for a used vette, I check the presets on the radio station to see what they listen to. If its rock/rap then it was probably ripped on, if its classical/oldies then it was probably not ripped on.
Other then that, some common problems were the diff leaking, steering wheel lock problems (recalled though), and a noisy fuel pump (should be fixed by 01). Is it a coupe, convertible, or fixed roof(Z06)? check for air/water leaks on the coupe/convertible... they all will leak some, but some are pretty bad (but the windows can be adjusted pretty easily so I wouldnt let that effect my decision). Another factor is that the 6 speed is a lot more fun the auto.
good luck (once you drive it, youll want it!)
-ps: I still need to write that article for you.. sorry about forgetting it
[This message has been edited by Formula (edited 12-28-2006).]
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08:57 PM
Greg Z Member
Posts: 1218 From: New Orleans Registered: Jun 2004
Also look at the overall condition. Has it ever had any paintwork/accidents? How shiny is the paint? Does the paint have the same shade of color on all panels? Any overspray on the inside of and panels on the edges/wheelwells etc..Check gaps inbetween body panels for consitentcy in width. Look for excessive rock chips on the front. Look at the tires and the tire wear. Vette tires are not cheap. Does the alloy rims still have a good finish? Do the doors open and shut easliy? Are there any warning lights on on the dash? turn the key to accessory and ALL the warning lights should come on for a couple of seconds to let you know the bulbs are good and have not been pulled out. Do this! Look at overall condition of interior, door panels seem to be a weak spot. The plastic piece behinf the door handle may be gone, in itself no big deal but if he would not spend the dollors for that cheap what else did he skimp on? Does it have the factory or a aftermarket radio? If aftermarket has the rest of the interior been butchered and if so is it to your liking? Does engine start and run smooth, any noise from top or bottom end, ticking or knocking? How is oil pressure? Drive it and let it run for quite a while and check water temp.. C5's have a transaxle. Put it in drive and reverse with a few RPM's and brake applied and check condition of rear axles and mounts. If Automactic makes sure upshifts are smooth with no delay yet firm. Make sure passing gear works. Manual, make sure it does not pop out of gear or grind or any exceesive noise. Check clutch. There is a few more but I figure you probally knew all this anyway but just wanted to let you know when buying a used Vette I would buy a very nice example of one at good money before I would buy just an OK one at a bargain price. In the end you do better with an nice well taken care for car. Good luck and enjoy. Greg Z
Lots of c5's were weekend warriors either at an autocross or local track. A quick way to check to see if it was once a cone killer is to look under the car at the jack points, it they are beat up then someone was swapping tires alot. Which prolly means someone had their way with that car,....many times.
[This message has been edited by 88GTURBO (edited 12-29-2006).]
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03:02 AM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
I noticed a few specs of grit in the paint on the front passenger side fender - one every two feet or so. Would GM have let one go out with an imperfect paint job?
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03:07 AM
furious_fiero Member
Posts: 3028 From: Surrey,BC,CANADA Registered: Mar 2002
They do come with some orange peel (extra bonus!), but I've never really been bothered by slight orange peel. I don't know if thats what you mean by grit?
Speaking of jacking it up, check to make sure the fender is inline with the door, if not then they probably jacked it up wrong a couple of times and might not have known the correct way to do other maintenace stuff.
Also, if it has the thin spoke wheels, check for stress cracks.
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03:18 PM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
They do come with some orange peel (extra bonus!), but I've never really been bothered by slight orange peel. I don't know if thats what you mean by grit?
Speaking of jacking it up, check to make sure the fender is inline with the door, if not then they probably jacked it up wrong a couple of times and might not have known the correct way to do other maintenace stuff.
Also, if it has the thin spoke wheels, check for stress cracks.
Thanks, Formula. I can actually see a single grain of dirt/sand ever couple of feet - and feel it in the paint. I just wonder if it could have come that way from GM...
If I get this one, I'll be seling the Purple-Pain (and the 87 T-top coupe and the 87 GT) pretty quickly. I'll probably end up with a Charger since it is more practical (with three kids), but I always have the "Mid-life Crisis" excuse to fall back on!
That still leaves me with the Vette and the Fino...
The Vette gets another ride tonight - and a good going-over with the flashlight.
The Vette gets another ride tonight - and a good going-over with the flashlight.
Make sure you go over it in the daylight. Check the lighter as well, every car I have purchased that the lighter didnt work died 6 months later. Now I want a Vette you stink.
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07:34 PM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
from what you have described i don't get a warm-fuzzy feeling.
is there any documentation with the car showing how often it was serviced? any idea how many owners? maybe time for a carfax?
The Carfax showed regular service and one owner, so I'm not too worried there. Problem is that they offered me half the Kelly Blue Book for my car.
I'll try to sell mine myself and start looking around again after all the President Ford funeral ceremonies are over, so don't think that all this info you guys provided will go to waste.
I'll always check the radio stations first from now on!
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09:12 PM
sostock Member
Posts: 5907 From: Grain Valley, MO Registered: May 2005
always sell your car yourself if possible. well unless its parked in the yard with grass growing around it. when we bought our altima the dealer offered us $500 for her 92 celica. i said hey its worth at least $1500. the salesman was like is it worth it to you to save $1000 and sell it yourself? HELL YEAH! i put it on cars.com and sold it for $3000. that's $2500 for a couple of pics and a few minutes on the computer and a few phone calls.
but hey i realize they got to make a profit on their used cars also.
the gauges not working would make me cautious. It could mean tons of stuff like electrical problems, small fire, previous ownered messed with stuff,etc...
Does it have any modifications such as exhaust, crossdrilled or slotted rotors, cold air intake, etc... You can tell a lot by the mods done to it, if they are cheaply done then I'd stay away.
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11:29 PM
Dec 30th, 2006
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
I would definately be wanting EVERYTHING on the car to work properly, including all accessories. Just repairing the OEM alarm system can cost ya a few grand. I wont buy anything that dont have functioning gauges. Paint on all Corvettes is notoriously bad. You just live with it. Older than C4s usually didnt have anything at the bottom of the rockers painted, just left bare. One of the things I note on doing any Corvette paint repair except newer ones...never get the gun low enough to cover under them. Door jams were terriblly finished. C5s are a big improvement though. Ive had a few C4s, never a C5 yet and I had the ABS controller replaced for around $2,000. Buying a vette isnt just affording the car, you have to be able to afford to fix it.
Hrmmm.... Put most of the money into a mint 2002 Camaro SS / Firehawk 35th Anniversary Ed. that will appreciate in value rather than depreciate, pocket the remainder or spend at SLP to make it faster than a 'Vette as well?
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06:36 PM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
That is true....but you still only have a Camaro. Any other than the original late 60s ones are everywhere (except maybe for the models you said). Camaros, at least around here are looked on as being owned by people living in low cost trailer parks...... . Id pay $25K for a vette long before Id pay anything over $5K for any Camaro except for the originals like I mentioned....but thats just me.
I had a 4th gen f-body before my c5 and there is no comparison whatsoever. none, zilch, nada...
The c5 handles better, feels 100x tighter, attracts a lot more attention, has a better build quality, much better seats, better brakes, and the list goes on...
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07:03 PM
Saxman Member
Posts: 5151 From: Melbourne, FL Registered: May 2005
Well, the car was sold this morning, so I'll go ahead and sell mine and keep looking. Thanks again for the advice. I may be back with more questions. Now I REALLY want one!
good luck hope you get a good one.
