[Guest]

Hello,

I am considering buying an 04 Redline Red. I would be buying it from a dealer a very long way from my home.

So my question is that if I find an 04 I know it has been out there sitting for a very long time. Perhaps even spent a year out side (yikes!) or inside with many people molesting it.

What should I look for to make sure it is still healthy?

Do you think it is wise to buy one and then drive it over 2,000 miles back home?

What tests should I run before heading out on the road?

Oil changes?

Thanks,
David
Vancouver, Washington

 

[JimGnitecki]

Before buying it:

- Check aire pressure in the tires before taking it on a test drive. odds are that it is down to 12 to 16 psi if the dealer maintenance of new vehcle tire pressures is typical. Insist on filling them to 32 cold BEFORE driving it to avoid damaging the tires and wheels and to get a realistic idea of the handling.

- Does it start easy and run decently, at idle and on the road, or after sitting a long time, did the fuel in the injection system and tank start to varnish up and clog orifices? If latter, it will require a thorough cleaning via an agresssive fuel system cleaner added to a tankful of gas or 2. If it has really been sitting a year, the gas probably broke down a lot and the question is how much varnish depisiting did it do.

- Check carefully for body panel scratches and dings, in bright lighting. In a year's time, a lot of scratches and dings could have appeared.

- Ensure that you check each of the following warrantable items. They are warranty repairs, so will not cost you, BUT (a) they are a pain to get done, and (b) some of them, like roof or window adjustment problems, might NEVER be properly repaired if they exist on this specific vehicle, because they are HARD to fix and most Chevy dealer mechanics don't see many SSRs:

- roof scratched during lowering or raising due to incorrect adjustment
- roof does not seal well at highway speed due to incorrect adjustment
- windows do not properly snap up INTO ribber trim a second after a door is closed
- windows do not seal well at highway speed
- blower motor TOO noisy on speed setting "2" (SOME noise is normal, because of the way the electronics work on that setting, but not too much!)
- driveshaft makes "ting" sound when vehicle put into drive or reverse
- auxiliary guages ALL work (easy for installer on this dealer-installed accessory to short the guages when installing. If shorted, voltage guage works, but NOT GPH or transmission temperature)
- If this SSR is equipped with the deluxe cargo bay option, esure it has BOTH colored and woodgrain strips, AND the 2 extra strips required for the outboard tracks when not using side saddlebags or cargo net

AFTER buying it:

- Change the oil only after running it long enough to get the oil to full operating temperature, so that as much condensate as possible in the old oil is flashed off.

Jim G

 

[WOW_FCTR]

Look for

I would also like to add check the back corners of the truck bed to see if mildew is now growing from a leaking cover.

 

[big-daddy]

One more

I bought mine from a dealer about 200 miles away, no regrets everything was and has been fine. But before I would do the 2000 miles, I'd take the deal they are making and see if you can find a more local dealer to match it, there are lots of 04's sitting out there and they are dying to move them. :thumbs

 

[ECurtis]

Rust

Check for rust especially on the headers. You will know if it has been exposed to the elements for a while. Also look at the rubber seals. Notice if it is cracked. Lastly, write down what consititutes acceptable service and what constitutes an acceptable vehicle (ex: no rust, cracked rubber, etc). Put everything in writing. Ask the seller to sign up to this.

You've got to protect yourself. Some people will say and do anything to get a sale.

:seeya E :seeya

 

[hpdjv]

Buying an 04 & concerns?

Hello,

I am considering buying an 04 Redline Red. I would be buying it from a dealer a very long way from my home.

So my question is that if I find an 04 I know it has been out there sitting for a very long time. Perhaps even spent a year out side (yikes!) or inside with many people molesting it.

What should I look for to make sure it is still healthy?

Do you think it is wise to buy one and then drive it over 2,000 miles back home?

What tests should I run before heading out on the road?

Oil changes?

Thanks,
David
Vancouver, Washington

I bought my new 04 In Feb of this year when I saw the deals being made on Ebay, CarMax etc. Mine actually was dealer traded because of the local literally taking deposits from 2 of us on the only slingshot yellow they had left. :nono They agreed to getting the one from Iowa provided I agreed to a $5,000 deposit that was refundable ONLY if there was a flaw in the SSR than I didn't like once I could inspect it. :thumbs But, there are LOTS of 04's out there still so don't settle for one in less than like new condition. I passed on a violet one because it had lots of paint scratches, scuff on one rim and was filthy underneath from being test driven in the salt and then never being cleaned up. Just take your time and look it over BEFORE you take it off the lot. It's still the dealers even if you signed and paid and you could walk if you found flaws that made you uncomfortable. But once you pull off the lot it's used and they will never take it back without it costing you a few grand.

From my Ebay experiences selling my 2000 C5 convertible - never in the rain and 100% like new with 3,800 miles and 4 years old, I saw first hand the buyers (from Miami), inspector go over my car before the deal was finalized. He was good and checked everything out. Consider using one if you can't justify flying out yourself before you make a deal. For me I saved $18K off the sticker so I could have easily justified a $300 - $500 plane ticket if I had too.

Good luck. Hey, possibly someone here would agree to check the SSR you are interested in out for you? Where is it located????