Ever since I was a teenager I've wanted a 1980 or 1981 Corvette. I'll never forget walking into the local Chevy dealer and seeing a brand new yellow 1980 'vette sitting in the middle of the showroom floor. It went for $15,000. I can still see it as plain as day. I'm finally at the point in my life where I can seriously think about buying the car of my dreams. However, with that life stage comes a price - a lack of free time. I'd like to buy a used 'vette for a fun car. One to cruise around town, drive to work on nice summer days, maybe take a long weekend drive once in a while.

So here is my dilemma: Do I buy the car I've always wanted for the last 3 decades, knowing that I'd probably have to spent time doing some misc. repairs and maybe not drive it as often as I would like, or do I buy a C5 Z06 and just have fun driving with less worry if I end up driving my 'vette 500 miles from home? I know every car will be different, but just how much maintenance can you expect to perform every week or so on an almost 30 year old car?

 

Better get one of each. I bought my C3 a couple of years back, and now I'm looking for a C5, for longer trips. C5 prices are the lowest I've seen recently. I plan on keeping my C3, as the body style of these era Vettes is unmistakable, but I want the comfort and dependability of a newer C5 for longer trips. I should note though that we have taken the '77 on 600-700 mile roundtrips with no problems. Good luck.
Kenny

 

I was in your shoes 2 years ago, always wanted that 81 I walked away from in May of 1981. I finally got it a year ago and love it. It does require considerable maintenance to use on a regular basis. Mine had 74K miles on it when I purchased it and was newly painted and really has no mechanical flaws, paid $8,500. I love that car but l found a need for something a bit more reliable for longer trips and more use so I purchased a very clean 93, great car and a completely different driving experience. These cars are dirt cheap right now and even though they are not as nice or possibly dependable as a C5, they are a blast to drive and some considerable bang for your buck.

I would never get rid of that 81, just waited too long for it and nothing gets the attention as a nice C3!

My 2 kids;

 

..... you've been itching for a late-C3 for almost 30 years, and buying a C5 won't scratch the irritation properly.


While you'd enjoy the C5 more frequently with less problems, will that quench your desire for the sexiest-looking car ever built in the USA?


Good-luck deciding

 

With a name like "Highpower" you probably are not going to be happy with an '80 or an '81 , and you even asking about how dependable these things are....... you're probably not in love with tinkering all the time.

As much as I love the C3 - I don't think its for you. Do yourself a favor and look for a nice C5. You will NEVER find a better time to buy.

 

There really isn't that much tinkering that has to be done on an 80-81 vette, but it is more than a c5 would need. It's not like it's a v12 jaguar or something like that. Some people get enjoyment of doing work on their car, and are always working on something.

I would look for the nicest 80-81 yellow vette that you can find. They are out there, just keep looking. You only live once, and you have been thinking about it for 30 years, so I would make that dream come true.

 

You waited 30 years for one, do you really think if you buy a nice C5 that 30yr itch will be gone, heck no, you'll still be wishing for the C3 the car apparently of your dreams. We drive our 82(my choice) for a 100 or 2 miles a weekend weather permitting and never worry about breakdowns. The rides is o.k. and there's some rattles but suck it up, it's a VETTE man. I also have a fully restored 71 Roadrunner that is orange and very eye catching, only a few looks from the true car enthuesiast, the vette, a great 20 footer, even young kids who don't know cars "cool car man" all the time. Doubt you'll get that with the C5. Good luck!

 

I have a V-12 74 E-Type convertible. I have had a 66,64 and 69 Vette and believe it or not the Jag has given me much less problems than any of the Vettes. The A/C still blows cold and has never been recharged. Dont get me wrong, I love Corvettes but the unreliability of Jag is greatly exagerated. My car sits for months at a time and always starts and drives great with no issues. Just my point of view.

 

Drive a C5. Drive ia a C3. IMO......I would go for the C5. IMO... as each generation of vettes passes, the newer generation will be more comfortable to drive and ride in. I have driven both.

 

One important factor to consider is the state you live in and its emissons laws. If it needs to pass smog, you'll have to deal with that computer controlled q-jet that comes on late C3's and have to leave the car dead stock. If you have no emissions to worry about, you can run a simple, uncluttered small block, and truly enjoy tinkering. Used C5's are downright cheap, $10-15K for a clean 50-70K mile example. But a few years from now, they'll be only cheaper, while the value of a C3 will only go up. Tough decision, enjoy it, once your money is spent you're done. Spock once said "wanting is more desirable than having"...

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to pick on Jag's.

I was just trying to let the poster know that you don't have to be under the hood every weekend adjusting stuff to keep a 80-81 running.

 

Get the best of BOTH worlds, I have an 1981 with a modern 383 TPI Stroker.

Really the C3 Body style is hard to beat, I sold my C5 for a C3 and have no regrets, the C5 rocks, but the C3 is so much sexier and what a head turner.. Classic American sports car!

If you are looking at 1980 / 1981, lean towards the 1981, it was about 250lbs lighter then the 1980 and has the updated composite rear leaf spring, gives a smoother response since you do not get the interaction between leafs like on a traditional leaf spring.

Get the C3 you have always wanted.. if you need more, then look at a C5 in a year the prices will be lower still....

 

I was in similar boat as you several months ago - choosing between the ultimate looker vs. the better sports car. I picked the '82 and never get bored of the way it looks. If I would have gotten a C-5 I would already be tired of staring at it by now so I got what I really wanted. I will make hp increases in future years and someday may add a C-6 to the collection. Of course the C-5 is going to do everything better than a C-3 but you need to really ask if it's going to satisfy that WOW-factor and craving for the car you always wanted.

 

Buy your dream. Life is short.

 

The C5 Z06 is a track ready car that you can drive daily. That would be my choice over an 80 or an 81. Alot more performance. 30 mpg on the highway. Love the early C3's but to me the C5 Z06 has it all over the later C3.

 

I was in the same boat you are in a few years ago. My first Corvette lust was for a 1982 Collector's Edition (it was new when I turned 16).

Life got in the way, and my desire was put away in some unused corner of my brain for many years. Once I made a few bucks, and could actually buy a car that I didn't need, I started looking at Vettes again. I wanted something that I could enjoy immediately, and bought a 2000 convertible. That way, I could drop the top for cruising. I have put nearly 40,000 miles on it over the last 4 years, and loved every mile. I have not had to fix anything on the car. It gets some attention, but mostly from girls (not that that is a bad thing).

My wife doesn't like me modding the car, so I bought a 1982 for myself a couple years ago. My plan was to restore the car to new condition and add afew tasteful mods to make it my own. Currently the car is driveable. It is half black and half white, has no carpet, but still gets a lot of "cool car" comments. EVERY boy from 6 years old to 60 loves it (not that that is a good thing). I am all smiles when I drive it. It should be complete in a few months with new paint, freshened up engine with a hot cam, strong built overdrive transmission, new interior, and polished Torq Thrust wheels. I will be adding a few ghost flames to the same areas that the Collector's Edition had it's stripes.

If you decide to get the C5, You will love how well it drives on the road (you might want to re-think the Z06 as your only Vette, unless open top driving is not important to you). You can get the same power with a few engine mods to a stock C5.

 

IMO, they stopped making Vettes at C3.

Get what you want. I know I was that kid in the dealers show room in 78' looking at that bright yellow 79' and dreaming. Got my 79' some 30 years later mind you!

 

Man, this is tougher than I thought. Both the C3 and C5 crowd are making some very good points.

I definitely wouldn't call myself a mechanic, but I do have some mechanical ability so I wouldn't be afraid of doing some simple repairs. I recarpeted my bass boat a couple of years ago (major PITA) so I'm pretty sure that I could handle any interior upgrades in a vette. I'd need help with engine, suspension or body work though.

Driving through town today, I saw a white '80 or '81 parked in someone's driveway. I couldn't stop looking at it. I don't need to have a completely stock '80 or '81, so I suppose a crate engine already installed could be an option if that would enhance reliability. I would REALLY like a manual trans though. No offense to the auto trans guys, but to me, a sports car with an auto trans is like driving a motorcycle with training wheels. I'm sure others would disagree and there's nothing wrong with that. It's just my personal preference. I guess it will come down to whether I want something for "show" or "go".

 

... and a base C6 has it all over a C5 Z06.. it never ends.. lol

get what you want, you will be the one driving it...

 

Looks like you have quite a few opinions from quite a few people, but I will tell you what, a year ago I would never had considered buying a vette but my Uncle was forced to sell his (wife) and now you couldn't get me to sell it (no wife). The fact is that once you own one I don't think you will be disappointed even if you don't get to drive it every weekend due to maintenance. Go for the C3 and enjoy the realization of a dream.