Need help from Vette lovers!!!

[Denilson35]

Hey guys,
I need some advice. I have been offered a 1987 Corvette Convertible for $9000. It has all of the basic options and nothing really more, and it has 29000 miles on it. From my research about Corvettes, this seems like a very good deal. However...I am not experienced under the hood, and while I'd like to learn, the corvette may be a very expensive learning device. My questions are: Does the deal sound good in the first place? ...Is a Corvette worth buying if I don't have experience working on cars?...If I drive it 30,000 miles in the next 4-5 years, will I be able to get a good portion of my money back (provided the car stays in good shape)? Please help me, I'm quite torn over this decision!!!

 

[69MyWay]

Welcome to CAC.

That sounds like a nice price for a low mile car. Just remember, often low mile cars have MORE problems, than regular cars because the seals, gaskets, and other items tend to dry up and crack/shrink, causing leaks and other nasty little problems.

If the prior owner often cranked the engine and went around the block once a month or so, you will be fine. However, if that car sat in one place for a very long time, you will have problems with valve stem seals, trans seals, diff seals, U joints, etc. etc.

I bought a low mile 1986 convertible back in 97. In the first two months I owned it....

trans seals, rear seal, valve stem seals, EGR, heater hoses, thermostat, mufflers, etc. etc.

It only had 48,000 miles and everything had dried up. I spent as much money putting it back on the road as I would have with a higher mile car.

So, be careful!

 

[RedRagTop]

69MyWay makes very good points regarding the low mileage, definitely check that angle out. My 88 went for roughly the same price but more miles. Find out how it was stored, take it out and check for brake stutter, trouble lights/codes, notchy steering and puddles under from where you test drove it.
If it checks out it appears to be a car selling slightly below market value, especially for a rag top.
Remember, basic package on a vette of that year includes a lot of options on other cars.
You may be surprised what is included, I had to get my window sticker from Bowling Green to find out. Previous owner did not know how pricey some of the options were...

 

[kingman]

Hi
Do not proceed without a certified mechanic checking it out, and l'm not talking about one of your friends. Make sure the the compression is checked and the a/c and anything that has a gasket.

The price is fair and you should get a fair sum back from a corvette lover if it's really in good condition.

Keep in mind that the parts are mucho bucks, forget the additional labor.

For a couple of $'s more you could step intp a 300HP 92 with thousands of upgrades, but the mileage will be higher.

Good Luck

Alan

 

[2tone81]

From what I'm seeing retail/wholesale and auctions....9000.00 is reasonable for a low mile 87 ragtop.Its the Vette season right now. Just had a friend caught up in a 15000.00 auction on a higher mile 89 convert.I would say the car would probably do 9000.00 with 50000 miles on it........Good luck.....Jim

 

[vettl83]

Shoot us the vin # and someone here can run a car fax for ya. That should give you the history of the vehicle. Such as work done on it by the dealer, warranty issues, if it's ever been wrecked, etc. You can also run a car fax yourself, but maybe somebody on the forum has some runs left on one they've allready purchased. Good luck price sounds right. 84 CF 91 ZR-1

 

[Doutdoor]

Just my 2 cents.....

When I first starting looking for my first vette I was very impatient. I test drove an 89 convertible and immediately wanted to buy it because I wanted a vette so bad. I was willing to overlook some obvious deficiencies because it only had 49k miles. The guy selling it was a used car broker who specialized in british cars like jaguars. Anyway, he didn't know jack about corvette's and could care less. All of this & I was still going to do the deal. Funny thing happened though. As I was sitting there negotiating the final deal, a guy walked in with a wad of cash in his pocket & offered to buy the car. Since I was going to finance a portion of the sale, the dealer looked at me and said sold to the other guy. At first I was p..... off but then I realized it was probably for the best. A month later I found a great deal on an immaculate 92 LT1 coupe which turned out to be such a better deal. My advice would be to look at the 92 & up C4's. The LT1 and later LT4 engines are far superior to the earlier C4 models. More horsepower, better designed. Good Luck.

Dave