Gary K

I'm trying to establish the value of a car I'm looking at, a 99 FRC. Book values are not the absolute for any car, and this is especially true for cars like this I think. The car is what I'm looking for, because I do not want a garage queen...I'd rather not spend the money to buy one either.

Does anybody have any input on the actual selling prices of high mileage C5 vettes, those with 100k or more miles? I'm trying to arrive at a fair market value for this car I'm looking at, and the only way I can see to do so is to look at real world selling prices. I'm not asking anyone to give me a value for this particular car, I just want some data to work from. It would be nice to get info such as the year, trans, mileage, and condition for any high mileage C5's that have sold.

Thanks

screw991le

I have seen 2 1997 Coupes for sale @ a local vette shop here. They both have sold for around $18k

IMHO a little high, but there are not alot of places here to buy used Vettes.

C5VetteJoe

Go to edmunds.com or kbb.com

sgreen4067

i bought a 2002 vette with 76.000 for 24,900. if that helps the vette was mint inside and out

ebubman

others have commented that while mileage is clearly a factor, it's condition & maintenance that really make a huge difference. after we bought our 2000 silver coupe, our 80 year old neighbor bought a silver 98 coupe with 92k miles. car looks great. interior is in great condition. new brakes, tires & complete maintenance make a huge difference. it doesn't hurt to pull a carfax & complete dealer maintenance records. ultimately a car if only worth what someone will pay for it. kbb is a good indicator but it's really a starting point for discussion. good luck. bub

diviniti

There are a few C5s across the nation for sale right now in the 100k+ miles area, I see them going from 15k-18k usually. The higher priced being the completely mint C5s. Usually manuals grab $500-1000 more than an auto, with the same miles. Personally I wouldnt pay anything over 14-15k for a very clean 100k+ C5, even if there are none available at that price range at the time you are looking, you can always hold off and watch the classifieds, and ebay, one will pop up.

screw991le

Which is one reference. Those prices never work, in my past experiences

sailohio

No more than the high teens. The variable is the equipment, condition, brakes, tires. It's the old supply and demand. Most won't by the high mileage vettes. I'd make an offer in the $16s and see where you end up.

TR Vert

Edmunds and NADA are way to high IMHO. KBB is closer to the mark

Gary K

Thanks for the replies folks.

The values given by edmunds, nada, and kbb vary widely. I'm seeing values of around $12k, $15k, and $16.5k for this car depending on which guide you use. I can't see paying more than $15k for any '99 with over 100k miles, and I'm not even sure I'd pay that much.

For what its worth, the owner is asking $18k, but admits that he is not in touch with the current market and prices at all. He's definitely willing to negotiate, and has asked me a couple times to make an offer. I haven't made any offer at all, even though I want this particular car, because I can't determine what a fair price really is. I'm not trying to 'steal' the car, but I don't want to pay more than what its really worth (if I were to sell it, could I expect to get close what I paid back).

agou812

I sold a 1998 coupe with 168000 miles for $13300 4 months ago.

Joe Diver

Uh huh....I just don't see someone trying to sell a vette and not knowing what it's worth.

hhntr111

Enter your parameters on E-bay Auto and see what shows up...

Johnny_B_Good

99quicksilver

Pick up a copy of the current issue of Corvette Magazine...should be a good guide for C-5 pricing.

My .02 worth:
a high milage '99 FRC should be in the range of $15K +/- options like CD changer, Heads up, Perf axle, Active handling....etc

Also look up under the rear of the car, up over the mufflers for rubber residue to determine if the car has been ridden hard and put away wet...

HummelS

Except you won't find a FRC with performance axle, since they are all 6-speeds, and that's an automatic-only option.

As a rule of thumb with high-mile cars, I rate miles as being worth about $.08 per mile. So if a low-mile (30K) example '99 FRC is worth $22K-$23K, then the 100K example is worth 70K * $.08 ~ $5600 less, if it's in well-maintained condition. That puts the high-miler in the $16-$17K ballpark. As always, ymmv.

87SAM

I just bought a 2000 Pewter FRC, HUD, Active Handling, Black Wing, Hurst short throw shifter. I have been looking for months in the northwest for the above car. Wanted lower miles but I came across this one, it has 65K miles but is in pristine condition. I also have 21 months of extended warranty left. It has chrome wheels with Goodyear run flats on it but it also came with a new set (1500 miles) of painted OEM wheels with Continental tires. I paid 21.5K.

not08crmanymore

where do you live?what are the vette's in YOUR AREA going for.etc.pick up any car for sale mag,we get them free at the local supermarket,and see what they're selling for!doesn't matter what one in new york is going for if you live in cincinatti!or florida,etc.in the end,it's worth what you are willing to pay,and the seller is willing to accept!

Gary K

Thats how I usually figure a value to get a quick idea if I have a reference to go by with less miles. Using your formula and also accounting for the condition of the car, I still come back to about 15k as the max price on this one. Thanks

Gary K

Thanks for the responses today!

If any high mileage C5s were sold recently in my area, I haven't been able to find them. So I just have to gather whatever data I can. Plus, looking at asking prices tells very little about actual selling prices.