Looking for Opinion of Value
 

Like the title states.. I'm really looking for an educated opinion on a value for a local car. I've been in the Corvette world a long time, but out of the 20+ Vettes I've had, I've never had a C4, and honestly, know very little about them. Lets preface this with, I understand everyone has their own opinion. But really looking for some solid education.

Car is a 2 owner, and garage kept. 1996, 43,xxx miles. Automatic, LT1. Looks very clean, and well kept. Has a leaking water pump, which the current owner is fixing this week. Just started coming out the weep hole 2 days ago. With that issue, I havent driven it, but knowing the owner, fully expect zero other issues. I have attached a few pictures. He told me he would like to get $8,500 for the car. I usually dont keep my cars more than 12 months, and fully expect to probably sell the car towards late fall.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and input!
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3650b8165c.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...515d13e8b0.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...cc84d87855.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...2c68f17ef7.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...708f60f53d.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1112eefdf7.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...6d566400a5.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...53eead5b8a.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...2bc2f22c75.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...829afafa2b.jpg

That's a decent price. If you like the car, no reason to pass on it.
Since you will sell it within the year, do you think you can get $8000-$8500 for it in twelve months??

Geography has a lot to do with it. How many are available in your area? I paid $3800 for a 96 white LT1 auto with $150K. If the carfax / autocheck report is good (mileage verification) I think $8k would be a great price.

Sorry, I should have stated this in the OP. I personally know the original owner, and the current owner, and know for a fact there are no accidents, paintwork, etc. :)


That is the million dollar....or actually...the $8,500 question. I've sold all of my prior Vette's here on the forum, and this one would be no different. Would assume with the age of these cars now, the market is fairly stable. If it would support $8,500-$9,000 in 6 months with probably an additional 1500-2000 miles (if that) then that would seem to answer my question.

There are a few for sale here, but none I have seen are this nice. Most are 90K plus, and in average condition for the miles. This is by far the cleanest I've seen around, and with the shape of the car, I have no doubt the miles are correct.

The fact remains that there is nothing, other than the low miles, that makes this one special. (Maybe the red interior, but that's really a personal preference thing.)
Will it be worth the same or more after a year under a third owner (which would make it a 4-owner car for the next buyer) and another 1500 miles? THAT'S the big question.
If you are going to buy it and only put 1500-2000 miles on it, what's the point??? Corvette ownership is not cheap. It certainly isn't free. But, if you've owned 20+ Vettes and only kept them less than a year, you already know this.
I doubt anything we say will make much difference in your decision here, so do what you want.

Rocco is right....its white, an auto so not super desirable

However....the condition is so spectacular it just may be worth it to you. Seen lots of 40k mi cars that are worn out.
Can you get 8500 6 mos from now??? Big maybe.

MOst times cars with that mi in "good" shape sell for a lot less. You ought to hang on to it long term and go put anotehr 100k on it. You know the history which is worth something
Id buy a car I wasnt crazy about if I knew it was "That" good and planned on keeping it.

Youll need a guy who has to have awhite automatic....not tooo many out there keep that in mind.

If he took 6500 Id say why isnt it in your garage already!

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but NWIH would I touch an opti car with a leaking wp unless that too was replaced.

8500 isa good price., could probably go for even more tbh You wont flip it for that or more in fall. You're wanting to own it through verts season and sell when the weather sucks and holidays are coming up.

How much are you willing to lose on it? That's the question about if you can buy it or not.

Looks Good
 

Many excellent comments so far.

My personal opinion is this is a good buy for the asking price. But demand for the C4 models is not too high where I currently reside. Some have been listed for sale for years. I own a very similar 1996 with 62,000 miles. Took me years to find the white and red combo here in Western PA. This is the best C4 being it is the final year of production with more refinements over previous years.

No big issues that I am aware of. Typical changing of fluids, hoses, belts, and filters is a safe bet. Inspect the AC system although this one should not have the weird issues with AC as the electronic controlled versions. Check tire date of production. Very limited tire choices for the staggered wheels in the same manufacturer. Fuel pumps can be an issue if this C4 sat for extended periods. Looks like the previous owners took good care of it based on the photos and limited info. You may want to look at the RPO codes that are under the compartment behind the passenger seat. It does not appear to be loaded with optional equipment from the photos. Ones with few options are not as desirable..

Not sure what the local market is in Oklahoma. If it was located here, I would be very interested in it. Unbelievable how low the prices are for clean C4’s compared to other models. Where I reside there is so much junk for under $12,000. My guess is like all things, buying is easier than selling.

Best of luck.

Here is mine:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...7463291600.jpg

Really appreciate everyone input. My basic question seems to have been answered, which is: Does the general consensus agree with the value of $8,500.00. Not being a prior C4 owner or enthusiast, I just didnt know what what I was looking at...and wanted to make sure I wasnt missing anything. If I drive it for 6 months, and get $1,000 less for it with 1000 more miles, so be it. My last 4 C6Z's averaged 1000-1200 miles in 12 months. But think I will offer him $7,000 and see where things go.

Yesssss.. Had my first 'quick' car at 16...early LT Camaro. 2nd day of ownership and this exact thing happened. Was dead in the water. The opti change would be a must.

OR.... Buy the car, keep it for a year, move to California, and easily sell it for $ 9,000 - $10,000. That's what you could expect to get for it in SoCal.
OH... then move back to your state cause it's too crowded here.

BTDT as well, although the opti is much easier to change on a 95 Impala SS. I will say it is much quicker (~1hr) it a big boat like that.

Same in Minnesota.

Leave the opti alone if it still works.

I was just about to suggest you offer $7000-7500 (depending how well you know the owner) and see what they say. Nearly all sellers start at a higher number and expect to be negotiated down.
They can always say no, and then you offer $8000 :)
Also, that is an absolutely *gorgeous* car... good luck!

Getting 10k in Ca? Maybe if its someones dream car
It seems they are cheaper here than in most other states, its been years since Ive seen one on the road.
The kids that buy vettes are getting clapped out early C5s to mod for 8k. Take a nice Ca car to another state, less populated area your chances are greater as the selection is less.
For some reason people go bananas over Ca cars, not like these are prone to rust? Opinions may vary.

Late last yr I passed on a neighbors black/black 96 with 40k on it....real sharp car. $2400.
Sure it was a "friends" deal, but had it listed to the public for only 4k. Took a number of months to sell

I have a similar car , look at my avatar, with a tan leather interior, auto with 3.54 gears and 66,000 miles and I want $7500 with receipts for maintenance / service