Are C3s money pits? Yeah, I know that is a general question that depends on a lot of factors. As per my other posts, the general consensus seems to be to buy the newest Corvette one can afford, which would put me into an early C5. But........I really love the looks of the C3s better! And the price certainly is right.

I'm a fairly handy guy, no engine rebuilding or anything as major, but I don't want to be fixing the car all the time.

To all the C3 owners, has your car been a money pit, and looking back would you still buy a C3 again or opt for a newer model?

Thank you.

 

Money Pit: Yes.

I like the looks of a C3. I put 60,000 miles on my new 2003 in about 2 1/2 years with only a few very minor problems - it was a very dependable car. If you just want to DRIVE a C5/C6 is a great choice.

I like the C3 for its simplicity. Things break and wear out but the car is largely mechanical and can be repaired by a person. A C3 is going to require more care - if YOU enjoy doing that care, then that is a plus. If you plan to hire out the care, or plan on having a shop perform a restoration, then it will be expensive.

The newest C3s are 27 years old, the oldest 41.

Looking back would you still buy a C3: Yes.

 

That's what my wife calls it. Can't say I disagree. Enjoying every penny spent too.

 

The cars are 30 years old.....so they are going to require some maintenance. I like to fix things that are not quite right so I do spend a fair bit. I also could have driven my car for the last 5 years and not spent anything.....or very little. I think its up to the Individual owner, and the overall condition of your car.

So the answer is YES.....and NO

 

The '79 I had required no real work and the money I spent on it was something I just wanted to do. I could have driven it regularly with no real problems.

 

I would say yes.
But part of the reason that I bought mine was to fix it up and have something to work on. It gets pretty dull around here in the winter if you don't have a project to keep you busy.

 

Every time you turn the key!!!!!! I have found that your average repair is a minimum 500$....................

 

To me it's no different than landscaping your home. You buy the mulch, treat the grass, plant trees, etc. A month later, you pull the weeds, mow the grass, keep it looking nice.
These C3's are the same way. If you want to drive it, preserve it, and be a part of something special, you have to put a lot into it.
Worth every dime to me.

 

Mapman is right. It is a money pit and a PITA to work on. I am fortunate to have an LS3 C6 along with my C3's and when I want comfort, safety, handling, performance, economy, quality, and reliability I drive the C6.

Maintaining a C6 is a lot cheaper than maintaining a C3. My advice is to buy a modern car like a C5 or C6 and have a C3 as a toy but only if you can do the C3 work yourself. I have a friend who has an emaculate one owner 2001 Z06 only driven in the summer for which he has an asking price of $24,000. Why buy an old clunker when you could have this?

 

All vehicles are money pits. You will have to spend money to repair any of them. It is mostly a matter of how well they are maintained, oil changes tune ups and such, as to how much you spend. Maintenance costs the same whether its a 2004 or a 1974. What does it cost to buy new? Besides in 2034 that 2004 vette will be 30 years old how much will that cost to fix when you can't go out with a couple of simple tools and troubleshoot because of all the computer crap in them? Buy what you like, if it's a C3 fine once you fix it it is as dependable as any other car. IMO.

 

High maintenance women and high maintenance cars are allways worth the trouble. Just look at them from a "Smiles per Mile" point of view.


Keep the C-3, and buy a newer vette for everyday driving.

 

It costs money to go bowling on Wednesday nights too. Well, maybe not as much as our cars...

 

I would say the consensus is to buy the BEST example of the style you like that you can afford...if you have a $20K budget, buy the best 20K C3 you can find. You'll end up spending less in the long run, most likely because all of the must do, pricey work (brakes, suspension, rebuild) was already done by the previous owner, at his/her loss I might add. Spend more now to take advantage of the work the PO has done and you'll save a bundle. Buy a cheaper project and you pay in the long run

I have owned my 79 for ~4 years and love it. I should have bought a better one but I was not so savvy and I've had to do a lot. I've done most of the work myself to keep cost down (and have fun), and still it's quite a chunk o' change. Someone once said these cars don't nickel and dime you to death...they hundred dollar you. This is true...it breaks, there's another $100, if not more. Happened more than once to me.

That said, the cost has a lot to do with the desired result. You can fix it to keep it going (worst case = Bubba), you can fix it OEM, or you can trick it out way beyond factory. Different pricepoints for each.

Did I need a $1000 stereo....no. But I really love it and I'm super glad I did it.

Oh yeah, I'd do it again, but as above, I would save and budget more and get a recent restoration, then tweak to maintain.

 

There is a big difference in C3's, take a 69 and compare it with the last model year 1982.

Electronic ignition and fuel injection were the two best improvements in cars in the last thirty years. With that came realiability if you want a driver stay with the late C3's.

 

One the biggest reasons to own a C3 ( especially the early ones ) besides the unique style,old school power,and just the plain coolness factor, is that the average mechanic CAN do most of their own work. If you hate the idea of some tinkering now and then, and general maintenance ,then get something newer. Just remember that even the early C5's are getting up there in years, and when they start to have problems,(wiring,computers,ect) a "real" mechanic may be your only choice, and at $70 or $80 bucks an hour labor, it can add up quick.

Keep in mind that the older Vette's are hobbies, toys, passions, and in some cases almost family members.

Pick the style you like the best....get the most car you can afford....then have fun.

 

To me - No - it's not a money pit. Does it cost money to maintain - Yes - what doesn't? Does it cost money to "Upgrade"? YEP! Any hobby costs you something. Whether it is golf, bowling or boating.

My Corvettes are not my daily drivers, more of a hobby. But I don't see many other hobbies that will appreciate in value. The C3's do have that possibility. How about boating? It's is a hobby, now, in my perspective, that is a money pit. I guess a money pit is in the eyes of the beholder!!

Corvette ownership, specifically C3 Corvette ownership satisfies many things for me. I love owning them, I love working on them, I love driving them, I love showing them but the real icing on the cake is when a youngster gives me a and yells "Nice car mister" as I am driving down the road. That is as good as it gets!

 

Money pit?? Oh yeah, but for most of us well worth it.

 

Some cars are deeper pits than others. The key is to stay way from the pits that have NO bottom.
For most people a lot of work and some money is O.K.
Regards,
Alan

 

[QUOTE=Joel B.;1571176199]Are C3s money pits?


...Only if you want to drive it!

...Alan K. Enjoy the ride!

 

The definition of "money pit" to me is something that you can't get your money back out of, once you throw it in, it disappears into a void never to return.

So depending on the C-3 your looking at, are some true money pits? Probably. However, most continue to increase in value (depending on the model year, options and condition) which is not the direction that C-5's and C-6's are going anytime soon.

C-3's can take a good deal of $$ to restore, but if you start with one in reasonably good condition, shop parts well and do most of your own work you can stay within the value of the car. Most of these aren't daily drivers, so maintenance after the restoration isn't too bad if you have the skills and like to work on them. And besides, no matter what you drive you will have some maintenance costs.

If you want a daily driver, there's plenty of decent C-5s out there right now that can be had for $20K or so depending on the year and mileage. If I didn't have a kid going into college next year, I would have bought one I saw on E-bay today!