Reasonable Offer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,490
Likes: 2
Reasonable Offer
I have a friend that is interested in an 81 Corvette. It has a rebuilt motor with about 800 miles and the mileage on the car is about 80,000. The car has been for sale for 10,000 for a long time and the seller is likely to consider a lower offer. My thought was maybe 7,500 but I told him I could proabably get some good feedback on CF, I am new to C3 general but I have had some good feedback over the last few months on C5 gen and learned quite a bit about the cars. What do you think a reasonable offer would be for the car? I am always preaching about how wonderful these cars are and how they have over 50 years of pride and tradition and would love to help someone get into one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
without a description of the condition of the body, paint, interior, engine bay, brakesm frame, etc and pictures to see the car it's going to be hard to put a fair value on it.
Mileage means nothing - i've seen cars with 80,000 miles in almost showroom condition and i've seen cars with less than 10,000 miles that look like they spent the last 5 years sitting outside in a junk yard.
Mileage means nothing - i've seen cars with 80,000 miles in almost showroom condition and i've seen cars with less than 10,000 miles that look like they spent the last 5 years sitting outside in a junk yard.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,427
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by BarryK
without a description of the condition of the body, paint, interior, engine bay, brakesm frame, etc and pictures to see the car it's going to be hard to put a fair value on it.
Mileage means nothing - i've seen cars with 80,000 miles in almost showroom condition and i've seen cars with less than 10,000 miles that look like they spent the last 5 years sitting outside in a junk yard.
Mileage means nothing - i've seen cars with 80,000 miles in almost showroom condition and i've seen cars with less than 10,000 miles that look like they spent the last 5 years sitting outside in a junk yard.
...what's the FRAME like-rotted or mint, scaly rust or just fairly "solid"??? Same with the windshield frame. Car stock or heavily modified??? Have all the emission equipment on it or has it been removed???('81's had a bunch along with the computer)....does it have brakes or can it even STOP??? Rear wheel bearings-they new or need replacing??? This stuff adds up quicker $$$ than most people's MAX on the credit card limit real, real fast. ESPECIALLY if he cannot do his own work. There is NO such thing as owning a C3 and NOT needing "work".
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
...what's the FRAME like-rotted or mint, scaly rust or just fairly "solid"??? Same with the windshield frame. Car stock or heavily modified??? Have all the emission equipment on it or has it been removed???('81's had a bunch along with the computer)....does it have brakes or can it even STOP??? Rear wheel bearings-they new or need replacing??? This stuff adds up quicker $$$ than most people's MAX on the credit card limit real, real fast. ESPECIALLY if he cannot do his own work. There is NO such thing as owning a C3 and NOT needing "work". You need to be much more specific about the car before guestimating potential value.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
These cars go from $3,000-$15,000 depending upon condition. If the car is flawless with low original miles $15k. 80k with a rebuild original block with paint and interior average being average, everything in working order, no rust, no hits, and goor frame 10k is a fair price. Paint and interior in above average condition maybe 12K. If it needs paint and/or interior but mechanics are good then I would say around $6K-$8K. Keep in mind this for a vette that is original/stock and not modified. Just my opinion. Your friend has to ask himself what it is worth to him. Each person holds value differant and the cart is only worth what it brings.
I paid 8k for my 82 with 120k on the clock and it needs some mechanical work maybe even an engine overhaul and will need paint in a few years. However, it is all original, numbers matching, great interior, great body with no stress cracks, the frame is solid, all options work with the exception of cruise control and it is unmolested so it is worth 8k to me.
I paid 8k for my 82 with 120k on the clock and it needs some mechanical work maybe even an engine overhaul and will need paint in a few years. However, it is all original, numbers matching, great interior, great body with no stress cracks, the frame is solid, all options work with the exception of cruise control and it is unmolested so it is worth 8k to me.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,490
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Thanks for the reponses. Sorry I don't have much information about the car I just heard of it this AM. I had assumed he was talking about one in good shape. Once he considers the repairs I don't think he will want it
I am more familiar with used C5s after the months and months it took to find mine. There are some C5's that are in bad shape but most are still in pretty good shape, looks like a whole different ball game with the C3. Some of those C3s look so beautiful that hasteful people like me don't stop to think of the repairs and upkeep. Sometimes the wrong head does the thinking.
I am more familiar with used C5s after the months and months it took to find mine. There are some C5's that are in bad shape but most are still in pretty good shape, looks like a whole different ball game with the C3. Some of those C3s look so beautiful that hasteful people like me don't stop to think of the repairs and upkeep. Sometimes the wrong head does the thinking.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 352
From: Madison Alabama
But you did the right thing coming here! Agree with all the info posted above. One thing that shocked me with a C3 was the cost of repainting. I bought my first one back in '98; knew it needed paint going in and had planned to have it done when I lived in SoCal. Waited and waited then moved to AL....folks are right proud of paint down here. Cost to paint the car (a two-tone identical to the one in my sig) was almost $6K. Biggest problem was finding someone who wanted to paint fiberglass. My point is, if you're going to settle for a car that needs work make sure you have a good price point on what the work will cost. Bad paint only gets worse over time - mostly because unless you can paint a car yourself it's the one thing you'll be wishing you could get fixed and other than the initial cost of the car is the most expensive item to restore - when done correctly. My decision was to sale the car and buy one in better condition which is the best advice I've been given - buy the best car you can afford and drive it!
