New member looking for advice.

[Jefe's SS]

Hello all. I'm obviously a new member here and I have some Qs on a possible purchase. I've been lurking here for awhile and the info has been great.

I'm considering purchasing a lightly used 2010 IOM 2SS. This car has the RS pkg. and orange insert interior w/ an auto tranny. Mileage is right at 2000 miles. It's an early build car built 9/09. The asking price is $33k. Original sticker was $37720. Experience tells me a near one year old car takes about a 20% hit. I realize it's extremely low mileage and should be taken into consideration but on the flip side It has one year less warranty.

What say you the experts of Camaro5?

[tjd24]

My comments/questions:

1) Get the Carfax on it to be sure of its history and no major collision/repair issues. Carfax should also show its service history.
2) What else do you know about the original owner - was it someone who would've pounded the car for those 2,000 miles or someone who just tried it and decided to go another way?
3) Does it have the rear assist sensors - it may if built 9/09 or may've just missed that cut-off - you may care one way or the other...
4) Realize that as an SS you'll need to either get all-seasons or performance snows on new rims when the temps drop below 40 degrees, unless you intend to park it for the Winter.
5) Does this Camaro have all you wanted in options / color - if so then no issues - if you wanted something else or like the idea of having the HUD in the 2011 then that's a consideration to wait.
6) Realize your OnStar will expire 9/10 and your XM trial is already over
7) Check tire wear to make sure the rubber is still as expected for 2,000 or did the last owner do burn-outs before giving it up.

Others I'm sure will add their comments/questions - for me, unless the car is exactly what I wanted I'd wait till I found it new or slightly driven. Hope these help...

[Brownhornitt]

Easy call. Order your own 2011 with exactly what you want in it. That way, you can be sure you brake it in properly, too.

[mulletman]

Ask the salesman to give you the name of the previous owner. Call the owner before buying. The asking price is high IMO. If the salesman won't tell you the first owner consider walking. The 2011s are out and supply has caught up with demand.

[Michael_Js]

All good advice! Welcome to the site!
Congrats on your pending purchase (or order )

[Jefe's SS]

What do you think an appropriate price would be?

I neglected to mention that it is fully tinted, clear bra on the front, rocker panels, mirrors, and rear lower quarter panel. It has the BA sound system but thought that was standard equipment on the 2SS. The IOM and interior are options for an additonal cost as well as the auto tranny which I prefer. There are also some uninstalled extras like the black out Chevy emblems, SS emblems, black fin inserts, and car cover. Adult owned and babied from my inspection. My gut and inspection tells me the current owner took very good care of this car.

I'm having difficulty appraising on Edmunds as there is no option for the 1SS/2SS. Both KBB and NADA appraise it for a bit more than the asking price. The few cars I have found here, CL, EBay, and Autofinder are a within this range. Most more a few less and all with more mileage. Other than stripes, moon roof and polished rims what common options are available? It's a pre rear sensor car which I gather some prefer for the lack of the inserts as do I. It also has the chicklets.

I like the color. It brings back memories of the circa 69' hugger orange. I would consider adding rally stripes or having them painted on. I like moon roofs but I also really like the mohawk roof on the non moon roof cars.

This will be a Sunday/funday car. I'm currently running an 08' IS 250 AWD for a daily driver so no need for snow tires or winter use.

Considering an identical car new would cost me over $38K and this car is essentially new I'm liking the approx. $5000+, depending on the final selling price, savings over new. And I'd be taking the approx. 20% hit once I drive a new car off the lot making it close in value to this car. I'm not really making any concessions for this particular car that can't be changed fairly easily like the rally stripes. I'm also not to excited about the HUD of the 11's. The huge hole in the dash is quite the turnoff and the HUD doesn't really do much for me. The added weight doesn't help either.

So basically I'm hoping to get your experienced opinion on price of this specific car.

Thanks for all the replys and I value your opinions.

[mulletman]

The previous owner has invested a sizable amount on extras. My main concern is the reason for trading the car. Good luck on your decision! Let us know how it works out.

[Jefe's SS]

Originally Posted by mulletman

The previous owner has invested a sizable amount on extras. My main concern is the reason for trading the car. Good luck on your decision! Let us know how it works out.

The reason for selling is a decrease in his business due to the current economy. He's self employed, as so am I, and is also selling his house and is currently moving. He has/had a beautiful house in a beautiful area of Colo. Again I must say that I have a very good gut and my gut is telling me he's on the up and up. I feel for his position but at the same time it's in my best interest to get the car for the best price I can. I'm not looking to kick a man when he's down either. I'm a firm believer in karma. I'd like to help him out from under this car as it is something I want and he needs to get rid of but at the same time I'm not a charity. On a side note; It was either this car or a circa 68' Camaro convertible that's approx. 80-90% restored. He's decided on the classic and I can't say that I blame him. Nice guy really. Spent quite a bit of time talking to him while inspecting the car and on the phone w/ him as well. Fortunatly for me my business is up. Way up. Which affords me the luxury of a third car. I've been in his position as well. I bought an 01' GT on Sept. 8th. of 01'. Remember what happend three days later? Yep and business dropped instantly. I was trying to sell that car a month later. I survived and I'm sure he will as well. You know the saying; "when the going gets tough..."