Jim85IROC

There's an ad in a local auto-trader magazine for a dealer nearby that has a 92 6-speed with 97k miles for $9500. That's more miles than I wanted, but that price sounds CHEAP. Any opinions? If the car is nice, that seems like a good price to me. Other than asking about whether the opti and water pump was replaced, what other specific areas of concern should I look for?

Jim85IROC

I just called on it. Directionals don't work and it needs seat covers. I figured the seats would be shot. Still sounds like a good price as long as it's in good shape. I think I know what my Friday afternoon plans are :)

knp

I have a '92 with almost the same milage.

Check if it has the original clutch. Mine gave out at about 98K miles.

VetteBabe1

Yeah, for that price, who cares if the opti or water pump have been replaced. My fiance can change the opti in under an hour. You get really good at it I guess! It's at least worth a look. What color is it, etc?

GoodbyeGirl

It is a really good price...be sure to run a Carfax, and have it checked out by a trusted mechanic. Problems with Vette can add up quickly, believe me!

Jim85IROC

Jenn, it's a white 6-speed. I forgot to ask what the interior color was.

It's also a little far from home (couple hours), plus I don't trust any mechanics anyway, so I'm going to be flying solo on the inspection here. I'm real familiar with TPI stuff, but not so much with LT1s. I'll bring the digicam and take plenty of pictures that I can post.

Dudeurgettnavette

I bet theres a lot of little things wrong with it, thats how mine was. I got it for 91k 11,100 :)


[Modified by Dudeurgettnavette, 8:50 PM 4/10/2002]

bogus

that is a good price... about $3500 under the normal retail.

I would make sure the clutch is sound... and there is no accident damage.

Run the carfax... here are the known big problems:

1) oil leak on intake manifold.
2) opti/waterpump
3) accessory belt is 2 sided... order 2 when you get one!
4) rear wheel bearings
5) rear suspension in general

be careful of the turn signal problem... that could be a biggie... it could be as simple as a relay or as annoying as a switch.

its hard to say.

use your best judgement... you'll do fine!

Wadoka

The price is a little below the absolute end of the scale. Might be a lot of seat bolster wear, carpet wear, stone chips in the paint.

My '93 with 91,000 miles low-ends at about 10,700 on Vettefinders.com. That would be a car that could use some fairly significant cosmetic reconditioning, or all new tires, etc.

Jim85IROC

Yeah... this is what has me scared. If it's as simple as a flasher, why didn't the dealer fix the damned thing? This combined with the price seems to be a "red flag" indicator to me.

-=Jeff=-

Well even if it is the swtich that is not that hard to change.. other then dealing with the airbag.. it can be done..

Also if you end up with that car and it needs seats.. if it is red I have a set of Red seats (cushions only) from my 89.. they are the standard non-sport ones.. but are in okay shape..

jimbomill

That's what I paid for mine last November - ('92 Vert with the bonus hardtop) - turns out it needed a new Opti, new waterpump (both of which I figured in) and did some other maintenance items on it - and I'm still WAY ahead of the game - and it has 132K miles on it :)

Bones LT1

$9,500 for a 92 LT-1 is the lower end of the market for LT-1's.
For that price the car will need tires, drivers seat redone, brakes, air non-working, serp belt, battery, fluid change, paint work, and on and on.
You get what you pay for. Anyone who has a well kept LT-1 isnt going to give it away.
Mileage isn't a problem too many owners and lack of maintence is.
If the car doesn't look good on the outside you can bet the fluids are original.
If the car needs tires, it might also need brakes.

The high end of the LT-1 market is the other extreme, some people are asking more than thier cars are worth.
Middle ground. Look for a car with good care and if you can buy from a Corvette lover. A low end dealer car is going to be trouble.
A car with turn indicators that don't work is illegal to sell from a dealer.
The cars have to be safety checked.

If you want a good LT-1 expect to pay from 11k to 14k.
Then again the middle ground would be 12K to 13k.
LT-1's no matter what the book says are 12 to 13k.
If you buy a LT-1 and drive it a year you're going to be in the car at least 2k for repairs and upkeep.
So the average owner has between 13 and 16k in thier cars. They're not going to sell the car for 10k. Not on this planet anyway.
Good luck in your quest.

Jim85IROC

Good info bones. I'm definately going to check things over, and not jump into anything. Honestly, I really think I'd rather a 91 over a 92-3 anyway, but I'm not going to pass on the opportunity to at least check this car over. The dealer insists that the paint is "mint" which translates into "it was hit and got a paint job" in real-people talk. My father owns a body shop, so I know how to identify bad and good body work. I already know that the seat covers are shot, so that's a given. Air conditioning I can deal with. My father does A/C work too, but what I don't want is another project. The reason I'm looking for a C4 is that I'm sick of working on all 3 of my f-bodies, and I want to eventually replace 2 of them with a Vette and a winter vehicle, so my IROC can become my only project.

Like I said, I'm definately going to check out the car, but my hopes aren't up too high. This is just part of the learning process for me. I really think that for a daily driver that doesn't need a pile of money, I'll be better off with a well maintained 91. No opti issues. :smash:

Blue 92

Under an hour? :eek:

Now I know who to call when mine dies! :D

:cheers:

silver & red CE

If you're able to do a most of the work yourself, this is a great deal, you'll love an LT1/6 speed. But if you're going to a dealer/service shop, this car will kill your budget.

What work you say? These cars have soooo many little things that need fixing. The trans is bulletproof, as is the engine, the car handles great. The rest of the stuff you can fixin your free time.

Eric

Jim85IROC

That car was a RAGING piece of poopie. I think when the dealer said it needed seat covers and the directionals fixed, he was highlighting the good stuff. I got there and looked the body over. Spiderwebbing all over the paint. The fiberglass was cracked near the rear turnsignal on the side. The front fender vent was cracked. The hood was a terrible match to the nose. This car was hit and not fixed right. Inside looked decent, but the seats were torn and the carpet was worn. Under the hood was somewhat dirty but managable. I could see where they were screwing with the directional light wires near the front. The car started up and I took it out, already knowing that I was going to pass on the car. I just wanted to have a little more seat time to help me judge cars later. When I stepped on it, the whole car twisted. I've never, in my life, had torque steer from a RWD car. The whole car twisted and I had to counter-steer. When I floored it, the engine just cut out at around 4,000 rpm. When I throttled it progressively instead of matting it, the whole engine shook at higher rpms. I drove 2 miles, turned around and went back to the dealer. I honestly wouldn't trade my $100 beater car even for that POS. I feel bad for the poor sucker that buys that POS.

All in all, it was still a good learning experience, because I got to learn a whole lot about what can go WRONG with a Corvette. I just wish the dealer wasn't such a turd and would have told me some of the problems over the phone so I didn't have to drive 2 hours in both directions to see that POS.


[Modified by Jim85IROC, 6:14 PM 4/13/2002]

LPDesRoche

Don't get discouraged, there are some really nice cars out there for great prices. I really wouldn't let the miles get to you. I have had numerous vettes that were high mileage and never had a mileage related problem. They are good for an easy 200,000 for the most part. Although there are exceptions to every rule....Just keep looking :D

Jim85IROC

What scares me about the milage is mostly resale value. I don't plan to keep the car forever, and if I buy a 120k mile car, I'm going to have to give away a 150k mile car in a few years. I see plenty of sub 80k mile cars selling affordably, they are just always sold before I call.

VetteBabe1

True, that's a good point. While higher mileage cars, if well maintained, can be great....the resale will definitely be hurt. I couldn't believe people jumped on me for saying I would like to keep the miles down on mine...as everyone knows darn well that is makes a huge difference, especially on a ZR-1. That doesn't mean I won't enjoy it (had it a month and put 1300 miles on it already, all highway, don't drive it through town hardly ever), just won't make stupid trips in it and run errands, etc. I am still keeping my eyes open for you :)!!