looking to buy a high mileage '02 coupe

[awalla]

I have a line on my first Vette... an '02 electron blue coupe with 70k miles. The history of the car is there (maintenance and the current owner is a long time Vette owner trading in his C5 for a C6.)

If the owner gets to take delivery on his C6 this week, I'll be making the drive to check this out. I'll be buying the car from people that I trust, but they're mainly C3 and C4 specialists. They haven't worked on many C5s.

What major things should I be looking at on a high mileage C5 Corvette before making my decision? Thanks for your suggestions!

Tony

 

[Green2000]

I would guess resale value would be the biggest concern with that mileage, but for a daily driver it should be no problem.

 

[awalla]

I would guess resale value would be the biggest concern with that mileage, but for a daily driver it should be no problem.

I think the resale value is a given... what I'm looking for is what common problems other than the electrical gremlins already described here in the forums should I be looking for with over 70,000 miles (other than standard belts, hoses, and tires.)

I plan on treating it like a Corvette should be treated (stored in the winter, avoid driving in the rain, washed and detailed on a regular basis.) It will be my first Corvette and I want to treat it that way!!

 

[Tuna]

I treat my Vettes like they should be treated also - driven everyday (except in ice and snow). 107K on the 92, 22K on the 03 and counting.

So, the high mileage doesn't bother me at all - routine maintenance and replacing normal items should take care of it.

Look for excessive wear on the seat side bolsters.
Have the brake pads checked.
Auto - fluid change. Manual - probably okay
Coolant - check. I think Dexcool has a 100,000 mile service (or 5 years). Might plan to flush the coolant system just for piece of mind.
Tire wear - check alignment

How does it drive? Do you like it? Is the price right? Buy it and enjoy.

 

[bossvette]

I treat my Vettes like they should be treated also - driven everyday (except in ice and snow). 107K on the 92, 22K on the 03 and counting.

So, the high mileage doesn't bother me at all - routine maintenance and replacing normal items should take care of it.

Look for excessive wear on the seat side bolsters.
Have the brake pads checked.
Auto - fluid change. Manual - probably okay
Coolant - check. I think Dexcool has a 100,000 mile service (or 5 years). Might plan to flush the coolant system just for piece of mind.
Tire wear - check alignment

How does it drive? Do you like it? Is the price right? Buy it and enjoy.

I agree
my 97 had 68,000 when I bought it a month ago and has 71,000 now I dont think 70,000 is high milage I drive mine daily until the snow flies (hopeing for a late winter)

 

[awalla]

I got to look at and drive the car last night and I'll go back this afternoon to look at it in the sunlight.

I checked out the codes on the DIC...

Lost of comm with both door modules and battery low voltage, so they're telling me that the battery must have gone low which caused the car to throw the door module codes.

There is one code that I don't understand the actual issue:

C1214 Sol Valve relay Contact or coil CKT Open

Can anyone clue me in to the meaning of this code and the severity of it? All the codes were history only.

Thanks!