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Buying corvette from dealer, what do you think the max price i should pay ?
Hey guys and girls, I have found a 2005 arctic white,6 speed manual, coupe with 19k miles. It doesn't have any navigation, and has alloy wheels. The dealer has the price set at $28,995. When i have checked KBB, Nada, Edmunds the pricing for this car is estimated at 24.5k - 27.0k, i don't want to get screwed by the dealer. This is my first corvette ever. I am interested into what you all think is a fair price and if there is a way i should approach the situation. the car is 400 miles away, so i would like to settle on a price before i fly out. let me know what you all think. i have attached two pictures below to show you the car. thank you for your help
Me personally, I would want to see the car before anything, so I would only shop locally. What do the tires look like? Interior? Undercarriage? How does it drive? Does everything work for that particular trim level? Has it been modified in any way?
Assume that anyone selling anything always asks a higher price than what they will ultimately sell for. But this can be quite variable depending on local demand -- or lack of it.
If I had to fly somewhere to look at a car, then I don't want it. But that's just me; I hate to travel and have never flown commercially anyway, and have no plans, or reason, to ever do it.
Anything listed in Carfax, the competing one of which I can't think the name of, or GMVIS?
Not to stir the pot with the 05s out there, but for a 2005, I think it seems steep.
If you do some research (don't even have to leave the forum), you'll find that the 05's had a good number of teething issues. They aren't bad cars by any means, but you shouldn't be paying as much for a 2005.
At that price, I feel that with those options you should be able to get into a 2008 or 2009 which has an LS3 with an additional 30HP, let alone less overall known issues as the 2005's had.
I'm also not sure why you're having to look at far as 400 miles out to find this car. If you're truly looking for a great deal, there are much better ones to be had on a 2005. And as mentioned, if you really want to see what $29K will buy your, I think you'll be surprised.
well i live in boise idaho and there truly is nothing local here I'm going to have to go out of state, its a 92 dollar flight to go look at it. The big thing is it has low miles on it. but i agree i would only be at 23500-24000 for the car. The biggest thing is i was able to get financing for half the car and i can put the other half down on it
Very nice shape -- but it looks like a $24k car to me at best. A good deal would be closer to $22k, IMHO.
2005's have some quirks -- nothing fatal, but annoying enough that I wouldn't pay top dollar compared to other years (mandatory "shift to reverse when parked" or your battery dies, and the infamous "Column lock"). Both those quirks were remedied in the 2006 model.
My opinion is shop around shop around shop around. There are a lot of vettes out there and you can find a deal. When I was looking for a z06 I found one local. 06z clean car fax clean auto check. When I got to the dealer it only had 7k on it but it was in an accident and paint was horrible. I wound up putting it up on a lift and the car was not what it was said to be. I passed on it. I also flew out to NY from chicago to by a one owner with 10k TA WS6. Short story, I will never fly out to buy a car again with out more, much more research. It was a waste of time, and I wound up selling the TA 3 weeks later. This car might be good but look around.
For that price you can get a later 07 or 08. That looks like a 1LT basic. A red 07 vert with beige interior and top. Chrome wheels, 20,000 miles navigation looks like a 3LT optioned car, automatic, it's in Stuart Florida at a dealer and I believe it's less than $28000. I think it was $27400 as of yesterday. Located about 15 miles from me.
No offense to people with white cars, but this one "looks" like a stripped down 1LT model and the Arctic White gives it all the charm of a refrigerator. Regardless of the low mileage, that car is going to be hard to sell for the dealer. I bought a 2009 one owner Victory Red 1LT Vette from a dealer here in my area that had less than 26K miles on it for $28,500. No way an eleven year old car is still worth much over $20K.
There was a 2009, loaded in Asheville which was for sale for months.
It looks like they finally sold it. I could not find the link.
It was 28K. I was interested, but mine is paid for.
There is no way I would pay $$$$ for a 2005. Too many cheaper, newer cars out there.
My 2007 might be worth 17K. I bet I couldn't even sell it for 17K if I listed it tomorrow.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Originally Posted by Stavesacre21
Not to stir the pot with the 05s out there, but for a 2005, I think it seems steep.
At that price, I feel that with those options you should be able to get into a 2008 or 2009 which has an LS3 with an additional 30HP, let alone less overall known issues as the 2005's had.
I'm also not sure why you're having to look at far as 400 miles out to find this car. If you're truly looking for a great deal, there are much better ones to be had on a 2005. And as mentioned, if you really want to see what $29K will buy your, I think you'll be surprised.
Good luck with the search!
I've been looking for several weeks now both at local dealerships and online through Auto Trader, Car Gurus, and Cars.com. $29K for an '05 is excessive. You can get a lot newer car for that 29K. As mentioned, you could possibly get into an '08 with the LS3.
Your 'deal' reminds me of a base 1LT with low miles that was for sale at $45,000 that I saw last Sunday in Puyallup. Way too much. Those 'deals' are for people that know nothing about Corvette pricing and just want to buy a cool car without doing the research first.
Last edited by ExRedRacer; 04-10-2016 at 03:41 PM.
From the photo and your description is appears to be a very clean car, however, in my humble opinion, its way, way overpriced. Appearances can be deceiving and low mileage isn't everything. As mentioned above by other forum members you want to see a carfax and maintenance records. If those are satisfactory, (no accidents or other concerns) then an INDEPENDENT inspection by someone who knows these cars and can explain to you the pluses and minuses of the various years. I think you can do much better by taking more time and looking around. This forum, under "C5's For Sale" or CarGurus etc have a plethora of great vettes for sale and by browsing you can get educated on what the various years and models go for around the country. A good C5 is a great source of pleasure and enjoyment, a bad buy can quickly turn in to a nightmare. Take your time, be very fussy, selective and demanding, it'll pay off for you financially and enjoyment wise. The hunt is half the fun! Good luck and best wishes to you!
No offense to people with white cars, but this one "looks" like a stripped down 1LT model and the Arctic White gives it all the charm of a refrigerator. Regardless of the low mileage, that car is going to be hard to sell for the dealer. I bought a 2009 one owner Victory Red 1LT Vette from a dealer here in my area that had less than 26K miles on it for $28,500. No way an eleven year old car is still worth much over $20K.
did you look at the interior picture?its a loaded car without navigation
Probably too long ago to be relevant but I bought my 05 in Feb 2014 from a private party original owner. It is a 1SB (3LT newer years) manual trans. with the Z51 option and 59K miles for $22K.
Hey guys and girls, I have found a 2005 arctic white,6 speed manual, coupe with 19k miles. It doesn't have any navigation, and has alloy wheels. The dealer has the price set at $28,995. When i have checked KBB, Nada, Edmunds the pricing for this car is estimated at 24.5k - 27.0k, i don't want to get screwed by the dealer. This is my first corvette ever. I am interested into what you all think is a fair price and if there is a way i should approach the situation. the car is 400 miles away, so i would like to settle on a price before i fly out. let me know what you all think. i have attached two pictures below to show you the car. thank you for your help
Back in 2013 I purchased my '05 basic coupe with 54K miles for $25 at a Lexington, KY Toyota dealer. It was a 200+ mile drive from here in Ohio. Michelins were in great shape, new brake pads, clean carfax, good service record, and DSOM which really sold me.
Like you, it was my first corvette. I had driven several dealer cars locally that were overpriced. No regrets.
Dave
04-10-2016, 01:21 PM
Buying corvette from dealer, what do you think the max price i should pay ?
