What should I look For

[mrmarauder]

I am going to check out and buy a 92 vette. I wanted to find out from some of the experts here what exactly I should be looking for.
I actually inspect and help people buy Classic Mustangs, but the Vette thing is a whole new deal.

What are the main items besides the obvious exterior, tires, interior condition.

I just do not want to get caught by surprise after buying.

Please help. Any help is MUCH appreciated.

THANK SO MUCH.

LARRY

 

[DDSLT5]

Are you looking for a regular coupe, or a ZR-1? This is the ZR-1 discussion area - we can help out alot for ZR-1 specific things, but if you're simply looking for a coupe, then another discussion area will be more helpful.

 

[mrmarauder]

OOOPPPPS, I apologize

I apologize, I did not mean to post in the ZR-1 area. I will put this post in the correct forum.

Sorry about that.

LARRY

 

[kingman]

What to look for!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi

The first thing l would do is pick up the new issue of Corvette Magazine, because it will tell you the difference's between the years. It's a special article for the issue.


Like in 94, the passenger now has an airbag, no glove carpartment and use's r-134 freon which is a whole lot cheaper to refill and so on.

The price's are close, so l would look for the latest year you can afford.

Oh, l almost forgot the optispark can be a problem.

Also look for leaks, another expensive item.

If the radio isn't working right then another expense.

Make sure that the instrument panel 's light's are working and the brightness is even.

If it's a coupe make sure you take the top off and take it for a drive and listen for strange noise's.

Look for rust, take off the rear license plate and look at the side of the gas tank.

The weatherstripping is another expensive item.

When you add all of this up, you are talking mucho bucks.

Good Luck

Alan




Living in Ga. and in the Atlanta area, l noticed a lot of high mileage vettes there and their owners think they have gold.

The interior seats and carpets are not cheap, in fact most of the vette parts are expensive, even wholesale.

 

[mrmarauder]

Thank You

Alan,
I actually have decided to have a professional service - autocritics come out and inspect. They do a complete 280 point inspection and then call and fax a report. That way most of the inpsection work is done before I get there.
I actually have done many deals for Classic Mustangs and appraise and inspect them, but the Vette thing is a whole different ball game and I wanted to do it right the first time. The points you have brought up, I will definately check.

THANK YOU!

LARRY

 

[kingman]

Thing's to Check!!!!!!!!

Hi

On the driver's side where the carpeting turns to the front near the hood release, by your left knee, more times then not you will notice that the carpeting is worn or frayed. This occurs while exiting and entering your vette. Your shoe tends to rub against it. this will give you an idea on how often the previous owner used the car.

As far as the mileage is concerned, you didn't mention it, so l'm assuming it's under 60,000 miles. Also check the seat bolster, closest to the driver's door. There should be a weakness in the leather from again exiting and entering the vette.

Check the hood to make sure it lays right, but this can be fixed at a nominal cost.

Keep in mind that a black interior is cheaper to replace. The center console is close to $175 to replace.

Make sure you get a carfax, even though if the car was involved in a minor accident, and the owner paid cash there would be no record of it. All the carfax is good for is to see the paper trail and if the vette was serviced at a dealer or major chain the mileage will be noted.

Autocritic checks out all cars, but a vette isn't any car. It's in a league of it's own.

Do not tell the owner that you had a carfax pulled, until he is finished answering all your questions.

The last thing is to remember that the vette is 11 going on 12yrs old and the vette doesn't have the best fit and finish.

The color is also very important, but that's your call.

Good luck

Alan

 

[kingman]

Hi
I just noticed on another thread that the 92 has 125,000 miles, this is quite high for a vette even though they can go to 200,000 miles but you will have to pay a price in repairs even though you could do them yourself.

If your heart is set on this white vette conv. then go for it, but the price's are getting weaker and l'm sure you can find a private vette with less mileage.

The wholesale value of the 92 conv with 125,000 miles is zero, because a used car dealer would pass on it unless he specializes in high mileage and reasonable priced auto's. l'm talking about real auctions, for dealers only.

The price's peak in the spring and in Sept they start to get weaker and in Dec they hide until the weather breaks.

At auction it would bring approx $6500 if it was real clean.

Florida, happens to have a lot of vettes for sale in minto condition
and well maintained.

Be patient and you will find the vette of your dreams.

Alan