LONG TIME VIEWER; FIRST TIME THREADER(SoCal)
07-16-2011, 06:03 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
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LONG TIME VIEWER; FIRST TIME THREADER(SoCal)
Just a shout out to say hey to all.
And share my story.
Yes, for quite some time now, I've been eavesdropping on the forum to see what the pluses and minuses are on the C5 models. Ever since the '97 model was released, I felt an infatuation with the car.
As probably most of you, all my life I've wished to own one of America's best sports cars
(imho). My ultimate model would have been the last of the C1s('61,'62)
, but I had to face the reality that unless I win the lottery sometime soon, I was never going to be able to afford one of these.
Anyways, last October, after a very long and hard search, I found what I had been looking for. A dealership in Marina del Rey, that deals with classic and vintage cars, took in on trade a 2004, MS, completely stock ZO6 with only 1300mi.
Now the original asking price was $32k and they were not willing to budge(initially). Thanks to the research that I did, mostly here at CF, I waited them out and finally purchased from them at $27k. This was not easy, as it was a little less than a 5 month period since I found the car 'til I bought it.
Funny story about the purchase price. I'll try to give the short version. Keep in mind that the advertised price was CALL FOR PRICE. I initially offered them $28k for the car and they refused to deal. I gave the salesman my number incase he changed his mind and wanted to accept my offer. The weeks went by and no phone call.
Tried hard to convince myself that it was his loss. I'll keep my eyes open for another.
Week by week seeing it still in the auto trader, and after several months later and many bitten fingernails, I called them back to renegotiate. When I reminded the salesman that I had made an offer a few months back he didn't remember me. Without asking me what my offer was(obviously he had thrown my # and offer away)he informed me that my offer was probably not high enough. He then informed me that the asking price had been lowered to $27k. Trying not to let him detect the shock in my voice I told him that I think we can make a deal. I'll be down in a bit to pick it up. I couldn't get there fast enough.
Come to find out, while chatting during paper work, this was the newest car he had ever taken in on trade. He dealt with mostly older classic and vintage cars, but sales were down for 2010 and he made a decision to try and turn a quick sale from this trade. A decision he claimed to not want to repeat in the near future. He also informed me that he lost money on the trade due to the amount of $$$ he had invested in the car. If I had a dollar for every time a salesman told me that I'ld...well you know. I find it hard to grasp that any dealership is willing to take a loss, but this one could have come close. Receipts from him showed that, for liability reasons, all fluids were changed, but mostly all four corners were fully aligned with all new OEM Goodyear SC rubber. Icing on the cake.
I'ld be shocked if he took this in on trade for any more than $22k-$23k. But then again I really don't care. Reading some of the threads here, it seems that prices are a little lower as one progresses towards the east coast. Bottom line is I feel like I got a really good deal for a low mileage car. At least how the prices here in SoCal go.
See ya round,
mik
And share my story.Yes, for quite some time now, I've been eavesdropping on the forum to see what the pluses and minuses are on the C5 models. Ever since the '97 model was released, I felt an infatuation with the car.
As probably most of you, all my life I've wished to own one of America's best sports cars
(imho). My ultimate model would have been the last of the C1s('61,'62), but I had to face the reality that unless I win the lottery sometime soon, I was never going to be able to afford one of these.Anyways, last October, after a very long and hard search, I found what I had been looking for. A dealership in Marina del Rey, that deals with classic and vintage cars, took in on trade a 2004, MS, completely stock ZO6 with only 1300mi.
Now the original asking price was $32k and they were not willing to budge(initially). Thanks to the research that I did, mostly here at CF, I waited them out and finally purchased from them at $27k. This was not easy, as it was a little less than a 5 month period since I found the car 'til I bought it.
Funny story about the purchase price. I'll try to give the short version. Keep in mind that the advertised price was CALL FOR PRICE. I initially offered them $28k for the car and they refused to deal. I gave the salesman my number incase he changed his mind and wanted to accept my offer. The weeks went by and no phone call.
Tried hard to convince myself that it was his loss. I'll keep my eyes open for another. Week by week seeing it still in the auto trader, and after several months later and many bitten fingernails, I called them back to renegotiate. When I reminded the salesman that I had made an offer a few months back he didn't remember me. Without asking me what my offer was(obviously he had thrown my # and offer away)he informed me that my offer was probably not high enough. He then informed me that the asking price had been lowered to $27k. Trying not to let him detect the shock in my voice I told him that I think we can make a deal. I'll be down in a bit to pick it up. I couldn't get there fast enough.
Come to find out, while chatting during paper work, this was the newest car he had ever taken in on trade. He dealt with mostly older classic and vintage cars, but sales were down for 2010 and he made a decision to try and turn a quick sale from this trade. A decision he claimed to not want to repeat in the near future. He also informed me that he lost money on the trade due to the amount of $$$ he had invested in the car. If I had a dollar for every time a salesman told me that I'ld...well you know. I find it hard to grasp that any dealership is willing to take a loss, but this one could have come close. Receipts from him showed that, for liability reasons, all fluids were changed, but mostly all four corners were fully aligned with all new OEM Goodyear SC rubber. Icing on the cake.
I'ld be shocked if he took this in on trade for any more than $22k-$23k. But then again I really don't care. Reading some of the threads here, it seems that prices are a little lower as one progresses towards the east coast. Bottom line is I feel like I got a really good deal for a low mileage car. At least how the prices here in SoCal go.
See ya round,
mik
Congratulations on your C5 Z!! Enjoy the car and the Forums. 
07-16-2011, 08:20 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
Posts: 943
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Greetings. How do you like it in Oregon? I have a son that moved up to Port Angelos, Wa. Rains a lot there. He likes it. I would probably shoot myself. (lol)
07-16-2011, 08:33 PM
#6
Team Owner
I think we're coming back (to the sun) but probably not Calif. 
