Newbie needs help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 33
From: Olathe KS
Newbie needs help
Hello
I've been in the market for an '82 for awhile. I keep getting accused of having a mid-life crisis -- truth is I've wanted one since I was a teenager.
I found one, silver on black, with ~30K original miles. Outstanding condition inside and out, only 4 things of concern:
1) surface paint damage on fender - 4" diameter area affected needs repair
2) A/C needs R12 to R134A conversion
3) Oil leak at rear of enigne - probably rear main seal (tranny?)
4) Shifts kind of hard - normal for a C3/700R4?
Other than that, its really like a 26K mile original car. I'm sure folks on this forum watch resale prices all the time -- and I'm sure you get newbie quesitons like this all the time: Assuming its in good mechanical condition, what's a reasonable price range for it? I've surveyed eBay and Craigslist - somewhat helpful - but thought I'd get a better take on what's real from people who live it.
Thanks in advance for your help -- Dave
I've been in the market for an '82 for awhile. I keep getting accused of having a mid-life crisis -- truth is I've wanted one since I was a teenager.
I found one, silver on black, with ~30K original miles. Outstanding condition inside and out, only 4 things of concern:
1) surface paint damage on fender - 4" diameter area affected needs repair
2) A/C needs R12 to R134A conversion
3) Oil leak at rear of enigne - probably rear main seal (tranny?)
4) Shifts kind of hard - normal for a C3/700R4?
Other than that, its really like a 26K mile original car. I'm sure folks on this forum watch resale prices all the time -- and I'm sure you get newbie quesitons like this all the time: Assuming its in good mechanical condition, what's a reasonable price range for it? I've surveyed eBay and Craigslist - somewhat helpful - but thought I'd get a better take on what's real from people who live it.
Thanks in advance for your help -- Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Truth is, it takes most guys untill they're able to aford a cool car, it just looks like a midlifecrissis. Sure it has 26K on it. I would be highly suspicious if a car that was driven 1k miles a year, if it's that nice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Eagle River Alaska
Make sure it doesn't have rust issues. C-3s are pretty good about hideing rust, but are problematic for rust. Look at the bird cage and the frame rails just behind the doors. If you can, pull the kick panels and look in there.
If there is no bad rust, and the miles are real, and the numbers match, then yeah, 10K to 12K sounds about right. Good luck!
If there is no bad rust, and the miles are real, and the numbers match, then yeah, 10K to 12K sounds about right. Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 15
From: DFW Metroplex Texas
I'm not trying to be mean spirited here but....
I'm amazed at the amount of C3's out there with less than 30K original miles.
Unless the owner can provide solid documentation of the mileage I'd call
. Take a look in the C4/C5 for sale section and see what kind of mileage they have on them.
I say this because I have seen far too many "low mileage" Vettes for sale that common sense tells you, it just can't be so.
As far as mid life crisis go, when I bought my '82 (92K on the odometer) 2 years ago I may have been going though one. What counts is 2 years later, I'm over my "crisis" but still having a hellva good time with the Vette!
Good luck, and keep your dream alive!
I'm amazed at the amount of C3's out there with less than 30K original miles.
Unless the owner can provide solid documentation of the mileage I'd call
. Take a look in the C4/C5 for sale section and see what kind of mileage they have on them. I say this because I have seen far too many "low mileage" Vettes for sale that common sense tells you, it just can't be so.
As far as mid life crisis go, when I bought my '82 (92K on the odometer) 2 years ago I may have been going though one. What counts is 2 years later, I'm over my "crisis" but still having a hellva good time with the Vette!
Good luck, and keep your dream alive!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,708
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
[QUOTE=zdave83;1561738429]Hello
I've been in the market for an '82 for awhile. I keep getting accused of having a mid-life crisis --
dont let them stop you, this 'mid life crisis' iussue used as a stick on men's head is pure ...when they told me first time i had my mid life crisis i went to the tvr dealer and bought cash my new griffith 500 (80.000 usd at the time), then they accused me again so i bought myself a porsche 928, again and i bought my '77 C3, last time they tried to scare me with this i bought myself a cayenne S and now i'm waiting for the next round to buy the new 2008 hummer H2...hope they dont make late, the new hummer will be on sale in EU next january
treat yourself like a king, if you can, as at the end of the day nobody will give you a gold medal or build a statue in your honor in a downtown square for not having 'mid life crisis'...
I've been in the market for an '82 for awhile. I keep getting accused of having a mid-life crisis --
dont let them stop you, this 'mid life crisis' iussue used as a stick on men's head is pure
...when they told me first time i had my mid life crisis i went to the tvr dealer and bought cash my new griffith 500 (80.000 usd at the time), then they accused me again so i bought myself a porsche 928, again and i bought my '77 C3, last time they tried to scare me with this i bought myself a cayenne S and now i'm waiting for the next round to buy the new 2008 hummer H2...hope they dont make late, the new hummer will be on sale in EU next january treat yourself like a king, if you can, as at the end of the day nobody will give you a gold medal or build a statue in your honor in a downtown square for not having 'mid life crisis'...
Last edited by panic; Sep 1, 2007 at 06:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I don't think you can be having an mid life crisis as 34. That's when I got my 79, and I've wanted a Vette since I knew what a car was! I would also say 10 to low teens for a nice condition car you can get in and drive away. Pictures would really help us be little more specific.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
So buying a Corvette means Mid-Life Crisis? Geeze, I'm only going to make it to 34 then!!! Wow I've got a lot of living to do in that amount of time!
Be really careful. ~30k is probably more like ~130k. The odometer doesn't go that high, it just rolls over. A nice paint job and new seats could easily make an 180k mile car look like an 80k. Sure did on mine, till I got it home, jacked it up, and heard the cracking and saw rust flaking off. Then the motor blew up, but that was my own stupid fault, and I was going to put a new one in anyway.
But ya, be sure you REALLY know what you're getting yourself into. Don't be afraid to ask questions and tear the car apart a bit before you buy it. Wouldn't you want to really know what you're buying when you're spending that much?
Be really careful. ~30k is probably more like ~130k. The odometer doesn't go that high, it just rolls over. A nice paint job and new seats could easily make an 180k mile car look like an 80k. Sure did on mine, till I got it home, jacked it up, and heard the cracking and saw rust flaking off. Then the motor blew up, but that was my own stupid fault, and I was going to put a new one in anyway.
But ya, be sure you REALLY know what you're getting yourself into. Don't be afraid to ask questions and tear the car apart a bit before you buy it. Wouldn't you want to really know what you're buying when you're spending that much?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
Buy your wife a couple of wigs
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 707
Likes: 31
From: Pitman NJ
I would
take somebody else with you to look at it. Find somebody that is knowledgable about these cars, preferably sombody who already has one. They are more likely to know what issues these cars have, especaially with the cross fire injection on the '82's. You should be able to make a list of pro's and con's to make a good decision to take it or leave it.
I just purchased my first c3 in August, and that's what I did. It's great to have an extra set of eyes to look at it that have nothing to do with deal.
I just purchased my first c3 in August, and that's what I did. It's great to have an extra set of eyes to look at it that have nothing to do with deal.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 33
From: Olathe KS
A happy ending ......
I spent ~45 min underneath it with a restoration guy. Really interesting the kinds of things he looked for. He deemed it original miles, with a quality repaint and interior factory spec replacements.
I bought it today, been enjoying it all evening. If I uploaded the picture correctly it should be to the left.
Thanks again for all the help!
I bought it today, been enjoying it all evening. If I uploaded the picture correctly it should be to the left.
Thanks again for all the help!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Welcome to the elite group - C3 Corvette owners. You're going to enjoy the looks and comments.
