Advice on buying a C5 sight unseen

[Blu ByU]

As I continue my quest for a C5, I have found several on various sites that are too far away for me to inspect prior to purchase. I have never bought a car I haven't gone over with a fine toothed comb, but I know it's been done in the Corvette world. Just looking for any tips, thanks.

 

[Chrisr]

Well, one thing you could do, find out if any members here on the board live near one of the vettes and have them take a look at it, if they're willing.

 

[Blu ByU]

Just so happens, one of the one's I'm interetsted in is in NJ... Are you familiar with Chase Auto Group in North NJ?

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Also, obtain the VIN and your local dealership can run a warranty history on the vehicle.
Alllthebest, c4c5

 

[jrose7004]

There's just no way that I could buy a car without seeing it, touching it or driving it!

 

[Blu ByU]

There's just no way that I could buy a car without seeing it, touching it or driving it!

Yeah, I'm struggling with that as well. But there are some good deals out there on the east coast that are hard to ignore!

C4C5, thanks for the advice.

 

[r1_addict]

I bought a 73 stingray from e-bay, saw pictures, the the motor was JUNK, and most of the parts were worn or missing. I would NEVER by a car of motorcycle without using the fine tooth comb. Spend a few hunderd, fly out and inspect it. Could save you big $$$ and give you peace of mind!

 

[Chrisr]

Just so happens, one of the one's I'm interetsted in is in NJ... Are you familiar with Chase Auto Group in North NJ?

Sorry to say, I never heard of Chase Auto Group, I live in Southern NJ. Where in North Jersey is this place????

C4C5Specialist has a very good idea. Also with the VIN, you could run a CarFax too.

 

[XLR8]

I bought my Corvette sight unseen from Corvette Palace in Austin TX. I checked the testimonials of their past customers - many of them repeat customers. I asked detailed questions in emails and on the phone, I kept their email responses as documentation of what they said the car would be. I checked the TX Better Business Bureau for any complaints against them - there were none. I hired an ASE certified tech to pick up the car, drive it, and take it to his shop and go over it with a fine tooth comb, then he faxed me a full report.

And then I purchased the best warranty I could find. The folks at CP are a really nice married couple named William and Shannon, and they've been in the business of selling Corvettes for more than 12 years now. I would definitely buy from them again.

Hope this helps.
Jane Ann

 

[Blu ByU]

That's great advice Jane Ann, thank you!

 

[XLR8]

That's great advice Jane Ann, thank you!

You're welcome! And good luck with your search. Let us know when you find your C5 and post some pix so we can ooooh and aaaah over it!

JA

 

[6 Shooter]

I purchased my current Corvette off of e-bay. Edmond went over to look at it and take a ride in it for me since it was in the Chicago area. The owner/young man put it on a trailer and pulled it down to Bowling Green for a final inspection/drive before I gave him the money to finalize the purchase.

It's 1 sweet ride!

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[o2bnkc]

Bought my first vette on ebay. No complaints. I had in the deal, that if the car wasn't 100% as described, then the deal was off. Went very smoothly. I was very satisfied. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Blu ByU]

Thanks everybody. I may have found one locally - a 2004 CE, just what I've been looking for. I'm going to look it over tonight....

 

[XLR8]

Thanks everybody. I may have found one locally - a 2004 CE, just what I've been looking for. I'm going to look it over tonight....

Aha - so you found MY next Corvette! :naughty: Good luck! Post some pix when you complete your quest!

Jane Ann

 

[IH2LOSE]

What is the address for the place you want a car looked at on the east coast?

I am 40 minutes north of NYC.

I have an 2002 C5 and the east coast is hard on cars. I have about 12,000 miles on my car and it garage kept I can can think of about 4 rain storms I was caught in and one snow storm , the bottom aluminum on my car looks terrible.

I only bought one car sight un-seen and it was because of the dealers reputation.

Nothing is better then touching,feeling,smelling, a car to tell if its good.

Almost every car will look perfect in pictures.


The benefit of running the vin thru your local dealer is you can see if its been in a bunch of times for problems

 

[Eric]

Thanks everybody. I may have found one locally - a 2004 CE, just what I've been looking for. I'm going to look it over tonight....

Very nice and convenient.

If it doesn't work out, you could always use a CAC member for a pre-inspection. They/we could look it over, take photos, fill out an appraisal report for you. Then you could use that as the basis for your decision to fly out or not.

Good luck!

-Eric

 

[65-to-00]

The only Chase Auto I could locate is along the McCarter Highway in Newark.

I know a few of these "high end" urban dealers along this row have been in a bit of hot water over the last year of so. Mostly it involved money laundering for the local druggies "an dey pimped rides".

:eyerole I have no sense of cross cultural appreciation.

 

[Blu ByU]

My apologies, I guess I should have posted an update. I did find one locally, the 04 CE I mentioned earlier. Took it to it's first show today and brought home a Gold! Thanks everybody for the input.

 

[TorchRedC5]

There's just no way that I could buy a car without seeing it, touching it or driving it!

I got this one sight unseen