Found a 1996 Collectors Edition..

[Jhenke]

Hello, new to the board, I am looking for my first Corvette.

Found a 1996 CE, coupe with Light gray interior, 25000 miles, looks to be a garage queen, 3 previous owners, brand new Goodyear HP tires, no wear spots in carpet, dry inside, removable top smoked color, but has three small stress cracks in it. Car fax looks good. LT4 / 6 speed.

What is a fair price for this?

Did all CE have the sport seats? I think they look lame. The seam across the bottom cushion looks weak.

A couple of pictures:

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/JamHenke/DSC00519.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/JamHenke/DSC00522.jpg

 

[soggytaco]

Welcome,

It looks like you are buying this from a dealer most of these I have seen at dealers are in the $21,000 to 25,000 range. I just got my CE with 39,000 miles for $18,000 it was beyond mint other than the weather strip. Take a good look at the tires even though they have a lot of tread they may still have dry rot.

All CEs have the sport seats.

Good luck

 

[MARLTON LT-4]

I agree with "soggy taco". It is totally a buyers market for a C4 right now, even a '96 LT4,CE. I don't care for dealers anyhow. There is a good chance it is an auction car or has background that is unclear. IMHO you are looking at the best year/optioned car you can. I would just keep looking. They are out there! Let us know what you do.


CP

 

[6 Shooter]

High teens to the low twenties . . .

Welcome to the

Enjoy the hunt.

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[GS Diva]

Jhenke,

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center! The CE you're looking at sounds like it's in great shape and with low miles. That's one thing you'll pay a bit more for...the low mileage. Enjoy your search and keep us updated on what you find!

Elaine

 

[Roadster Guy]

I kind of like pampered garage queens when buying...

Looks like a good one with low mileage.....garage queens can be a very good find in that low miles and pampered care are a great starting point. Hey, nothing like a garaged, clean, waxed, covered, low mileage Vette in a spotless dry garage with the loving owner holding his lint brush to get my attention when I am buying.

I can see from the interior pic that it does not have the F45 suspension. How about the PEG package (climate control/Bose upgrade)? Remember when comparing different Vette prices to keep options in mind.

The LT4 is a big plus IMO. The CE package is pretty cool. Keep hunting around on the net and the street and you will soon learn the correct values for 96 Vettes. Sometimes the first car is the right one and you come back to it. A buyers market? Yes. But, good Vettes priced right sell first. Hey, I see you are looking at a coupe....ragtops can be fun, but I'm kind of partial so ignore me...anyway, best of luck and happy hunting.
RG

 

[Jhenke]

This dealer is looking for just under $20,000 for this CE It does have the bose and auto HVAC, power seats, but that is about it. I think the suspension is a FE3 ??? I feel that this is too easy, the first one I find and drive is this good. I may be able to beat the dealer down and compete sale before end of year, they save on property tax, but next year I get hit with the property tax bill. Or maybe I will hunt down a conv.

 

[Ted Krempa]

FYI...If the car is at a GM dealer, the dealer can absolutly run that VIN and get a print out of all the options. (mine did) That interior looks like a 're-do' to me but I could be wrong. Mine is a one owner with 50k and the leather was a bit more 'crazed' (black) than yours. I bought mine from a GM dealer and asked them to put it up on a rack to inspect the underside. If they won't do that, run. The price is excessive in my opinion. Ask them to show you what they have in the car (their cost) then make a fair offer. I gotta think KC is not a 'hotbed' of Corvette sales especially in Dec. Sometimes, a salesman will get a 'think thing' in their head about Corvette's, but the manager will realize if they can turn a unit and make a grand or so it does not make a diff if its a Corvette or a Cavalier. It does not seem yor car is really optioned out so pitch that to the dealer for the sake of discussion.

FYI, again, it is really a buyers market. we (me) get caught up in the moment of owning a Corvette, and we might not do our homework like we should do...aka....don't fall in love just for the sake of it !!!

Happy New Year, and report back to us on your search !!

 

[Jhenke]

Still thinking about this car............

It may have Z51 suspension, if so, is that a desirable suspension? Rare??

 

[blackandred78]

It can be that easy - it follows my two rules for buying used cars of any kind - make sure it was a good car to begin with, and get the absolute best one you can for your budget. This one fits both - it is one of the best C4's available - very sorted by end of production life, it is a CE which makes it look good and be interesting - and it has been taken care of.

Where's the dealer - I might go buy it myself! Good luck - which you have already had.

 

[kingman]

C4 ???????????????

Hi

If you are going to be spending in the $19,000 area l would be looking at a C5 instead.

The C4 is a great machine but not at that price and l am sure that you are going to drive it and then the value will drop faster.

The LT4 is a terrific engine but the C5 is a better car period.

At this time the vette market is at the bottom, keep lurking around and if l were you l would only look at private sales and for get the vette for sale sights because they are 99% dealers looking to make a fair markup.
Ebay is another place that l would avoid unless l knew what l was doing and whatever you do have it checked out or shame on you.

alan

p.s. Good Luck

 

[WradDad]

This dealer is looking for just under $20,000 for this CE It does have the bose and auto HVAC, power seats, but that is about it. I think the suspension is a FE3 ??? I feel that this is too easy, the first one I find and drive is this good. I may be able to beat the dealer down and compete sale before end of year, they save on property tax, but next year I get hit with the property tax bill. Or maybe I will hunt down a conv.

I bought the first car I came across when I started my search two years ago. Haven't regretted it for even one minute. It just happened to be the same car you're looking at, although with higher mileage!

 

[soggytaco]

Hi

If you are going to be spending in the $19,000 area l would be looking at a C5 instead.

The C4 is a great machine but not at that price and l am sure that you are going to drive it and then the value will drop faster.

The LT4 is a terrific engine but the C5 is a better car period.


alan

p.s. Good Luck

Alan

I have to respectfully disagree with you. First, the only C5 you are going to find at that price is a high mileage beater. Down the road the LT 4 will hold its value more than any Ls1 just due to the fact it was only offered one year. The C5 is a different car than the C4 I have driven many of both. In general all things equal a C5 will handle better than a 4 but I would argue the LT4 is equal to the Ls1 power plant. So when faced with the choice of a limited production LT4 with low miles and a dime a dozen Ls1 with a lot of wear and tear I would choose the LT4. Just my two cents......Adam

 

[blackandred78]

Soggy Taco is right on - a low miles, end of the production run car is better than an early production car with loads of miles. The differences are mostly found at the high end of pushing the car at a track event - for cruising and enjoying, the CE will always turn heads and be loads and loads of fun to own and drive...

 

[Jeb]

Still thinking about this car............

It may have Z51 suspension, if so, is that a desirable suspension? Rare??

They built 5,412 Collector Editions in 1996 and 1,869 had the Z-51 package. The Z-51 is a performance suspension package that some might find a tad stiff for everyday driving. To each his own.

Good luck.

 

[koolaid117]

It still boils down to personal preference and what you are willing to pay for the car. I spent 19k for my car just last April. It was the first Corvette I've ever driven, but not the first one I looked at. If that car is worth the money to you, I say buy it. After all, it is a Corvette!

 

[LaMagred'02]

quote=WradDad]I bought the first car I came across when I started my search two years ago. Haven't regretted it for even one minute. It just happened to be the same car you're looking at, although with higher mileage![/quote]

I did the same thing 5 years ago....prob paid too much, but it was my first Vette.....still love it!