40th Anniversary price on 40th anni edition?

[BarryK]

hi

I have a '65 coupe so I'm much more familiar with the values and pricing on midyears than C4's but since getting our '65 in March my wife has become "converted" into a Vette woman and now she wants a toy to go along with "mine".
We went to look at one last night she found for sale. It is a '93 40th anniversity edition coupe.
current owner who is selling it is the second owner and supposibly selling it to pick up a new '04 commemrative edition C5.
The car has 47k miles, tires were replaced about 7k miles ago.
Overall condition is what I would consider excellent. Interior looks about perfect not even a blemish or rub mark on the drivers seat where i've noticed they tend to get rubbed a lot as you slide in and out if the car. Engine carpartment is very clean and well detailed. It was just starting to get dark as we got to the car to go look at it so have to go back again but the paint looked in very good shape also - it was very smooth indicating it was in good condition and well waxed, no scratches, although he did admit there were just a few assorted minor chips common from driving any car. He used the car for what I would refer to as a semi-daily driver. On nice days he would take it to work or for pleasure but he had another vehicle for poor weather. He states the car has never seen rain, Obviously with only 47k on a 11yo car it wasn't used as a regular day in - day out daily driver.
The car had the tinted glass top but other than it being a 40th anni edition, Auto tranny (my wifes requirement), and CD player I don't know what other options it has. Before I got EVERY detail on the car I wanted to go back and look at it in the daylight and talk it over with the wife first.
He is asking $17,500 but said he would consider any reasonable offer. He said he determined the asking price baced on going onto Vettefinders.com and comparing the current high and low prices for that car.
What do you C4 owners think of his asking price?

 

[Tims93]

I'm assuming this is a Ruby Red anniversary coupe. All 93's have the embroidered headrest, but the Ruby Red was the car that commerated the 40th anniversary. That being said, I think his asking price is a little high since C4's are dropping to the bottom of the value curve. 15k if it's in excellant shape, if it's not A Ruby, 12K tops. Ask about the optispark to see if it's been replaced. Alot of C4's will begin to see problems with this over 50,000 miles and it can be a costly repair. Check the wheatherstripping closely and that will tell you if the the car has been stored inside for most of it's life. These tend to dry out and crack along the doors and on top of the windshield. Other than that I know your wife will love it. My wife could have cared less about vettes until I got mine and now it's tough to get her out. Good luck, Tim

 

[BarryK]

Hi Tim

Yes, this is a Ruby Red car.
If I remember the weatherstiping looked fine and the car overall looked like it was an indoor stored car but when we go back to look at it again I'll double check the weatherstriping - I know they are expensive to replace.
I'm aware of the optispark issues and that is really that only thing that makes me the slightest bit hesitant about the LT1 motors. I don't believe it has been replaced yet but i'll ask him about it.
I thought the $17,500 was a bit on the high side also. no matter what Vetterfinders.com reports, which is why I wanted to check on here first
Thanks for your comments.

Barry

 

[1995 RedVette]

Barry you nailed the first rules of buying a car:

1. Never go look at a car at night
2. Never look a car in the rain or while it is wet

Finally, 17,500 is a little high, that said however, if the car is in that good of shape it will be worth spending a few extra dollars on. I have owned 3 C4's, an iron head 86, 87, and now a 95 and the best advice I can give you is to buy a car that you like, and one that is in the best shape you can find and afford. Even though the initial investment is a little higher, odds are you will not have to deal with the small things to make a car really look and drive great.

As far as the opti goes....Don't let that stop you from buying a LT1 C4. At worst could expect to have to replace it once every 5-6 years depending on the miles you put on the car. I have almost 105,000 on my and have no reservations about it. Just don't spray water under the hood, and if you ever smell coolant make sure you know where it is coming from. A leaking water pump is the shortest route to a bad opti. IMO I would definatly give the car a second look because the LT1 cars offer a lot of performance, FUN, and dependibility for the money.

Brett

 

[GS Diva]

Barry,

The car sounds like a good investment...at a lower price, though! One thing to consider is that you're going to Carlisle. Believe me, there will be a ton of cars for sale there! You might want to hold out until then.

Elaine

 

[BarryK]

Brett

I knew I was breaking rule #1
LOL
We hadn't planned on looking at the car yesterday. She had told me about it a few days ago and we just happened to be driving past it again last night around dusk so I figured at least stop by and give it an inital check-out.
I agree about spending a bit more on a car if it's in better shape to have less worries later on, i just didn't know if even allowing for that extra amount the $17,500 was reasonable.

 

[BarryK]

Barry,

The car sounds like a good investment...at a lower price, though! One thing to consider is that you're going to Carlisle. Believe me, there will be a ton of cars for sale there! You might want to hold out until then.

Elaine

Elaine

Believe me, I'm not rushing into anything right now! I hadn't planned on another Vette purchase this year at all and when my wife started the C4 idea about 2 months ago we debatted back and forth and decided to wait until next year to do it.
I was surprised when she mentioned this one and wanted to go see it.

With the suppost she gave me when I got my '65 in March I felt I owed her to at least look at this car for her and give her the same support she gave me although this years budget will scream like hell!

 

[GS Diva]

Elaine

Believe me, I'm not rushing into anything right now! I hadn't planned on another Vette purchase this year at all and when my wife started the C4 idea about 2 months ago we debatted back and forth and decided to wait until next year to do it.
I was surprised when she mentioned this one and wanted to go see it.

With the suppost she gave me when I got my '65 in March I felt I owed her to at least look at this car for her and give her the same support she gave me although this years budget will scream like hell!

Barry,

I totally agree...I think all couples should have at least two Corvettes! Here's another thought...let your budget really scream...get a convertible!! There's nothing like it!

See you in Carlisle.

Elaine

 

[BarryK]

Barry,

I totally agree...I think all couples should have at least two Corvettes! Here's another thought...let your budget really scream...get a convertible!! There's nothing like it!

See you in Carlisle.

Elaine

Elaine

I'd love a vert but the budget REALLY wouldn't handle that at all beside the fact that I asked my wife and she prefers the look of the coupes better.
Although both Vettes would be both of our cars together, the C4 would be "more" hers just as the C2 is more "mine". We would both drive the C4 but she can't drive the C2 as it's a 4sp and she is scared to learn a stick on this car or risk her inexperience once she learns a manual tranny on the C2.

 

[tlong]

Hi Barry, looks like you're toying with multiple vette ownership. Lurk here for a bit and learn about C4s then shop. Take it to a mechanic. Let the wifey drive a few to make sure it's good with her. They are not for everyone.


These are civil to savage, and a blast. Later c4s are coming down a little more and will be even more plentiful. Take your time, this is a fun thing to shop for. Get one that 'does it' for y'all.

 

[SKIP780]

i got my '93 for a lot,lot less but it had twice the milage so i think that price is high. i believe you can find a better deal.some problems to look for.CD player work,power antenna,A/C,weather stripping arouynd the front of the windshield and the back one,along the side windows. and then check for rusty brake lines at the curve as they come out of the ABS compartment under the car.

 

[BarryK]

Hi tlong

yeah, we are toying with the idea but still not sure if it will happen this year or wait until next spring. Because of the budget I'm more inclined to wait until the spring as i already also have to buy a daily driver car for me. I had to turn in my company car when I was laid off work and buying TWO cars (my daily driver and also a C4 for her) is a bit much right now since i'm not working.
She has already driven one or two of the C4's and likes them and is comfortable sitting in them. I also do have a mechanic ( I think he's on retainer by now because of my '65!) so he will check out any C4 we may find we like.
Another reason I'm more inclined to wait until the spring is that the pricing may fall a little more yet on the C4's. We were at our Vette Club's picnic today and also heard a club member has his 40th annni edition for sale. Higher milage at around 85,000 but price is much lower at $12,900. Also heard another club member is willing to sell his '93 vert with the hardtop for the right price but he wants WAY too much but I don't blame him. He's had it since new and it's flawless with only 5800 miles!!

 

[BarryK]

Hi Skip

I knew to look at the weather stripping but I wasn't aware of the brake line issue. Thanks for the info!

Barry

 

[vee93]

Hi Skip

I knew to look at the weather stripping but I wasn't aware of the brake line issue. Thanks for the info!

Barry

Barry,
See if he'll take around 16,000 for the Vette. Those are fabulously low miles for an 11 year old Vette. And remember, although C4 prices are falling, the owner can ask a little more because it's the Ruby Red Metallic Anniversary Edition Vette. But for his $17,500 asking price the car must have the following:

1)Both tops
2)Electronic Climate Control
3)Select Ride and Handling Pkg.
4)Delco/Bose Gold Series AM/FM Stereo +
CD Player (make sure it works!) AND Cassette Player
5) [Both] Passive Keyless Entry transmitters
6) [Working]Leather Sports Seats w/6-way power adjust

Without any of the above, start deducting from his asking price.
Also, check for the following:
1) Do the lines flow on the body of the car? NO GAPS. Gaps are indicative of body damage.
2) Vin number--$14.95 for a Carfax report.
3) Any leaks, dings, scraps under the car? There should be NONE.
4) Feel the carpet on driver and passenger sides. Stains, ripples may indicate leakage.
5) Carpeting in cargo area. same as #4.
6) Crank up the stereo--no pops, crackles or cut-outs. Take the car out on the hi-way, crack a window and turn on the stereo and listen... Does the speed compensation volume work? It should adjust to road noise.
7) Take the car to a big, flat isolated parking lot. Wet up a patch and make sure the Accleration Slip Regulator works.
8) While out on the hi-way, check the cruise control.
9) Do the headlights flip up and down together?
10) Does the horn work? You'll need it. The Vette rides low and out of most driver's cursory glance.
11) Are the 40th Anniversary badges on the exterior of the car?
12) Do the seat belts work? (There's no airbag for the passenger in 93s--not that you'd need one.)
13) Dash, trip monitor, information center-working?
14) Vanity mirrors--both should be lighted.
15) Interior courtesy lights-working?
15) Does the tilt-steering wheel work?


If anything, the car hasn't been driven enough and inactivity can cause problems too. Check all belts and hoses and make sure they're solid and not just detailed to look good.


The Opti-Spark shouldn't be a big concern until around 70 thousand miles and even then, if it ain't givin' ya problems, don't sweat it.
That's all I can think of at this time of the morning. Good luck!

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

i got my '93 for a lot,lot less but it had twice the milage so i think that price is high. i believe you can find a better deal.some problems to look for.CD player work,power antenna,A/C,weather stripping arouynd the front of the windshield and the back one,along the side windows. and then check for rusty brake lines at the curve as they come out of the ABS compartment under the car.

Skip,
I thought that I was the only one with rusty brake lines!!! The 90´s are rusty just where you said and the 93´s were rusty when she was sold after just 3 years. I had thought that this was a non-issue or due the the cars being driven in Germany and Hungary on salted roads.:duh
Barry,
The 93 ate 2 optis but both were due to flooding... GM made both good in warranty. As long as you understand the opti it is no problem to live with.
The Ruby is one of my favorite Vettes, we tried to buy a new one when we leased the 93 but there was a long, long waiting list here in Europe. If I could find a Ruby ZR1 for $20K I would be on it like white on rice! If this car is as good as it sounds give the owner a check for $15K that can only be cashed with the cars papers signed over to you and see what she does.
Welcome to C4 land.

 

[BarryK]

Hi Vee93

wow, thanks for the very complete list of things to look for!
Since I'm much more familiar with problem areas to look for in midyear cars it was very helpful. The only think I know on your list that he mentioned as a problem is that the CD player quit working on him.
I didn't mention it in my previous post because I figured a radion issue was a minor concern compared to checking out the more major areas of the car. Looking at everyones posts though it seems that the CD player is something that has a tendency to quit a lot on these cars.

I think we are going too pass this particular car up though. Not because of any issues with this particular car but simply because other things thake priority within the budget right now and the C4 will most likely have to wait until Spring.
I'm going to print out your list though and keep it to use in the spring when we can start looking again.
Thanks for your help!

Barry

 

[BarryK]

hi Spanish

the Ruby is one of my favorite colors also (it's actually pretty close to the color of my '65 Milano Maroon Coupe).
If I could get a 40th anni edition ZR1 at a good price I'd love to grab that also but they are pretty rare and pricey, not to mention that all the ZR1's are manual tranny's and my wife needs an Auto. Oh well........so much for the ZR1 option idea.

Well, we will start our C4 search over in the Spring and see what we can find than.

 

[Vettelt193]

Try not to forget how many 40th anniversary cars were built. They really aren't rare, I personally think their higher values are a bit of a false high

 

[BarryK]

Try not to forget how many 40th anniversary cars were built. They really aren't rare, I personally think their higher values are a bit of a false high

If you are referencing my reply to spanishvette, I was actually referring to the 40th anniversity edition ZR1.
They only made a total of 448 ZR1's in '93 and obviously not all the ZR1's were the anni editions and so the 40th anni. edition ZR1 is pretty rare.

 

[JJS]

Last week a friend of mine purchased a '93, 40th anniversary edition for $21K (according to him). The car has less than 7K miles, and he said it looks and smells like brand new. He told me they were asking $25K since it was in pristine condition (dealership), but he offered $21K due to the blue book (again, according to him) value of $16K for a 1993 corvette.

I asked him (and he has an '87 that he bought new) if it was a ZR1, and he asked "what's that?" I said, "never mind, since it would have cost at least double what you paid for an 40th AE for only $21K!"

I plan to check it out tomorrow night at a cruise night. He complained of the suspension being stiff, and thanks to the members of this board we'll be able to check out the codes and find out what suspension option he has.