Lets see that 08 =)

I say do both . c5 or c6 and a lift and a nice c3
Good luck

 

you didnt say if you were looking for a daily driver or not, but a C3 is a bad choise for a daily driver, but for the weekend car, is get NO better than a C3, ESPACIALLY an LT1, and the fact that the C3's are just starting to go up in value, and the C6 will drop a pretty good deal in the next 10-15 years, id go with a C3,

Miles

 

Maybe I'm cut from a different cloth, but I drove my 81 everyday for a year and a half. and by the way, with the posi rear, it's awesome in snow.



You'll never get the oohs and aaahs from a C4 or fatass C5 you will with a clean C3. The C6 is nice except for nose. But, not my cup of tea.

My daily driver is an 06 Mustang, and the my 81 C3 is an old friend on the mend.

 

You asked, here's the 08 and the 65....

 

C3 all the way!

 

For a daily driver that should you don't need any work and comes with a warranty for aleast 3 years but are a dime a dozen, I say C6, But to own a true american sports car that will make heads turn and one of the most beautiful car ever made, I say hands down C3.

 

The problem with buying a C6 is that when it's all said and done, you'll just have a C6...just like thousands of the pudgy gold-chain crowd you see everyday.

A few mods to bring it into the 21st century and you'll have a C3 that folks will walk past a dozen C6s to look at. Take the extra 20k and invest it, buy your wife a gift and take a mediterrean cruise!

 

The 80-82's make great daily drivers.

For the money you're looking to spend you could buy a couple C3's - one chrome bumper in mint condition, and an 80-82 as a daily driver. That's basically what I do, my 68 sits in the garage most of the time, I drive the hell out of the 81, and race the hell out of the 1980 L-82.

All 3 for less than the cost of a C6 - and all 3 will go UP in value, not down.

Warranty shmarranty ... if one breaks I'll just drive one of the others till I get around to fixing it. :P

 

Why would you buy an 06, then just get an 08? I don't get it they are like the same car. As far as a c3 versus a c6 goes, if you want just a weekend car get the c3, much cheaper and lots of fun. If you want a DD get the C6, more comfortable and reliable but more expensive. If you want a C6 just for the weekends have fun, thats a lot of money to spend on something you don't drive much in my opinion

 

I have had 2 C5 (01 vert 03 Z06) as well as currently have 2 C3 - 72 t-top and 70 LT1. They are just totaly different cars. As most here have said it is really up to what you want to do. You say you are not that mecanical - do you want to be? If not thengo C6 or a completely done C3 and enough cash left over to fix all the little stuff.

I will be buying an 08 for more of a driver and keep the C3 for short runs and car shows. Better ride, safer, more reliable great milage etc. If you can only have one then really think what gets your heart racing - sound and looks of a C3 or the pure speed and handling of a C6.

By the way, I normaly like the Pro Team cars but they had a 70 LT1 at Carlisle for big money (I believe $80k) and it had the wrong front and side grills. I mentioned it to the sales guy and he said -"Oh ya I didn't notice that" - if you don't know bring someone who does.

 

[QUOTE=Skunkvette;1561819783]You asked, here's the 08 and the 65....

Im jealous of your cars, but I really like your driveway, sweet.

Little bit of emblem overkill on the new one though?

 

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I drive my 81 every single day (and I drive it hard, mind you). It won't, however, see another winter.

But you, on the other hand, live in south carolina, where I believe there isn't a whole lot of snow. You could easily afford to purchase your dream LT1, and still have a good chunk of change left over.

My advice: Buy the LT1 now, and invest the rest of the money for a few years. Let it work for you and make money off of itself. Say 3-5 years, the price of a C6 will go down, and your $$$ will go up. That way, you might even be able to buy a Z06 C6 and STILL have some money left over. Then you can spend that on making the LT1 out-run the Z06! It's all about planning, my friend. I've been saving for my C3 for 12 years (I'm 17, so that's some early long term goals on my part)

Plan it right, and you can have both.

 

[QUOTE=Chicago Pete;1561848659]You would have to talk to GM about that, that is how they build them now...

 

OOPS! I'm trying to learn as much as I can - you all have been a great help! Lots of excellent info. Anyone know of any "experts" around Charlotte who might be willing to make a road trip if I find a car I like? Or at least look at some pics and give me some advice?

Bill

 

If this is going to be your 2nd car then the main quesiton you have to ask yourself if you don't mind getting dirty every now and then fixing stuff and also buying a decent tool set. Otherwise its generally too costly and time consuming of a car to maintain using a mechanic unless you got some very deep pockets. The mechanics down here in S. Florida that know vettes charge a fortune for the simplest of items and if you want custom work....good luck.

I am 34 and bought my first vette at 32 years old. I have always wanted a vette myself and really knew very little about cars before buying my vette. Now I know a ton of general mechanics stuff and have acquired a ton of tools and still need more. I don't mind working on my vette as it helps clear the mind at times and you meet great people as well to help you out.

btw...mine is very close to a daily driver as I put 10,000 miles on it last year. They can be made more reliable but you have to sacrifice originality.

If I were you I would search for a resto-mod vette that is completely done the way you want it (new LSx engine, 5 speed tranny, retrofit AC system, PW, PB, steeriods conversion, etc.) then you will have the best of both worlds and for around $$$ that you are looking to spend you should be able to find a very nice one. It will take some time to find a correctly done resto-mod but for those monies one should turn up some place.

 

Willross3 lives in SC. I'm about 20 minutes up the road from you. The shot in the picture I posted is when I lived in Salem Massachusetts.

 

Had to share a laugh... went by my local Chev dealer the other day and was ogling a black '06 on the lot, when a salesman walked up to me and asked if I was interested in Corvettes. I told him I loved the black, but was trying to decide if I wanted a C3 or a C6... to which he replied... "Yeah, that Mercedes is very nice... "

Pretty much decided on the C3, '71 or '72 Mille Miglia, LT-1, convertible. Now I just have to find it! Thanks for everyones input - now I'm off to the C3s FS...

Bill

 

Bill,

Read all the above comments. Here is my .02cents. I own 2 '71 LS6 Corvettes, both at factory 9 to 1 comp, same as '71 LT-1. I also own a '02 coupe, which I ordered brand new. I drive all the cars daily. My '02 with all its electrical gimitry is now starting to go haywire. With 19,000 original miles and 5 years later, the DIC is telling me service ABS, service TC, service AH, and now automatic door locks don't function, etc.

My '71's have 39,000 and 60,000 on them. They sound awsome, they drive beautifully, everything functions as it should, 36 years later, oh, by the way, they are both original paint, original interiors and unrestored originals.

 

thanks for the input early shark... C3 it is I think! Now it's just a matter of finding the right one! Don't suppose you're considering selling? LOL

From other posts I've read in CF it sounds like the fall/winter might be a good time to buy... Can't wait!

Bill

 

Great choice . I have a '71 Mille Miglia LT-1...mine is a coupe. Couldn't be happier. The C6 would have been a great car but I bet if you bought it you would not feel fulfilled. In your first post you said you have wanted a vette since you were 12 and always liked the C3. There is something about walking into the garage and seeing the car that you wanted since you were a kid. I still think after you buy the LT-1 you will have enough cash to buy a nice rubber bumper vette. A sweet ride that is cheaper in price that you can drive the heck out of and not worry as much about dinging up. Keep working on your wife, she'll give in