Looking at maybe buying an 02 or so vet.Is there any pro's and or cons to these cars? Looking at a t roof,convertable does not appeal to us.
Not looking at anything but a vet.
Not looking at anything but a vet.
Corvette's
- Thread starter lickrolaine
- Start date
what about the odometer,not a problem to have it in miles?
I have a friend that brings (dealer) motorhomes back from Florida,buys them at auctions,maybe I should talk to him?
I have a friend that brings (dealer) motorhomes back from Florida,buys them at auctions,maybe I should talk to him?
The last T roof Corvettes were made in 1982. Targa from 1984 onwards. If I was buying a Vette, I'd buy it in Canada just before the snow flies. Prices become discounted because people don't want to pay for storage over the winter.
Overall, the C5 Corvette is an excellent car. Visit a Corvette forum to find out details.
Having an odometer in miles is no problem. I believe the computer can be set to display in kilometers as well. If you are going to keep the car a long time, consider not getting things like active suspension and Head up display as they can be expensive to repair, especially the active suspension.
Overall, the C5 Corvette is an excellent car. Visit a Corvette forum to find out details.
Having an odometer in miles is no problem. I believe the computer can be set to display in kilometers as well. If you are going to keep the car a long time, consider not getting things like active suspension and Head up display as they can be expensive to repair, especially the active suspension.
lickrolaine said:
This is what I could find :
T-top
First installed on the 1968 Corvette, T-Tops are removable removable roof panels. Structural integrity is preserved by the presence of a centrally located T-Bar, from which the T-Top gets its name. T-Tops were standard equipment on the Corvette through 1982, and were popular options on such cars as the Poniac Firebird Trans Am, Chevrolet Camaro, the Datsun 280ZX and the Nissan 300ZX.
TARGA
Definition: A removable-roof body style popularized by Porsche that is similar to a convertible except that it incorporates a fixed, roll-bar-like structure running from side to side behind the front seats.
Could not see T-roofI'd double check this with revenue canada...there's taxes and duties on everything and if memory serves, the only vehicles that aren't taxed and dutied at the border are antiques, 20+ years old.
The only way around import duties is if you're an auto manufacturer. The auto pact allows GM, Ford etc to build cars in Oshawa and sell them in the US and vice versa.
this was taken from the revenue canada website:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d9-1-11/d9-1-11-e.html
goodtime
Travelaholic
Import
I considered that option as many bargains state side. But Transport Canada safety requirements are hassle, catalytic converter, daytime headlight are top of the list, too troublesome and negate the savings for model I looked into at the time.
I have my eyes on the Z06. 0-100 in 4 secs. Bargain/performance compare to the Ital & Ger sports cars. But I don't buy new not spent $ on sports car, may be some day.
There's definitely duty. Not to mention paperwork.tboy said:
I considered that option as many bargains state side. But Transport Canada safety requirements are hassle, catalytic converter, daytime headlight are top of the list, too troublesome and negate the savings for model I looked into at the time.
I have my eyes on the Z06. 0-100 in 4 secs. Bargain/performance compare to the Ital & Ger sports cars. But I don't buy new not spent $ on sports car, may be some day.
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If you're going to buy a Vette, take your time and buy an older model. These motors are made for power that most owners do not take advantage of, meaning that even the older models have motors that are in great condition.
The newer ones do look nice, but when you're in a Vette, it makes very little difference which model you have, it all feels great.
Aside from the mechanic check of the tranny, timing belt, accident record and leaks, here are a few things to look for.
Stay away from the Cross-Fire injection. TPI is the way to go.
The older models with the curvy bodies have a frame which will warp over time, if you run across one of these look at the upper door gap. If the upper gap is wider than the lower door gap, the frame is warped, otherwise it is should be great to buy.
Take your time. Keep an eye out on the papers and Auto Trader for a good deal. There are always good deals on these cars once in a while but you have to catch these quick as most dealers also have an eye out for these cars.
Another thing. Once you own a Vette, there is no going back. You'll be hooked for life.
The newer ones do look nice, but when you're in a Vette, it makes very little difference which model you have, it all feels great.
Aside from the mechanic check of the tranny, timing belt, accident record and leaks, here are a few things to look for.
Stay away from the Cross-Fire injection. TPI is the way to go.
The older models with the curvy bodies have a frame which will warp over time, if you run across one of these look at the upper door gap. If the upper gap is wider than the lower door gap, the frame is warped, otherwise it is should be great to buy.
Take your time. Keep an eye out on the papers and Auto Trader for a good deal. There are always good deals on these cars once in a while but you have to catch these quick as most dealers also have an eye out for these cars.
Another thing. Once you own a Vette, there is no going back. You'll be hooked for life.
Ummm ok, but also check all the other gaps because it could be just a misaligned door.
I used to work in a restoration shop that specialized in vettes. Of about 20 I worked on none had warped frames. I should think you should have said "...have frames that CAN warp over time...."......
You probably know better than me about old Vettes. I used to own a '87 and you know that Vette owners tend to cluster and talk. More than one Vette owner has told me about this problem. They say because of the composite material that they used for the frames is very light but lacks strength if it is ever hauled by a regular tow truck. These old models need to be towed by a flat bed. (the new ones too because of the low ground clearence) So not all old Vettes have warped frames but is a big fault to look for when you're buying a used older model Vette.
I do love those new convertibles with their verticle rear windows. I thought I'd hate the stationary headlights but they look great as well. Ah hell, now you guys got the Vette itch started again.
You've probably seen this already but just in case.
www.autotrader.ca
They have over 300 vettes for sale.
I do love those new convertibles with their verticle rear windows. I thought I'd hate the stationary headlights but they look great as well. Ah hell, now you guys got the Vette itch started again.
You've probably seen this already but just in case.
www.autotrader.ca
They have over 300 vettes for sale.
Always open both doors on the Vets and see how much up and down play the door has when open. Check the frame by looking through the engine as well. Older ones tend to rot under the doors sometimes.
I have a '76 with a big block 454, candy apple red if anyone is seriously looking.
I have a '76 with a big block 454, candy apple red if anyone is seriously looking.
goodtime
Travelaholic
flyingdgn, for me it started with the old Firebird, then vette, Alfa Roemo, Nissan 280Z, Mitsubishi 3000?, Viper, SLK, vette.
Don't particular want to own one, given careless parking lots. Or recognized at MP. Just drive different one according to mood.
Don't particular want to own one, given careless parking lots. Or recognized at MP. Just drive different one according to mood.
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If you are interested in an older Vette, take a look in the bookstore for the Corvette Black book for info.
Given your newness to Vettes, I would suggest sticking with your original choice of the C5 Corvette, which was 1997 to 2004. Generally very few problems over the production run except for a couple of months where a manufacturing flaw caused excessive oil consumption.
If you go older, I would skip the 1993 to 1996 Vettes with the LT1 because of the Optispark ignition problem. 1993 to 1994 always fried their ignition because any water from the waterpump that would leak on the ignition would drown and short it because the coolant would accumulate. They revised the 95 and up so that the water would drain, but it's still a question of when, not if it would fail.
As mentioned before, avoid the 1982 and 84 crossfire injection and the Nash manual transmissions in the C4 cars. 1987 L98's were the first year of Aluminum heads and ABS.
I don't like the mid to late 70's vettes, but plenty do. If you get one, make sure it is the L82 version as it was basically the detuned original LT1. As for the frames warping, I've never heard of it. I do know if not stored properly, it will rust out and can actually break at the welds between the rear wheels and seats. The late 70 Vettes have lighter frames to save weight to try and compensate for the reduced hp and increased luxuries. There is also no cutout for a dual exhaust.
Given your newness to Vettes, I would suggest sticking with your original choice of the C5 Corvette, which was 1997 to 2004. Generally very few problems over the production run except for a couple of months where a manufacturing flaw caused excessive oil consumption.
If you go older, I would skip the 1993 to 1996 Vettes with the LT1 because of the Optispark ignition problem. 1993 to 1994 always fried their ignition because any water from the waterpump that would leak on the ignition would drown and short it because the coolant would accumulate. They revised the 95 and up so that the water would drain, but it's still a question of when, not if it would fail.
As mentioned before, avoid the 1982 and 84 crossfire injection and the Nash manual transmissions in the C4 cars. 1987 L98's were the first year of Aluminum heads and ABS.
I don't like the mid to late 70's vettes, but plenty do. If you get one, make sure it is the L82 version as it was basically the detuned original LT1. As for the frames warping, I've never heard of it. I do know if not stored properly, it will rust out and can actually break at the welds between the rear wheels and seats. The late 70 Vettes have lighter frames to save weight to try and compensate for the reduced hp and increased luxuries. There is also no cutout for a dual exhaust.
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