Does this sound like a reasonable deal??
Discussion
First of all, thanks to all of the chaps at the Fairmile pub yesterday who were kind enough to chat about their cars (not a problem it seems!) and also give advice on my current quest for a C4.
Although I am fairly sceptical about buying things of value over e-bay, I have come across what appears to be a reasonable deal on a '92 C4.
It is an automatic and I initially set-out to find a manual. However, it seems that there are mixed views on the merits of the manual box and finding one that isn't horribly run-down and/or overpriced is not easy. Also, it is a Japanese import which again seems to invoke a mixed response.
The link to the vehicle is:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18301&item=4536605880&rd=1
The main problem is that the auction closes soon (though I have spoken to the seller and he is likely going to re-advertise for another week) and it is up by the Humber so a speculative look will not be at all easy to fit in in the next couple of weeks. Does this look like a particularly good deal that would be silly not to investigate?? If so, what questions might you ask and what would you look out for?
Sorry for the rather long posting
Thanks in advance
Bill
Although I am fairly sceptical about buying things of value over e-bay, I have come across what appears to be a reasonable deal on a '92 C4.
It is an automatic and I initially set-out to find a manual. However, it seems that there are mixed views on the merits of the manual box and finding one that isn't horribly run-down and/or overpriced is not easy. Also, it is a Japanese import which again seems to invoke a mixed response.
The link to the vehicle is:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18301&item=4536605880&rd=1
The main problem is that the auction closes soon (though I have spoken to the seller and he is likely going to re-advertise for another week) and it is up by the Humber so a speculative look will not be at all easy to fit in in the next couple of weeks. Does this look like a particularly good deal that would be silly not to investigate?? If so, what questions might you ask and what would you look out for?
Sorry for the rather long posting
Thanks in advance
Bill
Hi Bill, best advice you can and will get from any owner is 'don't buy it without seeing it'
Having said that, from the photos it looks clean enough. Notice that it is fitted with non american standard door mirrors though. These look terrible and have been known to produce cracking at the point where they are fitted to the door. At the end of the day, it is your money and your choice. If you like it, buy it.
Having said that, from the photos it looks clean enough. Notice that it is fitted with non american standard door mirrors though. These look terrible and have been known to produce cracking at the point where they are fitted to the door. At the end of the day, it is your money and your choice. If you like it, buy it.
Thanks chaps
Yes, what you said about automatics is true, although I'll still be keeping an eye-out for a manual, at least to make a proper comparison. I have tried a 4+3 '85 and it was rather a clunky, sticky thing though I put that down, in part to the general condition of the vehicle.
I'll certainly try posting something on the CCCUK website on the off-chance that there is someone in the area.
Cheers
Bill
Yes, what you said about automatics is true, although I'll still be keeping an eye-out for a manual, at least to make a proper comparison. I have tried a 4+3 '85 and it was rather a clunky, sticky thing though I put that down, in part to the general condition of the vehicle.
I'll certainly try posting something on the CCCUK website on the off-chance that there is someone in the area.
Cheers
Bill
I've been keeping an eye on Autotrader but the really good deals which seem too good to be true tend to be just that! The '93 for sale for ~5k at Bonsai Cars no longer seems to exist as the management of Bonsai cars has just split-up and the chap with the Vettes has now started-up Tokyo Sports. This chap may also have a '92 similar to the one currently on e-bay but possibly for slightly more money.
Just logged onto the CCCUK website but wasn't sure where was best to post a tentative enquiry about the vehicle on e-bay. Unfortunately the Yorkshire chat does not seem to attract many visitors!
Cheers
Bill
Just logged onto the CCCUK website but wasn't sure where was best to post a tentative enquiry about the vehicle on e-bay. Unfortunately the Yorkshire chat does not seem to attract many visitors!
Cheers
Bill
Bill4553 said:
Just logged onto the CCCUK website but wasn't sure where was best to post a tentative enquiry about the vehicle on e-bay. Unfortunately the Yorkshire chat does not seem to attract many visitors!
Cheers
Bill
Hi Bill,
Post it under "General Chat" in the "General Help wanted" section, and put in an imaginative header Like "C4 Buyer needs help in Yorkshire" or "Young wealthy attractive single brunette lives on Golf course needs knowlegable C4 man in Yorkshire"
(you get the idea)I am sure others will offer more original titles. Anyway good luck
Dave
Hi Bill, it's Richard here. I have just spoken to someone who hopes to have 2 C4s for sale at Wheels Day (I can let you have a contact if you email me privately) and Martyn should be taking his black one which is also for sale.
My advice is leave the Jap one as you haven't seen it. It may not sell in which case you could be able to view it later. Instead have a mooch round Wheels and if there are any for sale you should be able to call upon at least 20 other Vette owners who would be willing to descend on them and pull them to pieces for you.
My advice is leave the Jap one as you haven't seen it. It may not sell in which case you could be able to view it later. Instead have a mooch round Wheels and if there are any for sale you should be able to call upon at least 20 other Vette owners who would be willing to descend on them and pull them to pieces for you.
There are reasons to be suspicious of Japanese Vettes, one of which is their propensity for street racing. However, you can't damn them all with one big brush and the Japanese regs also make keeping old cars on the road an impossibility.
Looking at the car photos, it looks in very nice condition although the wheelarch blisters are non-standard items and look different to the rear only 1996 GS items so they may be hard to replace should they ever neeed it. The mirrors, as has been mentioned are not US spec but that's no reflection on them (groan...). If you like green, then so be it but it's not a popular colour and may be worth less on resale.
My only concern is that because it is a Japanes export, there may be parts on it that can't be replaced, parts that have had to be changed to comply with Japanese regs - the rear indicators are an example, being inset rectangular units where the Euro version used horizontally split orange/red units. Break one and you're stuck.
Nevertheless, it is certainly worth looking at. For information, I once bid on two 1992 C4's on ebay about two years ago and they sold for around the £10k mark. One was a very nice torch red example with relatively low miles.
It's mor expensive but you might consider importing one. As an example, here's a mint condition 1996 in silver selling for $21000 and there's a torch red one with similar miles for $18500. The latter would work out at about £14000 landed in the UK
www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=172382942&dealer_id=55413108&car_year=1996&make=CHEV&distance=25&lang=en&max_price=&model=CORV&end_year=1996&min_price=&certified=&address=21122&search_type=used&advanced=&start_year=1992&isp=y&cardist=0
Here's a low mile 1994 green one going for $18000 and would no doubt be negotiable.
www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=176608365&dealer_id=55810651&car_year=1994&make=CHEV&distance=50&lang=en&max_price=&model=CORV&end_year=1996&min_price=&certified=&address=21122&search_type=used&advanced=&start_year=1992&isp=y&cardist=32
There are other more dubious US C4's for as little as $10000 but in my experience, you get what you pay for. From that point of view, the Japanese one you've highlighted seems reasonable but there are plenty of people who go to shows who might fancy a haggle if they're looking to change their cars.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 24th March 12:03
Looking at the car photos, it looks in very nice condition although the wheelarch blisters are non-standard items and look different to the rear only 1996 GS items so they may be hard to replace should they ever neeed it. The mirrors, as has been mentioned are not US spec but that's no reflection on them (groan...). If you like green, then so be it but it's not a popular colour and may be worth less on resale.
My only concern is that because it is a Japanes export, there may be parts on it that can't be replaced, parts that have had to be changed to comply with Japanese regs - the rear indicators are an example, being inset rectangular units where the Euro version used horizontally split orange/red units. Break one and you're stuck.
Nevertheless, it is certainly worth looking at. For information, I once bid on two 1992 C4's on ebay about two years ago and they sold for around the £10k mark. One was a very nice torch red example with relatively low miles.
It's mor expensive but you might consider importing one. As an example, here's a mint condition 1996 in silver selling for $21000 and there's a torch red one with similar miles for $18500. The latter would work out at about £14000 landed in the UK
www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=172382942&dealer_id=55413108&car_year=1996&make=CHEV&distance=25&lang=en&max_price=&model=CORV&end_year=1996&min_price=&certified=&address=21122&search_type=used&advanced=&start_year=1992&isp=y&cardist=0
Here's a low mile 1994 green one going for $18000 and would no doubt be negotiable.
www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=176608365&dealer_id=55810651&car_year=1994&make=CHEV&distance=50&lang=en&max_price=&model=CORV&end_year=1996&min_price=&certified=&address=21122&search_type=used&advanced=&start_year=1992&isp=y&cardist=32
There are other more dubious US C4's for as little as $10000 but in my experience, you get what you pay for. From that point of view, the Japanese one you've highlighted seems reasonable but there are plenty of people who go to shows who might fancy a haggle if they're looking to change their cars.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 24th March 12:03
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff