Hey, Guys,

I'm actually a C5 owner, sorry for the blasphemy, but I'm also looking at a C3. It's an '82 Collecters Edition, 22K miles, (not 122K), original owner, garage kept, no rust anywhere underneath, that I can see. Is it worth $24K? Help!!!!!!!!

 

I bought my '77 with 21K miles on it and in excellent condition. I paid just South of $18K in March. Love the car. Took first place Sunday at a local Corvette Show in Pennsylvania. Hope this helps.
David

 

you can get a really good 92-94 for around 16K. And possibly even a roadster with a 6 speed. A 82 was a low powered automatic with all the frills that a woman would enjoy. That car in the real world wouild never even come close to that asking price. In fact you would have to pay me to take a 82. Sorry, but thats how I feel and I have been driving Vettes all my adult life. It`s just another so called investment bust.

 

Wow! I think he was a little harsh, but 24k does seem high it should be showroom clean to even think about that.

 

I think I will have to agree with Ironcross in one regard... any woman that didn't find an 82 CE enjoyable would not be worth keeping company with in my opinion...

Having said that, I will say this, the '82 (CE in particular) was probably the most refined C3 of all. While power is relative (they were near the top of the heap in 1982!) they were thoroughly enjoyable to drive when new. I would not call it exciting, but certainly enjoyable.

As for being an investment bust, well time will tell on that. The CE certainly has much going for it that makes it collectible. Keep in mind some folks are beginning to restore the later C3's and a frame-off can run 20 - 40k depending on what needs to be done. Finding a pristine example for half the cost of a restoration could easily prove to be a bargain down the road. It is substantially less costly to preserve a good one than to restore it...

Just my opinion of course... good luck with your decision... GUSTO

 

Have you driven it yet?

The 80-82's are definitely the most "refined" C3's as far as ride comfort goes, most aerodynamic, and on the 82 I like the opening rear hatch glass (not available any other year), but they aren't fast and it's not going to ride or handle anything like the C5.

If you're looking for an "investment", try mutual funds. I know people get tired of hearing me say this, but cars aren't a good investment, I don't care how rare or "collectible" it is. Even the few cars that have gone up in value (technically any C3 that sells for less than $35k has lost value when you factor in inflation) haven't made much, and not one of them has made more than the same amount of money invested in the markets would have yielded. If you're looking for a nice car to sit on, enjoy infrequently, and probably sell for more than what you paid for it you would do better with the chrome bumpers than an 82 CE. If you're looking for a roadster that gets up and goes, you won't find that in an 82 either. What you will find in an 82 CE is the last of a generation, and the style and class that turns a few heads. The 700R4 transmission also gives it the best gas mileage out of any C3.

As for the price, $24,000 seems on the high side, but only when compared to the average price. It's not unreasonable if it's truly an original 22k mile car that's rust free and the rubber isn't all dry rotted.

 

I could see $18k if you *really* wanted it.

 

Without seeing the car, the obvious point is that it sounds like an *awful* lot of money for an '82, CE or not, low miles or not. Actually, low mile C3s really don't do that well at auction, either. Not a great buy.

You should also be warned that, as cool (looking) as the CE is, it's extra expensive to restore. Even though the miles are low, if you have to replace those stickers on the body, or that special paint, or that one-year-only very expensive interior, you will quickly be in it for even more than you thought.

Oh, and even though I'll get a couple of howls over this, have fun with that Cross-Fire.

 

Sold my CE w/similar mileage for over $20K....and that was 5 yrs ago.

 

This one is more $ with more miles.http://www.contes.com/82collAPR.htm

 

I love all you guys saying the '82 was the slowest Vette with the best ride better suited for females. It's not like the heavier 75-'79 C3's had enough power pushing their fat a$$es around either. Considering it has the 700R4 and fuel injection stock, it is probably one of the best C3's built.

That's about what CE's are going for from what I've seen. Not a deal, but probably about right. If you want to take it on short drives for special occasions this car is fine and won't depreciate. Like others have said though, if you're looking to make money invest in something else.

 

I do not wish to hyjack this thread, but in conversation on this topic, I have a Question. I often read the words " refined " when referring to ride comfort on late C3s, I believe that the same basic chassis was used since 63. I cannot see an 80-82 riding any better than a 68-72, if suspension parts are equal. With the same shocks and glass springs, on both era cars, what creates this ride differance? I would guess more factory insulation, better weatherstripping, and radial tires contribute to this. But a 68-72 with glass spring,all new bushings front to back,radials, and an O/D trans should ride the same, should it not???

 

He didn't ask whether you wanted an 82CE; he asked about one he is looking at.

Your remark about women is out of line.

 

Yes the suspension parts are interchangeable from year to year but the first ones were 3200 lbs. {1968} They steadily grew in to over 3500 lbs.as the HP diminished until the 80-82 model that got lighter again but never as light as a 68. No wonder the 68`s were faster, they weighed less...

Weight does have an effect on handling. Except I would say the lighter care would be a better handling Vette. Anyone that road raced successfully would be a good source for that answer.

If GM would not fancy badge a Vette trying to sell them many would probably sell very well at there own level. Ugly painted Pace cars galore and most never sold very well. The latest poor seller, {That so called Hardtop entry level no frills 97 Coupe} Someone finally said give it a ZO6 badge and the public will bite. They couldn't`t sell that Vette either without the name change. A good Vette will sell itself but 'blue sky' is just that

 

Well, by '82 Vettes had power everything (seats, mirrors, windows, locks, etc.) and of course the later model C3 seats felt much better then the '68-'77 seats. The composite rear spring helped with the ride, but I really don't think that the '80-'82 had softer suspensions then earlier Vettes. I just think they were more comfortable, and the fact that they were only offered with a 4 speed automatic in coupe only probably fuels the "not hardcore" enough and "it's a nice ride, but not fast enough" stereotype. The '80-'82's also had the fat sway bars

The only real disadvantage I see to owning a later model C3 is the weak rear end. Given a choice I too would go with chrome bumpered though.

 

I love how everyone is always so hyped on horsepower when they will never use it. The people who burried the pedal on those early beast usually wrecked them. That is why we see all these frankenstien, fake numbered cars.
I personally love the color scheme and styling on the 82 CE it is a great looking car.

 

He wanted an opinion and I gave one...

Nope right in line....

Automatics, PS, PB, PW, AC, Cruise control, Stereo, power seat, T tops, pretty leather interiors, everything except the kitchen sink. I think a woman or even a girlie man would be comfortable with all these dress up accessories.....and women do like matching accessories to go with their outfits dont they......

 

No disrespect to the other posters, but finally a topic where I do have a lot of experience.

In 1990 I owned a 9k mile original 82 CE Bought it for $22k had it two years Sold it for $22k.

In 2005 when I decided I wanted another 82 CE, Specificly for the reasons a previous member mentioned "It is most likley the most refined of the C-3's" And I'm a GUY. (although I bought it as a gift for my wife, so point taken). Rather than go NCRS on this one... I changed what I viewed as "Performance Shortcommings" while keeping the "Plush".

As far as value goes "Condition is everything" !!
I bought mine for $16,500. in 2006 and it was an original car with 28K miles on it. The reason it sold for that, was it had been repainted (and I believe "Tapped" in the front) But it was a quality paint job (worth several $$$) with new decals (which go for $1,500. by themselves). So bottom line is I knew going in what I was getting and what my plan was ie "Mild VetteRod"

AN all original 17K mile 82 CE sold at Barret Jackson @ 6mo ago for 22K
And a 14K mile Original was on ebay last week with no reserve and two days left to bid it was up to $15K. I thought it would have been a bargain at anything less than $20K. But didn't track it.

Bottom line it depends what you want the car for. 82CE's can be had for $16K but don't pay $20k+ unless it is 100% original and you plan on KEEPING it that way.

FYI: My .02 The CE Always draws more $$$ than regular 82's yet they made fewer of the various color combos that same years. 6759 CE vs 648 Silver & Clarinet 82's, and less than 40 Gold 82's etc. If not for my wifes love of the CE If I were buying an investment I would look for a low milage documented one owner 82 that was anything but a CE!!

 

GCasey - That was one of the best posts I have ever read and from a person that not only knows the 82CE, but owns them. As a 77 Corvette Orange Guy myself I found your information to be both informative and helpful. I drive a very nice and apparantly unrefined version of the C3 with absolutely the stock engine and an automatic transmission and the fact that I enjoy driving it, showing it, working on it and looking at it makes all the financial costs melt away. I am with you here. If you want a car badly enough I say buy it, be happy with your car and never look back. As far as women versus men I would be glad to take any year stock C3 (and remember I own one too) and would most likley spank you at the track with my six cylinder 350Z. My point here is that there is more than performance to the Corvette line, much more. The era of performance is the Z06 and if performance with safety is what you are looking for then why mess with the C3 at all? Enjoy the C3 (and C1-C5 for that matter) for what they are, beautiful classics built in America. So thanks again GCasey, I'm with you on the 82CE and hope to see you in Carlisle this August.
David

 

(but then again, I usually do agree with vettebuyer5869)

to me (and I'm no expert) the CE is a niche C3. The ones I've seen have been beat to death or pampered children. They are surely beautiful to look at, but double dip expensive to repair the 'one year only' things that make it the Collector Edition in the first place.

It *may* be worth 24k. But for 24k, I'd be expecting 3 pedals.