Hey, I figured I'd ask you guys this. I'm looking into a neighbor’s car here in FL but was curious as to what a fair price would be for the car. It's a 1982 non-special edition. It needs about 5K worth of work to make it road worthy (Air compressor, mufflers, tires, etc.) from it sitting in his garage for quite the past few years. Exterior looks pretty good, definitely needs to be washed up, but nothing too bad that can't be buffed out. Interior is also decent, seat covers, and wheel leather is cracked from the heat it appears. It has 61K miles on it, he's the original owner and I just wanted what you guys think it'd be worth.

Thanks a bunch!

 

Wrong way to go about it dude...
That a car looks ok means nothing... Firstly, does it even start up ???
THe ONLY real test is to take it to a mechanic and put it up on a lift, check for the following things..


1. - Rust on the frame (frame should be rust free)
2. - Bent or damaged frames (check for signs of collision)
3. - Leaks,... check for leaks from tranny.
4. - Usual engine check. (fluids, belts, no knocking/pinging etc)
5. - Check engine bay for rust. Check headers, cat, y-pipes, exhaust.
6. - check every single bit of electronics, especially the popup headlamps
7. - Yours is a 82, that means crossfire, check it with a corvette mechanic.
8. - No air compressor means you have to check into how much installing one will cost you

If all this is in working order, then and only then, I would say about $3500 - $4000 is good.

Interiors and exteriors you can always beautify later... thats what you should spend your extra money for, only after you know that the mechanicals work fine.
Decide in haste, repent at leisure...
Good luck.

 

Please post a pic or two, that would enable us to help you better..
1. pic of the car front/side
2. pic of the interior
3. pic of the engine (important)

 

Vett277, where in Fla? if your down here in S fla I can help you check it out. You can email me if you like

 

Defiantly we're going to have it checked out, thanks for pointing out some particulars. I appreciate the advice, and any more would be appreciated. I'll see what I can do about the pictures in the coming week or so.

SIXFOOTER, I'll shoot you an email.

Thanks again, and I'll work on getting some more info!

 

I would say $3,000 max. Thats provided it runs. Solid frame is a must. Many parts are exclusive to the 1982. A little more expensive.

Jim

 

Just remember, whatever you think its gonna cost to fix... it'll probably cost more in the end so make sure your budget can handle that.

Good Luck!

 

The CFI system is fantastic when operating as designed. It can be a nightmare when not. There are not very many mechanics that can work on these properly it seems.

From what you describe, it does sound like a project car and ought to be priced as such...

Good luck!

 

I paid 8K for my 82 with 120k on it.
It is a good solid driver that needs a little TLC.
Came with two sets of tops. Glass and colored. The glass panels need to be reworked to fit propoerly
The paint is a 10 footer and is original. There was some rust issues but they have been resolved.
The interior is an 8 out of 10.
I have just about everything electrical working on the car now with the exeption of the cruise control (needs a transducer). The car needs a tune up, weather striping at the windows and on the drivers side t-top (does'nt leak yet), I need to chase down a couple of small oil leaks and put new tires on the car.
The car has the origianl radio and it works.
The only modifications that I can see is a chrome alternator, an Accell HEI distributor, and a 2.5 inch true dual exauhst system.
The tranny is good, the motor runs strong, suspension and brakes are also in good shape. I have probably spent another $500 in misc. stuff.

So for $8,500-$9,000 I have an enjoyable sunday driver in good shape that I can keep tinkering with for fun.

NADA value ranges from around $7,000-$18,000 (cant remeber the exact numbers but that is in the ball park) depending on condition. If the car you are looking it is a project car, then it is probably worth 3-5k depending upon what it needs.

 

But NADA values you deduct the price of repairs from the 'value' to get ALL systems working...

So he's back down below that $4,000 range...

 

NADA value ranges from around $7,000-$18,000 (cant remeber the exact numbers but that is in the ball park) depending on condition. If the car you are looking it is a project car, then it is probably worth 3-5k depending upon what it needs.

I agree with you green Machine. Its a project 3-5K.

 

I just wanted to inquire about the Cross Fire Injection engine. I spoke with someone regarding them today who specializes with corvettes and he said to actually avoid the 1981 and 82 because of it. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Listen to your mechanic.
I'd rather drive my 77 with my holley carburettor than cruise in an 82 crossfire vette. I have heard horror stories about fixing those things.
Very expensive to repair them too if not working properly.

 

Start the car...listen to the motor. If it smooth its fine. Fix things as the go and it will run for ever at 24 mpg plus....

The problem with the crossfire is too many try to screw with the settings and no nothing about the system. Which could make it a great deal.

If its not running right get back to us with a description of what its doing.

Jim

 

Don’t let the CF scare you away from a good deal.

I would also agree the Crossfire is a great set up as long as you know how to work on it. It was no powerhouse but they do get great fuel mileage and have good low-end torque.

 

Hmmmmmm. '81s don't have CFI, but they do have computers. They also have the "electronic" Quadra-Jet. Your mechanic might have had that in mind. '82s are the only C3s with CFI stock.

 

The crossfire injection is not a problem, as a matter of fact I think it's a great running engine. As long as it's tuned well (just like any other engine) it runs great. It has 200 hp which is higher than all the '75 thru '81 models, except the L82 engine. It has a OD trans with the locking converter and gets great milage. I get 21mpg everyday driving and 25+ mpg on highway trips. It's funny that most of the people who knock the crossfire are people who don't have one.

 

I recently purchased a silver 1982 corvette. It has just over 92 k miles but runs amazing. All the electronics works. Its 100 percent original and I have the orginal sales price paper, delivery paper, and where the corvette was assembled and sold. Anyone have a guess of what worth?

 

This thread is from 2006. Your car was assembled at the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They assemble C7s in Bowling Green these days.

Without further information, your car is almost certainly worth what you paid for it.

Congrats on the 82.

 

Ya, i got a nice morning laugh from the back-in-the-day " Corvette Mechanic " that said avoid 81-82 because of the crossfire . Had he had another bong hit maybe he would remember 82-84. "Corvette Mechanic"....

Carry on gentlemen w/ the 82 thread, they get no Love.
It is now, "What they were then". GM built it. I didn't.