I would chose the '82. Just a better looking and slightly more refined car.

It's obviously spent some time outside if the bumpers look like that.

 

I have a 79. If I bought again I'd buy the 82 as I like the front end and rear way better than the 78-79. And you can always scrap the computer and crossfire and build a 383 like mine :]

 

As for your question - I like the '82 Crossfire over the '78 but I'm biased! The '82 to me is a better cruiser but if your looking to hot rod the '78 is a better start between the two cars. The '82 has limits because of the computer and CF set up. Left alone the CF is a great system if all the smog and sensors are hooked up.

As for the pictures you've posted - first, the 78 has a rear bumper from an '80 to '82. A rear bumper for a 78 was rounded unless it was a pace car and even then the spoiler is bolted on. It was molded in starting with 1980.

The paint issue on the nose of the 82 is sort of normal. I really can't tell how bad the paint is on the entire car. Just for fun, price a paint job. If your dad is thinking of buying it and having it painted later he may be surprised at the cost of a paint job on one of these cars.

From the pictures, both cars look a little rough for the low miles. There can be problems with what the speedo says vs actual mileage...real easy to disconnect speedo. Ask for several (more than one) sources of documentation on the mileage.

The interiors seem a little worn for the low miles as well. Take your time and do a sniff test. Pull back the carpets and look for signs of moisture...also look for rust (search "birdcage" on this site for more info) By the way, new carpet, seats and door panel will set you back approx $2500 but it is an easy resto project done with a screwdriver and lots of time. You may think you could only replace the one seat or door panel that needs repaired but the colors never match so you'll end up doing the entire car

I could go on (the '82 has the wrong center caps, should be silver not black..the 78 has the wrong center caps, should be black, not silver...) but in the end the cars a fair priced at approx $7K but you need to know what you are buying. Feel free to post up more pictures.

Last thing, I think it's really neat that you are doing this with your dad

 

I would recommend pickin the year that the styling is most appealing to you. The crossfire can be a fine & efficient daily driver setup and if you want to rip it out than you can easily do that too - will just be slightly more difficult than the '79 but woudn't make this a deal-breaker if you like the '82 looks better.

 

Both are nice, buy what you like. Now I am a little byes toward 78's

 

I like both years, but all other things being equal, I think I would chose an '82 over a '78 if I was not interested in working on it myself. I have never worked on a crossfire system, so I can't comment intelligently there, but being 4 years newer makes a difference to me if I am paying mechanic's rates. Since I do my own work (mostly), If it was me, I would probably chose the '78 since I already understand most of the stuff on the car.

That said, I agree with the above that both interiors look pretty tired for 50K mileage cars IMO. Also, note that the '78 is missing the spare tire and tub. If your Father is interested in spare tire capability, that is an issue that should not be ignored. A new tub is about $250. I have been trying to find a decent one on e-bay, but they are either junk, or I "win" the auction only to have the seller bail out, so keep in mind that you are in for some bucks or some aggravation or both.

 

Since they are both automatics, I'd go for the 82 but buy whatever one is in better condition.

700-R4

 

If the styling makes a huge difference, for the price of the work needed on the 82 nose, you could come close to adding an 80-82 stlye nose on the '78 and they would match since it looks like someone added a 80-82 rear bumper on to it already.

 

Add up how much it will cost you to "upgrade/restore" each Vette to where you will be happy. If you need paint jobs & interiors I'd pass and look for one a few dollars more that do not need that. It is always cheaper to buy a better car to begin with then saving $5.00 to spent $10.00 to fix it later.
JU

 

You need to purchase the vehicle that works best for you. They're both nice cars.

I like the interior (Nicer Seats) in 82 and overdrive in the trans for better gas mileage. Crossfire is cool but it can be a pain in the butt if previous owner didn't maintain the vehicle. Fiberglass rear spring. The only thing I did not like about 82 was no manual trans option.

78 was also a nice year, again you pick

 

I'm biased but 78 all the way.

 

Both are not GM's best years but I would stay away from the crossfire '82.