That's the biggest reason I own mine.
C3s...some ?s
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 1
From: Harker Heights, TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Mine's so much fun to drive I can't wait to get in it. They can be modified and you can get Z rated tires for them so they handle pretty good.
600+hp 427ci small block with no cheaters added and 5 speed tranny that cruises at 80mph @ 2000 RPM
You couldn't get me trade mine for a C5-6 not a chance, they have to pull over on the highway when they see me coming in their rear mirror
600+hp 427ci small block with no cheaters added and 5 speed tranny that cruises at 80mph @ 2000 RPM
You couldn't get me trade mine for a C5-6 not a chance, they have to pull over on the highway when they see me coming in their rear mirror
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
It depends on you and what you want. If you want pure speed and handling there are very few C3 that even come close. I bought a new Z06 in 2003 it would do 0-60 in under 4 seconds and go into a corner at almost 1G - and I could then turn on the air, play my favorite cd and get 24mpg. No C3 can do all this and the few that are close to that fast have more money in them then you would spend on a C5.
Having said all that I sold my Z after 11 months - just wasn't for me. Now for my car fix I drive my C3. The C5 needs a tune up every 50-60k miles and my C3 needs an engine refresh in about the same time. The difference is I do all the work on my C3 where the C5 is beyond what I can begin to do let alone all the special equipment needed. I will buy another C5 but it is just fundmentaly a different vehicle then a C3.
If you like cars and enjoy working on them buy a C3 - but you will be working on it.
Having said all that I sold my Z after 11 months - just wasn't for me. Now for my car fix I drive my C3. The C5 needs a tune up every 50-60k miles and my C3 needs an engine refresh in about the same time. The difference is I do all the work on my C3 where the C5 is beyond what I can begin to do let alone all the special equipment needed. I will buy another C5 but it is just fundmentaly a different vehicle then a C3.
If you like cars and enjoy working on them buy a C3 - but you will be working on it.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,980
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
If you are going to compare them, the C3 is definitely a vintage car as compared to a C4-5-6. Those cars are much more refined, comfortable, fast, dependable, the air works... oh, and if you dont look at them from the outside, after awhile you feel like you are driving a Caprice. They are late-model used cars.
The C3 in stock form can be... slow. However, they of course can be upgraded in a number of ways. Still, as vintage cars go, I think the C3 is head and shoulders ahead of the C1 & C2 in terms of driveability. They can be plenty comfortable. And the later ones can have plenty of creature comforts, even if the air doesnt work.
I drove my first Corvette in 1976, an orange '72 coupe. The long nose with that big swooping fender out in front of me was breathtaking. I've never gotten over that one feeling.
It's interesting to me that Im now old enough to drive essentially any model I want, (Ive had them all) but nothing is quite as enjoyable while in the driver's seat as an early C3.
The C3 in stock form can be... slow. However, they of course can be upgraded in a number of ways. Still, as vintage cars go, I think the C3 is head and shoulders ahead of the C1 & C2 in terms of driveability. They can be plenty comfortable. And the later ones can have plenty of creature comforts, even if the air doesnt work.
I drove my first Corvette in 1976, an orange '72 coupe. The long nose with that big swooping fender out in front of me was breathtaking. I've never gotten over that one feeling.
It's interesting to me that Im now old enough to drive essentially any model I want, (Ive had them all) but nothing is quite as enjoyable while in the driver's seat as an early C3.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Feb 24, 2009 at 10:40 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Matt, from my understanding of your situation - upcoming wedding... IMHO a C3 is not the way to go at this time. As stated by many above, a C3 CAN be made to be fast, reliable, smooth, etc. but it takes significant investments in time and money to upgrade the critical sub-assemblies. The list would include:
1. Upgraded and/or completely rebuilt engine, to include exhaust system.
2. Rebuilt rear suspension (new spring, shocks, rebuilt T/As and possibly diff.)
3. Upgrade to a 5 speed manual vs 4 speed.
Then you can start thinking about interior creature comforts.
Don't get me wrong, I love our C3 but it was purchased for reasons other than DD duties and long distance travel.
1. Upgraded and/or completely rebuilt engine, to include exhaust system.
2. Rebuilt rear suspension (new spring, shocks, rebuilt T/As and possibly diff.)
3. Upgrade to a 5 speed manual vs 4 speed.
Then you can start thinking about interior creature comforts.
Don't get me wrong, I love our C3 but it was purchased for reasons other than DD duties and long distance travel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: Cortlandt Manor New York
You had better take a good long drive in a C3 before you jump in and buy one. They do not drive like a C5. They do not perform like a Z06. The amount of money you would have to spend to get comparable performance would far exceed the cost of a good used z06.
If you are getting married in the near future I feel a C3 would be a true test of your wife's love. How would she feel to be second to your car? How would she like it if you spent your evenings in the garage? How would she like it when you paycheck this week goes for a suspension upgrade? How would she like to ride in a car without airbags that you will not let her drive?
Once you are married you have to think like 2 or you will be 1 before you know it.
If you are getting married in the near future I feel a C3 would be a true test of your wife's love. How would she feel to be second to your car? How would she like it if you spent your evenings in the garage? How would she like it when you paycheck this week goes for a suspension upgrade? How would she like to ride in a car without airbags that you will not let her drive?
Once you are married you have to think like 2 or you will be 1 before you know it.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
if your looking for a Corvette to JUST drive, Id say youd better go C4 and up, I got mine because the C3 is my favorite car AND I wanted something that I could work on, if you dont like working on them, and still must have one, then get out your wallet
as far as fun while driving, Ive had mine almost 3 years, and I can STOP smiling when I drive it, it might not be the fastest or the best at handling(its good at it dont get me wrong) but all I know is Ill NEVER sell my corvette unless its a last resort
but MAN they look good...
oh and by the way, if you dont have a watch, dont get a C3, none of our clocks work...
Miles
as far as fun while driving, Ive had mine almost 3 years, and I can STOP smiling when I drive it, it might not be the fastest or the best at handling(its good at it dont get me wrong) but all I know is Ill NEVER sell my corvette unless its a last resort
but MAN they look good...
oh and by the way, if you dont have a watch, dont get a C3, none of our clocks work...
Miles
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
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From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
C3s leak? Naaaaahhhhh
I had my '69 for 8 years, the only thing it leaked was power steering fluid. Bottles of it! I would put the thing up and change all the leaking parts and it would stop, for about a month. Never did get that figured out. Right now, my '70 is leaking fuel, my next project is to find and fix that. I think I have a pretty good idea of where it is leaking from, so I am not expecting that to be a major project. It doesn't leak a significant amount of anything else that I am aware of.
That said, my '95 Camry with only 81K miles is leaking oil and trans fluid all over my driveway. Old cars leaking fluids is hardly peculiar to Corvettes.
I had my '69 for 8 years, the only thing it leaked was power steering fluid. Bottles of it! I would put the thing up and change all the leaking parts and it would stop, for about a month. Never did get that figured out. Right now, my '70 is leaking fuel, my next project is to find and fix that. I think I have a pretty good idea of where it is leaking from, so I am not expecting that to be a major project. It doesn't leak a significant amount of anything else that I am aware of.
That said, my '95 Camry with only 81K miles is leaking oil and trans fluid all over my driveway. Old cars leaking fluids is hardly peculiar to Corvettes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 865
Likes: 53
c3s
I love my 71 coupe , but it does not perform like a c5 , or c4 for that matter , but I'm 60 , and love the old feel . And the cost to make a c3 perform like the c4s and c5s could be substantial . But there are great values out there , and you could buy stock , mildly built , but its still 25 - 40 year old car . Previous posts had all the info you need , just need to make your decision and have fun ! Good luck !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
I bought my C3 -'75 roadster new and I wouldn't trade it for anything. the car doesn't have lots of horses...but, I can do almost anything to it myself. don't need any computers or expert mechanics to work on it. Hit one of the local vette clubs and ask one of the members that has a C3 to take you for a ride or let you drive it....I still smile just looking at it.....
