Help on Buying a C3 PLEASE!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: New York NY
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St. Jude Donor '05
Help on Buying a C3 PLEASE!!
Hi everyone,
I am a C5 owner, but I need help evaluating this particular 1981 C3 for a friend.
http://www.uniquecorvettes.com/vehic...cle&sold=:sold
Could you give me a price range you would expect as well? Also are there any problems associated with this model? Is this a reliable car for an individual that does not have experience with cars. thanks a lot
brian
I am a C5 owner, but I need help evaluating this particular 1981 C3 for a friend.
http://www.uniquecorvettes.com/vehic...cle&sold=:sold
Could you give me a price range you would expect as well? Also are there any problems associated with this model? Is this a reliable car for an individual that does not have experience with cars. thanks a lot
brian
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St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
It's difficult to place a value on low mileage cars like that. Personally,I wouldn't want to pay much more than $15k, but I've seen them priced much higher. I just don't think there's any reason to pay a premium for the low mileage if you intend to drive it. There aren't any real problems with that year. It does have a computer controlled carburetor and distributer, which is a bit more complicated than previous years. I can't see any reason why this wouldn't be a reliable driver for your friend.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: New York NY
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St. Jude Donor '05
awesome thanks. How about problems associated with improper storage. The car has been sitting for most of its life. How can you be sure that proper procedures were taken when the car cam out of storage like oiling the pistons, spark plugs changing, oil changes? anything else that should have been serviced over the years?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
How much is the asking price?
Also, remember it's an '81. Personally, I'd want one that wasn't so "original" so I could mod it with a clear conscience. '81s are, well...anemic in stock form.
Also, remember it's an '81. Personally, I'd want one that wasn't so "original" so I could mod it with a clear conscience. '81s are, well...anemic in stock form.
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St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Originally Posted by Icemanskis
awesome thanks. How about problems associated with improper storage. The car has been sitting for most of its life. How can you be sure that proper procedures were taken when the car cam out of storage like oiling the pistons, spark plugs changing, oil changes? anything else that should have been serviced over the years?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 690
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From: near Memphis TN
Originally Posted by page62
How much is the asking price?
Also, remember it's an '81. Personally, I'd want one that wasn't so "original" so I could mod it with a clear conscience. '81s are, well...anemic in stock form.
Also, remember it's an '81. Personally, I'd want one that wasn't so "original" so I could mod it with a clear conscience. '81s are, well...anemic in stock form.
Seriously it looks like this car is intended as a show car rather than a driver and probably priced accordingly (i.e. - overpriced). So it all depends what the buyer wants to do with it. An '81 isn't a particular collector vehicle so if the buyer wants a driver I would say he could probably get a better deal - a vette that with 40-50k miles on it and is driven regularly.
Last edited by SpyderD; Apr 19, 2005 at 01:34 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Not my point. My '79 wasn't a multiple NCRS winner. With my car, I have a clearer conscience about doing mods to fix the anemia (and I have done so) 
Edit: Oops! My bad. I meant to say I would not want one so original because I'd feel guilty about modding it...
Edit: Oops! My bad. I meant to say I would not want one so original because I'd feel guilty about modding it...
Last edited by page62; Apr 19, 2005 at 01:37 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
This is one of those rare cars that will spend the rest of it's miserable life on a trailer or in a garage. It's an investment vehicle. Far from reliable due to the extended dis-use.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: New York NY
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St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by CGGorman
This is one of those rare cars that will spend the rest of it's miserable life on a trailer or in a garage. It's an investment vehicle. Far from reliable due to the extended dis-use.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
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From: Lakeland Florida
I think that with only 4,400 miles on it, the value is with the low mileage. If the car is bought to be driven, then they will destroy the uniqueness of the car, with the low mileage. If the purpose is to show only, then it will not be a daily driver, and the small problems that may be inherent with the storage will be hidden.
I think that this body style, 80 -82 would go for $8000 -$12000 where I am in San Jose. But the value of the car is in the low mileage so the price should be considerably higher. If the plan is to buy a daily driver, or weekend driver, then a higher mileage car with a lower cost may make more sense.
kdf
I think that this body style, 80 -82 would go for $8000 -$12000 where I am in San Jose. But the value of the car is in the low mileage so the price should be considerably higher. If the plan is to buy a daily driver, or weekend driver, then a higher mileage car with a lower cost may make more sense.
kdf
Le Mans Master
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Originally Posted by Icemanskis
There seems to be inherent costs associated with maintaining older cars.
Basic rule of thumb is that if the owner does not know anything about these cars, he or she would be wise to have somebody already in place to take care of any issues.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
I wouldn't be afraid of this car at all. I would definitely have it completely checked out and replace all consumables. You just have to go in with your eyes wide open. I would guess that this car is far too expensive for what your friend wants though.
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by CGGorman
It's an investment vehicle. Far from reliable due to the extended dis-use.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by CGGorman
This is one of those rare cars that will spend the rest of it's miserable life on a trailer or in a garage. It's an investment vehicle. Far from reliable due to the extended dis-use.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
I'd avoid it...but that's just me.
Cars should be driven periodically. Wonder if the engine was started on a regular basis.