How to buy a used Corvette

Buying a used Corvette can be a difficult undertaking, as there are many criteria to meet and the price can be prohibitive. After seeing the price of some of the models in good working order, the temptation to buy a Corvette that doesn’t work or one that obviously needs extensive work can be high. However, cars with these problems may not save you money if you fix them yourself. After adding the price of parts and other expenses, it would probably have been cheaper to buy the car that was in good condition in the first place.

The decision to buy a used Corvette in good condition means that a potential purchase should be reviewed for serious flaws, such as rust. Rust affects the underside of many used corvettes and is only visible by going under the car to take a look. If there’s nothing to hide, a prospective seller shouldn’t mind taking a look at the chassis, which is more prone to rust. While under the car, visually inspect the cross members and the vulnerable area in front of the rear wheels. The underside of the front radiator bracket should also be checked for rust. If the bracket is rusted, it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker, but the replacement cost should be factored into the cost of the car.

When the rust inspection is complete, there are still more areas that will need to be examined. One way to see if the car has suffered any major damage is to look at the shims on arm A. Look for a lot of shims on one side and fewer on the other. This indicates that there is still something wrong with the car that has not been repaired. There are no shims on one side and many on the other indicates some major problems, such as a bent cross member. There may also be car suspension damage that was left from the damaging incident in the past.

If the car has passed the visual inspections, it is time for a test drive. During driving, accessories and interior features should be checked and checked for proper operation. Test windows, heat and air, radio, seat adjustments, and any other interior features. Pay attention to how the car handles and the noises it makes. Some Corvettes make a clicking or squeaking noise from the rear due to worn position units. If the sound isn’t that bad, it may not be a problem that justifies costly repairs beyond adding some positive-acting additive to the gear oil. If the noises are severe, you may justify a price change to compensate for any repairs that may be needed.

More indications of hidden problems from a used Corvettes can be found with an inspection of the car’s body. Most of the time, when a fiberglass panel has been damaged, it is replaced, leaving little evidence of damage. But by inspecting the front bumper, you may be able to tell if the car has been in a collision in the past. Look at the area of ​​the bumper that sticks to the fiberglass. If that area has ripples in the paint, it has likely been repaired by a head-on collision or other major trauma. Collisions of this type can cause invisible damage to the car’s suspension, which can be costly to repair.

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