First time buyer help
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
First time buyer help
EDIT- New one I posted is 3 from the bottom.
Hello everyone, first I will say I know nothing about cars lol. I am a bike guy and that's my only serious hobby. I have been looking into getting a c3 or c5 and am torn between the two. There is one c3 that is quite local and if one of my motorcycles sells It would be pretty easy to pick up right away, but I figured I would pass along the info he gave me so hopefully someone can tell me about it. Pretty much any help given would be greatly appreciated. Like if I should pass or go. Or any and all info that I would not know about lol. Probably would be funny if he was a member here.
Hello everyone, first I will say I know nothing about cars lol. I am a bike guy and that's my only serious hobby. I have been looking into getting a c3 or c5 and am torn between the two. There is one c3 that is quite local and if one of my motorcycles sells It would be pretty easy to pick up right away, but I figured I would pass along the info he gave me so hopefully someone can tell me about it. Pretty much any help given would be greatly appreciated. Like if I should pass or go. Or any and all info that I would not know about lol. Probably would be funny if he was a member here.
Last edited by plsbh; Dec 27, 2009 at 09:34 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 295
Likes: 2
From: Columbus OH
My first thought is when someone has to wrap a story around facts about a car it is because it needs a story to sell the car. Things like use of the tilt/tele as the cause of a fire and "c3 brakes are poorly designed" shows and ignorance to the generation. It seems to me that he has put as little time, effort and money into the car and I would be concerned about that.
If you are able to come back with some pics it would be more helpful to assess condition and value. Make sure that someone who knows these cars can inspect the car, not just any mechanic. There are trouble areas (do a search for birdcage rust on the forum) that will not be easily identified by unfamiliar eyes.
Finally, if you don't know anything about cars, a C3 might not be your first choice because its at least a 27 year old car and a great deal of money can be saved by doing things yourself. If you don't you may find yourself sinking a grand into the car every time you turn around.
If you decide on a C3 be patient and find the one you want not just one that's available. They are out there in a variety of conditions and you might be better off finding one already "restored." Good luck!
If you are able to come back with some pics it would be more helpful to assess condition and value. Make sure that someone who knows these cars can inspect the car, not just any mechanic. There are trouble areas (do a search for birdcage rust on the forum) that will not be easily identified by unfamiliar eyes.
Finally, if you don't know anything about cars, a C3 might not be your first choice because its at least a 27 year old car and a great deal of money can be saved by doing things yourself. If you don't you may find yourself sinking a grand into the car every time you turn around.
If you decide on a C3 be patient and find the one you want not just one that's available. They are out there in a variety of conditions and you might be better off finding one already "restored." Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
Sounds like it has been driven hard, I wonder what crate 350 (stock)has no problems with a C5? Just from the description, I'm guessing a minimum need of brakes, clutch, interior and a tranny rebuild. Probably $5k right there in parts alone.
It really depends on the price and how much you want to learn about it and how much money you want to spend.... Let's say this is a $2500 car and the C5 you are looking at is $15K. You will probably spend more on this C3 than the C5's initial cost and you will have several hundreds of hours working on the C3 rather than driving the C5.
Check out the for sale section on here to compare prices and condition.
It really depends on the price and how much you want to learn about it and how much money you want to spend.... Let's say this is a $2500 car and the C5 you are looking at is $15K. You will probably spend more on this C3 than the C5's initial cost and you will have several hundreds of hours working on the C3 rather than driving the C5.
Check out the for sale section on here to compare prices and condition.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rogers Arkansas
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Are you looking for one that runs? What about transmission? Color? Options? I recently bought an '80, and I was just looking for a black 4-speed that ran. My concern was that if I bought a fully restored or low-mileage one and found something wrong with it I'd be pissed that I paid that much for it. If you like the 80-82 C3's like I do, there are tons of them available (over 40,000 built in 1980), so you can get pretty much exactly what you're looking for if you are patient. Question is, what are you looking for?
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rogers Arkansas
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I said that because at one point I was trying to read up on them I was just looking up corvette stingrays before finding this site, and someone said the stingray stopped in 79, and continued the body style through 82? I heard someone else call it that, so I don't doubt I would be way wrong.
I'll probably just keep reading through the forums, I had been looking at c5's as well.
I'll probably just keep reading through the forums, I had been looking at c5's as well.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
'Stingray' was simply a badge affixed to all '69-'76 Corvettes. Nothing to do with the body style or any special status. People get hung up on this detail for some unknown reason.
The C3 or Shark body style was in production from '68-'82.
The C3 or Shark body style was in production from '68-'82.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
This is just a question to gain some knowledge because I am still looking them up on craigslist, just to look for now. I take it that a crate engine/motor would reduce the price because it does not have matching numbers. If so there is this one that keeps getting posted local that I figured I would ask you guys what would be a good price. Asking mostly cause its only a few minutes from where I live.
Here is what is posted, and some pics below. Does not give much info with it. Pics might be small cause they're from craigslist.
1974 corvette. . new 350 chevy crate engine about 3k miles. Manual transmission . complete new exhaust system with side pipes, new brakes wheels( american racing) and tires.$8900 Firm
Here is what is posted, and some pics below. Does not give much info with it. Pics might be small cause they're from craigslist.
1974 corvette. . new 350 chevy crate engine about 3k miles. Manual transmission . complete new exhaust system with side pipes, new brakes wheels( american racing) and tires.$8900 Firm
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
A crate motor is not a deal breaker, in fact most late model crate motors are way more reliable than what they replace. The "numbers matching" thing is a big deal to some, but mainly on certain cars with desireable motors. If a 67 427/435HP car had a crate motor installed the value would go way down, however when I drop a crate in my 81 nobody will notice. To me that 74 looks like a good buy. However remember to ask yourself and the seller about things like power steering, power barakes, AC......if these things are important to you (they are to me) make sure to ask, the older the car the less likely it is to have all of those things. (by the way I am a bike guy too). :O)
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,986
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
You might need a clarification. Do not confuse things that are "not important to you" or as someone put it, "a big deal to some" with value.
Some people like numbers matching cars, and some people don't. That's fine, buy what interests you. However, some people will wrongly lead you down the road that the numbers aren't "important." That's simply not true. The fact is, comparable cars- one with a numbers matching motor vs one with a nice crate motor- results in the matching number car being worth more. Period.
Again, do not misunderstand my point. If you aren't interested in a correct motor, don't buy one. However my point is, do NOT PAY a "numbers matching'' price for a car with a wrong motor, just because the correct motor isn't "important" to you.
As a buyer, not being interested in a correct car is actually to your advantage in regards to budget. Of course, its worth less at resale time, too. This concept is less significant in the entry-level cars you will be looking at, but significant nonetheless.
Some people like numbers matching cars, and some people don't. That's fine, buy what interests you. However, some people will wrongly lead you down the road that the numbers aren't "important." That's simply not true. The fact is, comparable cars- one with a numbers matching motor vs one with a nice crate motor- results in the matching number car being worth more. Period.
Again, do not misunderstand my point. If you aren't interested in a correct motor, don't buy one. However my point is, do NOT PAY a "numbers matching'' price for a car with a wrong motor, just because the correct motor isn't "important" to you.
As a buyer, not being interested in a correct car is actually to your advantage in regards to budget. Of course, its worth less at resale time, too. This concept is less significant in the entry-level cars you will be looking at, but significant nonetheless.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
This car was a "hot rod" for the owner who liked to race it but knew little about cars. If you need a reliable vehicle, walk away from this one...only the engine has been maintained. If you just want some reliable sports car fun and can afford a C5, go that way. If you really want a collector car [like a C3], look for one that is more money but better cared for. It sounds like you don't want the hassle of repairing old hardware.