Hello all.

I've posted a question to you C3 gents before ("Thinking of a C3"), and I'm sure I'll do it again.

Been reading up on the Gen-3 Vettes lately, and was reminded what a controversial change it was. The C2s had been wildly popular, and some thought the C3s were over the top, cramped, noisy and had poor quality control. Funny--I read a lot of the same stuff when I had my '86 Z-51. That was the noisiest car I ever owned.

I'd never expect a C3 to be Audi-quiet, but are they really as bad as driving a coffee can full of loose bolts? I could handle some noise, but I wouldn't want to drive something that sounded like it was falling apart. Hey, a solution--buy a convertible, right?

More and more, I'm considering a small block. More affordable. Here's one I found that would be representative: http://www.cnv-corvettes.com/print.php?id=34

Whatever I ultimately decide, I just want to enjoy the car and not be a slave to it. Life's too busy to be working on it every single weekend.

 

Realize how old C3's are now. You will pay big bucks for one that doesn't need attention; but for most of us, that is half the fun!
Bernie

 

Old cars are old cars and most all of them are going to have their noises. However, all of them don't sound the way you described. I have a 72' coupe and I don't notice all that many noises coming from the car. Maybe I'm used to the noises or maybe I don't remember them seeing has how I may have put 50 miles on the car in the last 5 years. At any rate, if you get out of a new car directly into an old Corvette you'll probably hear alot more of everyting (wind, exhaust etc.). However, these issues would not prevent me from owning such a cool ride!

 

Just run open headers (at the strip). You won't hear ANY squeaks and rattles . If you are looking for a more "luxury-oriented" Vette that is nice and quiet and has power windows and all the doodads that people crave nowadays, I would suggest 1975 or newer. Of course, they are also SLOWER than the older ones (in stock form)

Dep

 

You might want to consider spending a little more up front to purchase a low mileage original or an already restored car if your in the C-3 Market. As for me, I'm not real mechanically inclined, so i spent the money up front for a low mileage car that i can just jump in, turn the key and drive it. I must say, its the best money I have ever spent. As for looks and power the earlier c-3's are the way to go; for me, I wanted the "creature comforts" of a modern car, so I bought a '79. As for noise, I'd much rather take the vette out on the highway, than my wifes Honda, the seats are so comfortable and the purr of the engine literally puts my wife and dog to sleep. As for the rattles, your too busy waving back at people that are staring at your car to notice the noises. As for upkeep, sure, its an old car and anything can happen, but for the most part, parts are cheap and easy to replace with the help of the knowlegable guys (& gals) here on the forum. So, if you want my .02, I say, do your research, dont buy the first car you see, and buy one. Oh, yeah, and as for reliability, my baby has never left me stranded. (knock on wood)
when I say, spend more up front, I dont mean more than the yellow one your considering, i simply mean, i wouldnt buy a car that needs a total resto, if your concerned about rattles etc.

 

Frankly, I think the early C4s were much less comfortable than the C3s. I've owned both; both were enjoyable vehicles...but for different reasons: C3s for looks and fun...C4s for handling. If you want a rattle-free C3, don't buy one "ready-made". Buy a fixer-upper and, well, fix it up! Take the interior completely apart and put it back together with a lot of care and some screw retention materials (i.e., Loktite, etc.). Then stuff won't rattle. Put heat/sound insulation material under the carpeting [I bet that's extra at C'n'V]. Also, buy some nice white-letter tires THAT AREN'T NOISY. The noisyest part of the C3 experience is wind noise--because GM dropped the vent window from their designs. But that won't be any different on anything newer. My car isn't noisy...but it DOES sound good!

 

First day I drove mine 6 years ago I really didn't notice the rattles and squeaks. Of course I did just come from driving an 85 Bronco. Like these guys have said, you don't notice those things because of all the people looking at you. When I brought it home from the body shop my brother was following behind me and he said literally everyone turned there heads and starred. With so much else going on, you wont ever notice those little things. especially with a convertable, T-top or even music playing.

p.s. as for handling...it handles way better than that Bronco did

 

Yeah, I know that some people treats C3 like stepchild of Corvette family for some reason. Don't know why.. I love C3 more than any gen.

 

If you are not interested in working on the car every weekend, buy the best car you can. That will be the best solution. I noticed you included a link from CnV Corvette. If I were you, I would recommend you look elsewhere. Use the search function for "CnV" and see what will come up. Your best bet is to buy a car from a "Corvette Owner", and not someone who "Owns a Corvette". Big difference between the two types of owners. A dealer would be the last option for looking for a Corvette. It's more of a gamble if you do. JMHO. Good luck!

 

Personally, out of the sheer high numbers of C3's built, you can still find quite a few which are one or two owner cars. Usually for relatively few dollars.
For example; I bought a very well loved & maintained 1980. The first owner had it for 8 years, the second owner kept it in a wharehouse, under a car cover to be driven rarely for another 18 years.

In reality, the car is almost 30 years old. But, it still had the original AC Delco shocks, factory radio, factory rubber bushings, carpet, seats etc. (essentially the car hadn't been "butchered by bubba").

But what it DID have was a new 350V8, 350 tranny & new tires. I bought it for $7200. That is a h3ll of a great deal IMHO.

There are still 74 to 82's to be had which haven't been slaughtered by hacks in the 70s & 80's.

BTW...My Vette did naturally have rattles around the windsheild & dash, it IS almost 30 years old you know) but week by week, month by month, I have been methodically tightening them out.

Get a C3 I am SOOOO happy I kept with my research & shopping because I was going to either get a C3 or a C4, which ever one fit my criterium best.


see how much cooler it looks than even a red Z06 C5!?!?!

 

Note....this applies to RUBER BUMPER cars ONLY. Chrome bumpers are NOT going to sell for "relatively few dollars".

Dep

 

Thanks, read my post closer. (1974 to 82)
There are still 74 to 82's to be had which haven't been slaughtered by hacks in the 70s & 80's

 

Thanks, guys. I still have a lot of research to do. The time just isn't right . . . yet.

7T1, that is a mighty fine-looking car you've got. Maybe I'll see you on the road one day, even though you ARE at the opposite end of the Valley from me.

I'm not completely sold on C'nV. That's just a fun place to go, seeing as how they have a bunch of vintage Vettes all in one place. They supposedly do a "safety check" and give each car a thorough going-over, but I've heard of gripes. But who doesn't get gripes?

I realize the vintage experience is totally different. In addition to the '86, I also had an '01. Very quiet and luxurious. I know an early 70s car would be more raw. Just wondering what such a car would be like to live with.

 

C n'V is one of the most expensive places on the planet to buy a Vette. If you check the archives here, the Corvette Action Center and the NCRS board you will not find the most satisfied of customers. I also like to visit when I am in Pheonix as they have some nice cars on display.

If you want a car that you can drive and never worry about repairs buy a new one. It is about the same price that you will pay for a C2 or C3 that will give you close to the same service and it will be much more quiet. As you can se from responses these old cars are as much about tinkering with and repairing as they are about driving.

 

C'n'V sells to a "niche" crowd....folks with a lot of money and marginal knowledge about Corvettes. No offense meant...but that's just how it is. Anyone who knows the "skinny" about Corvette details believes their prices are too high for what they are selling. But I know several folks who bought their cars there and are very happy. They had the money, liked the car, and don't like to work on them. Easy in, easy out. On the other hand, some of us like to get into the "gorey details" of the cars we work on; and working on them is not "effort", it's FUN!!! Once you've bought a car, nobody else has to know where it's from (unless you tell them) or how much it cost you. Just go the route that works for you, and ENJOY!

 

The proof is in this picture,,, the new ones are nice but for sheer wanting to look at and touch it and own it and drive it ,,,nothing beats a C-3,,,chrome or rubber,,,they flat have "IT",,,Peace,,,Moosie

 

I did what most said and spent my money up front and bought a low miles 82 Collector Edition.Those have to be the most comfortable of all C3's.GM threw everything in their option list on those cars.Mine don't rattle at all. I've had old cars all my life and you do have to go over them and retighten all the screws,bolts,basicly anything you can get ahold of.Loctite works wonders.Beleive me they are not as bad as you make them sound.Just do your homework and spend the money up front and you will be happy.I did my homework for allmost a year(every day)until I pulled the trigger and I'm HAPPY Come on join the shark tank you know you want to

 

That's a beautiful car in your link!

As already stated before, the C3 forum has already acknowledged by a vast majority that '70 convertibles are by far the most desirable and gorgeous of the C3s!

IMO, C3s with stock mufflers are pretty quiet. I've driven across the country in mine (in stock form) and easily enjoyed the radio even with the top down.

 

My Vette was virtually squeak & rattle free when it was new and it hasn't picked up many more over the years. But I'll never forget a '75 a friend of mine bought used about a month before mine came in. This thing had more than any Vette I'd ever been in and it scared the hell out of me! It ended up being a total POS that had a very rough first year.......

 

Oh yeah my 1977 is "luxury oriented" Ha Ha...come on Dep...

It is the way it rattles that makes it classy or at least classic!!!

No matter what year vette you buy, you either need a lot of money up front or a lot of time and still a lot of money over time...

I hope you find a car that fits you!!!

Good luck