The joy and price of Corvette ownership
07-15-2005, 04:57 PM
#22
Intermediate
Member Since: May 2000
Location: silver spring, md
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I've had my 76 over five years. Other than replacing: the engine, the springs and shocks, the entire brake system, the interior, the radio, and rebuilding: the tranny, the a/c system, the radiator, and the rear, I haven't had too many problems.
07-29-2005, 03:20 PM
#23
Even if you spend the big bucks on a fully restored car and drive it, it is going to need a constant cash infusion to keep it in the same condition.
I have an '80 that I've owned since Aug. 81, now it has 52k miles. I added a 67 coupe about 2 years ago and now they fight over who is going to take the most money out of my wallet each year. But the feeling of walking into that garage is pretty special too. There's no free lunch. It is a hobby and a bit of an addiction.
I have an '80 that I've owned since Aug. 81, now it has 52k miles. I added a 67 coupe about 2 years ago and now they fight over who is going to take the most money out of my wallet each year. But the feeling of walking into that garage is pretty special too. There's no free lunch. It is a hobby and a bit of an addiction.
07-29-2005, 05:59 PM
#25
a friend of mine just spent a large sum of cash for a frame off about a month ago and now the dash lights dont work, wipers don't work right and cracked a exhaust manifold. never know what you will get till you get to driving it. sometimes the best cars are the cheap-good deals. 
07-29-2005, 07:01 PM
#26
Pro
"Is it possible to just buy and drive and not have to spend a dime other than routine maintenance such as oil changes, etc?"
Probably, but you need to get a good reliable one to begin with. I did, but it took me a long while to find it and it cost me a lot. And, it's base-optioned so no high-performance stuff. Still, I'm having a great time with it and I'm choosing when to spend money on it. Suits me, but everybody's different.
They can be so much more and still look 30+ years old. Amazing cars! I wouldn't be able to say that without following this forum.
Probably, but you need to get a good reliable one to begin with. I did, but it took me a long while to find it and it cost me a lot. And, it's base-optioned so no high-performance stuff. Still, I'm having a great time with it and I'm choosing when to spend money on it. Suits me, but everybody's different.
They can be so much more and still look 30+ years old. Amazing cars! I wouldn't be able to say that without following this forum.
07-29-2005, 07:28 PM
#27
Originally Posted by Carl Granquist
"Is it possible to just buy and drive and not have to spend a dime other than routine maintenance such as oil changes, etc?"
Probably, but you need to get a good reliable one to begin with. I did, but it took me a long while to find it and it cost me a lot. And, it's base-optioned so no high-performance stuff. Still, I'm having a great time with it and I'm choosing when to spend money on it. Suits me, but everybody's different.
They can be so much more and still look 30+ years old. Amazing cars! I wouldn't be able to say that without following this forum.
Probably, but you need to get a good reliable one to begin with. I did, but it took me a long while to find it and it cost me a lot. And, it's base-optioned so no high-performance stuff. Still, I'm having a great time with it and I'm choosing when to spend money on it. Suits me, but everybody's different.
They can be so much more and still look 30+ years old. Amazing cars! I wouldn't be able to say that without following this forum.
That's what I did. It cost me in the beginning, what I paid for her, but for now I just do the routine maintenance and turn the key and go.
07-30-2005, 01:54 AM
#29
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by nhlgopens
I've gotten to the point to where I just walk in the garage, open my wallet, and throw money at it. For some reason that seems easier... 
07-30-2005, 12:15 PM
#31
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: Shoshone Idaho
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Originally Posted by SomeSayIllFixIt
You can get by with just routine maintenance as long as you consider brake calipers routine maintenance. My '80 isn't much but she's all I got and I take pride in keeping her going on a shoestring budget.
but these are old cars and some things don't last no matter how well you take car of them, rubber brakes down, and things like that. Part of the fun of owning cars like this is making them better 
07-30-2005, 12:17 PM
#32
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by ejr76
I've had my 76 over five years. Other than replacing: the engine, the springs and shocks, the entire brake system, the interior, the radio, and rebuilding: the tranny, the a/c system, the radiator, and the rear, I haven't had too many problems.
