Schmelby, what do you say to a fellow Forum member who appeared to just be shopping for a fun car, reward for a life well-lived, then you find out he really just wants to enjoy the medically shortened years left. Keep a positive attitude, you appear to have enough time that improved health is a possibility, meanwhile, get a Vette, get involved with a Corvette club or (as mentioned) Cars and Coffee. Come out this way and see Devil’s Tower, drive Spearfish and Vanocker Canyons in the Black Hills, see the Little Bighorn, hell…maybe Yellowstone and the Tetons during one of the shoulder seasons. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers. If a medical turnaround isn’t in the cards, maybe good health until the end is enough to ask for. God Bless you.
Tom

quote:

I'm dying, I've tried to pin down my Doc to tell me how long I have, he won't say.
My best Google search says maybe 5-8 years. Been retired for two and a half years

Schmelby,
I'm sorry to hear this. We are all dying, most just don't know it or even try to put a time frame on it.

I would just reiterate what 4MUL8R said:

quote:

Be present, be active, and be true to yourself. God's blessings and care be yours today and all your tomorrows.

Also, 4MUL8R makes great points on cash/finance options. If that money is currently working for you vs. if it's just sitting.

It sounds like you might really enjoy the car for a few years. Go for it!
But... when you get to the point where you no longer enjoy it, don't just let it sit. Sell it.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Thanks for catching my early morning mistake.

Early for me as well. It sounded so good, it took 10 minutes for it to dawn on me you have to pay the rest of the loan off. For the first 5 minutes, I was all set to hit the dealership first thing this morning.

I've owned Corvettes continuously for 59 years from the model years of 1958 to the current one which is a 2007. I have enjoyed them very much and hope to continue to enjoy them. I would strongly urge you to drive any you are sincerely interested in to make sure you can get in and out of it and that you enjoy driving it. I do know several people who find them hard to get in and out of and have quit owning them for that reason. Keep us posted on what happens.

Schmelby, sorry to hear about your health, and if getting a Corvette is what you desire then for all means go get it, I've had two, loved driving them both.

The 2019 does command a bit more desirability because it's the last of the C7 body, and has all of the upgrades and development done, they are IMO one of the better looking Corvettes in the past 40 years.

Test drive it before you buy if everything fits you will enjoy, it should hold it's value very well being the last of the C7 Corvettes.

I just got back from the Kidney Doctor. I'm pleasantly surprised.
All my bloodworks are back in the normal range, except he wants wants me to have more Potassium.
Said my Kidney function is at 80-85 percent. I guess quitting drinking can actually help.
They told me a year and a half ago I was pretty much done for. I'm in the best mood in two years.
You all will have to read my inane posts for a while longer.
Thanks Valkyrie for the offer, I want a C8 or C2. HRK said a 19 is a C7, the papers the chevy dealer gave me
says a 19 but it's definitely a C8 body? I'm going to pull the trigger but I think I'll get one that's only
two years old and make sure it's a Grand Sport. I'm not going to be in a hurry, make sure I get a good deal.
I'll put my oldest son on it, he lives for that.
From the bottom of my heart I thank everyone who replied.

Back in 2014, doctors told my mother in law she would have 6-18 months to live.

I just had to endure her last week

The doctors can be wrong and probably more often that we are led to believe. Live your life and enjoy it.

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I want a C8 or C2. HRK said a 19 is a C7, the papers the chevy dealer gave me
says a 19 but it's definitely a C8 body?

Link 2019 vs 2020 Article


2019 C7



2020 C8

Could be a mistake on the paperwork. What’s under the hood? If it’s an engine, it’s a C7. If it’s a front trunk, aka frunk, it’s a C8.

If it’s a C8, forget what I said about the transmission and forget what people said about the price.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
5 years old and old 13k miles ? Neighbor finally gave up on their 19 convertible after had been sideswiped hard. A full year in body shop and then they said come get it and still had electrical issues so back it went for another few weeks. Delay blamed on everything from GM parts to supply chain etc. so they Finally fixed it and neighbor traded it to dealer for a sedan for 35k in value. Probly could have squeezed a few more in private sale but they were soured and wanted out. This was within the last month.

somebody on a corvette forum i go to just bought one that had been sideswiped, so happy he got it so cheap!! maybe this one!!

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I'm pleasantly surprised.

Very glad to hear this. I bought my first Corvette just last year. Good luck with your search!

https://caredge.com/sell-my-car

Looks like around $41000. Bit I didn't know all the options to input.

Google shows my wife's lifespan to be 6 months in 2019. She is still here. Doc's gave no estimate.
Best of luck to you. Getting a life shortening estimate changes much and it is hard to focus on the fact that no one is promised a tomorrow but we all expect one

I got the best medical news of my life today.
Now I have two brothers and a son telling me I'm an idiot for wanting to buy a Vette.
I can't win. Now I'm depressed again. Piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
I'm gonna start drinking again.

People who offer guidance against the heart's desire of an elder may not have the perspective you need.

I think it is very important to share two things with family members in this situation. WHAT and HOW. Allow me to write as if I might speak to brothers or son...

WHAT:
Hey, son, you know things have been tough for me lately. Life seems to be passing me by. I'm scared. I'm woried. And, I'm fighting. What I so desparately need is to feel alive, to feel vital, to feel emotion and joy.

HOW:
So, son, your dad is going to do something crazy. I'm going to look for a vehicle that I can drive as fast as I want to go, that looks like a million dollars, and that every red-blooded American would like to own. I'm going to spend a little money on a special vehicle -- a red Corvette. Yes, a state trooper's favorite target. I've found enjoyment in searching for just the right one, and I am finding a recent generation to be both exciting and affordable. I thank you in advance for understanding, and I would love for you to join me in this quest.

{son} But Dad, Corvettes are...you are...there are more important things...(any number of objections raised).

Son, I'm not asking for your advice, or your agreement, or your approval. What I want has high value to me, and how I want to accomplish this goal means I'll be doing something really unusual. But, it is right for me, it is right for us, and it is vital that I make this move now. Just think of the two of us, heading out for a Chick-fil-A breakfast before taking a cruise down the curviest roads we can find. We'll have fun dropping the top, speeding around the country roads, and we'll find a place to have lunch out there in the country. I may even let you drive this hot rod.

Be as honest as required. Speak the truth in love. Avoid battles over your judgment. Act decisively. And enjoy this time of your life. It's going to be great!

quote:

People who offer guidance against the heart's desire of an elder may not have the perspective you need.

I wouldn't have the what or how conversation now, (not saying it's not a good way to handle it up front), but they made their feelings clear, duly noted, filed, thank you very little.

Just go do whatever you wanted to do, sick or healthy, old or young, retired, single, have the money, you are an adult and it's your money if that's what you want have at it.

And with all the negative comments from them, be sure to never loan out the keys LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
I got the best medical news of my life today.
Now I have two brothers and a son telling me I'm an idiot for wanting to buy a Vette.
I can't win. Now I'm depressed again. Piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
I'm gonna start drinking again.

If not drinking has helped your kidneys, best to stay off it.

As for buying the Vette, if the purchase price is a big stretch, perhaps lower your budget a bit to find a cream puff.

I too was going to get a sports car closer to retirement and even budgeted it for purchase at 59. After talking with my financial planner, he determined that I was in the position to purchase one now (albeit at a much lower price point).

I've had my 2001 911 for over a year now and it brings more smiles per mile that I could have imagined. Buying a new one in 7 or 8 years seems silly now. I'm enjoying it now in my early 50s and I'm paying for it with my part time, second job. On a five year loan, I've already paid off about half of. Should have it paid off by end of year three.

I say go for it.

4MUL8R has the right idea, and HRK simplified it. They both give good advice.

Schmelby, you have worked hard and saved, for your entire life. It's time for you to do something for yourself!

My preference would have been a Porsche, but a Corvette is good, too.

If you really want it then go buy it. Just get it inspected first and don't overpay. You can always sell it.
I don't know about vettes but utube car channel are seeing lots of automotive toys being sold at auction due to repo's
If you think it will make you happy then go for it. I would. But the happiness must be provided by the car and driving. Not by the imagined family bonding that may never take place.
Now devils advocate
I am you age and in central Indiana. Why I would not buy a vette
Roads in poor condition, overcrowded, bad drivers. I don't want to put a 50k (which is new car average) at risk. And I would have to drive it at least 60 miles to find any decent roads-none twisty- to enjoy it. Add in a few months of snow and bad weather.
My solution would have to be to first - move, and second buy the vette. Your environment may be different. Same for a motorcycle.

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Now I have two brothers and a son telling me I'm an idiot for wanting to buy a Vette.

Definitely not trying to get into family stuff, but I will say this for whatever it's worth.

People who are worried about your money say things to protect your money.

People who want you to be happy don't really give a damn about the money.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Back in 2014, doctors told my mother in law she would have 6-18 months to live.

I just had to endure her last week

The doctors can be wrong and probably more often that we are led to believe. Live your life and enjoy it.

I'm sorry to hear that. My mother broke her leg at 95, when she came out from the anesthesia she was gone.
Her last three years was bedridden and total dementia. The last time I went to Florida to visit, I fed her dinner
and she didn't know who I was. Heartbreaking.