Hi guys, I'm new here and am in the process of looking for my first vette. I have been looking at C4's primarily but I thought I would ask my questions here. Is there any disadvantage to buying a C3 as a first vette over a C4???

I prefer the stingray body style but am alittle leary of older vettes as this will be my first. Any opinions good or bad would be appreciated.

thanks
Tony

 

Disadvantages?

The only disadvantage I can think of is you would have to be more careful about finding a rust-free car with a c3.

They're older and have had more time for rust to be a problem.
Also, the older cars weren't built as well as far as rust protection. So you've got 2 factors making rust more of a potential problem.

If you decide to go the c3 route, it would be even more important to get an experienced Vette person to help you assess the cars you are looking at.

If you like classics, go the c3 route. They definitely get more looks than c4s do.

 

The C3 and older cars are the glory years of vette styling... IMHO
Just take your time and DO NOT GET TAKEN IN by the way it looks !!!!
put it up on a lift and check the engine and unders first... cosmetics and body can always be repaired... rust and frame damage cannot

cheers and I hope you join the ranks soon !

 

I agree with everyone on the rust but in a C3 you won't have elctrical problems with the dash. All the guages are mechanical and they are fairly easy to replace. No computers in them either. Every generation has it's problems but I think the C3 is the nicest.

 

Actually, '81s and '82's do have computers.
Easy to take out of the 81 with a carb and distributor change. But you would need the computer in an 82 unless you get rid of the crossfire injection.

Roger

 

my first vette was a C3 go for it

 

me too

 

One difference we didn't expect when looking originally was the higher price of parts on the C4...go figure. The C4 is also still devaluing although I don't know that they can go any lower so that's a positive.

 

My 77 didn't come with a computer, but it's going to have one before I'm done with it!

EFI!
EFI!
EFI!

 

A C4 will handle and brake better. Steering is much better. It's easier to find aftermarket wheels for them. They are available with a nice six speed transmission. On the downside, they have ugly interiors, dull styling and many have horrible factory paint. The C3 is easier to work on, modify, less expensive to fix and will get you noticed like a C4 never will.

 

Well, I just bought my first vette last November. There was no question it had to be a C3. like someone else said, a C4 barely gets noticed. C3 with the chrome bumpers is the way to go. I did have the rust concerns also, so bought a California car with no rust. I wouldn't be concerned about buying a C3 as a first vette. no looking back for me....
red '72 coupe 4 spd

 

Psssssst c3

 

If you work on your own car, the C3 is by far easier than the C4

 

Hey Tony Ive Had A 77 & now Have A 75 (41k Miles ) clean . Be prepaired to work on any vett you buy or have A good Wrencher ready. Either way look for a vett thats ready to drive not work on . Unless you like swearing no just kidding have fun with buying the car go with a good vette guy (C-3 My Pick seeee ya dont forget the wave .

 

Of course on this particular forum...we like C3's. The C4's would probably be a better daily driver.(cooler air) but they're a bit#h to get in and out of. The looks of a C3.......a C4 can't even get close. Larry

 

I just turned 16, and bought a 78 and im working on it my self and fixing it myself.... I bought it when i was 15..... Youll be fine. C4's are a little bit more complicated to work on i think.... The older you go the simpler the work is most of the time....

C3s so much more awsome too

 

It was a C3 for me.That was the Vette out when I became of age so I grew up swearing that one day I would have one.Got a 82CE and never looked back.I'm well into it by now and very happy.Go C3.You won't be dissapointed. The C4 was a total let down for me when it came out in 84,but I figured it would be very hard to better the look of the C3.Around here a C4 melts into the mass with out notice.It's to bad because after all it is a Vette.The later C4's wern't too bad.After they got rid of that duck tail rear end and went to the rounded rear.Still no C3 tho'

 

Hi
Another 2 cents!
I have ALWAYS! ALWAYS! wanted a Fuel Injected Cascade Green 1957 Corvette.
Ever since I first new what classic american cars were!
To me doesnt get any cooler!
I actually sold something of value (I cherished greatly) recently to cover our costs of a new house while the original one was sold.
ANYWAY-
I COULD HAVE purchased the 57 I wanted ($75,000+ EASY!)
.
BUT never actually DRIVING a Corvette, Not knowing SQUAT! about cars, and a handful of other things led me to make a tough descision.
I opted for my second favorite style.
I picked up a 1971 Corvette a couple weeks back! ($14000)
I have only driven it the day I picked it up.
50 miles in all and it was awesome.
If I had insurance, registration, inspection...ANYTHING to make it a legal ride I would have opened it up and had a blast!
BUT Scared of any tickets/fines...I took it easy!

BUT let me say this - I felt like EVERYONE was looking as they went by!
I mean EVERYONE.
As we hit a little traffic I had the very first person make a comment.
An older guy in one of the newer sports cars like a prowler.
He rolls his window down and says Nice car-What year!
After I tell him-He just gives me Thumbs up!
He was only the first of 5 on that small trip!
I am sure I would get the same attention driving the 1957-But to be 100% honest with you I dont thing ANY! generation is recognized as well as the C3s.
I really dont!

And the car is actually growing on me.
I have picked up a few things as far as parts, accessories, and have even done a few things on the car myself. Parts are very reasonable and if you shop around you can definately find what you need/want for a decent price.
I think I made the right decision on many levels.
I LOVE the car! Plus am not afraid to get myself dirty and do the work on it. So it will be a great learning experience.

I am not gonna steer you either way-BUT coming from someone that never wanted anything besides a 57 Vette-This 71 is AWESOME!
GOOD LUCK!

 

I have both, a 95 vert and a 68 bb vert.

I perfer the 95 in every way even in looks A LITTLE but I'm 22 so as I grew up I lusted after the c4 body style.....so that might have something to do with it.

when buying a c4 buy a 95 or 96 or as new as possible mine ran a 13.2 at 106 stock so ya they'll move, they will run neck to neck with a base c5.. the later c4's will.

either is a good choice it's a vette!

 

Wildman, that would make you the first person that I know that liked the looks of a '95 over a '68 ... But looks are subjective of course.

I'm actually looking for a sub-1000 mile ZR1 for collection purposes, but in general I just really love the looks and attitude of the C3. My '82 CE only has 450 miles, so I don't get to drive it much either.

Mike M