Hello

what do you think of this offer, a lot of negative issues don't seem to be mentioned i think cause 5k is very little money

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-...item414e22f1c5

 

Get ready for people to trash it...so when in Rome.... but seems your basic 3500.00 money pit...nope...not sounding snide but it is what it is....it needs a rebuild...is it worth rebuilding a 76?

Well, someone somewhere has to rebuild it....

 

This is going to seem harsh and it's NOT meant to be. Why not tell us what you're looking for? How about a price range? What are your must haves and like to haves? What's your skill level and how much are you willing to do yourself? I'm sure that would allow us to be more helpfull.

Back to the car. All these lower price entry level cars are going to be rough to say the least. If you are posting them for us to help you pick them apart that's fine but as "Bats" said "get ready". Yes this car is another money pit and if you look real close there is lots to fix and unless someone just spilt coolant it looks like you can add a leaking radiator to the list. This is what you are going to get for this kind of money. In this case when you're done you have to consider what a '76 will be worth.

 

Looks like it would be a fun entry-level 'Vette...

so long as you can personally inspect first-hand that the frame and birdcage are solid, and that the mechanicals and electrics all work.

 

Well said brother....well said. And how would I know?? I traded a Jeep Wrangler for a $3500 money pit....and believe me....it's a deep pit! I will admit that I personally bit off a bit more than I can chew with my 76, and I'm learning very quickly that something that looks "fair"...really means that it needs to be rebuilt or replaced. As the seller pointed out, it's a 34 year old car, and will UNDOUBTEDLY need things. Even simple things like bushings, shocks and springs will add close to $1000 right off the bat. Brakes? There's another $500-$1000 bucks depending on what you get. And let's not even get into the interior parts. Ebay is a good source of what I would consider "gotta have them but I want them cheap and I'm willing to accept used parts because this car is sucking me dry" parts. I've bought some, and most are usable....but you do get what you pay for sometimes. If you have ANY issues with the trailing arms or rear diff, be prepared to pony up some cashola and some aggravating time spent under your car. Period.

I don't want you to think that I'm being negative....because that's not what I am trying to do. I'm just sharing some of my personal experiences that I am presently going through on my own car. Granted, the car that you are looking at appears to be in a LOT better condition than what I started with, and I am learning my lesson on a daily basis. Take careful heed to the advice being posted by the experienced Corvette guys, because they do know what they are talking about. Sometimes it's a lot easier, and far less expensive in the long run, to save your coins for a car that is in really good condition, and preferably not on eBay, just so you can go and check the car out and take it to a mechanic if needs be. eBay horror stories are long and plentiful. Unless you can see it for yourself, I'd personally steer clear. Cars can look perfect on the web, and look like shizzle when you are unloading the car at your residence. If you shop around, you should be able to find a good car locally in your area....one that you can drive and inspect. And just as the seller is stating....."you are bidding to buy, not bidding to come and see if you want it" (paraphrased).

I truly wish you the best of luck, regardless of what you decide. If you want that car that badly, then bid. But remember...."buyer beware".

Deja

 

Thanks for the kind words...

Another problem right now is many less than pristine c3's are being forced into sales, sellers are well...pissy.
Times are tough people need to live and toys get sold,
When an ad starts talking about how old a car is and the work it needs...it that a really cool honest seller or is it a person who just wants you to think that so they don't look to close and the car is a basket case.
Other ads of course will try to make a basket case sound like a NCRS award winner,
A buyer has to ask themselves many honest things, my case for example, I have right at 10K in a 69 Convertible...the car has a very sweet frame and bird cage...very nice interior, needs full suspension rebuild but still is a very good driver ( well, will be when I get it home )
One down side it it's a modded car...what I wanted but a purist all **** on stock and investment would knock off for that...for me it doesn't matter as I will mod it even more,
So I need lots of "stuff", I do almost all my own work or offset hiring out so I will have the car pretty well nice at about the 15K point,
Being a 69 convertible is sort of canceled out by the car being modded,
While it being a custom/modded ruins the car for purists I do not feel my investment is bad for the car I plan to keep until I stop kicking,
like I said a buyer has to decide what all is really important to them,
Convertible was top on my list and then 68-73 after that I really didn't care so long as rust wasn't bad, took me 8 montsh of daily looking to find it.
I believe that a person not hung up on years like I was could score a really sweet driver c3 way under 10K but have the toad pelts in your pocket ready to fly...the great deals only last minutes.