Buying my first Corvette

[phoneman91]

Originally Posted by RagtopDan

You can tell he's still learning...he called you MR. Junkman!

When you are a newbie-you want to respect the knowledgeable '' elders''.

I respect experience and knowledge. And my reading of these threads on this website makes me believe that there are few things that the Junkman hasn't done to his Corvette!

I just read the lengthy thread of the Junkman rebuilding his front end after a collision with a truck tire recap.

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by phoneman91

When you are a newbie-you want to respect the knowledgeable '' elders''.

I respect experience and knowledge. And my reading of these threads on this website makes me believe that there is few if anything that the Junkman hasn't done to his Corvette!

I have yet to have sex in it.

[phoneman91]

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

I have yet to have sex in it.

huh?

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by phoneman91

huh?

We had an entire thread about having sex in your Corvette. You'd be surprised how long that thread was.

[phoneman91]

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

We had an entire thread about having sex in your Corvette. You'd be surprised how long that thread was.

Not to discount all of your extensive experience and invention-but I would think that sex in a Corvette would be all but impossible if over the age of 30 and over 6 feet tall.

Much like having sex on a motorcycle. Not necessary something one wouldnt want to do-but would be impossible to do physically and privately .

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by phoneman91

Not to discount all of your extensive experience and invention-but I would think that sex in a Corvette would be all but impossible if over the age of 30 and over 6 feet tall.

Much like having sex on a motorcycle. Not necessary something one wouldnt want to do-but would be impossible to do physically and privately .

You could have stopped at over 30. It's definitely not something I have ever had a desire to do or try. I've also ruled out floors, truck beds and desktops. Yea, I'm pretty much down to a good old fashioned BED.

[RagtopDan]

Originally Posted by phoneman91

When you are a newbie-you want to respect the knowledgeable '' elders''.

I am just playing...I am with you on that front! I couldn't begin to repay Junkman (You're not getting a Mr. out of me though, AJ! ) for all the knowledge I have gained from him. In fact, I believe that he conned me into owing him a steak dinner for all his help.

There is an incredible wealth of knowledge to be had here on the forum and you would be crazy not to take advantage of it.

Good luck on your purchase and drive it like you stole it! Oh, and BTW...never had sex in mine yet either...although I think that the convertible might resolve that 6 ft tall limitation....

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by RagtopDan

I am just playing...I am with you on that front! I couldn't begin to repay Junkman (You're not getting a Mr. out of me though, AJ! )

The next time I see you, I'm going to make you call me UNCLE Junk (that's what Patrick's boys call me but I don't have to twist their arms )!

[phoneman91]

Apparently I have more than two First Things to do:

Buy My first Corvette

Buy my first convertible

................

[DarthAWM]

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

We had an entire thread about having sex in your Corvette. You'd be surprised how long that thread was.

27 pages?

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by DarthAWM

27 pages?

No, and everyone pretty much agreed with each other without throwing the Nazi word around.

[phoneman91]

Many of you guys here on this website have bought used C5s from private owners. What is the best way to negotiate an offer?

Most Corvette sellers are very proud of their C5 and paid a lot for it several years ago and don't take kindly to offers it seems. It is an upscale high performance vehicle and the seller is usually very enthusiastic about their C5.

Most will not accept a offer and even if they say they will-don't believe that their asking price is unreasonable.

Usually I offer about 5/10 percent below the asking price on most of my used car offers. This doesn't seem to work when offering to C5 owners.

I don't want to offend the C5 owners-but many don't realize that their C5s are not in perfect condition usually and don't realize that their asking price should reflect the condition of the C5-not just the mileage and model year.

How does one may an offer and not insult the owner? Should the potential buyer wait and send the offer via email? Or make he make the offer in person when looking at the C5? Should one point out the deficiencies of that individual C5? Or not mention the problems at all and just make an offer?

What is the most effective way to get the best price on a C5 without insulting a fellow enthrusiast?

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by phoneman91

... What is the most effective way to get the best price on a C5 without insulting a fellow enthrusiast?

First, explain to anyone selling a car what condition the car must be in for you to consider purchasing it. Second, give a range that you are willing to pay for a car in the condition you want. Then ask the seller if his car fits the description that you have dictated. That's one way to make an offer without seeing the car. If the seller agrees to your terms, then go look at the car. This way, you are not making an offer, you are describing your spending limit and desires before you even see the car. Once you see the car, you can point out the things that are not up to snuff, even though you explained those things to the seller and the seller claimed that his car matched your desires. That's grounds for a negotiable discount.

[RagtopDan]

I have to agree with Junkman. I actually bought mine off Ebay from a dealer. The ad was loaded with pictures and he offered a warranty. To top it off, he only asked for $500 up front and then make a copy of my cashiers check (so he knew I had it) and he trucked the car down to me saying that if the car was not everything that he claimed, I could send it back with the driver. I figured I couldn't lose (except for that $500).

Anyway, the point is that you need to be true to yourself and what you want. As you pointed out, these are not exactly cheap cars and if you are going to take the plunge, don't settle. While I am very proud of my car (and the trophies it has won), I am still realistic about it and know that it has road rash on the nose...I drive it after all. The guards underneath are all scratched where I have hit tall driveways entrances and parking space stops...it is what it is.

If someone is trying to make the car into something that it is clearly not, that is probably not the car you want anyway. It took a lot of research to find the right car for me and I wouldn't think twice to point out the flaws because they will become YOUR flaws and you should both be on the same page before swapping that kind of cash.

I also agree that some people feel that pointing out a problem with their Vette is akin to calling their kid ugly but...deep down, they probably know it too.

Is there a reason that you are not looking at dealers? Often, they have a much larger amount of wiggle room in the price because they dont have as much in it and there is something to be said for possibly having a warranty (if they offer it). Mine came in handy because 3 days after I got mine, the starter died and it would have been an extra $800 nut that I was not prepared to pay. Just my 2 cents... Good luck on your search!!

[Junkman2008]

Originally Posted by RagtopDan

... Is there a reason that you are not looking at dealers? Often, they have a much larger amount of wiggle room in the price because they dont have as much in it and there is something to be said for possibly having a warranty (if they offer it). Mine came in handy because 3 days after I got mine, the starter died and it would have been an extra $800 nut that I was not prepared to pay. Just my 2 cents... Good luck on your search!!

Wow, $800???

Dude, you could have towed it to me with a 16oz filet and I would have knocked it out for a fraction of that!