What about this '81?

[Big Tex]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6168&item=2450211916

Anyone have any comments or suggestions about this extra nice looking '81? I'm seriously considering it. Please let me know if you guys have any pointers, etc. The price sure seems right and I have talked to the owner about it. Seems to be mechanically sound, good interior, and the paint is knocked out.

This will be my first Vette. I had my heart set on an '82 but this car has got my attention - big time.

Thanks,

Marc...:eyerole :eyerole

 

[Bob Chadwick]

The price appears to be in the right range but it needs an inspection. Rust in the frame needs to be ruled out, as do numerous other items. There is a checklist on the site with the things that need to be looked at. I can never find it but someone will chime in with the link.

Good luck and welcome to the CAC.

 

[Big Tex]

The guy says that there is not one bit of rust and that there is no 'glass filled in or sections added. He even suggested that I have it looked at by a local shop or appraiser before I drive it away. And since it's ebay, there is a protection clause. Man. this car is making me antsy!

Marc...

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Here is the evaluation form. Sounds like you need to print this thing off and find someone with a basic understanding of cars, Vette experience would be good as well, and go take a look at the cars. There are several Florida members here that could point you in the direction of someone to look at the car.

 

[CQRT]

Patience is a virtue . .

Howdy Tex !
Sorry- always wanted to do that . . Anyway, it's not a bad looking car at all, but did you read the seller's feedback ?? He seems to have a real mixed bag of people who experienced questionable transactions.

I bought our 74 Corvette in Tulsa, but had a colleage go to the sellers house, drive the car, review the receipts and do the homework necessary.

Respectfully suggest you not let your enthusiam over-rule your good sense on this one.
CQRT in AZ

 

[Barry08]

Careful Big Tex!
That seller has a weak rating 84%??????
Take your time and do your homework it will pay off!
Look in the feedback on the seller!


Barry

 

[Zixxer]

What are the odds....I was bidding on the car last week and went back and forth with the "retired" seller. After the auction closed he emailed and asked if I was still interested?? Seemed odd given the bids ahead of me....I gave up at $8500.00 but made a $9000.00 offer via email but he wanted to wait a couple more days. Well I moved on and found a 1996 for a sweet price so that car was history for me. Anyways, after looking at the bid histories for the three times it was listed, it appeared to be that second accounts were being used to drive the price up. He'll take 9k now if someone offered as he realized he got burned by not taking my offer. I told him at the time of the offer that I wanted to buy and not wait 10 days. The seller rating sucks but I really don't care about stuff like that as every car in different and you have to get everything checked out prior to purchase or you're the fool. When I see negative feedback I just ask myself how much time the buyer invested in vehicle inspection. The seller is never going to be 100% so get the inspected by someone, but not someone he suggests. Offer 9k and tell him you don't want to wait and you'll move on if he doesn't take it and you'll get a sweet car. I drooled over that car for weeks.

 

[Big Tex]

Wow...

Those are long odds indeed. I looked at each of his buyer comments and found only a small % were bad. Most were more than favorable. I did notice that it was relisted from last week. He e-mailed me that he had just turned down a 9,100 bid because he thought it was priced fairly, but I don't see that bid listed.

Okay - how do I get the car checked out professionally if I'm in Oklahoma and he is in Tampa? Do I fly there, pay for it, take it someplace to have it inspected, then go back to him if something isn't right? Or do I have him do it, pay the fee, and hope the inspector isn't one of his buddies that will cover for him?

Honestly, it is hard to find a real nice late C3 for this price. I am tempted to pull the trigger but I'm wary. Somebody talk me into or out of it!

Marc...

 

[Big Tex]

Tampa/Clearwater area

Anyone know of someone in CAC or someone else in that area that would be willing to check that car out for a fee? Club member, resto shop, etc. I'm gun shy.

Thanks,

Marc...

 

[Zixxer]

When I was at $8500, he told me I was close to the reserve and we would talk at the end of the auction.

Can't give you advice on how to purchase when you're probably within a couple hundred dollars. I started to notice a lot of 81 and 82s that weren't getting 9k. There's a clean 82 Collectors Edition in Mineral, VA that listed for 9k. Needs paint but it's super clean and worth a lot more then the standard 81/82.

He's listed the car four times now (this is number 4) and no one has gone above 8700.00....and suspect those bids might not be legit. If it were me, 9k and give him a day and check back. Tell him you've got leads on other cars....which is very easy to get. There are just so many available and the market is a buyers market, not a sellers market right now.

Inspection. Call a local dealer in his area and ask what they charge. He'll have to take it there but he should agree easily to that. If not, there has to be a service like Pep Boys that can inspect it. Nothing else, I would ask a board member in the area to just stop by and check it out. Something is better then nothing.

Ask yourself this first.....if it's so nice, why is it not selling locally and it's listed four times??? Not saying it's not a good car, just sounds like he wants to milk the last buck out of the deal. If he took 9k and the car checked out I would be the owner right now. He just waited too long.

 

[Zixxer]

I was typing while you were asking the right question.

 

[CQRT]

Whoa there, Tex !

Marc:
There are several E-Bay links to inspection services--ditto in Vette Vues and Hemmings that will be less expensive that you winging it to Tampa.

I'd also think that virtually every buyer of the E-Bay seller should have been satisfied with their transaction--remember, by the time it gets to the "feedback" stage, all other avenues to work out differences should have been resolved. A `good percentage' shouldn't be good enough when it's YOUR money that's on the line.

With all due respect, there seems to be good reason to keep looking. Check out the 80-82 cars here in AZ--rustfree and dry.

Talk you out of it ? OK-- Whoa there Big Fella !
CQRT in AZ

 

[81 Corvette]

i liked the 81 w/ the 454 in it. His buy it now price was about 9K.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6168&item=2451496205

i personally don't know anything about the car besides whats in the ad, as always, do your homework.