Should I buy high mileage?

[HB95Vette]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and very close to buying my first corvette... a 95 Arctic White coupe. A friend has been the only owner so far and he's willing to sell it to me for what he would get trading it in on the Porsche he's buying. It has been dealer maintained, has full service records and my friend is a fanatic about taking care of it. It's in mint condition and it looks as if I will get it for about $9500... so what's my worry? Well... the only troublesome item to me is that it has 90K miles on it and I intend using it as a daily driver. Any opinions? Will it be an expensive ride? Or are the miles not so important if it has been properly maintained?

Also wondering if anyone knows of a corvette club in the Huntington Beach, California area? Could also use any recommendations on good non-GM mechanics in the area!

Thanks in advance...

 

[Tuna]

Go for it. As mentioned else where in this forum, high mileage isn't a problem when you are looking at a car that has maintenance documentation and you know the owner.

Something thing you might want to check are the wheel bearing. At 90K, they can start showing wear and may need replacing. Sometimes they last a lot longer. I autocross my ol 92 and I replaced them last year around that mileage.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

High Mileage fan

A friend has been the only owner so far...It has been dealer maintained, has full service records and my friend is a fanatic about taking care of it. It's in mint condition...

My personal opinion about high mileage vehicles is that the mileage represents reliable road worthy-ness. However, I would only purchase one described as you describe this one: properly maintained by a fanatic.

I don't think you could go wrong. Buy it.
Granted that's easy to say when it isn't my money......but I would also be aware that some things may require service or replacement, but this vehicle sounds like it was well cared for and seems a spectacular purchase for a 1st vette.
Heidi

 

[Vettelt193]

It sounds like a good deal, but you can count on normal wear and tear items breaking every once in a while. I wouldn't hesitate on the deal, but on the other hand I would keep in mind that repair bills will come in.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Buy it quick. When he gets sick of the ¨routine¨ maintenance bills on the P car sell it back to him for $12,500. or better yet keep the Vette and tell him if he wants to drive euro trash with a ¨P¨ in the name to get a Peu-goat, at least they start in the morning.

I have the right to talk bad about these cars, I once bought a new BMW 850CSI. That makes me the fool in this picture doesn’t it?
:duh

 

[rrubel]

Daaaaaaammmmmnnnn!!!

I've a co-worker who wanted an 850CSi for as long as I've known him (long time). He finally got one, used, for about $50k. Then he promptly put about $12k into repairs. It's a sweet-looking car, and quite rare in this country (only about 2000 imported TOTAL), but you could get a new Z06 AND a beater C4 for what he paid...

I'll make sure he doesn't hear what you said
[RICHR]

 

[kingman]

When a Bargin isn't a Bargin!!!!!!!!!

The only thing going for the car is that the owner is moving up to a Porsche. Most Porsche owners are fanatic's, even more so then vette owners.

The car can be in excellent condition both inside and out and for $9500 seems to be a good deal. But for a daily driver l would look for something in the 50,000 mile range. Think about how much mileage you will have after a couple of years and what you think you could recoup.

Also, even though the mileage is very high for any year vette it's only 8 years old. Time and mileage will cause havoc on a vette even though it was well maintained.

Check his records to see how he maintained it and what he replaced. All of the corvette parts are pricey and add up very fast.

What kind of driving did he do, if it was strictly highway, then that is a plus.

My final thought is have it checked out by a qualified mechanic before you do anything.

What looks good and feels good is not always what really is.

Alan

 

[zog]

My 86 Vette had 94,000 on it when I bought it....in 3,000 miles I have spent $2000 on parts and upgrades....

I would go for your deal in a heartbeat...newer car, great condition, and the thing will run forever if you treat it right....

 

[vettedoc]

It sounds like you have found a nice car. You realize that a used car needs maintenance and some parts or systems may need to be replaced over the years. Don't be afraid of this, but rather just be aware of it and the $$$'s it will cost. The enjoyment far outweighs the risk in my opinion.

 

[c4ever]

I would jump all over a deal like that if the car is what you say it is. Mileage means little to me if the car is properly maintained. I've got 90k on my 85 and she's never had a major repair to date, runs better than ever and she's my daily driver. Not to mention I'm not exactly easy on the throttle
If these cars have regular tune ups, oil, tranny and diff fluid changes with premium products they'll run forever as far as I'm concerned.
Whichever way you go, best of luck

Carlo

 

[HB95Vette]

Thanks for all the replies...
I do think I'll go for it (it will be a few weeks) since it does seem like such a good price and I know what a fanatic my friend is on the maintenance issues. I'll set aside a few bucks for the inevitable repairs and just enjoy driving it!
Any recommendations on a mechanic or a local club?
Thanks again!

 

[Daryllawman]

Go For It........ But to own and drive a Corvette you need a good paying job and or money in the bank for whatever does go wrong, as the parts are not cheep...

 

[hAZcAT]

sounds like a good deal for 9500, I figure 200 bucks a month for maintaince, so far I have only spent 78 bucks oil and filters, in six months of owning my 94, it has about 92,000 soon though I will have to put new tires on the rear.... and I think I have spent $500 on wax. I am not worried about milage what matters is how well the car is cared for.

 

[garycr14]

The only thing going for the car is that the owner is moving up to a Porsche.

Alan

Say What????

 

[spyysee]

Up untill last year, my '87 was my daily driver with 144,000 miles.
I'm the original owner and took care to maintain and replace components (sometimes pro-actively) as necessary.
Don't sweat the miles...enjoy. It sounds like "good mileage" to me.

 

[Rain]

Glad you decided to tell him you want the vette.

They are easy to afford, and expensive to keep. Glad to hear this one has a good history of service!

Rain

 

[dei83fan]

Both of my Vettes, 82 and 84 were high milage (97K and 95K) when I bought them and the only money I've put out for them are for things I chose to replace.
These are great cars.......go for it!!

 

[Vettefan87]

This is probably a little late, but I would rather have a Vette with 100k miles that has been taken care of then a 50k car that has been neglected. neglect is worse then a little bit of wear, just my opinion. I'd go for it, nothing like having a Corvette. Don't forget to wave

 

[BruceBed]

I agree- it is better to have a pedigree high mieage car than a neglected low mileage runner. Your not paying that much for the car. You know there is always a buyer with any mileage and any condition. As long as you don't jepordize your friendship with the tranaction. If you know that you are buying as is on the trade. Go for it.....

 

[Edmond]

90K miles? That's barely broken in!:L Plus, he has all the records to prove that it's been properly maintained. I say go for it and enjoy it!