To buy or not to buy...what do you think?

[Fabinatl]

Just looked at a 94 coup. White and very clean with little seat wear. Everything works. No smoke, rides like new. Nice purr from the engine. Excellent tires and clean engine. It does have a few worn / cracked rubber seals here and there. I think it has a little water coming in on the passenger window area. That window needs a little adjustment also. Automatic seems to work perfect. Cold AC and the center AC vent is cracked. It has 134,000 miles on it. It's at a dealership and I don't know the history at all. Their asking price is $8,500. Is this a good deal?
This is the lowest price I have seen on a Vet in Atlanta Ga. for this year or any early 90's I've seen.
Sooo.....what do you think? I've searched the forums for info but I need to know if it's worth it.
Thanks for you help!
Andy
Atlanta, Ga.

 

[Tuna]

It's the mileage - 134K - that is keeping the price down. Even the "Corvette Price Handbook" says "no newer model with miles in excess of 100k would merit a #3 rating unless it could claim some unique status, or unless it had substantial mechanical rebuilds." This puts the car in to #4 rating which is their worse but not a parts car.

IMO, this is a very good price for a nice, high mileage 10 year old Vette.

 

[caddy]

I purchased my 94 Coupe LT1 6-speed about 6 months ago, it had a little over 129k on it, here's what I'd look for if I were you.
Make darn sure your water pump is not leaking, a leaky water pump usually means your Opti-Spark is not far from going on the fritz......EXPENSIVE REPAIR!, Check plug wires, Brake booster, Clutch Master Cyl. Brakes and Rotors........
Good Luck!!

 

[Rogue]

I think the mileage is extremely important. Because once you get into the high mileage cars, chances are good you will be required to replace a whole lot of things soon after you buy. You may save a few thousand bucks at initial purchase, but there's a good chance you will have to give up more $$ later to keep the car running well.

Just be aware of this.

Personally, I would look around more for a 'Vette with less than 50k miles on it. But that's just me and I'm willing to pay more for that.

 

[warren s]

If the asking price is $8500, maybe there is some "room" in that price. Milage is the all important factor.

I am selling my C4, just turned 25K miles, I can ask 20K for it, but once those miles roll on it doesnt matter how good a shape it may be in.

 

[Mad-Mic]

for 10k you can probably get alittle older vette with less than 50k in miles.

i'd see if they offer a warrenty longer than 1 month and see whats up. if they offer like a 3 year 36k warrenty then i'd say go for it but if no warrenty look for something else

 

[caddy]

The bottom line..............IF YOU LIKE IT........BUY IT.....!!
the decision is ultimtely yours!
Like I said, the one I bought had 129k on it for $8000, and If I had it to do over again????????? YOU BET YOUR BOOTS I'D DO IT! In a heartbeat!!

 

[oldace84]

I think that the vette to buy is the one that turns you on, no matter where.
GOOD LUCK
tony

 

[caddy]

Tony's right...............What you get here is advise, alot of good advice from a lot of experienced Vette owners/drivers, but it doesn't matter if that vette has 200k on it, if you like it and it turns you on then by all means buy it!!!!

 

[Vette_Newb]

I have owned alot of high-mileage vehicles over the years. You save a pretty good chunk of $$ on them. That sounds like a good deal to me, I just bought my 89 with 114k on it. I was looking at cars in the $6-9k range and seen mostly junk. this one was $7k with a fresh top-end rebuild (leaking head gasket) and needing rear tires. Otherwise the car is real good. Had I found one as you are describing I would have bought it. I looked at a '91 which was fairly rough (trans wouldn't go past 2nd) for $6900. He sold it the next day for that ammount.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Ghost~3~]

Well, perhap's I got "Lucky" buying my '87 Vette for $8500 with
only 63,435 mile's on it???

But that MILEAGE seem's a Tad "HIGH" for the $$$$$ asked???

Might be worth it to keep looking around??? JMO!

 

[Jman]

First put it on a rack - second bid low.

 

[Fabinatl]

I think I'll go look it over again this coming Saturday and really put it through the ringer. Thanks for all the advice! I've owned several Nissan Z's over the years and once even owned a 76 Corvette for a while back in my Marine Corps days. Didn't know much about cars then but have learned a lot since.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[tyrel]

If you've never owned a Corvette and you really want one, I suggest you shop around and look at several different ones before deciding. At 134,000 miles, the car will need little things and you either do it yourself or drop it off at the mechanic. Relays go bad, shocks need to be replaced, it may need rotors and brake pads, the a/c probably needs to be serviced, the engine may need some attention, interior items are expensive, tires are expensive, and count yourself lucky if it doesn't have the Bose stereo because you'll be replacing that as well, either with oem parts (mucho dinero), or an aftermarket system. If the car doesn't have the service records, I would turn around and run in the other direction. Corvettes are beautiful, but while admiring the shapely lines of the car, it may be easy to forget what a money pit it can be. If the previous owner cared for the car and kept up all the maintenance, then for a 134,000 mile car it may well be worth it. However, if it needs lots of work, realistically you're looking at a car that you will spend every weekend working on. Here's a site that might help you:

http://www.c4vettes.com/prepurchase.htm

Good luck.

BTW, Vette_Newb, did you know that your wheels are on the wrong side? They are supposed to be directional, and your lefts are on the right. I assume that your rights are on the left, or you have four left wheels.

 

[Vette_Newb]

BTW, Vette_Newb, did you know that your wheels are on the wrong side? They are supposed to be directional, and your lefts are on the right. I assume that your rights are on the left, or you have four left wheels.

hehe

Yes, when I bought the car they were on the wrong corners. Evidently whoever installed the BFG's didn't know they were directional. Since I have installed new tires they are now correct.

I don't have any pictures of my own yet, that is the pic from the Ad.