WTB: Grown-up Car

[WRXtranceformed]

If you are just occasionally transporting around one other person I think you would be fine. If you have to tote around multiples a coupe is just not going to be a great idea

[Levey]

This is why I could justify a Corvette/another Camaro. Soonest I will be married is in 3/4 years. Soonest planned children will be in 5/6. Probably will just buy the unnamed wife an SUV at that point.

[.RJ]

owning a 2 seater means you never have to drive when you go out in a group... tactical success

[Kaan]

owning a 2 seater means you never have to drive when you go out in a group... tactical success

+1

[DavidM]

owning a 2 seater means you never have to drive when you go out in a group... tactical success

Truth, I save so much on gas this way, just ask DavidL :thumbup:

[Levey]

I always knew I could find a way to be convinced buying a Corvette is a practical decision.

[Levey]

Alright, so I decided to go with a 2008+ Corvette (so I can have an LS3). Now the hard part is finding one that meets my requirements which are manual, Z51 performance package, low-ish miles, one or two owners, heated seats, and a strong preference for black exterior. All of this for ~$32k. Game on.

[Jeff]

Checked my sources for you. Nearest I could come up with was am 04 Z06 in Silver. 41k Miles.

Edit- Checked Ally Smart Auction. 12 on there but none under 32k, and I there isn't a selection for that specific performance package. What all was included in that?

[Levey]

This car is ideal, but I'm hesitant with the 3 previous owners on a 5 year old car.

The Z51 package basically includes power steering and oil coolers, wider tires, drilled rotors, stiffer springs and swaybars.

[SlimKlim]

It has 25k on it, what could the previous owners have possibly done?

Car looks clean and meets all of your requirements including color combo. Get a plane ticket.

[Jeff]

It has 25k on it, what could the previous owners have possibly done?

Who knows, maybe it is a Lemon? It only has to be disclosed to the first buyer by the selling dealer (in VA anyway, I'm not sure elsewhere). Crashed on the track and fixed cash money? Carfax is junk when it comes to that sort of stuff. I'm certainly not suggesting that this particular car is either of those things but there are plenty or reasons why it could be not so good with 25k. He obviously knows his Chevy's and I am sure with a good look-over most foolishness can be ruled out. From the prices I was seeing this car seems priced almost wholesale, right? As SlimKlim says it certainly checks all the boxes, worth a look if that is what you want.

[SlimKlim]

It has 25k on it, what could the previous owners have possibly done?

Who knows, maybe it is a Lemon? It only has to be disclosed to the first buyer by the selling dealer (in VA anyway, I'm not sure elsewhere). Crashed on the track and fixed cash money? Carfax is junk when it comes to that sort of stuff. I'm certainly not suggesting that this particular car is either of those things but there are plenty or reasons why it could be not so good with 25k. He obviously knows his Chevy's and I am sure with a good look-over most foolishness can be ruled out. From the prices I was seeing this car seems priced almost wholesale, right? As SlimKlim says it certainly checks all the boxes, worth a look if that is what you want.

Ah, good points. These are the things that I don't think about before I buy old M3s and motorcycles and shit.

Maybe you can find a 3rd party shop near the dealership and pay them to do a full pre-purchase inspection on it and shake out anything that might've been swept under the rug? If it checks out you get a sweet car at an awesome price, if it doesn't you're just out a hundred bucks or so. :dunno:

[Jeff]

3rd party appraisal is a good idea. +1

[Levey]

All valid points. I think I am the 5th owner of the Camaro, but didn't care since it had 81k mikes when I bought it, was 9 years old, and a third the cost.

In reality, these cars are bought by people as a second or third car (check out the average annual mileage on this one) and probably traded in for new ones as a hobby. Also, could the number of owners be a bargaining chip? This dealer probably knows what the car is worth and already built that into the price. Definitely worth a call. I'll look into what other cars this dealer has in stock to gauge quality of stock. If I can get them down on price before making the trip, it may be even more tempting. That or I could be even more skeptical, depending on how you look at it.

Does anybody know what Carfax takes into account when assessing the value compared to book? I've seen one owner cars with values not much over book with nothing standing out in the records. Then I've seen cars like this with several owners, but a value ~$700 over book.

[Levey]

I just noticed that in the vehicle description, they allude to several rebates included in the price. I could see that number increasing once I call and start asking questions. Seems like a potentially slimy used car dealer.

[D_Eclipse9916]

All valid points. I think I am the 5th owner of the Camaro, but didn't care since it had 81k mikes when I bought it, was 9 years old, and a third the cost.

In reality, these cars are bought by people as a second or third car (check out the average annual mileage on this one) and probably traded in for new ones as a hobby. Also, could the number of owners be a bargaining chip? This dealer probably knows what the car is worth and already built that into the price. Definitely worth a call. I'll look into what other cars this dealer has in stock to gauge quality of stock. If I can get them down on price before making the trip, it may be even more tempting. That or I could be even more skeptical, depending on how you look at it.

Does anybody know what Carfax takes into account when assessing the value compared to book? I've seen one owner cars with values not much over book with nothing standing out in the records. Then I've seen cars like this with several owners, but a value ~$700 over book.

Think also resale. If you bought it, you would be the 4th owner. Unless you are saving enough that you would get that money saved back out of it at the end, I would pass.

[Levey]

Think also resale. If you bought it, you would be the 4th owner. Unless you are saving enough that you would get that money saved back out of it at the end, I would pass.

I agree.

[Jeff]

How do you have a rebate on a used car? Lulz.

[Levey]

How do you have a rebate on a used car? Lulz.

I guess you make it up and advertise a lower price than you're actually asking?

[Jeff]

I didn't read the small print so I didn't see what word they used. Might just be a matter of semantics. I think of a "Rebate" as money that comes back from the manufacturer to the customer or the dealer on the sale of a new car. I think of money given off a price (even and inflated one) as a discount. Only way I could imagine a lower advertised price on a used car would be "processing and paperwork fees" or some such thing.