C3 to C5..........
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,131
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
C3 to C5..........
I have an opportunity to sell my 81 for $12K and pick up a 2002 Z06 for $19K. I am considering this because I just don't feel confident when taking long rides up the canyons in the 81, its old and not really all that comfortable on long trips. Plus, I really think that getting $12K for it in this market is a pretty good opportunity from what I'm seeing.
The 81 has 79K miles, new paint last year (looks great) new interior, new Firestone Indy 500s and no real mechanical issues or rust. It has a few minor things wrong, all of which can be fixed for $500 and a couple of weekends. I could pony up the money for the C5 but I'm afraid the 81 won't see enough road time to make it worth keeping, and its not like its going to be a great investment. Besides, its not like I couldn't find another if I deceided I had to have one again.
What do you think, is the $12K a fair price in this market?
The 81 has 79K miles, new paint last year (looks great) new interior, new Firestone Indy 500s and no real mechanical issues or rust. It has a few minor things wrong, all of which can be fixed for $500 and a couple of weekends. I could pony up the money for the C5 but I'm afraid the 81 won't see enough road time to make it worth keeping, and its not like its going to be a great investment. Besides, its not like I couldn't find another if I deceided I had to have one again.
What do you think, is the $12K a fair price in this market?
Last edited by Jon Hekking; Aug 24, 2008 at 02:20 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
Jon,
I seem to remember you bought for something like $8000 and now you can sell for $12,000
In todays market no less 
That is good money these days for a nice clean bumper shark. The Z06 will probably loose a bit of value over time but gives you some more power, comfort and reliability. I bet you will get a lot more time behind the wheel with the newer Vette. Go for it! The C3 will hold their value better but they are also a lot more work. If you decide to come back later there will still be plenty of older Vettes to choose from.
-Mark.
I seem to remember you bought for something like $8000 and now you can sell for $12,000
In todays market no less That is good money these days for a nice clean bumper shark. The Z06 will probably loose a bit of value over time but gives you some more power, comfort and reliability. I bet you will get a lot more time behind the wheel with the newer Vette. Go for it! The C3 will hold their value better but they are also a lot more work. If you decide to come back later there will still be plenty of older Vettes to choose from.
-Mark.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,131
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I have one of each myself and love it. I had not driven my 70 in about 6 months till last weekend. I was really surprised at how raw the 70 felt after driving the 02 Z every day. The 70 drives great don't get me wrong. But the Z takes the feel of everything away from you. I think you will like the Z06 but will miss the C3 later down the road.
BTW, great looking 81. I like it.
BTW, great looking 81. I like it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,131
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Jon,
I seem to remember you bought for something like $8000 and now you can sell for $12,000 In todays market no less
That is good money these days for a nice clean bumper shark. The Z06 will probably loose a bit of value over time but gives you some more power, comfort and reliability. I bet you will get a lot more time behind the wheel with the newer Vette. Go for it! The C3 will hold their value better but they are also a lot more work. If you decide to come back later there will still be plenty of older Vettes to choose from.
-Mark.
I seem to remember you bought for something like $8000 and now you can sell for $12,000
In todays market no less That is good money these days for a nice clean bumper shark. The Z06 will probably loose a bit of value over time but gives you some more power, comfort and reliability. I bet you will get a lot more time behind the wheel with the newer Vette. Go for it! The C3 will hold their value better but they are also a lot more work. If you decide to come back later there will still be plenty of older Vettes to choose from.
-Mark.
I took it out for a drive today, starting to think there will be 2 vettes in the garage.......................
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,997
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
If you waffle on this, you might really regret it later if you change your mind again. Sell.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg Va
If you have the finances and the room keep both of them. That is what I did. Completely different cars all together.
You can cruise and take the wife out in the C5.
Then you can take the C3 out by yourself for therapy purposes...or whatever. You will miss driving the C3, very much.....IMHO
Tell the wife it's a bad market for sellers, but the Zo6 is an awesome deal.....
RD
You can cruise and take the wife out in the C5.
Then you can take the C3 out by yourself for therapy purposes...or whatever. You will miss driving the C3, very much.....IMHO
Tell the wife it's a bad market for sellers, but the Zo6 is an awesome deal.....
RD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
One question though - an '02 Z06 for 19K or am I doing the math wrong?
That's either one hell'uva deal on a Z06 or she's got a history and/or high miles. Take your time and do some research on this car - is it really a Z, was it a rebuild...do you have pictures of the seller's wife...
something's not right at that price IMHO.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,131
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Now your talking!
One question though - an '02 Z06 for 19K or am I doing the math wrong?
That's either one hell'uva deal on a Z06 or she's got a history and/or high miles. Take your time and do some research on this car - is it really a Z, was it a rebuild...do you have pictures of the seller's wife... something's not right at that price IMHO.
One question though - an '02 Z06 for 19K or am I doing the math wrong?
That's either one hell'uva deal on a Z06 or she's got a history and/or high miles. Take your time and do some research on this car - is it really a Z, was it a rebuild...do you have pictures of the seller's wife...
something's not right at that price IMHO.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: North Richland Hills TX
Just make sure you know what you're buying.
An acquaintance of mine bought an '01 Z for about the same price almost 2 years ago...finally sold it 7 months ago cause of all the problems he had with it. Ignition, battery, timing. Of course, this is probably apples to oranges as that Z was modded but still...
An acquaintance of mine bought an '01 Z for about the same price almost 2 years ago...finally sold it 7 months ago cause of all the problems he had with it. Ignition, battery, timing. Of course, this is probably apples to oranges as that Z was modded but still...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 21
From: Abingdon MD
Jon,
Well, do you have pics of seller's wife?! After 2 days in the sun @ Carlisle, it took me a couple of minutes to get that one!
You have said yourself that the 81 is not meeting your needs. Therefore, if you have a buyer for $12k, I would absolutely sell.
An 02 Z06 w 55k miles for $19k sounds great to me. I would definitely have it checked out thoroughly, not that it sounds too good to be true, but rather because the Z is an infinitely more complex machine.
Let us know what you decide,
Rickman
P.S. Btw, we on the East Coast are reeaally sorry you are having trouble getting up those nasty canyons!!
Well, do you have pics of seller's wife?! After 2 days in the sun @ Carlisle, it took me a couple of minutes to get that one!
You have said yourself that the 81 is not meeting your needs. Therefore, if you have a buyer for $12k, I would absolutely sell.
An 02 Z06 w 55k miles for $19k sounds great to me. I would definitely have it checked out thoroughly, not that it sounds too good to be true, but rather because the Z is an infinitely more complex machine.
Let us know what you decide,
Rickman
P.S. Btw, we on the East Coast are reeaally sorry you are having trouble getting up those nasty canyons!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
What is it about your car that makes you feel it is unreliable and uncomfortable? Considering that it is recently painted (and lookin' good), I think $12K is a bit low. If the major mechanicals are in need of repair/upgrade, that might be a reason to worry about road trips. If the 'ride' quality isn't all that good, put some Bilstein's on it. Personally, I think you'll lose "image points" by going from a VINTAGE car to a USED car....but maybe that's just me.
..and dont look back...
