Which one.... If your saying he loves Corvettes as a whole, cool.
1978 vs 1982 Corvette
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit - Buffalo - Houston
1978 vs 1982 Corvette
My dad is finally going to buy his dream car I think.
We have narrowed it down to a 1978 and a 1982.
Both are silver with mod red leather interiors.
Both have <50K on them, both autos.
Both are 2nd owner cars.
Pro vs cons of years?
I think the 1978 has a 350 with a turbo 350 3 speed tranny, while the 1982 has the crossfire and a 200-R4 4 speed I think.
1978 is a collectors edition, the 1982 is the last production year of the C3.
My dad has always loved this car for some reason and wants one.
Suggestions - GO!
We have narrowed it down to a 1978 and a 1982.
Both are silver with mod red leather interiors.
Both have <50K on them, both autos.
Both are 2nd owner cars.
Pro vs cons of years?
I think the 1978 has a 350 with a turbo 350 3 speed tranny, while the 1982 has the crossfire and a 200-R4 4 speed I think.
1978 is a collectors edition, the 1982 is the last production year of the C3.
My dad has always loved this car for some reason and wants one.
Suggestions - GO!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Winnipeg
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
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From: Toronto Ontario
i bought an 80 because there is no computer.
i think simple is better when it comes to a 30 year old car & i do not have electrical , computer etc training
maybe it will boil down to which 1 he likes the best .
i think simple is better when it comes to a 30 year old car & i do not have electrical , computer etc training
maybe it will boil down to which 1 he likes the best .
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
After all, we Easton folks have to stick together. I have not heard much good about the Crossfire engine but the 78's are very nice. Does your dad like the newer style window in the back versus the straight window? 
I love my 77's and didn't buy a 78 because of the rear window set up. Personal choice really. Good luck with the decision.
David
77Sleeper
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit - Buffalo - Houston
Well he is going to check each out out, and drive them then see what he feels is better.
He loves the late styled c3, in silver with red interior.
I have a red c5 with black/grey interior and love that combo!
I'm really looking which one will be more reliable, better on gas, and last him. He doesn't mind small tinkering but doesn't want anything too major to fix.
Am I correct on the one being a 3 speed auto vs 4 speed auto?
I think the 82 might be a little better equipped as a driver.
He loves the late styled c3, in silver with red interior.
I have a red c5 with black/grey interior and love that combo!
I'm really looking which one will be more reliable, better on gas, and last him. He doesn't mind small tinkering but doesn't want anything too major to fix.
Am I correct on the one being a 3 speed auto vs 4 speed auto?
I think the 82 might be a little better equipped as a driver.
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Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Sebago Lake Maine
St. Jude Donor '09
I love my '78. 
Sounds like people either love or hate the crossfire on the '82's.
The '82 would be a better highway cruiser with the 4 speed auto, but those are roads I avoid when out in the Vette.
http://
Sounds like people either love or hate the crossfire on the '82's.
The '82 would be a better highway cruiser with the 4 speed auto, but those are roads I avoid when out in the Vette.
http://
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,679
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From: Shamong, NJ
Generally the 80-82 body style has commanded stronger prices than the 78-79. Many people don't like the Crossfire or the computer on 82's. The Crossfire will run great, but it's getting harder to find parts for, or to find someone familiar with it to work on it. The computer isn't that big a deal to me. Unlike todays cars, the 82 computer is pretty basic and doesn't really control a whole lot of the car's operations. The 82 is a more refined car with a few more available options, not available in 78 (power mirrors, locks and driver seat). The 82 also has the better "Pace Car" style seats and the better riding fiberglass rear spring. Unless the 78 is an L-82, the performance will be pretty close, while the 82 may get slightly better mileage. Overall the 82 is a more developed, more refined, more comfortable car, and depending on the options, a potentially better equiped car.
Whether you prefer the spoilered 80-82 body or the 78-79 body, that's strickly a personal preference. If your not afraid of the Crossfire injection, or the computer, I think you'll find the 82 to be a potentially better car. That's my take on it, for what it's worth.
Whether you prefer the spoilered 80-82 body or the 78-79 body, that's strickly a personal preference. If your not afraid of the Crossfire injection, or the computer, I think you'll find the 82 to be a potentially better car. That's my take on it, for what it's worth.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
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From: columbia city in
Generally the 80-82 body style has commanded stronger prices than the 78-79. Many people don't like the Crossfire or the computer on 82's. The Crossfire will run great, but it's getting harder to find parts for, or to find someone familiar with it to work on it. The computer isn't that big a deal to me. Unlike todays cars, the 82 computer is pretty basic and doesn't really control a whole lot of the car's operations. The 82 is a more refined car with a few more available options, not available in 78 (power mirrors, locks and driver seat). The 82 also has the better "Pace Car" style seats and the better riding fiberglass rear spring. Unless the 78 is an L-82, the performance will be pretty close, while the 82 may get slightly better mileage. Overall the 82 is a more developed, more refined, more comfortable car, and depending on the options, a potentially better equiped car.
Whether you prefer the spoilered 80-82 body or the 78-79 body, that's strickly a personal preference. If your not afraid of the Crossfire injection, or the computer, I think you'll find the 82 to be a potentially better car. That's my take on it, for what it's worth.
Whether you prefer the spoilered 80-82 body or the 78-79 body, that's strickly a personal preference. If your not afraid of the Crossfire injection, or the computer, I think you'll find the 82 to be a potentially better car. That's my take on it, for what it's worth.
he has said it pretty well .if your not going to change alot ,go with the 82 its a great driver .if you want to hot rod the 78 is easy .i like the better ride from the 82.the cross-fire is better than what you have heard .
CF JASOC Member
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Without pics I'm hesitant to give actual advise other than the generalities others have stated above.
You're going to have to get past that prickly feeling and tell us the prices of each. It's clearly a Buyer's market.
Check the usual rust issues, and be sure one or both aren't 150k mile cars. Little things can be give-aways. One thing I look for on supposed low mileage cars is rotors still riveted to the hubs, and pedal pads that show 50k miles of wear. Should also be Numbers Matching.
Likewise the interiors should be showing some wear, driver side more so than the passenger side if they're original. I'm always suspect of new seat covers and carpet on a car purported to be low mileage.
I wouldn't let the twin throttle-body Crossfire scare you away all by itself. When they're working right, they pull pretty good considering what was available at the time, but if you just want a carb with no computer, pre '81 is where to start looking.
My gut feeling is that if they were identical quality cars overall with similar options, I'd go with the '82 for a driver.
Good luck, and let's see some pics and prices.
You're going to have to get past that prickly feeling and tell us the prices of each. It's clearly a Buyer's market.
Check the usual rust issues, and be sure one or both aren't 150k mile cars. Little things can be give-aways. One thing I look for on supposed low mileage cars is rotors still riveted to the hubs, and pedal pads that show 50k miles of wear. Should also be Numbers Matching.
Likewise the interiors should be showing some wear, driver side more so than the passenger side if they're original. I'm always suspect of new seat covers and carpet on a car purported to be low mileage.
I wouldn't let the twin throttle-body Crossfire scare you away all by itself. When they're working right, they pull pretty good considering what was available at the time, but if you just want a carb with no computer, pre '81 is where to start looking.
My gut feeling is that if they were identical quality cars overall with similar options, I'd go with the '82 for a driver.
Good luck, and let's see some pics and prices.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I love my '78 SA, but wouldn't consider a run of 46,776 (15,283 Silver Anniversaries, 6,502 Pace Cars among them) as being anything resembling rare or especially "collectible" when compared to any other particular year of the shark generation. Every C3 year has it's loyal fans, each with their own reasoning. Whichever one you simply like the most, IMHO you won't be making a mistake by choosing one year over the other as long as the decision is sound otherwise.
TSW
TSW
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From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
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It is true there are people who can make them run right, but it's simply a tougher task than dealing with a '78 engine. That's just a fact.
All '78s are "collector editions" in name only, and have zero value bump for it. '82 might be easier to get a couple more dollars for at resale time. I like everything about the '82 better except the Crossfire.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
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From: Rochester NY
I would go for the 1982, for a couple of reasons.
4 speed auto, better MPG
FI TB, that can be upgraded easy to other units
computer tuning via ALDL cable and free software
Lighter weight
Rear compsite mono leaf spring, better ride and better handling
Spoilers front and rear.. so cool!!!
Power driver seat
front turn signals also house a very nice white curb light to illuminate the turn when turning.
Update seats with fiberglass housing
....
Either way though he can't go wrong..
4 speed auto, better MPG
FI TB, that can be upgraded easy to other units
computer tuning via ALDL cable and free software
Lighter weight
Rear compsite mono leaf spring, better ride and better handling
Spoilers front and rear.. so cool!!!
Power driver seat
front turn signals also house a very nice white curb light to illuminate the turn when turning.
Update seats with fiberglass housing
....
Either way though he can't go wrong..
Last edited by Vampyre; Feb 21, 2009 at 04:41 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
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From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Buy the best one.
All in all, the '82. It is a more flexible car. I love the body style of the 82 and the 4 speed will be more usable. I think of all the long cruises I could take with the overdrive. Perfect for the "old man."
All in all, the '82. It is a more flexible car. I love the body style of the 82 and the 4 speed will be more usable. I think of all the long cruises I could take with the overdrive. Perfect for the "old man."
