I met a lot of nice people on here and had some fun discussions and have come close, but have not found one yet.
I will consider an 85-89 if the price is right (only in sub $6000 price range), will consider a 90-91 up to $7000 and an LT-1 up to $8000 if it is the right car.
Prefer 80,000 miles or less and no automatics, please. High mileage is not a dealbreaker if it is reflected in price.
Prefer to avoid a convertible.
Eastern half of the US a plus.
The interior condition is REALLY important to me. I can forgive higher mileage more than a scratched up console, ripped/torn seats, etc.
I have come within $500 of a deal a few times, so really hopeful.
20k over my ideal top mileage PLUS a grand over my budget, I mean does anyone want to buy right at 99k and take it over 100k the first ?:-(
Interior wear a bit much for my taste
TX and FL cars endure a lot of UV, whereas northern cars actually end up stored half the year, and have less UV in the summer. Total effect on weatehrstripping, dash, seats is signifcant. Does not mean I would not buy at right price, but collectibles are better bought in the north, I think?
Has just a few more issues than I want to consider
-No salt on southern roads. Personally Id rather have a FL or TX car, they are usually in better shape.
-Collector cars don't have 50k or 80k miles on them...the collector aspect is out the window.
-UV doesn't hurt a garaged or well waxed car. You can look at the paint and tell.
-Youre not going to get a mint car for 8k...its going to have issues. Period.
-A regularly driven car will run better than a garage queen.
Agree on some of that, but 99% of the Vettes up north live 7-8 month years and never see salt. 4-5 month of storage is too short to affect anything except the battery, and is a great life extender for cars. As to salt, it's immediately evident as soon as a I see a car. You don't even have to crawl underneath--usually--. Look at the fasteners under the hood and you will know instantly. It's that obvious to us northerners, even on a fiberglas car.
Garage queens are fine if they avoid humidity and critters, and of course driven ones will always run well if repaired! My garage queens over the years (200-300 car years at this point?) have never given me a prob (of course, I inflate to 50PSI, trickle batts, etc)
Was not thinking UV for paint--you're right there. I am talking weatherstripping, and more the INterior. Never seen a cracked dash north of the Mason Dixon line. Our summer sun is their winter sun, and no Vette typically is outside for a solid 4-5 months from Nov-Apr.
Don't expect mint for 8k.....there will be problems the first year, but I fix most things before I sell (noises, repairs, etc) I just want don't an UNrespectable interior.
I should not have used the word collectible as opposed to special interest.
I totally agree that for any car used 12 months, you are right, better to buy a TX or FL one. Only where it goes indoor from Nov-Mar is a car better bought in the north, since the other months are so easy on it. And I think those woudl just be special interest cars
Corvette Store
WTB C4 up to 8k M6 only--strongly prefer Coupe
