Houdy all. Brand new here and wanted to check in before doing an impulse buy on a 2002 Zo6 tomorow.

The car has 15000 miles, 2 previous owners, and the asking price is 39,000 bucks. The cars at a local dealer and I would use the wifes car as a trade, probably worth about 10 grand.

The wife wants the car real bad, I walked away thinking I just saved us a bunch of money. Besides not one salesperson came over to try and sell us the car. I didnt want to beg to buy the car. Kind of hard to "dicker" unless you can play hard to get.

Any way, who here can give me some advice on this car; what to watch out for? Pricing, insurance, and living with a Corvette in general.

Thanks alot in advance.

 

First, look here for some common issues:

https://www.corvetteforums.com/m_4838/tm.htm

Second, check the Autotrader and Corvettetrader for comparable Zs and prices. Even check Ebay. The more ammunition you have in terms of comparison shopping, the more likely the dealer will bargain. I'd say $35K is closer to reality, but do your homework before trying to bargain.

Good luck.

Dave

 

Yep, 39k is to high. Thanks.

 

Yep that's a dealer price at the very high end of the scale, I agree $35 is closer to the mark. Since these cars are expensive to repair and maintain I'd get them to come down 2-3k but also ask for a 2-4 year extended warranty which usually costs 2-3k but their cost on it is much lower, usually half. I'd tell the sales person I know that $3k extended warranty costs you half that, so fold it into the deal knowing it's not worth 3k to them, just 1500 or so.

With all the electronics and so on in these cars it will save you a lot down the road if you're going to pile the miles on it. Remember if you trade in they are gonna offer you half of what your trade is actually worth, so I'd avoid doing that at all costs. The best way to get them to deal is come in preapproved for financing or cash and give them a take it or leave it price that's fair. If they don't think you'll walk away then you're screwed on negotiating. Maybe leave your number with them in case they reconsider and go look at some other dealers if the balk on a fair price and tossing in the extended warranty at their cost to close the sale. Most sales poeple work almost entirely on a comission and are much more desperate to sell a car than they let on

 

I have bought three Corvette's from E-bay. If you pay attention, there are some great buys. I got a 02 Z06 with 1107 miles on it for $35,000 Feb 2005. The biggest issue I have with this car is I have a difficult time NOT driving the car hard, it is way too fun. A car may have limited miles on it, but they may be HARD miles. I bought the three from ebay from individuals and not dealers.Do not trust dealers, but have no problem with other Corvette Fanatics.

 

Also, you'll get a better deal from a dealership if you wait until the end of the month. There are extra bonuses that make it worth their while to come down in price. After walking off the dealership lot, they called me 5 times over 4 days trying to bring me back. They wanted $39,9, which I found out with a little investigating was way over bluebook - bluebook being $36,5. I offered them $35 on 2/28/06, drove home a beautiful '04 coupe that night.

Go in there educated and willing to walk if they don't give you what you want. There are a lot of vettes out there and if they aren't willing to deal, then maybe this isn't the best one for you.
Good luck - just shop 'em.