons and Toyotas as I raised 4 kids and put all of them through college ….. wheww .... done with that.
I’ll be having my 60th birthday in a few months and I bought myself a small birthday present last week: A Machine Silver, 2007 Corvette Coupe at end of production run, inventory reduction prices. Pretty much like I did for my wife’s 60th birthday 2 years ago …. bought her a Red, 2005 Mustang Convertible at the end of the summer ..... I know .... a Ford. I tend to look for value rather than being the first guy on the block with the newest toy but that’s just me. If I could afford it and when it comes to cars, I’d be that other guy. (sounds of wife groaning)
Before I bought, I read just about every thread in this great forum. I’d been taking a look over the last year as I knew my day was coming to pick up that dream Vette I’ve wanted since the days that this machine was regularly whipping my “little GTO” in the 60’s. I knew, from information I gained from this forum’s sage advisors, exactly what factory equipment and after market add-ons I wanted. For those of you looking to enter the incredible world of Corvette ownership, take heed of what is written in this forum before you buy. It will save you a lot of disappointments. As well, maybe my buying tips will help you to bring a new Corvette to your garage without a lot of hand-wringing in the process. First of all, let me state that If I was ordering new, I’d do the BG plant delivery for sure .... no doubt about it.
Since I didn’t order, my search for my new dream Vette started with going to the Chevy web site. There I downloaded the Window stickers of every Corvette with the equipment and colors I was considering that was within 100 miles of my location in Atlanta. Next, I went to Edmunds.com and got the (True Market Value) TMV pricing for my area code – this is the price that people are supposedly paying for a car equipped in a specific way. That’s a start but you’ve got more work to do because that TMV may not be accurate based on the season, dealer inventory, etc. Next, I used AutoTrader.com to find the prices of Corvettes with less than 1000 miles on them that had never been titled (demos) … you can use any number of Internet sites to do this. If you find a couple of these, you’ll be able to identify the “once driven” but not titled value of the new car you want. The price you’re targeting is between the TMV and the “once driven” price. Don’t even talk about trades if that’s in the transaction mix – it wasn’t’ for me. You’re much better off selling yourself and I’ve done that twice with great results on AutoTrader.com – just price right and you’ll sell quickly.
In my case, there were 3 Corvettes that had the equipment and colors I wanted: Machine Silver or Lemans Blue 3LT, No roof package, Chrome Wheels, Paddle Shift Auto and Nav. I then went to the 3 dealer web sites and contacted their Internet sales representatives by email. Occasionally, the reps won’t make a price offer via email but most will and that is the kind of dealership you want to deal with anyway.
Next, unknown to the dealership’s Internet reps, I went to each dealership and met the Service managers and asked them to show me the service area and introduce me to their Corvette specialists. I eliminated one dealership right off the bat (and my second choice color, Lemans Blue) by having dirty service bays – good mechanics are absolutely meticulous in their work areas and good service mangers look for good mechanics. I took the time to talk to the “best tune specialist in the SE” at the dealership that I ended up buying at, Tom Jumper Chevrolet in Sandy Springs …. we’ll see about that claim.
Next I told my two finalists (Tom Jumper and Bill Heard) what my target price was and that I was paying cash (they didn’t need to know that I was going to finance part of the cost privately). One rep came close (Ron Sanders at Tom Jumper), the other didn’t (Heard). BTW, Maxie Price was never in the mix ... slow to respond to my initial inquiry, snaky email response when it did come .... after I'd already bought. Sale price agreed upon, via email, without setting foot in the dealership …. but first a few steps to avoid costly add-ons that most dealerships will attempt to pad their sale with at closing time.
My next step was to arrange for payment based on the amount we agreed on by phone. I planned on paying mostly cash and the rest I floated on a 36 month loan from a credit union (you’ll get much lower rates with credit unions – mine was 3.25% for 36 months). From the bank, I called the Internet sales rep and told him I was there and getting the checks together for the sale and I needed to know the exact amount he needed to close the deal. He sounded surprised .... good. I could hear the calculator going in the background. He gave me a figure. I said, “OK what’s the tax?” He gave me a figure. I do the math and there’s another $490 in there … the dreaded document fee. I said, “can’t do that but I’ll split it with you.” Final price done .... just about $6K below MSRP!
When I first contacted the dealerships by email, I made it clear to them that I wasn’t interested in sitting in a glass show room office for an afternoon, haggling over the price, listening to a “closer” try to sell me add-ons from the dealership and so forth. I wanted to set up a deal, sign the papers and complete the transaction in about an hour. Not every dealer will do this. I found one (Tom Jumper/Ron Sanders) that had the car I wanted and seemed willing to do this. It turned out Ron did exactly what he said he would do. Painless and only one mention of the extended warranty to which I quickly responded, "no thanks."
I also went into the transaction knowing that I wanted to add two after market performance products to the Vette: a Hurricane air intake system and Borla exhaust. After the price of the car delivered was agreed upon, I contacted the dealership’s performance parts rep and asked them to give me a price on the Hurrricane and the Borla’s installed. I knew going in what I could get this done for at an after-market performance shop in Atlanta but I wanted the dealer to do it and I wanted to build the cost into the sale.
I worked out a reasonable price (letting the parts guy work with Ron Sanders) …. not as low as I would have liked but I wanted the dealership to install the Hurricane without screwing up the install. If they do, they buy it and re-do it … no questions asked. The dealer also warrants what they install and there’s no question of compromising the Chevrolet warranty (something I learned in this forum!). The Borla Cross-Pipe install ahead of the Cats on the paddle shift auto can be a little tricky so, I wanted someone who had some experience doing it - I got that.
I pick-up the Dream Machine today, 07/27/07 .... hope I don't wet my pants on the way to pick it up!!! I have a checklist already printed out that I got from this forum that I’ll use with “Fay,” the gal who’ll give me my vehicle check-out ….. the pre-delivery, dealer prep check list promulgated by Chevy for their dealerships. I already have learned how to remove any of the transportation masking residue that dealers are famous for failing to remove myself so, I won’t make a big deal about this, preferring to do it myself so they won’t screw up the clear coat (learned that here too!). I also know what Chevy expects the dealers to do on delivery of a Corvette and what little things to look for on delivery (from this forum); I’ve read the owners manual front to back (downloaded from the FAQ’s section of the forum), know how the NAV system is supposed to operate (from the FAQs on NAV thread) and will likely know more than “Fay” knows about the car ….. if it ain’t right, it’ll get fixed before it drives off the lot.
So, that’s my story …. I’ve got you guys to thank for all the help in buying this beautiful car (pictures later … after its detailed like only I can do it!!!). I waited just over 20 years for my second Vette putting a bunch of kids through school and being a responsible Dad in the meantime … forgetting about the motor tinkering, drag racing and such that filled the days of my youth. Now its time to play again - but I'll have to throw out my timing light and dwell meter - spending my kid’s inheritance. My Wife, Ann and I, plan on a road trip to Calloway Gardens this weekend …. of course, like I learned right here, following the “Corvette Commandments,” expectantly waving at every passing Corvette, using at least 87 octane fuel (I’ll use 91 or 93 which is our standard mid-grade in the SE), keeping the speed under 65 or so, heating and cooling the engine in cycles to seat the bearings and such, gently applying the breaks to avoid warping the rotors and gritting my teeth wishing to but not actually pushing the beast to its hard limits. Darn it! Thanks, folks … I look forward to joining you all.
VetteATL
But I just couldn't swing the $8700 I needed for a 1 year old British Racing Green, ’66 Coup with side pipes that caught my eye. But I had the $4500 for the "Goat." Bought my first car, a GTO in 1967, going back to a burgandy ’64 Coup. I tricked this one out with a bored 389, headers with knock off pipes otherwise through Thrush glass packs, high-lift but street able cam, two Carter quads on an Edelbrock manifold and a Muncie 3 speed tracked to a 4:11 rear end. I turned 12.1 quarters around 108 in modified stock at Motor City Dragway and won plenty of money racing buddies I worked with in the Corvair plant in Ypsilanti. We raced on a new stretch of I-75 that wasn’t opened yet and the police never patrolled. It was a colorful and memorable part of my early years …. except for those Vette’s that kept finishing me off about 100 yards from the quarter mile marker …. damn them. A few more bucks and I could have had that Green, 66 Coup.
9 years later, in 1979, I bought my first Vette – a 1975 LT1 Coupe with headers and those black side pipes – monster noise. The original owner had oval tracked it. The body was fine but the motor was beat. Took me about a year, spending a little at a time, to get it back to race shape. By now I had a seven-year-old son of my own and I got his hands greasy and his head into loving cars - especially Vette's - just like my Dad had done with me with his '39 LaSalle, 4dr Touring Sedan .... "slightly" modified! I owned, drove hard and loved my first Vette for 5 years …. sold it for about $5K more than I had in it and began a long trek of driving station wagons and Toyotas as I raised 4 kids and put all of them through college ….. wheww .... done with that.
I’ll be having my 60th birthday in a few months and I bought myself a small birthday present last week: A Machine Silver, 2007 Corvette Coupe at end of production run, inventory reduction prices. Pretty much like I did for my wife’s 60th birthday 2 years ago …. bought her a Red, 2005 Mustang Convertible at the end of the summer ..... I know .... a Ford. I tend to look for value rather than being the first guy on the block with the newest toy but that’s just me. If I could afford it and when it comes to cars, I’d be that other guy. (sounds of wife groaning)
Before I bought, I read just about every thread in this great forum. I’d been taking a look over the last year as I knew my day was coming to pick up that dream Vette I’ve wanted since the days that this machine was regularly whipping my “little GTO” in the 60’s. I knew, from information I gained from this forum’s sage advisors, exactly what factory equipment and after market add-ons I wanted. For those of you looking to enter the incredible world of Corvette ownership, take heed of what is written in this forum before you buy. It will save you a lot of disappointments. As well, maybe my buying tips will help you to bring a new Corvette to your garage without a lot of hand-wringing in the process. First of all, let me state that If I was ordering new, I’d do the BG plant delivery for sure .... no doubt about it.
Since I didn’t order, my search for my new dream Vette started with going to the Chevy web site. There I downloaded the Window stickers of every Corvette with the equipment and colors I was considering that was within 100 miles of my location in Atlanta. Next, I went to Edmunds.com and got the (True Market Value) TMV pricing for my area code – this is the price that people are supposedly paying for a car equipped in a specific way. That’s a start but you’ve got more work to do because that TMV may not be accurate based on the season, dealer inventory, etc. Next, I used AutoTrader.com to find the prices of Corvettes with less than 1000 miles on them that had never been titled (demos) … you can use any number of Internet sites to do this. If you find a couple of these, you’ll be able to identify the “once driven” but not titled value of the new car you want. The price you’re targeting is between the TMV and the “once driven” price. Don’t even talk about trades if that’s in the transaction mix – it wasn’t’ for me. You’re much better off selling yourself and I’ve done that twice with great results on AutoTrader.com – just price right and you’ll sell quickly.
In my case, there were 3 Corvettes that had the equipment and colors I wanted: Machine Silver or Lemans Blue 3LT, No roof package, Chrome Wheels, Paddle Shift Auto and Nav. I then went to the 3 dealer web sites and contacted their Internet sales representatives by email. Occasionally, the reps won’t make a price offer via email but most will and that is the kind of dealership you want to deal with anyway.
Next, unknown to the dealership’s Internet reps, I went to each dealership and met the Service managers and asked them to show me the service area and introduce me to their Corvette specialists. I eliminated one dealership right off the bat (and my second choice color, Lemans Blue) by having dirty service bays – good mechanics are absolutely meticulous in their work areas and good service mangers look for good mechanics. I took the time to talk to the “best tune specialist in the SE” at the dealership that I ended up buying at, Tom Jumper Chevrolet in Sandy Springs …. we’ll see about that claim.
Next I told my two finalists (Tom Jumper and Bill Heard) what my target price was and that I was paying cash (they didn’t need to know that I was going to finance part of the cost privately). One rep came close (Ron Sanders at Tom Jumper), the other didn’t (Heard). BTW, Maxie Price was never in the mix ... slow to respond to my initial inquiry, snaky email response when it did come .... after I'd already bought. Sale price agreed upon, via email, without setting foot in the dealership …. but first a few steps to avoid costly add-ons that most dealerships will attempt to pad their sale with at closing time.
My next step was to arrange for payment based on the amount we agreed on by phone. I planned on paying mostly cash and the rest I floated on a 36 month loan from a credit union (you’ll get much lower rates with credit unions – mine was 3.25% for 36 months). From the bank, I called the Internet sales rep and told him I was there and getting the checks together for the sale and I needed to know the exact amount he needed to close the deal. He sounded surprised .... good. I could hear the calculator going in the background. He gave me a figure. I said, “OK what’s the tax?” He gave me a figure. I do the math and there’s another $490 in there … the dreaded document fee. I said, “can’t do that but I’ll split it with you.” Final price done .... just about $6K below MSRP!
When I first contacted the dealerships by email, I made it clear to them that I wasn’t interested in sitting in a glass show room office for an afternoon, haggling over the price, listening to a “closer” try to sell me add-ons from the dealership and so forth. I wanted to set up a deal, sign the papers and complete the transaction in about an hour. Not every dealer will do this. I found one (Tom Jumper/Ron Sanders) that had the car I wanted and seemed willing to do this. It turned out Ron did exactly what he said he would do. Painless and only one mention of the extended warranty to which I quickly responded, "no thanks."
I also went into the transaction knowing that I wanted to add two after market performance products to the Vette: a Hurricane air intake system and Borla exhaust. After the price of the car delivered was agreed upon, I contacted the dealership’s performance parts rep and asked them to give me a price on the Hurrricane and the Borla’s installed. I knew going in what I could get this done for at an after-market performance shop in Atlanta but I wanted the dealer to do it and I wanted to build the cost into the sale.
I worked out a reasonable price (letting the parts guy work with Ron Sanders) …. not as low as I would have liked but I wanted the dealership to install the Hurricane without screwing up the install. If they do, they buy it and re-do it … no questions asked. The dealer also warrants what they install and there’s no question of compromising the Chevrolet warranty (something I learned in this forum!). The Borla Cross-Pipe install ahead of the Cats on the paddle shift auto can be a little tricky so, I wanted someone who had some experience doing it - I got that.
I pick-up the Dream Machine today, 07/27/07 .... hope I don't wet my pants on the way to pick it up!!! I have a checklist already printed out that I got from this forum that I’ll use with “Fay,” the gal who’ll give me my vehicle check-out ….. the pre-delivery, dealer prep check list promulgated by Chevy for their dealerships. I already have learned how to remove any of the transportation masking residue that dealers are famous for failing to remove myself so, I won’t make a big deal about this, preferring to do it myself so they won’t screw up the clear coat (learned that here too!). I also know what Chevy expects the dealers to do on delivery of a Corvette and what little things to look for on delivery (from this forum); I’ve read the owners manual front to back (downloaded from the FAQ’s section of the forum), know how the NAV system is supposed to operate (from the FAQs on NAV thread) and will likely know more than “Fay” knows about the car ….. if it ain’t right, it’ll get fixed before it drives off the lot.
So, that’s my story …. I’ve got you guys to thank for all the help in buying this beautiful car (pictures later … after its detailed like only I can do it!!!). I waited just over 20 years for my second Vette putting a bunch of kids through school and being a responsible Dad in the meantime … forgetting about the motor tinkering, drag racing and such that filled the days of my youth. Now its time to play again - but I'll have to throw out my timing light and dwell meter - spending my kid’s inheritance. My Wife, Ann and I, plan on a road trip to Calloway Gardens this weekend …. of course, like I learned right here, following the “Corvette Commandments,” expectantly waving at every passing Corvette, using at least 87 octane fuel (I’ll use 91 or 93 which is our standard mid-grade in the SE), keeping the speed under 65 or so, heating and cooling the engine in cycles to seat the bearings and such, gently applying the breaks to avoid warping the rotors and gritting my teeth wishing to but not actually pushing the beast to its hard limits. Darn it! Thanks, folks … I look forward to joining you all.
VetteATL
Last edited by VetteATL; Jul 28, 2007 at 07:07 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Excellent story
I love cars …. grew up in Detroit where my Dad bought a 1964 Pontiac GTO Coupe with Tri-power and a 4 speed when this American Muscle car hit the street in September of ’63. I was 14. He wouldn’t let me touch it. Of course I managed to sneak it out of the garage on numerous occasions and appeared on Woodward Avenue with it frequently beating just about everything stock except the ’64 Vette fuelies .... and I couldn't get my hands on one fast enough. That's where it started.
But I just couldn't swing the $8700 I needed for a 1 year old British Racing Green Coup that caught my eye. But I had the $4500 for the "Goat." Bought my first GTO in 1967 going back to a burgandy ’64. I tricked this one out with a bored 389, headers with knock off pipes otherwise through Thrush glass packs, high-lift but street able cam, two Carter quads on an Edelbrock manifold and a Muncie 3 speed tracked to a 4:11 rear end. I turned 12.1 quarters around 108 in modified stock at Motor City Dragway and won plenty of money racing buddies I worked with in the Corvair plant in Ypsilanti. We raced on a new stretch of I-75 that wasn’t opened yet and the police never patrolled. It was a colorful and memorable part of my early years …. except for those Vette’s that kept finishing me off about 100 yards from the quarter mile marker …. damn them. A few more bucks and I could have had that Green, 66 Coup.
9 years later, in 1979, I bought my first Vette – a 1975 LT1 Coupe. The original owner had oval tracked it. The body was fine but the motor was beat. Took me about a year, spending a little at a time, to get it back to race shape. By now I had a seven-year-old son of my own and I got his hands greasy and his head into loving cars - especially Vette's - just like my Dad had done with me with his '39 LaSalle, 4dr Toruing Sedan .... "slightly" modified! I owned, drove hard and loved my first Vette for about 5 years …. sold it for about $5K more than I had in it and began a long trek of driving station wagons and Toyotas as I raised 4 kids and put all of them through college ….. wheww .... done with that.
I’ll be having my 60th birthday in a few months and I bought myself a small birthday present last week: A Machine Silver, 2007 Corvette Coupe at end of production run, inventory reduction prices. Pretty much like I did for my wife’s 60th birthday 2 years ago …. bought her a Red, 2005 Mustang Convertible at the end of the summer ..... I know .... a Ford. I tend to look for value rather than being the first guy on the block with the newest toy but that’s just me. If I could afford it and when it comes to cars, I’d be that other guy. (sounds of wife groaning)
Before I bought, I read just about every thread in this great forum. I’d been taking a look over the last year as I knew my day was coming to pick up that dream Vette I’ve wanted since the days that this machine was regularly whipping my “little GTO” in the 60’s. I knew, from information I gained from this forum’s sage advisors, exactly what factory equipment and after market add-ons I wanted. For those of you looking to enter the incredible world of Corvette ownership, take heed of what is written in this forum before you buy. It will save you a lot of disappointments. As well, maybe my buying tips will help you to bring a new Corvette to your garage without a lot of hand-wringing in the process. First of all, let me state that If I was ordering new, I’d do the BG plant delivery for sure .... no doubt about it.
Since I didn’t order, my search for my new dream Vette started with going to the Chevy web site. There I downloaded the Window stickers of every Corvette with the equipment and colors I was considering that was within 100 miles of my location in Atlanta. Next, I went to Edmunds.com and got the (True Market Value) TMV pricing for my area code – this is the price that people are supposedly paying for a car equipped in a specific way. That’s a start but you’ve got more work to do because that TMV may not be accurate based on the season, dealer inventory, etc. Next, I used AutoTrader.com to find the prices of Corvettes with less than 1000 miles on them that had never been titled … you can use any number of Internet sites to do this. If you find a couple of these, you’ll be able to identify the “once driven” but not titled value of the new car you want. The price you’re targeting is between the TMV and the “once driven” price. Don’t even talk about trades if that’s in the transaction mix – it wasn’t’ for me. You’re much better off selling yourself and I’ve done that twice with great results on AutoTrader.com – just price right and you’ll sell quickly.
In my case, there were 3 Corvettes that had the equipment I wanted: 3LT, No roof package, Chrome Wheels, Paddle Shift Auto and Nav. I then went to the 3 dealer web sites and contacted their Internet sales representatives by email. Occasionally, the reps won’t make a price offer via email but most will and that is the kind of dealership you want to deal with anyway.
Next, unknown to the dealership’s Internet reps, I went to each dealership and met the Service managers and asked them to show me the service area and introduce me to their Corvette specialists. I eliminated one dealership right off the bat by having dirty service bays – good mechanics are absolutely meticulous in their work areas and good service mangers look for good mechanics. I took the time to talk to the “best tune specialist in the SE” at the dealership that I ended up buying at, Tom Jumper Cherolet in Sandy Springs …. we’ll see.
Next I told my two finalists (Tom Jumper and Bill Heard) what my target price was and that I was paying cash (they didn’t need to know that I was going to finance part of the cost privately). One rep came close (Ron Sanders at Tom Jumper), the other didn’t (Heard). BTW, Maxie Price was never in teh mix ... slow to respond to my initial inquiry, snakey in the email response when it did come .... after I'd already bought. Sale price agreed upon, via email, without setting foot in the dealership …. but first a few steps to avoid costly add-ons that most dealerships will attempt to pad their sale with at closing time.
My next step was to arrange for payment based on the amount we agreed on by phone. I planned on paying mostly cash and the rest I floated on a 36 month loan from a credit union (you’ll get much lower rates with credit unions – mine was 3.25% for 36 months). From the bank, I called the Internet sales rep and told him I was there and getting the checks together for the sale and I needed to know the exact amount he needed to close the deal. He sounded surprised .... good. I could hear the calculator going in the background. He gave me a figure. I said, “OK what’s the tax?” He gave me a figure. I do the math and there’s another $490 in there … the dreaded document fee. I said, “can’t do that but I’ll split it with you.” Final price done .... just about $6K below MSRP!
When I first contacted the dealerships by email, I made it clear to them that I wasn’t interested in sitting in a glass show room office for an afternoon, haggling over the price, listening to a “closer” try to sell me add-ons from the dealership and so forth. I wanted to set up a deal, sign the papers and complete the transaction in about an hour. Not every dealer will do this. I found one (Tom Jumper/Ron Sanders) that had the car I wanted and seemed willing to do it and it turned out Ron did exactly what he said he would do. Painless and only one mention of the extended warranty to which I quickly responded, "no thanks."
I also went into the transaction knowing that I wanted to add two after market performance products to the Vette: a Hurricane air intake system and Borla exhaust. After the price of the car delivered was agreed upon, I contacted the dealership’s performance parts rep and asked them to give me a price on the Hurrricane and the Borla’s installed. I knew going in what I could get this done for at an after-market performance shop in Atlanta but I wanted the dealer to do it and I wanted to build the cost into the sale.
I worked out a reasonable price (letting the parts guy work with Ron Sanders) …. not as low as I would have liked but I wanted the dealership to install the Hurricane without screwing up the install. If they do, they buy it and re-do it … no questions asked. The dealer also warrants what they install and there’s no question of compromising the Chevrolet warranty (something I learned in this forum!). The Borla Cross-Pipe install ahead of the Cats on the paddle shift auto can be a littel tricky so, I wanted someone who had some experience doing it - I got that.
I pick-up the Dream Machine today, 07/27/07 .... hope I don't wet my pants on the way t pick it up!!! I have a checklist already printed out that I got from this forum that I’ll use with “Fay,” the gal who’ll give me my vehicle check-out ….. the standard delivery walk-around designed by GM/Chevy. I already have learned how to remove any of the transportation masking residue that dealers are famous for failing to remove myself so, I won’t make a big deal about this, preferring to do it myself so they won’t screw up the clear coat (learned that here too!). I also know what Chevy expects the dealers to do on delivery of a Corvette and what little things to look for on delivery (from this forum); I’ve read the owners manual front to back (downloaded from the FAQ’s section of the forum), know how the NAV system is supposed to operate (from the FAQs on NAV thread) and will likely know more than “Fay” knows about the car ….. if it ain’t right, it’ll get fixed before it drives off the lot.
So, that’s my story …. I’ve got you guys to thank for all the help in buying this beautiful car (pictures later … after its detailed like only I can do it!!!). I waited just over 20 years for my second Vette putting a bunch of kids through school and being a responsible Dad in the meantime … forgetting about the motor tinkering, drag racing and such that filled the days of my youth. Now its time to play again - but I'll have to throw out my timing light and dwell meter - spending my kid’s inheritance. My Wife, Ann and I, plan on a road trip to Calloway Gardens this weekend …. of course, like I learned right here, following the “Corvette Commandments,” expectantly waving at every passing Corvette, using at least 87 octane fuel (I’ll use 91 or 93 which is our standard mid-grade in the SE), keeping the speed under 65 or so, heating and cooling the engine in cycles to seat the bearings and such, gently applying the breaks to avoid warping the rotors and gritting my teeth wishing to but not actually pushing the beast to its hard limits. Darn it! Thanks, folks … I look forward to joining you all.
VetteATL
But I just couldn't swing the $8700 I needed for a 1 year old British Racing Green Coup that caught my eye. But I had the $4500 for the "Goat." Bought my first GTO in 1967 going back to a burgandy ’64. I tricked this one out with a bored 389, headers with knock off pipes otherwise through Thrush glass packs, high-lift but street able cam, two Carter quads on an Edelbrock manifold and a Muncie 3 speed tracked to a 4:11 rear end. I turned 12.1 quarters around 108 in modified stock at Motor City Dragway and won plenty of money racing buddies I worked with in the Corvair plant in Ypsilanti. We raced on a new stretch of I-75 that wasn’t opened yet and the police never patrolled. It was a colorful and memorable part of my early years …. except for those Vette’s that kept finishing me off about 100 yards from the quarter mile marker …. damn them. A few more bucks and I could have had that Green, 66 Coup.
9 years later, in 1979, I bought my first Vette – a 1975 LT1 Coupe. The original owner had oval tracked it. The body was fine but the motor was beat. Took me about a year, spending a little at a time, to get it back to race shape. By now I had a seven-year-old son of my own and I got his hands greasy and his head into loving cars - especially Vette's - just like my Dad had done with me with his '39 LaSalle, 4dr Toruing Sedan .... "slightly" modified! I owned, drove hard and loved my first Vette for about 5 years …. sold it for about $5K more than I had in it and began a long trek of driving station wagons and Toyotas as I raised 4 kids and put all of them through college ….. wheww .... done with that.
I’ll be having my 60th birthday in a few months and I bought myself a small birthday present last week: A Machine Silver, 2007 Corvette Coupe at end of production run, inventory reduction prices. Pretty much like I did for my wife’s 60th birthday 2 years ago …. bought her a Red, 2005 Mustang Convertible at the end of the summer ..... I know .... a Ford. I tend to look for value rather than being the first guy on the block with the newest toy but that’s just me. If I could afford it and when it comes to cars, I’d be that other guy. (sounds of wife groaning)
Before I bought, I read just about every thread in this great forum. I’d been taking a look over the last year as I knew my day was coming to pick up that dream Vette I’ve wanted since the days that this machine was regularly whipping my “little GTO” in the 60’s. I knew, from information I gained from this forum’s sage advisors, exactly what factory equipment and after market add-ons I wanted. For those of you looking to enter the incredible world of Corvette ownership, take heed of what is written in this forum before you buy. It will save you a lot of disappointments. As well, maybe my buying tips will help you to bring a new Corvette to your garage without a lot of hand-wringing in the process. First of all, let me state that If I was ordering new, I’d do the BG plant delivery for sure .... no doubt about it.
Since I didn’t order, my search for my new dream Vette started with going to the Chevy web site. There I downloaded the Window stickers of every Corvette with the equipment and colors I was considering that was within 100 miles of my location in Atlanta. Next, I went to Edmunds.com and got the (True Market Value) TMV pricing for my area code – this is the price that people are supposedly paying for a car equipped in a specific way. That’s a start but you’ve got more work to do because that TMV may not be accurate based on the season, dealer inventory, etc. Next, I used AutoTrader.com to find the prices of Corvettes with less than 1000 miles on them that had never been titled … you can use any number of Internet sites to do this. If you find a couple of these, you’ll be able to identify the “once driven” but not titled value of the new car you want. The price you’re targeting is between the TMV and the “once driven” price. Don’t even talk about trades if that’s in the transaction mix – it wasn’t’ for me. You’re much better off selling yourself and I’ve done that twice with great results on AutoTrader.com – just price right and you’ll sell quickly.
In my case, there were 3 Corvettes that had the equipment I wanted: 3LT, No roof package, Chrome Wheels, Paddle Shift Auto and Nav. I then went to the 3 dealer web sites and contacted their Internet sales representatives by email. Occasionally, the reps won’t make a price offer via email but most will and that is the kind of dealership you want to deal with anyway.
Next, unknown to the dealership’s Internet reps, I went to each dealership and met the Service managers and asked them to show me the service area and introduce me to their Corvette specialists. I eliminated one dealership right off the bat by having dirty service bays – good mechanics are absolutely meticulous in their work areas and good service mangers look for good mechanics. I took the time to talk to the “best tune specialist in the SE” at the dealership that I ended up buying at, Tom Jumper Cherolet in Sandy Springs …. we’ll see.
Next I told my two finalists (Tom Jumper and Bill Heard) what my target price was and that I was paying cash (they didn’t need to know that I was going to finance part of the cost privately). One rep came close (Ron Sanders at Tom Jumper), the other didn’t (Heard). BTW, Maxie Price was never in teh mix ... slow to respond to my initial inquiry, snakey in the email response when it did come .... after I'd already bought. Sale price agreed upon, via email, without setting foot in the dealership …. but first a few steps to avoid costly add-ons that most dealerships will attempt to pad their sale with at closing time.
My next step was to arrange for payment based on the amount we agreed on by phone. I planned on paying mostly cash and the rest I floated on a 36 month loan from a credit union (you’ll get much lower rates with credit unions – mine was 3.25% for 36 months). From the bank, I called the Internet sales rep and told him I was there and getting the checks together for the sale and I needed to know the exact amount he needed to close the deal. He sounded surprised .... good. I could hear the calculator going in the background. He gave me a figure. I said, “OK what’s the tax?” He gave me a figure. I do the math and there’s another $490 in there … the dreaded document fee. I said, “can’t do that but I’ll split it with you.” Final price done .... just about $6K below MSRP!
When I first contacted the dealerships by email, I made it clear to them that I wasn’t interested in sitting in a glass show room office for an afternoon, haggling over the price, listening to a “closer” try to sell me add-ons from the dealership and so forth. I wanted to set up a deal, sign the papers and complete the transaction in about an hour. Not every dealer will do this. I found one (Tom Jumper/Ron Sanders) that had the car I wanted and seemed willing to do it and it turned out Ron did exactly what he said he would do. Painless and only one mention of the extended warranty to which I quickly responded, "no thanks."
I also went into the transaction knowing that I wanted to add two after market performance products to the Vette: a Hurricane air intake system and Borla exhaust. After the price of the car delivered was agreed upon, I contacted the dealership’s performance parts rep and asked them to give me a price on the Hurrricane and the Borla’s installed. I knew going in what I could get this done for at an after-market performance shop in Atlanta but I wanted the dealer to do it and I wanted to build the cost into the sale.
I worked out a reasonable price (letting the parts guy work with Ron Sanders) …. not as low as I would have liked but I wanted the dealership to install the Hurricane without screwing up the install. If they do, they buy it and re-do it … no questions asked. The dealer also warrants what they install and there’s no question of compromising the Chevrolet warranty (something I learned in this forum!). The Borla Cross-Pipe install ahead of the Cats on the paddle shift auto can be a littel tricky so, I wanted someone who had some experience doing it - I got that.
I pick-up the Dream Machine today, 07/27/07 .... hope I don't wet my pants on the way t pick it up!!! I have a checklist already printed out that I got from this forum that I’ll use with “Fay,” the gal who’ll give me my vehicle check-out ….. the standard delivery walk-around designed by GM/Chevy. I already have learned how to remove any of the transportation masking residue that dealers are famous for failing to remove myself so, I won’t make a big deal about this, preferring to do it myself so they won’t screw up the clear coat (learned that here too!). I also know what Chevy expects the dealers to do on delivery of a Corvette and what little things to look for on delivery (from this forum); I’ve read the owners manual front to back (downloaded from the FAQ’s section of the forum), know how the NAV system is supposed to operate (from the FAQs on NAV thread) and will likely know more than “Fay” knows about the car ….. if it ain’t right, it’ll get fixed before it drives off the lot.
So, that’s my story …. I’ve got you guys to thank for all the help in buying this beautiful car (pictures later … after its detailed like only I can do it!!!). I waited just over 20 years for my second Vette putting a bunch of kids through school and being a responsible Dad in the meantime … forgetting about the motor tinkering, drag racing and such that filled the days of my youth. Now its time to play again - but I'll have to throw out my timing light and dwell meter - spending my kid’s inheritance. My Wife, Ann and I, plan on a road trip to Calloway Gardens this weekend …. of course, like I learned right here, following the “Corvette Commandments,” expectantly waving at every passing Corvette, using at least 87 octane fuel (I’ll use 91 or 93 which is our standard mid-grade in the SE), keeping the speed under 65 or so, heating and cooling the engine in cycles to seat the bearings and such, gently applying the breaks to avoid warping the rotors and gritting my teeth wishing to but not actually pushing the beast to its hard limits. Darn it! Thanks, folks … I look forward to joining you all.
VetteATL
Don.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 15
From: El Segundo California
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16
That's probably one of the best write-ups I have ever read in here. You need to re-post that in C6 Gen and introduce yourself. The guys will love it. Good writing is always appreciated. 
Also, congratulations on your new Corvette. You're gonna love it.
Also, congratulations on your new Corvette. You're gonna love it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Lilburn Georgia
Thanks .... and here it is ..... drum roll .....
Checking to see that the lift points on my 60th birthday present have not been damaged (Ann's 60th birthday present in the background - a 2005 Red Mustang Verte):
Checking to see that the air dam was installed correctly and that the Hurricane Air Induction System was done neatly (it was). Ron Sanders, Tom Jumper Chevrotlet Internet Sales Rep, delivery chick, Shannon, Ann's 2005 Mustang Verte, in the background.
Wow! .... delivery chicks Fay and Shannon .... why would anyone NOT want to buy at Tom Jumper Chevrolet. Two seconds earlier and my wife would have snapped me looking down Shannon's blouse.
Ready to roll!
Checking to see that the air dam was installed correctly and that the Hurricane Air Induction System was done neatly (it was). Ron Sanders, Tom Jumper Chevrotlet Internet Sales Rep, delivery chick, Shannon, Ann's 2005 Mustang Verte, in the background.
Wow! .... delivery chicks Fay and Shannon .... why would anyone NOT want to buy at Tom Jumper Chevrolet. Two seconds earlier and my wife would have snapped me looking down Shannon's blouse.
Ready to roll!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Lilburn Georgia
Oh, and ......
...... here's the Hurricane Air Induction System installed.
..... and the Corsa's (decided against Borla's ... another story.) These pipes are sweet. Low rumble on idle that does not **** off my wife, nice throaty tone on "appropriate" accel, monster sound on max accel (whoops, I'm not supposed to do that yet .... only 190 miles so far). I've heard to "not bother" with the X-Pipe. I'd disagree. When you put the transmission in sport mode and use the paddle shifter, and you back down in a low gear, you get all kinds of popping from the LS2 motor .... its noticeable in stock pipes (barely) and very loud with Borla's. The Corsa X-Pipes mute this sound but you can still hear it ... its kinda nice but not over-poweringly awful for a street car.
..... and the Corsa's (decided against Borla's ... another story.) These pipes are sweet. Low rumble on idle that does not **** off my wife, nice throaty tone on "appropriate" accel, monster sound on max accel (whoops, I'm not supposed to do that yet .... only 190 miles so far). I've heard to "not bother" with the X-Pipe. I'd disagree. When you put the transmission in sport mode and use the paddle shifter, and you back down in a low gear, you get all kinds of popping from the LS2 motor .... its noticeable in stock pipes (barely) and very loud with Borla's. The Corsa X-Pipes mute this sound but you can still hear it ... its kinda nice but not over-poweringly awful for a street car.
Supporting Lifetime
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 1,514
From: Syracuse NY
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
Well done, sir. Nice story - welcome and enjoy the Corvette - you've earned it.
