Buying a Corvette from a Forum member the best way to go??
06-21-2008, 11:25 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Buying a Corvette from a Forum member the best way to go??
Hi, Guys: I've been searching for a C5 for a little while now..Checking the Internet, Ebay and local dealers. Do you think it's best to consider buying one from a Forum member?? I would think they would be well taken care by a member.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!!
Steve (NJ)
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!!
Steve (NJ)
06-21-2008, 11:32 AM
#2
I would, absolutely ! You may pay a bit more but I'd say it's worth it.
Me as an example, bought my '03 new, it now has 7K on the clock, never rained on, garaged & pampered. I get heat all the time for not using it more & being so fussy with it. To me, it's a toy & I only use toyz occasionally....same w/my sleds in winter. Bottom line, forum would be the first placce I'd look if I were to buy used.
Pat
Me as an example, bought my '03 new, it now has 7K on the clock, never rained on, garaged & pampered. I get heat all the time for not using it more & being so fussy with it. To me, it's a toy & I only use toyz occasionally....same w/my sleds in winter. Bottom line, forum would be the first placce I'd look if I were to buy used.
Pat
06-21-2008, 01:11 PM
#5
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Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Like any car purchase, do your homework first before laying out the money. Do it safely and just because the seller might be a forum member, doesn't mean they are honorable although the odds are in your favor. Look at their history here and their posts. If its a newbie...think twice and again, do your homework.
06-21-2008, 01:16 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Like any car purchase, do your homework first before laying out the money. Do it safely and just because the seller might be a forum member, doesn't mean they are honorable although the odds are in your favor. Look at their history here and their posts. If its a newbie...think twice and again, do your homework.
06-21-2008, 01:30 PM
#7
Race Director
I think it's an assumption that someone selling a car on this forum is an enthusiast and that the car will be better. Unfortunately, we see members join only to sell a car or some parts that are every bit as unscrupulous as anyone selling on Ebay.
If you are buying a car here or anywhere else - don't make assumptions...it's your money, check it out a thoroughly as you possibly can. Admittedly - if you are buying a car from a member of long standing, you stand a much better of not getting screwed.
But like anything else - CAVEAT EMPTOR....Let the buyer beware.
If you are buying a car here or anywhere else - don't make assumptions...it's your money, check it out a thoroughly as you possibly can. Admittedly - if you are buying a car from a member of long standing, you stand a much better of not getting screwed.
But like anything else - CAVEAT EMPTOR....Let the buyer beware.
06-21-2008, 10:43 PM
#13
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Same here,bought mine from a member last September and the car was just as he said was.But the car was only 2 hrs away.Close enough that I could drive up and look at it.Smooth transaction and Awesome Vette!!!
06-21-2008, 11:11 PM
#14
We bought our 2004 Commemorative Edition from a forum member in Chesapeake, VA. Great car. Wonderful people to deal with. And a nice long drive home for our "shake down" cruise.
That said, we bought our 1st Corvette from an ebay seller we had never met. Very nice car. Nice transaction. No regrets.
The point is, it's up to you to do some homework such as getting a carfax, asking for as many photos as you feel you need to satisfy yourself that the car is as represented. And being willing to walk away from the car if after all is said and done, you don't feel it is the right car for you.
Our criteria for buying included a price low enough that if a major repair was needed, we could afford to do the repair with the money we saved by buying from a private party. Finally, remember that even dealers sell "bad" cars.
Best wishes,
Glen
That said, we bought our 1st Corvette from an ebay seller we had never met. Very nice car. Nice transaction. No regrets.
The point is, it's up to you to do some homework such as getting a carfax, asking for as many photos as you feel you need to satisfy yourself that the car is as represented. And being willing to walk away from the car if after all is said and done, you don't feel it is the right car for you.
Our criteria for buying included a price low enough that if a major repair was needed, we could afford to do the repair with the money we saved by buying from a private party. Finally, remember that even dealers sell "bad" cars.
Best wishes,
Glen
06-22-2008, 12:15 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Take your time to do some "background checks" on the members of this forum. ie. If you noticed that the seller started a thread called, "I think I have a lemon", you may want to pass. 
Personally, I bought my FRC from a senior member on this forum and I'd happily do it again.
Mind you, it was risky sending him the cash up front but the seller rewarded my trust by taking care of the car for the 5 weeks it took my car carrier to pick it up. Not only did he insist on keeping it in his garage all that time, he even replaced the battery at his expense when he noticed that the car took some extra cranking due to the inactivity.
Personally, I bought my FRC from a senior member on this forum and I'd happily do it again.
Mind you, it was risky sending him the cash up front but the seller rewarded my trust by taking care of the car for the 5 weeks it took my car carrier to pick it up. Not only did he insist on keeping it in his garage all that time, he even replaced the battery at his expense when he noticed that the car took some extra cranking due to the inactivity.
06-22-2008, 12:54 AM
#16
Homework First!
Like any car purchase, do your homework first before laying out the money. Do it safely and just because the seller might be a forum member, doesn't mean they are honorable although the odds are in your favor. Look at their history here and their posts. If its a newbie...think twice and again, do your homework.
06-22-2008, 04:34 AM
#18
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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06-22-2008, 09:45 AM
#19
Instructor
I bought mine from a forum member. The car is a gem and the seller wanted to take the car on one last last road trip. He drove the car to me from Pennsylvania to Louisiana and the car only had 34K miles on the clock. I am very pleased with my purchase. It's best to be cautious of any car you buy, but long standing members on this forum tend to treat their cars like family. You can also look at thier previous posts and see what type of mods/repairs have been done. I feel more comfortable knowing that my car belonged to a enthusiast.
06-22-2008, 10:00 AM
#20
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Like any car purchase, do your homework first before laying out the money. Do it safely and just because the seller might be a forum member, doesn't mean they are honorable although the odds are in your favor. Look at their history here and their posts. If its a newbie...think twice and again, do your homework.
And do a search and check his previous posts.I remember 1 guy that was always posting up the major problems he was having with his modded Vette.
Funny how when he posted it For Sale it was a perfect problem free car.