It Didn't Take Long

[Jman]

I took the plunge - as a recently singled middle aged dude, I decided it was time to do something for me. I had my heart set on the older model steel bumpered convertibles for some time but found them to be either too expensive or junk. And I wanted a driver, not a trailer/judging queen. My order of importance was manual (row my own gears) and convertible then priced right. So I found me a '96 CE coupe locally with the LT4 with 80k miles on it (I settled on the convertible but the targa top is just as good). You'd be hard pressed to find two scratches on it and the interior looks awesome. I don't know if I've ever owned or seen a car with 80k miles on it in this type of condition. The only problems which were revealed during negotiation are worn control arm bushings, LTPWS light remains on, no door key remote (not sure that is the right term), and wires were spliced to add an additional 12v outlet which turns out disengaged the lumbar operations on both seats. The pumps are fine but the guy said he needed the additional outlet more than the lumbar adjustments.

So if you're in the North Dallas area and you see a CE flying onto the George Bush Expressway, it was me that just dropped her into 4th and kicked her in the fanny.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome Jman!

'96 LT4...very nice for a first vette!
Welcome to Corvette Action Center.
Heidi

 

[vetteguy]

Welcome and congrats on your car, it sounds sweet. Enjoy it! Guy

 

[B17Crew]

Jman,

Congratulations on your CE LT4. The LT4 is a sweet ride, even more so in the Collector Edition trim.

B17Crew

 

[GS Diva]

Jman,

Congratulations on your first Corvette...and a nice choice, too! It didn't take you long to love the LT4, did it?! Welcome, also, to the Corvette Action Center.

Elaine

 

[lt46spd]

Jman, Welcome! I too just purchased an lt4 and just love it. Wise choice! Ken

 

[Vettelt193]

You will love the LT4! Congrats! I hate to pry, but since I am selling my LT4 CE, will you tell us what you paid? The prices seem to be all over the place on these cars... one day i can't find one for less than $20k, the next they are much less than that. (i am searching for under 45k miles too)

 

[Jman]

The honest answer is they are worth what someone is willing to pay. There aren't allot out there. I see why some people sell these after awhile. Try to get a few things done to it or replace a part here and there and "Woowaa". Then have your insurance agent quote you one price than charge another - so if I can't get this bait and switch insurance thing worked out mine might be for sale again too. But I wouldn't let it go for less than mid to low 20k's and mine has 81k miles on it. Probably not much help.

 

[Vettelt193]

Thanks for your input... I appreciate it. I would be happy to walk away with $18k for my car... I just want to switch to an automatic convertible. I love my LT4, and wish it was feasable to keep it, but I am forcing myself to use common sense (instead of Corvette sense) this time:eyerole

 

[sothpaw]

vettelt193,

Common sense? What? Do you have a nasty traffic jam type commute? Why auto vert? Seems like a popular combo though.

Good luck!

 

[Vettelt193]

vettelt193,

Common sense? What? Do you have a nasty traffic jam type commute? Why auto vert? Seems like a popular combo though.

Good luck!

The problem is I live too close to work now! I am having a hard time justifying 3 cars (my lincoln TownCar, the Vette, and ---the when i get married--- wife's car) I will be able to use the soon to be wife's car for long trips, and daily drive the corvette.... BUT, my current corvette has low miles, and just seems too nice to drive every day where i live, plus the fiance' can't drive stick This just worries me in case she ever needed to drive the car.

So, I can sell the Lincoln and the Corvette, and buy a daily driver Corvette convertible (auto) to just have fun with

 

[mad47]

I think its time for the new wife to learn to drive a 6 speed !!!

 

[froggy47]

Yes, but don't let her "learn" on the Vette.

 

[Vettelt193]

I used to have a honda civic, worth about $1000, that I tried to teach her on.... I told her she could total the car and I didn't care. She did fine driving it with no other cars around, but she got so nervous upon first sight of another car, everything she learned seemed to just fall out of her head. To make a long story short, I know she will never be comfortable driving a stick so my LT4 has gotta go

 

[sothpaw]

Sorry lt93,

I have it easy I guess--I was in your exact situation and I sold my 1986 transam auto daily driver. I have it easy because my wife doesn't like the vette anyway and so stick or auto is irrelevant. She only likes to drive compact cars, like her Neon, because she is only 5 ft tall. She hated the 86, even though auto, since she could hardly reach the pedals with the seat all the way up.

I wasn't uncomfortable with just the Neon for her and the 93 6spd for me. But then, the Neon was 1.5 years old and under warranty. Plus, I can always borrow a car in tight spots from a relative.

Keep the Lt4 until after you say I do--it looks nice in the album. I even got engagement shots with it and also some for my desk. Also, if you change your mind, it makes a stylish GET AWAY vehicle.

 

[Jman]

AllState came through for me $160 month for two cars - that was the original price quoted from my PREVIOUS insurance company until the underwriter got her dirty hands on my app for the Vette than she thought it'd make more sense to almost double that figure. Didn't make any sense to me nor to AllState. Now I'll go see if they'll save me money on my home insurance.

 

[Vettelt193]

AllState came through for me $160 month for two cars - that was the original price quoted from my PREVIOUS insurance company until the underwriter got her dirty hands on my app for the Vette than she thought it'd make more sense to almost double that figure. Didn't make any sense to me nor to AllState. Now I'll go see if they'll save me money on my home insurance.

Good Job! glad to hear your vette will stay with you!


Sothpaw: We can always have pics with my next corvette. My fiance' and I got some really good shots of us and the 'vette in bowling green and nashville... This is one car that will always be in my memories long after it has found a new home. One memory I won't miss is the one of me driving almost 2000 miles over that weekend myself, because the ol' lady can't drive stick!

 

[sothpaw]

That's a common issue though--I know lots of couples where the lady can't / won't drive stick. We are all in the same boat.

Wish I was there to buy that LT4 from you.

A

 

[mad47]

My wife will not even think about driving my LT4 6 speed; in fact, she rarely even wants to ride in it. I have not decided yet if this is Good News or Bad News ?

 

[Vettelt193]

My wife will not even think about driving my LT4 6 speed; in fact, she rarely even wants to ride in it. I have not decided yet if this is Good News or Bad News ?

--Both-- it is always nice to take that drive by yourself, get some peace and fun at the same time. The unadvertised feature of the LT4 is how it melts the worries of life away On the other hand, it is also nice to take her out with you