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About to buy a C4

  • Thread starter Thread starter AngelEyes
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AngelEyes

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Ok, so if all goes well, tonite I'll have a C4. 1988 4-speed manual coupe. The only thing is, I know like nothing about these cars. I'm not even sure how to drive the 4+3... I mean, is it 1,2,3,4 then hit the OD button? Or, what? I guess, what I need is a tutor, to get me started. My Ex had a 92, but it was automatic and not nearly as nice as the one I'm buying. So, any help anyone can offer is greatly appreciated.
 
You will Love it

I recently bought my first Corvette - 1986 coupe. I, like you, knew nothing about these cars, but have sure learned a lot in a few short months. On the positive side, they are fun and easy to drive, get good fuel mileage and are all around fun. On the negative side, I have to constantly work on mine, but hopefully your will be in better shape than mine - mine was a little rough, but cheap...

I can't help you with the transmission, as I have the automatic, but you came to the right place...this forum is great and full of information...you will probably get more replies that you imagined.

Good luck with your new toy....
 
I owned a 1988 convertible with the 4+3 transmission. Loved the car...never felt quite the same about the 4+3, though! It's sort of a manual transmission and sort of an automatic. Can't explain it, but we have quite a few folks here who are quite familiar with that transmission era.

Good luck with the new car...and a very warm welcome to the Corvette Action Center!!

Elaine
 
Ok, but here is the big question. What should I be paying for a 1988 with 40k miles in excellent condition, from a dealer? Kelley Blue Book tells me it's worth 9k, they are asking 16k... Is that reasonable, or should I tell 'em to stick it? Cause I really want a vette but I don't want to overpay. It really is in beautiful shape though, the only problem is a little spider web cracking on the rear bumper. Please let me know, what I should haggle down to, or if the 16 is reasonable. As of right now, it's out the door, with a 3 year warranty and a $3,000 trade in, for just over 15k. What should I be shooting for? I know, I see vettes for sale often, but not in this condition, and not with warranty. Thanks for any help you can offer, I don't want to be cheated. And I live in Pittsburgh, PA, if that makes a difference. :w
 
I would say way too much. I have recently bought a 94 LT-1 coupe in good condition with 54K miles and it was only 14K. Also just bought a 91 Conv. with 75K, 1 owner and it was excellent cond. Paid 13.5K. I think there is a really great deal on one of the CAC members Vette here on this sight. I believe it was 69 myway but Heidi knows who it is that is selling. Welcome to the CAC and hope you find the right car.

Randy:w
 
Personally, I think that's a little high only because I sold my '88 convertible (convertibles more $$) a year ago with 31K miles, pristine condition, perfect paint, perfect interior, new tires, new chrome wheels for $17K. I'd offer less and see where it goes...I'd also look around. Don't necessarily get totally caught up with the first one...although you may well come back to buy that very first one!!

Good luck!

Elaine
 
My problem is, I'm young and can't get financed very well. This dealer seems to have a hook up, so I'll see what I can get him down to. I'm gonna shoot for 12-14k out the door. But, the car is really nice, like I said. And with the warranty, It may be worth it.
 
$16K seems a bit high to me also. I paid less than that for my 92 coupe (LT1) 2 years ago. It's an automatic but the miles were close to what you have and it's 4 years newer. It's really hard to say what the dealer will take. Like the others have said, there's more than just that one vette out there, and this is the season to sell/buy a vette. If you can wait a couple more weeks you will probably see a flood of vettes for sale and prices that you can accurately compare to.

Good luck and welcome to CAC...
 
$16 is too high. If I were you I would sell the trade in out right. You'll get more for it. That will give you more money for a down payment. You mention he has some kind of hook up for a loan. Be very carefull with that. You may end up paying 18-21 percent on a loan. Also be carefull with the warranty. Not all warranty's are created equal. I hate to sound so negative but I'm speaking from experience.
Also don't be con'd into thinking older models with low miles is the way to go. I'd rather buy a vehicle that has been driven 10,000 miles a year than a vehicle that was driven 1,000 miles a year.
Check out this 40th anniv issue with 59,000 miles for $16,490. http://www.kerbeck.com/inventory.html
you can get a GM warranty still since the miles are below 60,000.
GM warranty is one of the best out there.

Also contact these guys for the pricing on used vettes. They sometimes have a clearance sale on the used stuff. I see they have a 95. I bought my 91 from them five yrs ago with 50,000 miles for $14,500. It was in mint condition. They are a Porsche, Mercedes dealership. http://www.hbloftysons.com
 
My opinion is that $16K is way too high. The car sales market right now is at an all time low. It has not been this low in more than a decade. That means it is a wonderful time to buy, and a terrible time to sell. Additionally, it is spring time when car prices are the lowest of the year. In order to take advantage of the depressed market, look around. There are lots of nice cars out there. I bought my fully optioned 87 Z-51 two years ago before the car market crashed, and I only paid $7,500. I currently also own a 94 auto that is absolutely pristine that I paid $12K for. Dealers are going to get you any both coming and going. That's just how it is.

Also, on the 4+3, it's no sweat. It is a manual 4 speed with an automatic overdrive tans behind it. It has enough brains to take care of itself if you are not interested in pushing the button. Whenever it is cold (under 125 degrees) or when you put it in first gear, it comes out of overdrive. When it is warm and in 2,3, or 4, depending on your driving style, it will automatically shift to overdrive as needed. When you need to move ahead quickly just push down on the gas pedal without shifting, and the automatic will shift you out of OD for better pickup; then after you cruise for a bit, it will automatically shift you back to OD. Don't worry about clutching for the overdrive functions. That part of the transmission is fully automatic just like a standard transmission. The button is just there for when you want to get wild, have some fun, and show off.
 
Hi,
I think everyone has been pretty much on the same page in that that is way too much for that vette.
I too picked up a C4, (96 lt1 coupe / automatic with 52k miles) and only paid 14k.
If you wait a bit longer, you will indeed find much better deals on vettes.

For the loan, have you been to Lending Tree. com?
Keep seeing their ads on TV.

Good luck!
Rain
 
Just so you know, I bought my car in great (but not perfect) shape for 6 grand. There's no way I'd pay more than 8 under any circumstances.
 
Don't buy that car for $16,000. Probably too High!
Watch out for the special financing. Probably you will be sorry!

Slow down now and drive fast a littel later.

Take your time and look around and you will find a good deal on a great car.

As far as the financing, WATCH OUT!!!! The wrong financing can be more costly than overpaying on the sales price!!! Dont be fooled by a good looking monthly payment. Shop the financing as carefully as you shop the car!

A good qualified cosigner would probably save you thousands in financing costs if you are not able to get favorable terms on your own.

Good luck.
 
16K?

For my two cents worth I too would agree that is way, way too much. There are plenty of other out there that would be closer to what you want to spend. My son got a really nice (but in need of paint) 87 for under 10K. He got it painted for a about 500 dollars and it is a really nice ride now. Go to "vette finders.com" and take a look at what is offered there. It should give you a pretty good idea what you can get for your money. I would also recommend "Peoples First.com" as a possible source for financing...

bp
 
How about 14k for the car. By the way, here is the link to the car.

I went to lots of online sites, and all the cars I see that are similiar are listed at the same price. I wish I could buy off a private party, but I don't have Cash. I really appreciate all the advice being offered, and I am definetly going to renegotiate. But, like I said, here is the link to the car, if it'll make a difference.

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=127751323&dealer_id=30795282&car_year=1988&make=CHEV&distance=25&max_price=16000&model=&end_year=1988&advcd_on=n&min_price=14000&address=16046&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1988&color=&cardist=6
 
too much i bought my 87 with 30k in miles with a 3/36 warrenty for 15.5 out the door from a dealer! talk him down cause that car will never move. best thing to do is watch it sit on the lot for a 2-3 months then make a deal at the end of the month. that is the best time to haggle cause they want to sell as many cars as they can at months end. you can probably get the car for 13.5-14k but that should be the MAX.

you can always tell them "hey you know the economy is in the crapper and these cars aren't moving like the minivans. best i can do is 13k" and see what he says.

good luck! btw i like those rims :D they look really good buffed out :D
 
IMHO I think your playing right into the dealers hand if you start out with $14K. I think you hit the nail on the head in your earlier post "Kelly Blue book says $9K" I don't think the dealer paid much more than 9K even if it was in excellent shape. However, don't let me or this forum tell you what to do. If you like the car, and it gives you that feeling that all of us get when driving our vettes, then go for it... Life is too short not to be happy...


PS. Throw out an offer for 12K and see what he says... Just my advice only...
 
$16k is too high.
There is a book out called "Corvette Price Handbook" by Antonick. A perfect 100% coupe is listed as only 13K, with drivers going for around 8K.
 
$14k is still way too high.
You can pay it if you want to, but you'll kick yourself when you see you've wasted 5 grand or more.

I'm looking at a mint 95 6 speed convertible with all the options for $13k right now.
 
My 88 convertible went for maybe $13,500 Canadian, which was before we started climbing towards the US dollar, say roughly 9K US$ and it has a huge stereo, cover, great shape. Were there a great condition coupe for sale here I would go no higher than 8K unless it was "in a box". Mine had about 65K miles but other than the tunes very original. Shop around a bit or ask the dealer where he intends to obtain the financing. You may be able to bypass him and save the surcharge...:beer
 

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