C3 Costs?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area California
C3 Costs?
Hi I've posted in here a couple of times before, and I have another C3 question. What are the going rates for a C3? Is it possible to get a good one for around 5-6 thousand dollars?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
I think it depends on what your definition of good is.
Can you find one with no serious rust problems, runs, has high miles and needs some work. Yes, I would say you can find one in the 5-6K range.
Can you find one that's been fully or even partially restored? No.
Can you find one with no serious rust problems, runs, has high miles and needs some work. Yes, I would say you can find one in the 5-6K range.
Can you find one that's been fully or even partially restored? No.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,285
Likes: 356
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Creek Lake Texas
I've been looking for several months. You have to see at least inspect/drive a few before you 'partially' know what your are getting into. I kept trying to justify the poor condition of a 4500 to 5500 '73 to '82 because they were over 25 years of age.
The cars in your price range (which was my price range) will require significant money and time (check for rust). I love the '73 style and almost bought one at a great price, but was too much for my skill level. I chose to up my price range and pay for a car that could be enjoyed and reconditioned.
Check for guys/gals on the forum or wherever that are upfront and honest. Then get ready to enjoy a stylish classic.
The cars in your price range (which was my price range) will require significant money and time (check for rust). I love the '73 style and almost bought one at a great price, but was too much for my skill level. I chose to up my price range and pay for a car that could be enjoyed and reconditioned.
Check for guys/gals on the forum or wherever that are upfront and honest. Then get ready to enjoy a stylish classic.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area California
Thanks everyone for the replies. I just put of my C4 for sale today and have gotten a couple emails regarding it. I really dont want to be Vette-less for too long. I hale always liked the C3 but really don't know too much about them.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Fla
http://orlando.craigslist.org/car/526623507.html
http://orlando.craigslist.org/car/526350520.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 22
From: Crystal Lake IL
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
5-7k? well, find an estate sale or a widow who just wants to get rid of it. price may not be important, just take it away. things like this may happen sometimes.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,103
Likes: 279
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Deals do happen, I got mine from a lady that took it from her husband in a divorce, I paid $8,500, which is a little more than your price range, but got a nice 81 with fairly low miles (74K), new paint and no real problems. She could not get rid of it fast enough. You just need to be in the right place at the right time, keep looking.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
Best advice I got was: take your time and research, know what the typical trouble areas are and learn how to inspect a care for them. Determine what can be fixed by you and what you have to farm out. That makes a big difference.
When I bought mine I knew I needed a solid frame and bird cage ( I do not have any welding tools or experience), running engine, and body paint that at least I could be seen in public with for a while. I found it and bought my 80 L48 Vette with 49K miles a couple of years ago for $6200.
Darrel1
When I bought mine I knew I needed a solid frame and bird cage ( I do not have any welding tools or experience), running engine, and body paint that at least I could be seen in public with for a while. I found it and bought my 80 L48 Vette with 49K miles a couple of years ago for $6200.
Darrel1
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
I gave 5k for my Pace Car. Frame not rusted but all the body bushings were dry rotted. Engine, brakes and tranny freshly rebuilt, runs like a champ. Interior was shot, along with the paint it was a 20-30 footer. Car drives fine, (at least before I started rebuilding it). You are going to have a hard time finding a decent steel bumper, but should have no problems finding a rubber bumper in decent shape for 8k. There is a 74 for sale just up the street for 8k and I see 78 thru 81s for sale all the time in the local advertiser for 5-8k. Anything for 5k is going to need some work, unless you just stumble on that car at the right time and place.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Deals do happen, I got mine from a lady that took it from her husband in a divorce, I paid $8,500, which is a little more than your price range, but got a nice 81 with fairly low miles (74K), new paint and no real problems. She could not get rid of it fast enough. You just need to be in the right place at the right time, keep looking.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,103
Likes: 279
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area California
Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement. Last night I was browsing around Craigslist and found a 73 and a 72 Coupe for sale.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/523969547.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/526585713.html
They both need some work, but are these fair prices given the condition of the car?
In the mean time, I'll keep saving up for one.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/523969547.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/526585713.html
They both need some work, but are these fair prices given the condition of the car?
In the mean time, I'll keep saving up for one.
Last edited by Cessnapilot89; Jan 3, 2008 at 01:31 PM.