82 Vette
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 31
From: Los Angeles CA
82 Vette
Hi guys,
My friend has been eying this 82 w/ crossfire injection across the street (neighbors car) and wanted to buy and restore it and the guy wouldn't sell until these past two days he changed his mind and wants to get rid of it. So far what I know is that the car was in an excellent running condition until about 10 years ago where it was parked under a carport, covered and hasn't been driving since. According to my friend weatherstrips,paint,interior etc need care/replacement so what would be an ideal price to offer the seller and what advise would you guys give him?
I'll try to get more info on it and post it later.
My friend has been eying this 82 w/ crossfire injection across the street (neighbors car) and wanted to buy and restore it and the guy wouldn't sell until these past two days he changed his mind and wants to get rid of it. So far what I know is that the car was in an excellent running condition until about 10 years ago where it was parked under a carport, covered and hasn't been driving since. According to my friend weatherstrips,paint,interior etc need care/replacement so what would be an ideal price to offer the seller and what advise would you guys give him?
I'll try to get more info on it and post it later.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
A potential buyer needs to first determine if the frame is rusted out [or not]. If there is serious frame rust/damage, don't even consider buying it. If not...since it has been sitting for 10 years and probably won't start [probably shouldn't even try without doing some engine work]...make an offer of $2500-3000 to take it off their hands. This assumes that they have and can provide clear title to the car.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
I am the original owner of an 82. Be very careful! If you don't know what you are looking for than it is cheaper to pay someone with knowledge to evaluate the car. I would look and see if there is an NCRS judge in your area that judges that C3 era. Or call or visit your local Corvette Clubs and ask who knows these cars. Also it is generally not good for a car to be parked outside and underneath a car cover. Here's why. The area will usually be in a moist environment that invites rust and or corrision. Stay away from any car with rust.
Good Luck!
Steve
Good Luck!
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
i would also count on the brakes being bad .rubber hoses and belts .hows the interior?the body and paint can get verry expensive.ask the owner what he wants .if he is over 5 grand with any of those problems .find a differant one.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
That could get expensive very fast... I would have the buyer take a look online to see what parts are going for, redoing an interior will get costly quick. A car sitting for 10 years outdoors will have lots of issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Mike's suggestion is pretty good. But, I don't think these folks have a clue as to the value of that car. In general, folks who have just let a car "go-to-pot" for many years think it's 'valuable' because it's a Corvette. If you explain the realities to them...that it may be badly damaged due to frame/birdcage rust, the engine could be locked up, there are lots of repairs that must be made before even trying to fire it up and that no one else is going to offer much for the car unless they do all that stuff first to prove that it is a functional vehicle...maybe they will realize that your offer is reasonable considering the circumstances. If they want to do the repair work to get it in good running shape, they should do so and then call you with a price when they are ready. At least, you should get the first 'right of purchase'.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
Mike's suggestion is pretty good. But, I don't think these folks have a clue as to the value of that car. In general, folks who have just let a car "go-to-pot" for many years think it's 'valuable' because it's a Corvette. If you explain the realities to them...that it may be badly damaged due to frame/birdcage rust, the engine could be locked up, there are lots of repairs that must be made before even trying to fire it up and that no one else is going to offer much for the car unless they do all that stuff first to prove that it is a functional vehicle...maybe they will realize that your offer is reasonable considering the circumstances. If they want to do the repair work to get it in good running shape, they should do so and then call you with a price when they are ready. At least, you should get the first 'right of purchase'.
I could not have said it better myself.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 31
From: Los Angeles CA
I'm relaying all the info to my friend and all the advise is appreciated guys.
He's going to talk to the seller and he asked me if I can go with him and I said I'd love to so hopefully we can check it out these few days and I want to take some pictures of it as well.
He's going to talk to the seller and he asked me if I can go with him and I said I'd love to so hopefully we can check it out these few days and I want to take some pictures of it as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
The CrossFire induction design is certainly no more problematic than those of more modern vehicles. As long as the computer is functioning (and you can replace that, if necessary) and you have access to the internet, you can find any information and/or parts that you might need. Heck, that ECU even has diagnostic capabilities to help identify what is not working properly on the car. The sensors are simple and available, the TBI units can be rebuilt or replaced easily enough....where is the problem??? When it is running properly, it will get a heckuva lot better mileage than earlier C3's and it has an overdrive transmission with lockup, as well.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
was waiting for some negative feedback. all the old guys in the shop remember when it came out, said they we junk and still are. i personally never owed a crossfire just going on other tech's experience,if you like it then good for you, a properly set up q-jet will get dam near the same mpg with o/d
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
agreed to a certain extent, hei is a excellant system compared to points, i would convert a pionts system to hei however not sure if i would go crossfire over q-jet. guess everyone has there preference. i am a no electronics kind of guy that is why my daily driver is still a obd1 '92 pickup and not have gone for a newer one. after seeing all the problems at work i prefer less headaches.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
The CrossFire system was in many more GM vehicles than just Corvettes. It was just "new" and lots of carb/points guys balked because it had wires 
involved. I had a new '84 and never had one minute of problem with the engine/induction system. Like anything else...including the Q-Jet, which I like very much...age and wear eventually take a toll. But I don't know that a TBI induction system is any more problematic than a points/carb system. Start up [cold and hot] and idle performance are certainly better than any carb I've ever had; and mileage is better. Performance? Ehh...could be much better. But, if you want performance you wouldn't be considering any stock engine from 1975 up on the C3's. As always, it boils down to what the buyer wants and what he/she is comfortable with. I just don't think the CrossFire system is the POS that lots of folks make it out to be.
involved. I had a new '84 and never had one minute of problem with the engine/induction system. Like anything else...including the Q-Jet, which I like very much...age and wear eventually take a toll. But I don't know that a TBI induction system is any more problematic than a points/carb system. Start up [cold and hot] and idle performance are certainly better than any carb I've ever had; and mileage is better. Performance? Ehh...could be much better. But, if you want performance you wouldn't be considering any stock engine from 1975 up on the C3's. As always, it boils down to what the buyer wants and what he/she is comfortable with. I just don't think the CrossFire system is the POS that lots of folks make it out to be.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
if you never had a problem with your crossfire system consider yourself one of the lucky few. there was a reason if was only used for 2 years in gm. it was also used in camaro and firebird, the pontiac guys said sales actually went down at dealer when crossfire came out, and the ones that did sell didnt leave the lot for long before problems occured. that being said every system has a downfall
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
if you never had a problem with your crossfire system consider yourself one of the lucky few. there was a reason if was only used for 2 years in gm. it was also used in camaro and firebird, the pontiac guys said sales actually went down at dealer when crossfire came out, and the ones that did sell didnt leave the lot for long before problems occured. that being said every system has a downfall
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
the concept of crossfire and the tbi in my 92 maybe the same, but reliability, no sure, just a couple examples, the thottle bodys on crossfires (injectors) always had clogging problems and the caddy ecms were under constant replacement, just going on facts from back in the day. sure there were some vettes that were just fine. o and tahoes/suburbans all day will those things come in for trans issues, leaky water pumps and failed starters, those are our biggest money makers. it must me the luck of the draw on some
Last edited by straub18045; Apr 28, 2010 at 12:51 PM.
