C3 Corvette as a first car
05-19-2016, 11:52 AM
#22
Team Owner
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FWIW: before becoming too serious about a C3, check on the cost of insurance. At a minimum, you will have to carry liability.
05-19-2016, 03:14 PM
#23
Le Mans Master
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2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I agree with most of what has been said here. If this is not going to be your daily driver, look for one in the best shape you can afford. I grew up driving cars with no traction control, or abs, or airbags, etc and I am still here BUT with today's technology its a no brainer. I would not put my son in anything that didnt have those safety features as his only car.
For a toy, as long as you can afford it (purchase, insurance, parts, gas) it will teach you a lot about older cars and be something cool to cruise in.
For a toy, as long as you can afford it (purchase, insurance, parts, gas) it will teach you a lot about older cars and be something cool to cruise in.
05-19-2016, 05:39 PM
#24
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Just file this food for thought,
I was 16-17 and bought a 72 bb convertible, at the time around 1980 and I paid about 5000.00 for it which was kind of high considering a new 80 z28 was about 7K,
The 72 already looked tired and I didn't know much of nothing about c3's there was no internet and no people to help me, I still wear the scar from the power steering pump repair, I have no doubt the car was rusty in bad ways, I liked pulling up to a stop light and dropping the top before the light changed, I really loved that car, but it was hot loud and unfriendly and I got so stupid I swapped it for a new at the time Camaro pace car the biggest POS gm ever made, and swapped that for an 81 corvette that I went on to dd for over 100K miles,
I have owned a lot of cars and a lot of corvettes, and it took me a long time to fix that mistake of swapping the 72 in 09 I got my current 69 bb convertible, this is not a trailer queen no show stopper but I am building the car I want.
At this stage I am guessing you haven't ridden in a c3, how about driven one, most sellers will not let anyone much less a young man take their corvette for a test ride but you need to go look at a lot of c3's in person, crawl around under them, smell them touch them,
get to know them, if possible go for test drives even if you only get to ride, perhaps a forum member is near you and would take you for a joy ride if you toss him some gas $$$,
Be sure this is what you really want then stop asking what year is best or best looking ALL c3's are the best year...each has it's pros and cons look at lots of pictures figure out which one YOU like best and go look at that type.....
I was 16-17 and bought a 72 bb convertible, at the time around 1980 and I paid about 5000.00 for it which was kind of high considering a new 80 z28 was about 7K,
The 72 already looked tired and I didn't know much of nothing about c3's there was no internet and no people to help me, I still wear the scar from the power steering pump repair, I have no doubt the car was rusty in bad ways, I liked pulling up to a stop light and dropping the top before the light changed, I really loved that car, but it was hot loud and unfriendly and I got so stupid I swapped it for a new at the time Camaro pace car the biggest POS gm ever made, and swapped that for an 81 corvette that I went on to dd for over 100K miles,
I have owned a lot of cars and a lot of corvettes, and it took me a long time to fix that mistake of swapping the 72 in 09 I got my current 69 bb convertible, this is not a trailer queen no show stopper but I am building the car I want.
At this stage I am guessing you haven't ridden in a c3, how about driven one, most sellers will not let anyone much less a young man take their corvette for a test ride but you need to go look at a lot of c3's in person, crawl around under them, smell them touch them,
get to know them, if possible go for test drives even if you only get to ride, perhaps a forum member is near you and would take you for a joy ride if you toss him some gas $$$,
Be sure this is what you really want then stop asking what year is best or best looking ALL c3's are the best year...each has it's pros and cons look at lots of pictures figure out which one YOU like best and go look at that type.....
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Metalhead140 (05-19-2016)
05-19-2016, 07:03 PM
#25
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St. Jude Donor '05
I have a backup car(camry) and thats what I'm learning on currently.
If your dads worried about power forget it the 70s for the most part were slow underpowered cars so no worries there. A V6 4 door Camry, mustang etc would just it.
Try and find one where the stuff underneath has already beengone through meaning suspension brakes that stuff cost $$.
Certain parts are vette only and cost more than avg
x2 on if youre in Ca do youself a favor and find something 75 or older smogging just about anything late model is becoming tougher, even bone stock 90s cars these days have trouble passing.
Its a healthy hobby, makes you work harder and keeps you out of trouble. Dont think these take a ton of skill to drive
They look fast but really, make good cruisers unless you start modifying them.
Take someone with you who REALLY knows these cars, couple specific things to look for that many car guys wont know (like where they rust)
Last edited by cv67; 05-19-2016 at 07:04 PM.
05-19-2016, 07:23 PM
#26
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Then find one thats mechanically sound and go for it
If your dads worried about power forget it the 70s for the most part were slow underpowered cars so no worries there. A V6 4 door Camry, mustang etc would just it.
Try and find one where the stuff underneath has already beengone through meaning suspension brakes that stuff cost $$.
Certain parts are vette only and cost more than avg
x2 on if youre in Ca do youself a favor and find something 75 or older smogging just about anything late model is becoming tougher, even bone stock 90s cars these days have trouble passing.
Its a healthy hobby, makes you work harder and keeps you out of trouble. Dont think these take a ton of skill to drive
They look fast but really, make good cruisers unless you start modifying them.
Take someone with you who REALLY knows these cars, couple specific
things to look for that many car guys wont know (like where they rust)
If your dads worried about power forget it the 70s for the most part were slow underpowered cars so no worries there. A V6 4 door Camry, mustang etc would just it.
Try and find one where the stuff underneath has already beengone through meaning suspension brakes that stuff cost $$.
Certain parts are vette only and cost more than avg
x2 on if youre in Ca do youself a favor and find something 75 or older smogging just about anything late model is becoming tougher, even bone stock 90s cars these days have trouble passing.
Its a healthy hobby, makes you work harder and keeps you out of trouble. Dont think these take a ton of skill to drive
They look fast but really, make good cruisers unless you start modifying them.
Take someone with you who REALLY knows these cars, couple specific
things to look for that many car guys wont know (like where they rust)
I always forget some states have inspections...but what do you mean they make good cruiser "unless" modded some way modded c3's make better cruisers than in their stock form.
lots of cats here own such c3's
05-19-2016, 07:39 PM
#27
Just file this food for thought,
I was 16-17 and bought a 72 bb convertible, at the time around 1980 and I paid about 5000.00 for it which was kind of high considering a new 80 z28 was about 7K,
The 72 already looked tired and I didn't know much of nothing about c3's there was no internet and no people to help me, I still wear the scar from the power steering pump repair, I have no doubt the car was rusty in bad ways, I liked pulling up to a stop light and dropping the top before the light changed, I really loved that car, but it was hot loud and unfriendly and I got so stupid I swapped it for a new at the time Camaro pace car the biggest POS gm ever made, and swapped that for an 81 corvette that I went on to dd for over 100K miles,
I have owned a lot of cars and a lot of corvettes, and it took me a long time to fix that mistake of swapping the 72 in 09 I got my current 69 bb convertible, this is not a trailer queen no show stopper but I am building the car I want.
At this stage I am guessing you haven't ridden in a c3, how about driven one, most sellers will not let anyone much less a young man take their corvette for a test ride but you need to go look at a lot of c3's in person, crawl around under them, smell them touch them,
get to know them, if possible go for test drives even if you only get to ride, perhaps a forum member is near you and would take you for a joy ride if you toss him some gas $$$,
Be sure this is what you really want then stop asking what year is best or best looking ALL c3's are the best year...each has it's pros and cons look at lots of pictures figure out which one YOU like best and go look at that type.....
I was 16-17 and bought a 72 bb convertible, at the time around 1980 and I paid about 5000.00 for it which was kind of high considering a new 80 z28 was about 7K,
The 72 already looked tired and I didn't know much of nothing about c3's there was no internet and no people to help me, I still wear the scar from the power steering pump repair, I have no doubt the car was rusty in bad ways, I liked pulling up to a stop light and dropping the top before the light changed, I really loved that car, but it was hot loud and unfriendly and I got so stupid I swapped it for a new at the time Camaro pace car the biggest POS gm ever made, and swapped that for an 81 corvette that I went on to dd for over 100K miles,
I have owned a lot of cars and a lot of corvettes, and it took me a long time to fix that mistake of swapping the 72 in 09 I got my current 69 bb convertible, this is not a trailer queen no show stopper but I am building the car I want.
At this stage I am guessing you haven't ridden in a c3, how about driven one, most sellers will not let anyone much less a young man take their corvette for a test ride but you need to go look at a lot of c3's in person, crawl around under them, smell them touch them,
get to know them, if possible go for test drives even if you only get to ride, perhaps a forum member is near you and would take you for a joy ride if you toss him some gas $$$,
Be sure this is what you really want then stop asking what year is best or best looking ALL c3's are the best year...each has it's pros and cons look at lots of pictures figure out which one YOU like best and go look at that type.....
thank you.
05-19-2016, 07:40 PM
#28
05-19-2016, 08:03 PM
#29
Melting Slicks
For all the guys talking about airbags and abs, how in the heck did you survive then? Lol. And I don't think a C3 is a great first car unless it's already in excellent condition. We all love these cars but honestly, they are endless money pits that typically require more time, effort and money than they are fiscally worth. I don't blame your enthusiasm though and I hope whatever you get, you have a lot of fun with it.
05-19-2016, 08:12 PM
#30
Thoughts on these?
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5546575530.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5526130715.html
https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/5545082435.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5580302523.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5587992121.html
https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/5535088411.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5579804570.html
https://chico.craigslist.org/cto/5568469768.html
https://bakersfield.craigslist.org/cto/5589578784.html
https://visalia.craigslist.org/cto/5590041014.html
https://hanford.craigslist.org/cto/5541312873.html
https://humboldt.craigslist.org/cto/5508779005.html
https://redding.craigslist.org/cto/5560204010.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5593431027.html
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/5583748536.html
https://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/5533109509.html
https://redding.craigslist.org/cto/5589409258.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5546575530.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5526130715.html
https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/5545082435.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5580302523.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5587992121.html
https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/5535088411.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5579804570.html
https://chico.craigslist.org/cto/5568469768.html
https://bakersfield.craigslist.org/cto/5589578784.html
https://visalia.craigslist.org/cto/5590041014.html
https://hanford.craigslist.org/cto/5541312873.html
https://humboldt.craigslist.org/cto/5508779005.html
https://redding.craigslist.org/cto/5560204010.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5593431027.html
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/5583748536.html
https://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/5533109509.html
https://redding.craigslist.org/cto/5589409258.html
Last edited by Humzah Ahmad; 05-19-2016 at 08:20 PM.
05-19-2016, 08:37 PM
#32
05-19-2016, 09:34 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
This one you linked too would never pass SMOG.
https://hanford.craigslist.org/cto/5541312873.html
https://hanford.craigslist.org/cto/5541312873.html
05-19-2016, 10:40 PM
#38
Here are my 2 cents after just going through this twice with my kids. About 5 years ago, my daughter turned 16 and got the 1981 C3 I had since she was born. Please don't whine about the power & speed. The C3 had the least power of any of any vehicle in the household (including the Honda Minivan and my motorcycle), and it would not beat any base sedan off the line. Sure, it lacked ABS and airbags, but the vehicle was used in a 4 mile radius of our house where a few roads had (gasp!) 40 mph speed limits!. For freeway trips into the city or the like, she used our car. The vette is obviously only a 2 seater, so I never worried about her packing a ton of friends in it. Is the fiberglass fragile & expensive? Yes, and that is why she took incredible care of it for the 2 years of school- never even tapping that long, low front spoiler on a curb. She also learned more about troubleshooting & repair than if she had a new computer controlled car. Even if she/we couldn't fix a problem, she had to troubleshoot it pretty well. The best part is the joy of ownership and care she took of the car, which has carried over into her college car (which is newer and more reliable, since she has a 150 mile drive to school). I can't imagine she would have cared the same way if she had been in a 3rd hand beater civic. Did I mention she is now an official "car guy", too?
As for her younger brother, he got a hotter red 1979 L82 at 16. Yeah, a whopping 225 horsepower- don't try racing that Camry... Anyway, similar result with the care and love they had for the cars. His part-time job is further away (~10mi), and he takes my WRX after school for that- and I'm glad he has experience in a car requiring more continuous attention & respect (without electronic nannies) before he started driving my much faster, higher limit beast.
One Dad friendly point- the kids found early on that having a car that stands out meant they couldn't get away with much. You know, the occasional text to me or his mom from friends, "hey I saw your boy in the vette the other day, and ..." Cue the lectures or losing the keys for a week.
So, recognize that the car will not be as reliable as others you could buy, it will take more regular TLC, there is no traction control to save your ^%% with the wide tires in the wet or snow (and the only tires you can get in that size are not the best in wet/snow), the brakes will be sub-par to a more modern car (not that they must be, I am referring to 40 year old brakes in your price range), and if you are in an accident- particularly at speed, the lack of airbags and crumple zones will be more of an issue. But, you will have something which you appreciate, and which you will probably not lose money on whenever you sell it (though you will spend more fixing things along the way...). Also recognize that if you wreck it, with the age & fiberglass, a minor incident will probably be a total, and you will not get much from the insurance company.
Good luck. There are plenty of links on this site with tips for purchasing your first car. Like others, I would recommend a mid 70's to 80, as they are easier on the pocketbook and not too high of hp.
John
As for her younger brother, he got a hotter red 1979 L82 at 16. Yeah, a whopping 225 horsepower- don't try racing that Camry
... Anyway, similar result with the care and love they had for the cars. His part-time job is further away (~10mi), and he takes my WRX after school for that- and I'm glad he has experience in a car requiring more continuous attention & respect (without electronic nannies) before he started driving my much faster, higher limit beast.One Dad friendly point- the kids found early on that having a car that stands out meant they couldn't get away with much. You know, the occasional text to me or his mom from friends, "hey I saw your boy in the vette the other day, and ..." Cue the lectures or losing the keys for a week.
So, recognize that the car will not be as reliable as others you could buy, it will take more regular TLC, there is no traction control to save your ^%% with the wide tires in the wet or snow (and the only tires you can get in that size are not the best in wet/snow), the brakes will be sub-par to a more modern car (not that they must be, I am referring to 40 year old brakes in your price range), and if you are in an accident- particularly at speed, the lack of airbags and crumple zones will be more of an issue. But, you will have something which you appreciate, and which you will probably not lose money on whenever you sell it (though you will spend more fixing things along the way...). Also recognize that if you wreck it, with the age & fiberglass, a minor incident will probably be a total, and you will not get much from the insurance company.
Good luck. There are plenty of links on this site with tips for purchasing your first car. Like others, I would recommend a mid 70's to 80, as they are easier on the pocketbook and not too high of hp.
John
The following users liked this post:
Humzah Ahmad (05-19-2016)
05-19-2016, 11:10 PM
#39
05-19-2016, 11:10 PM
#40
Here are my 2 cents after just going through this twice with my kids. About 5 years ago, my daughter turned 16 and got the 1981 C3 I had since she was born. Please don't whine about the power & speed. The C3 had the least power of any of any vehicle in the household (including the Honda Minivan and my motorcycle), and it would not beat any base sedan off the line. Sure, it lacked ABS and airbags, but the vehicle was used in a 4 mile radius of our house where a few roads had (gasp!) 40 mph speed limits!. For freeway trips into the city or the like, she used our car. The vette is obviously only a 2 seater, so I never worried about her packing a ton of friends in it. Is the fiberglass fragile & expensive? Yes, and that is why she took incredible care of it for the 2 years of school- never even tapping that long, low front spoiler on a curb. She also learned more about troubleshooting & repair than if she had a new computer controlled car. Even if she/we couldn't fix a problem, she had to troubleshoot it pretty well. The best part is the joy of ownership and care she took of the car, which has carried over into her college car (which is newer and more reliable, since she has a 150 mile drive to school). I can't imagine she would have cared the same way if she had been in a 3rd hand beater civic. Did I mention she is now an official "car guy", too?
As for her younger brother, he got a hotter red 1979 L82 at 16. Yeah, a whopping 225 horsepower- don't try racing that Camry... Anyway, similar result with the care and love they had for the cars. His part-time job is further away (~10mi), and he takes my WRX after school for that- and I'm glad he has experience in a car requiring more continuous attention & respect (without electronic nannies) before he started driving my much faster, higher limit beast.
One Dad friendly point- the kids found early on that having a car that stands out meant they couldn't get away with much. You know, the occasional text to me or his mom from friends, "hey I saw your boy in the vette the other day, and ..." Cue the lectures or losing the keys for a week.
So, recognize that the car will not be as reliable as others you could buy, it will take more regular TLC, there is no traction control to save your ^%% with the wide tires in the wet or snow (and the only tires you can get in that size are not the best in wet/snow), the brakes will be sub-par to a more modern car (not that they must be, I am referring to 40 year old brakes in your price range), and if you are in an accident- particularly at speed, the lack of airbags and crumple zones will be more of an issue. But, you will have something which you appreciate, and which you will probably not lose money on whenever you sell it (though you will spend more fixing things along the way...). Also recognize that if you wreck it, with the age & fiberglass, a minor incident will probably be a total, and you will not get much from the insurance company.
Good luck. There are plenty of links on this site with tips for purchasing your first car. Like others, I would recommend a mid 70's to 80, as they are easier on the pocketbook and not too high of hp.
John
As for her younger brother, he got a hotter red 1979 L82 at 16. Yeah, a whopping 225 horsepower- don't try racing that Camry
... Anyway, similar result with the care and love they had for the cars. His part-time job is further away (~10mi), and he takes my WRX after school for that- and I'm glad he has experience in a car requiring more continuous attention & respect (without electronic nannies) before he started driving my much faster, higher limit beast.One Dad friendly point- the kids found early on that having a car that stands out meant they couldn't get away with much. You know, the occasional text to me or his mom from friends, "hey I saw your boy in the vette the other day, and ..." Cue the lectures or losing the keys for a week.
So, recognize that the car will not be as reliable as others you could buy, it will take more regular TLC, there is no traction control to save your ^%% with the wide tires in the wet or snow (and the only tires you can get in that size are not the best in wet/snow), the brakes will be sub-par to a more modern car (not that they must be, I am referring to 40 year old brakes in your price range), and if you are in an accident- particularly at speed, the lack of airbags and crumple zones will be more of an issue. But, you will have something which you appreciate, and which you will probably not lose money on whenever you sell it (though you will spend more fixing things along the way...). Also recognize that if you wreck it, with the age & fiberglass, a minor incident will probably be a total, and you will not get much from the insurance company.
Good luck. There are plenty of links on this site with tips for purchasing your first car. Like others, I would recommend a mid 70's to 80, as they are easier on the pocketbook and not too high of hp.
John