Corvettes and all things about them

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Comments

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    For weekend use? Nothing better!!!
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    Only had to drive once with the 6sp through 2+hours of LA commute traffic and that would kill me on a regular basis. Lucky enough here to just go 5 miles to the train station which is why I have something else to do it in. That distance also doesn't even get the oil up to operating temp which can't be great long term.
       On the other hand took the EB Coupe to dinner on Friday night and with daylight saving parked it across from Pete's and got to glance at it a few times during dinner, brings on a smile. At least I think it's a smile, the wife says to stop grinning :)! That led to a little romp up a freeway ramp with a turbo Porsche and I really was grinning but we both shut down to keep it safe and got a wave back. Also, a great source of Corvette event info is your local club, there is one, I'm sure. We've taken the car on a couple volunteer events like a toy run before Christmas and seeing 250 Vettes all headed to the drop off is nice with local TV truck leading the way. I feel guilty getting so much enjoyment so I took along several additional Corvette models in addition to the one toy requested, might even motivate future owner, never know. It's more than just a ride.
  • deadeye4deadeye4 Member Posts: 6
    Am looking at a 80 vette (27,000) mi. has been a show car--all chrome under the hood etc. New tires--looks real cherry. Is 15-16 K out of the question ????

       

    Tks Charlie
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    No, not out of the question but it is Mighty Mighty Retail and it had better be the best in the world. Also I don't see this car has a big appreciator in value, and with those low miles each time you drive it you will depreciate the car.

    So I'm not really sure what the point would be of owning such a low mileage '80 Vette, this not being one of the highly desirable years from a collector's point of view. (only one engine choice I think, right, a low HP 350?)

    it's the kind of Vette you want to buy and drive and enjoy in other words, so why pay sucha premium for low miles?
  • argentargent Member Posts: 176
    I think the 1980 Vette is probably one of the least desirable years of that generation. The most powerful engine was the 230 hp L82, but something like three-fourths of them had the 190-hp base engine, and California buyers were stuck with the 180-hp 305. It had the awful 85-mph speedometer, too.
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    If you want it to look nice you don't drive it, or you work on it all the time to keep it nice. If you want to drive it, will it look nice for when you decide to open it up? It would take someone much more interested in detailing than myself to find it an advantage. Nice to look at when going to car shows, but wouldn't want to keep it up, personally. Anyway, the back is getting too old to be spending lots of time bent over the engine.
  • jmenne1jmenne1 Member Posts: 8
    I purchased an '01 black convertible last summer and recently uncovered it from winter hibernation. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to use to clean the top? The guy I bought it from told me not to use soap on it so I've only cleaned it with water so far, but it needs to look better. Also, what's the best wax for the best shine on a black one?
  • vettes2vettes2 Member Posts: 17
    You may want to check here for tips on caring for your convertible top:

    http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/question.php?qstId=5
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    #474

    After reading the posted article, it makes me glad I have a hardtop at cleaning time!! :)
  • caramocaramo Member Posts: 93
    Timing just KILLS me! Zero percent on Vettes is back again, and I am just NOT in a position to buy, since I've only had my Camaro for 9 months, so am severely upside down. . . And the dealer I used to work at, and am still on good terms with, has a boatload of Vettes in stock. To think what might have been. . .

    Oh well, I'll suffer along for another year or two, I guess. The Vette isn't the only car out there, and there are some interesting cars on the horizon, but . . . Man. . .

    Thanks for listening, I just had to get that off my chest.
  • avolvofanavolvofan Member Posts: 358
    Not to pile on, but replacement of the top is not a trivial event either. I suspect that the C6 will have a solution that is more in line with what Cadillac will be offering - the convertible hard top like what Mercedes and Lexus presently offer.
  • avolvofanavolvofan Member Posts: 358
    One thing that you may want to think about: Depending on how much under water you are, you may be able to use the current "flexibility" of the dealers to negotiate a sale price that is within the 120% of dealer invoice threshold for financing. Basically, if you can get a dealer to fit the amount that you are under water on your Camaro into the 120% amount that can be financed, you would be able to unload your Camaro and get a Corvette.... Just a thought; I can understand your wanting to get a Corvette - I thoroughly enjoy mine, it is a great tonic for a bad day at the office.
  • caramocaramo Member Posts: 93
    You usually can't finance too much more than MSRP plus sales tax on the GMAC zero percent interest program. GMAC isn't terribly interested in financing the amount folks are upside down on top of sticker. (I recently worked sales at this Chevy dealer for a year and a half, so I have an idea of just how flexible they can be to get a deal done. . .)

    It's not like I really need to unload my Camaro. It works pretty well as a tonic too. . . But I don't typically keep my cars once they're out of warranty. . . Too many cool cars, not enough time to drive them all. . .

    Hmmm. . . Might be tempted to keep the Camaro long enough to build up some equity if I had a shot at managing C6 payments. . . Previews look awesome. . .

    Aha! There's my consolation/rationalization! I really shouldn't be getting a C5 when they're getting close to the end of their run, I should wait for the C6 :-)
  • j3studioj3studio Member Posts: 27
    Folks,

    We're picking up our 50th Anniversary Convertible at the Museum this Friday, during the C5 Birthday Bash. There is a chance that certain acutely relevant Corvette personalities will be in the area and I was thinking of asking one of them to autograph the car. Some questions:

    1) Is this truly ridiculous? I was thinking of an autograph on the engine somewhere...

    Now the more precise:

    2) What kind of ink would you use? I thought of that gold/silver, paint-like stuff, but I'm not sure.

    3) How would you protect the autograph? Or would you bother?

    Thanks in advance, and please don't laugh _too_ hard,

    John Mulhern
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    I think I've seen it on the fuel rail covers on several at shows. There is a particular wide tip marker that they use since it needs to be light in color to stand out on the black. My bet is that there will be many at the bash with the marker looking for the exact same result. Or try the corvetteforum.com or corvetteactioncenter.com for better info. Congrats on the new Vette and don't forget to wave.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well if the person is around, why not? But it is kind of a joke among collectors, and it doesn't make the car more valuable. It's sort of charming but has really been overdone in both the Corvette and Cobra world lately. You know how it goes--when everybody does the same special thing, it becomes sort of a parody of itself.
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    ;)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well I'm not going to pay $45K for a car and have someone scrawl on the glovebox in magic marker, that's for sure. We aren't talkin' Picasso here.
  • gbjerkegbjerke Member Posts: 158
    WHAT.............Picasso retired???
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I heard a story that he paid everything by check because he knew people would never cash them---they wanted his signature.
  • j3studioj3studio Member Posts: 27
    Folks,

    Just an update on the delivery and signing:

    Everything went great (I can't understand why anyone wouldn't get museum delivery for at least one Corvette).

    Dave Hill signed the underside of the hood in silver magic marker (he couldn't get the gold one to write upside down). He put -

    'Just can't wait to get on the road again
    Dave Hill NCM 4-25-2003'

    Some of the gold marker leaked onto the right door, so we were treated to the sight of only the third chief engineer in Corvette history _successfully_ buffing the marker off the door.

    I hope this doesn't discourage him from future signings!

    We drove the Corvette back to just outside of Philadelphia in about two days (left 5:00 PM Friday, arrived 6:00 PM Sunday, very relaxed drive). We're still in shock...the car is absolutely amazing.
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    Congratulations on your new Vette! Sounds like you had a great time. I have an 02' Coupe (black with light oak int, auto). I live in Swarthmore PA, not too far from Bryn Mawr. Anyway, the new vette IS amazing, tons of torque, great handling, tons of style, great highway car, etc... After work I drove with the top off as the sun was setting. Today was a perfect Vette day! Had to hit the Dairy Queen on 320, lots of looks and comments. Have fun! Don't forget to wave! :)
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    Here's hoping to get an NCM delivery in the future. To get a deal back in '01, pre 911, went all the way to Montana and drove back to San Francisco area, 1350 miles in 4 days, very easy drive and didn't get over 120 all the way home. Nice break in drive, makes you know that it got broken in right from the get go. It is an amazing touring car, space as needed and so comfortable. Enjoy the ride if it is a weekend tourer or a daily driver, and don't forget to wave!
  • bigorange30bigorange30 Member Posts: 1,091
    Has anyone seen these?

    http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_cod- e=coverstory&loc_code=&content_code=00790378
  • caramocaramo Member Posts: 93
    I like what I see, though a color other than white is a must.

    Let's see. . . In fall of '04, there'll be "market adjustments" up the wazoo at dealers. . . Maybe by Fall/Winter of '05, about the time I'm thinking I'll be in the market for my next car, dealers will be more prepared to be reasonable.

    Now I just need to make the money to afford it between now and then. . .
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    I think it looks too much like the C5. I was hoping for a UNIQUE body style that separates it from all other Vettes, like going from the C3 to C4, or C4 to C5! A good designer/engineer makes a HUGE difference in the image and sales of a new car, but where are all the good designers? Look at the Nissan Altima, a good designer changed that car bigtime, look at how many they sold now.
  • vettes2vettes2 Member Posts: 17
    Here's a few more:
    http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&thre- adid=27857

    http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&thre- adid=27877
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    I think that had to happen with all the changes the vette has been through over the decades. The real question is performance. How close will it get to 500 HP? The base is only 350HP today but most would pay a little extra to get the 405HP Z06 engine in the coupe or vert. It sure would be nice to see it well above 400HP but I'm not going to hold my breath.
  • caramocaramo Member Posts: 93
    I gotta laugh a little about that. Are we speed freaks or what?

    I think the C6 is supposed to be over 400hp though. Can't remember where I thought I heard that, but pretty sure.
  • avolvofanavolvofan Member Posts: 358
    I don't know.... I think that the C5 looks better. Actually, I feel really great now about my C5 purchase.... Taking the plunge on a C5 with a replacement model just over the horizon was something of a leap of faith without having first seen the photos. I really like my C5!
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    I now don't think waiting accomplishes much. The spy shots look like a cross between the C4 and C5 down sizing the rear is most noticable to me. But working the mags to build buzz or maybe interest is something I will only guess about as to how they decide when to be seen, and I don't doubt that they do. The looks won't have much impact on by future buying but the performance might. As to speed freaks, all it takes from my perspective is to try it, you'll like it.
       But for all the power, the C5 with 6sp is amazing for economy. Today I noticed the '95 auto was doing 1500 rpm at 45mph in OD while when I'm on the freeway in the '02 in 6th gear, I'm doing 69mph at 1500rpm and getting close to 30 mpg.
  • rainvetterainvette Member Posts: 3
    Well, it is finally time to give-in...

    I've been watching and wanting for the past year, but I think I had better get on board and make my purchase. Since I wasn't old enough to drive on the 25th Anniversary, I've been waiting for this car for a long time now. I've found 2 vehicles on dealer lots, and know of a few more inbound before the end of May. All I need now is some help from those of you who purchased one:

    Assume a $50K sticker with dlr invoice around $44K. What's my best going-in haggle price assuming I can lure them with an all-cash purchase (and then switch to take advantage of the 3 years of free $ once price is locked-in)?

    Are they really still selling for close to, if not right on, sticker, as some suggest?

    Thanks for any help you can provide,

    Rainman
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    Our local Nor. Calif. dealer who used to mark up $3.5k to $5k and was selling coupes/verts for $5k off a few weeks ago, still had the 50th package at MSRP. I guess they think someone will buy it and there are relatively few and they go out of production in a month or so, therefore why discount, it looks nice in the showroom. Good luck, I'm betting you would have a better chance at a deal on the net through Corvetteforum or corvetteactioncenter to get what the best deals available might be. Maybe you can then get the local dealer to match or get close, or you may just find a deal you can't refuse. Picked my '02 Coupe up in Montana with 1350 miles home, perfect breakin drive, and sold the wife on touring in the Vette, very comfortable.
  • rainvetterainvette Member Posts: 3
    Yes, doesn't it seem odd how pricing in CA does not seem to follow any other trends established elsewhere in the country? (I'm down here in SoCal) But then when you look at what we pay for real estate and (only recently) electricity, I guess us Cali's are just plain willing to pay more for good stuff! Thanks for the pointers on the Forum and Action Center...will definitely check them out.

    The dealer in Huntington Beach (who has the 2 I mentioned) has called me back twice in 2 days... awfully itchy for this early in the month... perhaps a sign of weakness that should be pounced upon. :-)
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    Perhaps someone can inform you otherwise if I'm mistaken, but I think you'll make out better by upfronting your desire to use their credit (and then switch to cash if you want). Low pct. packages are usually subsidized at the factory level for the dealer, I think.

    Best, JW
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    I specifically worked my deal to buy for cash which was pre 911. Along came 0% and the dealer called me up to say, do you really want to sink the cash, GMAC is offering 0% and it makes no difference to me. Therefore I took 36 months divided into the price and the automatic payment is comming out of the same pot with just a little left over when it all gets done, earning rates are really low. But may depend on the dealer as suggested.
  • rainvetterainvette Member Posts: 3
    Thanks again, starrow68:

    Yes, I had planned on doing exactly what you are doing, even if liquid savings account rates are in the sub 2% range. Every little bit helps, and there is no doubt my financial position will change (good or bad?) in the next 36 months. This was why I figured to negotiate with cash and switch to payment when the salesman sends me to finance. However, if it is as JW points out, I guess I ought to be honest about the finance picture.

    But if I go that way, are there any other good techniques for negotiating? I always negotiate a car from dealer invoice upwards, but it seems like this might be futile given the near-sticker prices these things seems to be fetching.

    thanks!
    Rain
  • jwilson1jwilson1 Member Posts: 956
    as starrow has the relevant experience.

    But for negotiating techniques, and maybe even the actual structure for the current Chev. support, you've sure come to the right place. Go to the top of this page and click on "Tips and Advice" and you'll have many strategies spelled out in detail right before you. In addition, if you go to the home page you can find a link to Edmund's rundown on incentives and rebates and it may give you complete information on the money structure offered for the Vette.

    Hope I helped this time!
    JW
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    In the past some dealers would quote a higher price on cash deals since that was all they got out of the car. On financing they some times got a cut of the set up costs, etc. Don't see how that would help them in the 0% world but it is some times surprising how long it takes for some to break habit if they are used to one approach. Still think the internet is a lot better than spending hours with some salesman holding your licence trying to squeeze the last penny out of a deal. My internet deal took two emails from me and two replies with one phone call to confirm that they really were there. Easiest deal I ever made.
  • avolvofanavolvofan Member Posts: 358
    I logged on to corvetteactioncenter.com and was greeted with a page stating that the Corvette Action Center forums were indefinitely shut down. Does anyone have an explanation?
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    They now have a message about domain networking problems. Should be ok now.
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    C&D has been running a day by day recap of the One Lap of America. 80 or so cars running at various road tracks for 7 days straight with very little sleep inbetween if anyone is interested, a Corvette won. caranddriver.com
  • firstvettefirstvette Member Posts: 2
    I'm about to buy my first Corvette, and I'm debating about the Magnetic Suspension Ride Control option. Any suggestions? Are there any negatives to having this option?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The car mags seem to love it. About the only "negative" is that we don't know its longterm durability over the course of a warranty. But that's true of any new car with new tech.
  • starrow68starrow68 Member Posts: 1,142
    also on what you plan to do with the car. Extended warranty costs are fairly cheap for major systems failures but don't know if wear of shocks would be covered. Also a matter of how long you expect to drive the car. I'm hoping to keep mine a long time as it is very comfortable for touring with the wife, and that's with the Z51 option. If you plan to trade up in a few years can't predict what impact it will have on resale.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Perhaps the best way to answer the question is to go to the dealer's service and/or parts department and ask how many miles you can expect these shocks to last and what is the replacement cost. Lastly you can compare contrast them with the below shocks. Z51 shocks run app 400-500 dollars. Aftermarket Bilsteins run from 300-500 dollars.
  • avolvofanavolvofan Member Posts: 358
    At the risk of being censored for making recommendations, I would highly recommend the F55 option. I continue to be amazed at what the F55 suspension does for ride quality. As far as durability, there is some risk associated with a new technology. However, GM offers an extended warranty that does cover the F55 suspension. I checked with the dealer that I bought my car from to confirm that the GM Protection Plan specifically covers the F55 suspension, especially given the exclusion for shock absorbers. The answer was that the entire F55 suspension was covered. Apparently the F55 does not have "shock absorbers"; instead it has ride dampers or some other part that is not a shock absorber....
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Interesting. Do you mean that GM covers the F55 suspension over and above the regular warranty, or did I read you wrong there?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    This is an interesting point. The way I read your post is that you are saying you can BUY a GM extended warranty that covers the F55 shocks?

    I also should mention that the Bilstein's aftermarket on the Corvette shocks appear to offer a lifetime warranty.

    I also know for a fact that the GM offers no OEM shock warranty other than a nominal manufacturer's warranty (i.e., will cover manufacturing defects to a date certain) on the Z51 shocks. Wear parameters are NOT covered past nominal manufacterer's warranty period.
  • avolvofanavolvofan Member Posts: 358
    Here is what I was attempting to say in my prior post:

    1. F55 suspension is covered by the original 36 month/36,000 mile warranty. (Nothing new here.)

    2. GM Protection Plan Major Guard extended warranty for coverage beyond the 36 month/36,000 mile new car warranty will cover the F55 suspension with no exclusion for "shock absorbers", because F55 does not have shock absorbers.

    Going into new technology was a concern for me and I was looking for a way to limit exposure to costly repairs. I was concerned about the explicit exclusion of shock absorbers from coverage under the Major Guard plan. I asked if the magnetic analogs to shock absorbers in the F55 suspension system would be excluded. The response was that the analogs to shock absorbers are not considered to be shock absorbers and so, they are covered under the Major Guard plan. (If it is not explicitly excluded from coverage, then it is covered.)

    Hope this helps and I appologize for any misunderstanding.
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