looking at '78
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Columbia South Carolina
looking at '78
I looked at a beige '78 over the weekend.It showed 110K on the meter.The paint & seats were okay,but the t-tops need weatherstrips,the antennae is broken,the brakes pull to the right,and the driver's door handle needs replacement.The tires have good tread.I read on another thread that '78's were a dime a dozen.The seller is asking $7000.00.
I'm looking for a driver that I can tinker with in my spare time.In your opinions,does that seem like a good deal,or should I keep looking?Thanks.
tankman
I'm looking for a driver that I can tinker with in my spare time.In your opinions,does that seem like a good deal,or should I keep looking?Thanks.
tankman
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Lansdowne VA
Look for frame rust. Has anything ever been done to the suspension? What about the engine and trans - rebuild, when, who did the work? Need more information to baseline price. If you are looking for a driver you'll need a solid engine and trans - and I'll tell you from experience, if the suspension is bad your ride won't bee too enjoyable.
Good luck
Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
price out the things you know need replaceing and start deducting
to replace the stock exhaust on my 81 from manifolds to tail lights was $800 (Mid America)
Trailing arms rebuild (Van Steel) + parts, brakes, calipers etc $1200
leaky power steering stuff.. $350
dont expect the seller to drop $5k off if the paint is bad.
but, one tell tail thing I've always gauged any used car by is the exhaust. If its rust suspended in mid air, then you can comfortably conclude the rest of the car was neglected (vs respected)
here's a shot of mine before.......
but.. I've only seen a handful of vettes not worth saving
to replace the stock exhaust on my 81 from manifolds to tail lights was $800 (Mid America)
Trailing arms rebuild (Van Steel) + parts, brakes, calipers etc $1200
leaky power steering stuff.. $350
dont expect the seller to drop $5k off if the paint is bad.
but, one tell tail thing I've always gauged any used car by is the exhaust. If its rust suspended in mid air, then you can comfortably conclude the rest of the car was neglected (vs respected)
here's a shot of mine before.......
but.. I've only seen a handful of vettes not worth saving
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Depends where you live also. If the Vette is a mid west or southern car, rust should not be a problem. Therefore $7K is not out of the question. How is the A/C? How does she run? Does it smoke? How does the tranny feel? These are all good questions. If the answer is good to all of them, then $7K is definately right!! 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Columbia South Carolina
Thanks to everyone.It did not smoke,and the a/c does work.I'll look again at the suspension,exhaust, and frame,and also ask questions re:an engine rebuild/transmission rebuild.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
I looked at a beige '78 over the weekend.It showed 110K on the meter.The paint & seats were okay,but the t-tops need weatherstrips,the antennae is broken,the brakes pull to the right,and the driver's door handle needs replacement.The tires have good tread.I read on another thread that '78's were a dime a dozen.The seller is asking $7000.00.
I'm looking for a driver that I can tinker with in my spare time.In your opinions,does that seem like a good deal,or should I keep looking?Thanks.
tankman
I'm looking for a driver that I can tinker with in my spare time.In your opinions,does that seem like a good deal,or should I keep looking?Thanks.
tankman
10 feet away, you'd ask me why I am painting it... It looks great for its age and for what I paid for it. I'd just shoot for a lower number based on what I have looked at for the past few years and what you describe.
Hope you get it!
If it were me.. I'd offer $5k... I know someone selling something in similar condition for $4200.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Columbia South Carolina
I wish I was closer so I could see the $4200 vette,but I'm in the Carolina's.I may just keep looking,because I'm debating whether I really want a beige vette.Thanks for responding.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Lake Geneva WI
I'm gonna look at it this weekend.. I'll try and get some pics.. My neighbor told me about it when I came home in my 79'. He as the glass T's for sale, but my wife shot that down.. She'd kill me if I brought another toy home!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Columbia South Carolina
The one I'm looking at does not have the glass t's.I'm kind of glad it didn't,because things like shiny paint & glass t's make me do stupid stuff.I appreciate your offer to take pics,maybe someone on this forum will be helped by them.I'm going to confine my search to the southeast.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,052
Likes: 253
save your money
I looked at a beige '78 over the weekend.It showed 110K on the meter.The paint & seats were okay,but the t-tops need weatherstrips,the antennae is broken,the brakes pull to the right,and the driver's door handle needs replacement.The tires have good tread.I read on another thread that '78's were a dime a dozen.The seller is asking $7000.00.
I'm looking for a driver that I can tinker with in my spare time.In your opinions,does that seem like a good deal,or should I keep looking?Thanks.
tankman
I'm looking for a driver that I can tinker with in my spare time.In your opinions,does that seem like a good deal,or should I keep looking?Thanks.
tankman
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City Texas
Two years ago I purchased a 78 Silver Ann. edition, for about $3K, knowing it needed work, but was a driver. Since then, my 17 yr old son and I, have rebuilt/replaced front bushings, ball joints, tie rod end, alum radiator for over heating issue, rear trailing arms, TH350 tranny over-haul, several electrical wiring issues, rag-joint coupling, poly-engine mounts, vacuum system for lights, tires, alignement....and others I can't remember. The engine was reworked prior to my purchase, and seems to work strong. Still to be done:Needs new paint is major $$$, Rear Differential needs stub axials ($$), Windshield leaks (might be a bird-cage rust issue), driver door outside handle... FYI, I am not complaining, just want you to understand these cars need work and $$$. I do enjoy driving it, even it looks like the 30 year old car; she is fast off the line with a 4:11 rear.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Columbia South Carolina
Thanks.I do realize it takes $$$$$$$$.I would love to pick one up for under $5K and with good paint,but I don't think that's going to happen.That's why I was initially drawn to the beige '78 because the paint was very good.I'm in no hurry,I'll just keep looking.The added bonus to just looking is that my wife can't say "I told you so" if I buy a piece of junk.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I've said this a dozen times before, but I'll say it again - don't be stuck on your price. Trust me when I tell you it is cheaper to buy one that's in the exact condition you want than to buy one that needs work.
I thought I was getting a deal on my first vette at $4,400. One year and $12,000 later it was the way I wanted it, problem was I had $17k in a car that could be sold for $11-12k tops.
I only had about $5k to my name at the time and I was stuck on that budget. In retrospect what I should have done was found a $10k-$12k car, put my $5k down, and financed the rest. The payment would have been less than $200 per month - a lot less than what I was spending on the car itself.
I thought I was getting a deal on my first vette at $4,400. One year and $12,000 later it was the way I wanted it, problem was I had $17k in a car that could be sold for $11-12k tops.
I only had about $5k to my name at the time and I was stuck on that budget. In retrospect what I should have done was found a $10k-$12k car, put my $5k down, and financed the rest. The payment would have been less than $200 per month - a lot less than what I was spending on the car itself.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
i bought my 78 with 85k on the odo,
po had put new tires (mismatched size F&R)
all new stainless lined brake calipers, new pads, new rubber brake hoses, new exhaust with flowmasters, new hoses,new radiator,new PS pump. he wanted
$5500 and i got it for $4500 still needing work but it was drivable.
to me 7k is way to high for that car with its issues
and he would have to come down or i would keep looking.
po had put new tires (mismatched size F&R)
all new stainless lined brake calipers, new pads, new rubber brake hoses, new exhaust with flowmasters, new hoses,new radiator,new PS pump. he wanted
$5500 and i got it for $4500 still needing work but it was drivable.
to me 7k is way to high for that car with its issues
and he would have to come down or i would keep looking.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 4
From: Alcolu S.C.
That is the best advise of all Ron R. When I bought my 81 it was in need of everything. My wife and I did most of the work, spent alot of money. And if I sell it will never get our money back. Take your time and fine the car you really want.
