Advice for 1st time buyer

[Mr. P]

I'm seriously considering buying my 1st Corvette even though I've never even been in one. After some homework, I've decided on a 1967. I have no real knowledge of what to look for or how much to pay. Can anyone recommend a course of action that might land me a good car without being taken advantage of? I'm in Long Island, New York. Any recommendadtions on engine size / horsepower for a first time buyer?

[grr]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer

Mr.P, You have chosen a very popular and expensive year. But a good choice in mid-years (no offense to others) is 67. The most valuable and easiest to get would be a convertible,427 cubic inch, 435 horse power L-71, 4 speed in at least a #2 or 2+ condition or you will end up having to paint,rechrome,interior etc. These cars are at un-real prices everywhere.

Go to www.proteam-corvette.com and shop around the prices on different years. That's about all I can give you to go on with a large inventory or prices that are flexible. You can see the difference between the coupes price and the convertibles. Original cars paper work means extra value also. Awards etc.

The best thing you can do is join the NCRS and becomes friends with people who help out those in need when the "Corvette Bug" bites. Don't want to see you get ripped off.Proteam is only an example and they do post the prices.grr#33570

[Patrick T.]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer

I would thoroughly check out Hemmings Motor News on line classified for prices on '67's. If you elect to go out to ProTeam, you better hire a very knowledgeable advisor to ask them the right questions. If you don't ask, they don't tell. A nice '67 at the right price is very hard to come by these days. I pretty much gave up here in this hick town and had to go to Carlisle to buy one. Even then, if your a novice, you better take someone with you who knows the ropes, because you can get taken there also. Caveat Emptor. Patrick

[Mr. P]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer

Any suggestions on how to find an expert to take along?

[mike hom]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer

First of all, I would advise patience. There are a lot of 67's around, many overpriced, and most non-original in some major way. Buy the book "an investment in excitement" it is available via NCRS. This is a very good reference for the first time buyer. Oh, did I mention that the best investment in my book would be to join NCRS before you buy? It worked for me!

[Steve68L71]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer

Also take a look at http://www.traderonline.com/coll/search/index.shtml That should give you a good take on real world prices from somewhere other than a dealer.

-Steve


TraderOnline

[Juliet P.]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer

You need to do your homework. It takes time, a lot of reading, studying and more reading and a little help from your NCRS friends... but you'll have fun doing it.

Step 1. Join NCRS and get the technical judging guide for your year of interest. Read it a zillion times and get yourself familiar with what original components came from the factory. That way when you start looking at cars you'll be able to tell which are original and which have been worked on by Bubba over the years.

Step 2. Get the performance verification and judging guide for your year car. This will explain to you how all the options and features of the car work. It's sort of reading how to work the car, so when you do get into one for the first time you don't look like a neophite. Seen it been there done that (the neophite part that is)...!

Step 3. Do your technical homework. Here's 3 pages with EXCELLENT technical info on things to check so that you're not buying a lemon. It covers C2 & C3s (same frame, different body). When you're ready, don't plunk down a nickle of cash until you've inspected it thoroughly on a LIFT. There are many things which are easy to see & check when on a lift, but difficult or impossible when it's sitting on it's own four wheels. The tech pages above will walk you through 75 MUST DO mechanical inspections. Also, look very very closely at several cars before you decide. Don't underestimate the value of cosmetics. Interior parts can get very very pricey!

http://www.d-p-g.com/corvettefever/sep96/eM1.htm

http://www.d-p-g.com/corvettefever/sep96/eM2.htm

http://www.d-p-g.com/corvettefever/sep96/eM3.htm

Step 4. If there's a local NCRS chapter near you, join it and hook up with someone with C2 experience. Go to their meets, look at members cars and talk corvettes! There are bound to be experts who will be more that willing for a steak and a beer or a couple of bucks, to take a thorough expert look at a car with you. You'll learn a ton and have the peace of mind of an expert opinion. Of course, you can just study study study and find one on your own, inspect it yourself, and then get it judged after the fact to see how well you did. Seen it, been there done that too. And got a NCRS second flight award. Guess I studied pretty well and had a healthy dose of good luck too.

~Juliet


Got a '70? Click here to Visit & Join the 1970 Corvette Registry!

[grr]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer-take a breather

Mr.P, how much are you willing to spend top price? This will give us a better idea of what you can get for your buck. Also if you want an expert or a person of knowledge to help with this particular year 67 they have to know what state you live in. I'm sure if you live near a member they would assist or be of some help.

If you don't mind me asking, why do you want a corvette if you have never ridden in one? Do you want it for an investment, daily driver or just hobby type thing. But you must join the NCRS if you get one if you want get a quick education on your car. There is a common bond between us all, the cars and what they mean to all of us. Something different to all.grr#33570

[Tom B.]

Re: Join the NCRS

Mr. P,

You have fairly good timing for what I would recommend at this time of year:

Step 1: Join NCRS now.

Step 2: With your discount buy the books you need to begin to get knowledgeable about what you want. In the next two months you may have enough knowledge to be a novice at what you're looking for.

Step 3: Begin now to make your plans to go to Corvettes at Carlisle.

Step 4: Arrange through your newly established NCRS contacts to meet a knowledgeable NCRS person at the NCRS booth at Carlisle. Together, go look at the cars for sale and at auction. This is one source where dealers get their cars then boost the price $5000, $10,000 or even more depending on the car.

There's a new and better "deal" born every day, so by all means you need to be patient. If you don't find what you are looking for this summer, then begin to plan and search the private owners and dealers later in the year. It's just my personal observation, but it seems to me prices "level off" in the late fall and winter. If you are looking for a quality car, owned and cared for by a "restorative"-type owner then I would suggest one good place to find many are in the NCRS Bi-monthly Driveline. Hope this helps. TBarr #24014

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer *TL*

I've tried to email you direct with information about Long Island, but it gets bounced. Contact me via email and I'll get back to you. I'm from Long Island so should be able to help.

[Dave Henderson (#32416)]

Re: Advice for 1st time buyer

67 is the hot year, I think 65 and 66 represent a better deal, as do 68 and 69. I can't believe 67's will get any more expensive then they are today. If they do, maybe I need to get into Chevette's for a while.

You have arrived at the best place to start your search, ask questions and read the answers carefully and you'll be ahead of the game. There are years of knowledge in this organization. I'm glad I joined and read this site constantly.

[Juliet P.]

Re: Don't Think The Judges Would Approve

Is hood replacement absolutely necessarry? Greg's sitting here wondering if one could put an epoxy barrier coat on the outside of the hood under the paint to keep the oil from bubbling the paint. It's the same stuff they put on boats to keep the water from going the other way and bubbling the glass (like we did on my Dad's sailboat after we fixed the blisters). I've got a seized compressor on my '70 along with that lovely oil stain on the inside of my hood. Of course my paint is so fugly what's a bit of bubbling along with the orange peel? BTW, it's been over 2 years and mine hasn't bubbled yet. ~Juliet

http://corvetteforum.net/c3/1970registry/