Hi everyone.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hi everyone.
Hi, everyone.
I am going to be looking for a Stingray sometime in the near future and would like some info. I need to know what to be aware of when looking at these particular vettes. (68-82) is the range I will be buying. Just any tips that would help me get the right vehicle for the right price. I am a complete newbie to vettes so please bear with me. Thanks in advance.
I am going to be looking for a Stingray sometime in the near future and would like some info. I need to know what to be aware of when looking at these particular vettes. (68-82) is the range I will be buying. Just any tips that would help me get the right vehicle for the right price. I am a complete newbie to vettes so please bear with me. Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Start reading as much as you can, on what you want. Watch all the sales and pricing of whats out there for awhile. Do your homework well before you dive in, and when you are ready to buy, have someone with you who knows vettes, or ask here on the forum, for advice when you see one you might like.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
Start reading as much as you can, on what you want. Watch all the sales and pricing of whats out there for awhile. Do your homework well before you dive in, and when you are ready to buy, have someone with you who knows vettes, or ask here on the forum, for advice when you see one you might like.
And then when you are done with all that research....read some more.
I can't think if a better place to start than right here. Between the technical and general area, tons of great info from lots of folks who just know C3's.
Don't forget the "For Sale" area also to see what's out there, what they are going for, and the many differences between the 68 -82 models.
You are in the right place....sit back, read, read read, and stay awhile.
Sooner or later....it will start to make sence.
Last edited by SGAL1; Aug 31, 2010 at 07:54 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento ca
Leaky power steering cyliner, bad steering control valve (pulls hard to one side), bad front end bushings and rubber, rust issues, bad master cylinder, power brake unit and bad brake calipers, rust in the gas tank, air conditioner not working, t-tops leaking, and various other issues. Look at a lot of cars and find one you fall in love with!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,172
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi TGW,
I'll just mention that your span of years 68-82 includes cars with a wide range of performance, an evolving appearance, and a wide range of prices. You may want to narrow that span down a bit by what deciding what body style you like and what years your budget can afford.
I'll also second 'sarges' suggestion to find someone who knows these years Corvettes to talk to, and also to look at perspective cars to buy with you.
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
I think 71 cars are quite nice!
I'll just mention that your span of years 68-82 includes cars with a wide range of performance, an evolving appearance, and a wide range of prices. You may want to narrow that span down a bit by what deciding what body style you like and what years your budget can afford.
I'll also second 'sarges' suggestion to find someone who knows these years Corvettes to talk to, and also to look at perspective cars to buy with you.
GOOD LUCK!
Regards,
Alan
I think 71 cars are quite nice!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 202
From: TEXAS
You just have to research and read and research and read and on and on...
Go compare parts for a corvette to pretty much any other american car.....
If it fits a 79 Chevy pickup its $20..... If it fits a 79 Chevy corvette its $200..
You can get the crap beat out of you in a millisecond owning one of these so do your due dilligence very very VERY carefully....
The fact that there are thousands of them for sale everywhere all the time should be a warning to you...
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I wished and wanted for about 5 years, researched hard about 2 years, convinced my wife all throughout, and then tried buying over about 1 year.
I am partial to the 72. Last year with chrome on front and back. I like 69-73, and like less 74-82.
You really need to narrow down what you like and what makes you "tingle" when you drive it. In the end, what makes you happy is all that counts. It's like wine, evryone likes something a little different, but what you like the best is the best....for you.
I agree with above...take somebody with you!
I am partial to the 72. Last year with chrome on front and back. I like 69-73, and like less 74-82.
You really need to narrow down what you like and what makes you "tingle" when you drive it. In the end, what makes you happy is all that counts. It's like wine, evryone likes something a little different, but what you like the best is the best....for you.
I agree with above...take somebody with you!
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
Hi, everyone.
I am going to be looking for a Stingray sometime in the near future and would like some info. I need to know what to be aware of when looking at these particular vettes. (68-82) is the range I will be buying. Just any tips that would help me get the right vehicle for the right price. I am a complete newbie to vettes so please bear with me. Thanks in advance.
I am going to be looking for a Stingray sometime in the near future and would like some info. I need to know what to be aware of when looking at these particular vettes. (68-82) is the range I will be buying. Just any tips that would help me get the right vehicle for the right price. I am a complete newbie to vettes so please bear with me. Thanks in advance.
I got lucky but I never drove the first Vette I bought.Till I went to Pick it up.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 23
I agree we all of the above that your range still leaves a lot of room to work with.
If I was putting together a list I would probably do the following even before I started to look for what is wrong with these years.
1. How much do I really want to spend?
2. How will it be driven (once a month or daily)?
3. Do I want a convertible or coupe?
4. Do I want numbers matching or just a "Vette body and motor"?
After you answer these then you will "automatically" be pushed into a much narrower list than you first mentioned. Then start figuring out what to look for in the way of mechanical issues or more importantly "where do I find the rust"? Best advice from the above is read, read, read. This forum contains hours and hours of useful reading.
Good luck!
If I was putting together a list I would probably do the following even before I started to look for what is wrong with these years.
1. How much do I really want to spend?
2. How will it be driven (once a month or daily)?
3. Do I want a convertible or coupe?
4. Do I want numbers matching or just a "Vette body and motor"?
After you answer these then you will "automatically" be pushed into a much narrower list than you first mentioned. Then start figuring out what to look for in the way of mechanical issues or more importantly "where do I find the rust"? Best advice from the above is read, read, read. This forum contains hours and hours of useful reading.
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 15
From: DFW Metroplex Texas
Hi, everyone.
I am going to be looking for a Stingray sometime in the near future and would like some info. I need to know what to be aware of when looking at these particular vettes. (68-82) is the range I will be buying. Just any tips that would help me get the right vehicle for the right price. I am a complete newbie to vettes so please bear with me. Thanks in advance.
I am going to be looking for a Stingray sometime in the near future and would like some info. I need to know what to be aware of when looking at these particular vettes. (68-82) is the range I will be buying. Just any tips that would help me get the right vehicle for the right price. I am a complete newbie to vettes so please bear with me. Thanks in advance.
It took me 6 months of looking to find the right one. There are plenty of very nice C3s out there that are reasonably priced. Just take your time and find it.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 677
Likes: 5
From: Cary North Carolina
Go compare parts for a corvette to pretty much any other american car.....
If it fits a 79 Chevy pickup its $20..... If it fits a 79 Chevy corvette its $200..
You can get the crap beat out of you in a millisecond owning one of these so do your due dilligence very very VERY carefully....
If it fits a 79 Chevy pickup its $20..... If it fits a 79 Chevy corvette its $200..
You can get the crap beat out of you in a millisecond owning one of these so do your due dilligence very very VERY carefully....
Order some free corvette parts catalogs (ecklers - www.ecklers.com, volunteer vettes - www.volvette.com, riks - www.riksvet.com to name a few)Once you see how much parts are you might change your mind.
If you don't change your mind you can use the catalogs to estimate how much it will cost to replace any worn items on your prospective car.
Last edited by GATOR454; Sep 3, 2010 at 01:49 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 21
From: Abingdon MD
TG,
You have already gotten some great advice here. As Easy Mike says, get the Corvette C3 Buyer's Guide 68-82.
Somebody at Carlisle last week used the phrase "do you wanna drive it or stare at it?"
Essentially, decide whether you want a #3 type driver car, or a pristine, numbers matching car for a collection, or somewhere inbetween?
Please also see my recent comments to Newbie Tebok.
Best wishes on your search, Rickman
You have already gotten some great advice here. As Easy Mike says, get the Corvette C3 Buyer's Guide 68-82.
Somebody at Carlisle last week used the phrase "do you wanna drive it or stare at it?"
Essentially, decide whether you want a #3 type driver car, or a pristine, numbers matching car for a collection, or somewhere inbetween?Please also see my recent comments to Newbie Tebok.
Best wishes on your search, Rickman