what should i expect???

[jiangtao]

i found an '85 vette today that only has 887 miles on it. it looks to have been stored very well as nothing is rotten looking on it. i was wondering if i was to buy this car what kind of issues{if any}would i run into. i have always heard that letting a car sit will ruin it, but there seems to be mixed feeling on that. a freind of mine was telling me that if i bought the car and started driving it regularly i might run into injector and fuel system problems.of course he had no explanation about why. well i'm hoping to hear some opinions.

 

[Fishman]

How long will the seller let you drive it before buying? Taking it out and putting on a few miles should be a good indicator of any issues. And a quick drive over to your favorite mechanic wouldn't hurt. Is this the old lady that had it stored in the barn story? :L

And... what do they want for a 'brand new' 85? (If you don't mind me asking). Sounds like it would be a great car to get if it works out for you.

 

[Mart]

I think this one is more of a time issue, there are a lot of seals and gaskets that almost require a little heat and oil to keep them plyable and sealing the right way.

Over time the rubber dries out the gaskets dry out and things start to leak.

but at the same time you have all brand new parts to work with right!!!

I would buy it and worry about a few leaks later, the injector O-rings are easy to replace. I would look into things like replacing the PS fluid, Brake fluid, ahh heck ALL fluids, there may be some condensation in the gas tank.

You got a Bloomington Gold car there, Maybe.
IMHO
Mart

 

[vetteboy86]

I also agree, buy it and worry about the minor problems later. I often think to myself how great it would be to find a car that had been in storage with little miles on it. If the price is right go for it. I hope everything works out for you. I think you have a great possibility of owning a new 20 year old car.


Craig

 

[Vettefan87]

I would agree, but do you plan on keeping your 86? If not do you plan to drive this car or will it be a trailor car so to speak? I know I could not, not drive my vette almost every day. It sounds like a good potentially a good deal, keep us informed.


Justin

 

[Rain]

Yea, keep us posted - Thats ultra low miles.
If the price was right, Id buy it and go over it in my spare time.
(Then hit the car shows) haha

 

[Ken]

You got a Bloomington Gold car there, Maybe.

... agree, buy it and worry about the minor problems later. I think you have a great possibility of owning a new 20 year old car.

... agree ... sounds like a good potentially a good deal, keep us informed.

... buy it

They've all said what I would have said, including having your own mechanic check it out first. But, be sure you can verify the fact that it's a 887-mile vehicle, and not just something that's had it's odometer changed. Although it would have to be one brazen individual to go so far as to try and pawn off a high-mileage vehicle as being that new. :eyerole

Good luck and I hope it all turns out well for you. I envy your find!

 

[jiangtao]

well the miles are acurate! they are only asking $18,900 for it. not too bad,but i am thinking about passing it up. wifey wants to buy a house so i better get my ass in gear on that. i still have a little to pay on my vette so i guess i will keep it for now. kinda of funny but the dealer offered me $6,400 for mine on trade in!! there's at least $2-3000 worth of custom work under my hood!! i guess dealers will always be dealers and enthusiasts will alway be enthusiasts. if anyone is interested you can find it at autotrader on line listed in alabama. i guess the only thing that really turned me away from it {aside from wifey} is that it isn't a highly optioned vette. no sport seats,Z51,G92 etc.

 

[BarryK]

well the miles are acurate! they are only asking $18,900 for it. not too bad,but i am thinking about passing it up. wifey wants to buy a house so i better get my ass in gear on that. i still have a little to pay on my vette so i guess i will keep it for now. kinda of funny but the dealer offered me $6,400 for mine on trade in!! there's at least $2-3000 worth of custom work under my hood!! i guess dealers will always be dealers and enthusiasts will alway be enthusiasts. if anyone is interested you can find it at autotrader on line listed in alabama. i guess the only thing that really turned me away from it {aside from wifey} is that it isn't a highly optioned vette. no sport seats,Z51,G92 etc.

even with the ultra low miles making it basically a "new" car, isn't $18,900 too much for an '85?

 

[Mart]

I don't know!!! New car $18,900

It's very high for a higher milleage 85 but 800 miles, Kewl!!

Too bad about the options, I know a guy that has 20k on his 86 and everybody is in awe of the thing, until they find out there is no Z51.

The Z51 really changes the desireability of the earlier C4's, just after I bought mine I had 4 offers well above what I paid for it.

Kinda makes me feel real good about my purchase.

Mart

 

[Edmond]

even with the ultra low miles making it basically a "new" car, isn't $18,900 too much for an '85?

That's what I was thinking. $18.9K is LT4 territory. Apples and oranges but we're talking about 11 years of small and major refinements.

Did they just drive that thing out to the mailbox 6 days a week? :L

 

[vetteboy86]

Retail on a base 85 was just above 24k. That price doesn't include extra for any options. I guess to someone who has intentions on doing somthing the car is a real find. It is practically brand new. But who knows?


Craig