icedancer

A good friend, now the proud owner of a red/black 2012 GS vert, has a white 2003 C5 coupe for sale in California - 6spd, ~35,000 miles, very good condition.

He has a written offer from CarMax for $18,000 - should he take the 18k, or post it here with an asking price and more pictures?

Thanks in advance for any constructive comments.

XotiK ZO6

Thats a good offer from Carmax. My feel is he may be able to get 19, with an outside chance of 20 selling it himself.

I would take the carmax offer and be done with it.

CQRT

With the low miles and fine condition, he might get over $20 if he waited and found the right buyer.

Obviously, Car Max is going to want to make money and will have the cost of any service and prep - -but that's not a bad offer just to be done with it.

Black 02

I'd take it.

Mickeyrx70

DDaaryl

It's a good offer, may retail for 20-21

BamaJ

If it's as clean as it looks I think I'd have to try & sell it myself & get a little more. But then again, I've never tried to sell a Vette & I'm sure you get more attempts at "joy rides" than almost any other car. Still think I would test the waters for at least 30 days.

Camjamsdad

The trouble with trying to sell it yourself is finding a buyer with cash or super stand up credit and solid relationship with his banker. Cars too old for normal financing.

Vetteman Jack

That's not a bad offer, but if he has the time to sell it himself, he might be able to get a bit more from it. Looks like a nice car.

jallen355

That's a strong offer. Wading through all the "***** Be Backs" and folks that "think" they can get financed is a pain in the ***! A strong cash buyer looking for a Corvette that is now 3 generations old will be rare, IMHO. If he's the type of guy that likes "talking" to lots of folks about his C5, then maybe he should try to retail it himself. It is a nice specimen.

roadbike56

I believe CarMax offers come with a time limit. I'd try selling it myself, and if it wasn't sold by the time limit, bring it to CarMax. This is an awkward time. All cars became one model year older on Labor Day. Also factoring in that we're heading into the fall, not a good time for Corvette sales. He should be careful not to lose a good offer.

VETJAZZ

Recently sold my 2003 50th AE Vert w/42,000 miles for $24,000 on Craig's List. CarMax had offered me $21,000 a month earlier. He'll can definitely get more if he sells it himself.

zr1fred

Nice car, but not a gotta have it car. Surprisingly generous for CarMax.

icedancer

Sounds about right Vetj,

C5 convertibles go for about $3,000 more than a similar C5 coupe, wholesale and retail.
I think he can get $21k if he decides to list it and take the time and hassle of selling it privately.

icedancer

Not all that generous Fred, Kelly Blue Book trade-in wholesale value - $19,006.

KBB private party retail value is $20,424.

zr1fred

See your KBB and raise you an Edmonds.........
Customized True Market Value® Prices




Trade-In

Private Party

Dealer Retail

National Base Price $12,625 $13,985 $16,251
Optional Equipment $666 $819 $1,187
6-Speed Manual Transmission $94 $115 $167
Active Suspension $254 $312 $453
Head-Up Display $71 $87 $126
Automatic On/Off Headlights $42 $52 $76
Auto-Dim Exterior Mirror(s) $42 $52 $76
Auto-Dim Rear View Mirror $34 $42 $60
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel $34 $42 $60
Driver's Seat Memory $34 $42 $60
Remote CD Changer $61 $75 $109
Color Adjustment - White $79 $88 $102
Regional Adjustment - for Zip Code 85053 $29 $32 $38
Mileage Adjustment - 35,000 miles $1,338 $1,338 $1,338
Condition Adjustment - Outstanding $1,420 $1,506 $1,788
Total $16,157 $17,768 $20,704


But point taken.... (interesting that they add for white paint)

icedancer

LOL thanks Fred

I need to get the complete options list, but it has the glass roof.

Edmunds and KBB are halfway close - at least on "retail".

At some point, with CarMax or a private party, both seller and buyer must come to terms on whether the vehicle is "excellent" or "very good".

With all the great input from you and the others, my friend can make an informed decision - 18k for painless and fast, or 21k with the time and hassle of a private party sale - thanks again.

onspeed

Good offer I think, although it depends on the local market.

540i 6spd

Good offer for this time of year.

jedblanks

I disagree.

When you have a clean car like this the first person that looks at it usually buys it.

I've sold 5 cars in the range of 10-20k for on average 5k more than carmax or trade in was offered.

In all but one case, the first individual that saw the car in person purchased it. The other one -- The second "looker" bought it.

Once you start to get into the 30s it gets tougher. People get steered towards a brand new....<whatever the hot car is at the time> once you get in that range.

For the vettes, I have not had one tire kicker. My policy is to take them for a ride, and if they seem serious and legit, I will switch places with them on the way back.