New here, looking for advice.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: @lanta Georgia
New here, looking for advice.
In my honest opinion, there is no better looking car then the C3 Corvette.
I've decided that I'm going to try to get one
It would have to be something that I can drive, as it would be replacing my truck as a (not quite) daily driver. (I currently regard my motorcycle as my primary transportation.)
My budget is tight, but I'm not looking for a show car. What do I need to look for, and what do I need to avoid? And is there an article or something enumerating such things?
Thanks for putting up with a newbie!
-Cev
I've decided that I'm going to try to get one
It would have to be something that I can drive, as it would be replacing my truck as a (not quite) daily driver. (I currently regard my motorcycle as my primary transportation.)My budget is tight, but I'm not looking for a show car. What do I need to look for, and what do I need to avoid? And is there an article or something enumerating such things?
Thanks for putting up with a newbie!
-Cev
Last edited by Cevulirn; Dec 3, 2010 at 08:56 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
A C3 can be problematic as a daily driver. The newest ones are close to 40 years old so there is always something getting ready to break. A forum or web search will turn up plenty of buyers' guides.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Richardson TX
Good luck man. I got a great 76 for $7500. I'm now up to $20,000 sum total. It is now a daily driver. I love it but I trust it like a trophy wife. Given another chance, I'd do it all again in a heart beat. The c3 is a beautiful car.
Cheers
Cheers
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi cev,
It sounds like you have a nice idea.
But at this point these cars are toys.
You could buy a MUCH newer Corvette for 68-82 money that CAN be an almost everyday driver or even an everyday driver.
Regards,
Alan
It sounds like you have a nice idea.
But at this point these cars are toys.
You could buy a MUCH newer Corvette for 68-82 money that CAN be an almost everyday driver or even an everyday driver.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
If you really want a C3 but are on a tight budget I'd suggest looking at the rubber bumper models, 74 - 82. Prices on these haven't gone as high as the earlier versions. They're still going to be at least 28 - 36 years old.
There are many things to look for before buying. Rust is a major issue, very expensive to fix, not always easy to spot. There's a big shopping list of things to watch out for. Much has been covered on this forum recently. Best bet would be to recruit someone knowledgeable on Corvettes to have a look.
There are many things to look for before buying. Rust is a major issue, very expensive to fix, not always easy to spot. There's a big shopping list of things to watch out for. Much has been covered on this forum recently. Best bet would be to recruit someone knowledgeable on Corvettes to have a look.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
dude, go grab a C5. Affordable at under $20k and very much daily driver with all the creature comforts of a modern vehicle, inlcuding traction control if you are going to be driving in the rain/snow (daily driver)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
couldn't find where you are located in your profile, but i would add the price and condition will depend to some extent on your location (if you are looking to buy one locally). in my area of south florida nice C3s are going for between 6k and 9k as driver condition cars. you need to be careful of rust at the welded members of the frame and throughout the birdcage area of the car. any car you look at you should ask to have the kick panels taken off (simple phillips head screw removal) and check for rust in those panels. take a flashlight and look upward along the front winto pillar as far as possible to give you an idea as to the condtion of the posts and if you see rust there. there are quite a few posts here regarding what to look for. try a search on "rust" and see what you get to start out with.
as mentioned, these are old cars so you always need to keep that in mind. a friend down here bought an original owner, fully dealer maintained and documented 78 4 speed with decent (but not great) paint for $6000 about 1 year ago. interior had been done a couple of years ago and the mechanics were constantly maintained with dealer parts. don't rus and you'll find what you are looking for.
as mentioned, these are old cars so you always need to keep that in mind. a friend down here bought an original owner, fully dealer maintained and documented 78 4 speed with decent (but not great) paint for $6000 about 1 year ago. interior had been done a couple of years ago and the mechanics were constantly maintained with dealer parts. don't rus and you'll find what you are looking for.
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: @lanta Georgia
Thanks for the advice. Its looking like my dream will have to wait a little longer, but just in case... Whaddya think of this one? Worth checking out?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2096043260.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2096043260.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Thanks for the advice. Its looking like my dream will have to wait a little longer, but just in case... Whaddya think of this one? Worth checking out?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2096043260.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2096043260.html
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
I suggest you look and DRIVE as many as possible. They ride hard and are no where as comfortable as a modern car. If you have a short commute 10-30 miles you're ok. The T-Tops are notorious leakers so keep that in mind. Not fun having water dripping down on you in a storm.
In my opinion, go for a 4-speed. Way more fun than an automatic.
Don't rush to buy the first shiny Vette you see. Read,read, and read more. Education is power and find someone knowledgeable about Vettes when you decide on one to really check it out. Can you do your own work? They get expensive real quick if you have all the work done at a shop.
Get the best possible vette you can afford, with as much documentation and service receipts as you can.
Good luck. We love our Vette's , but for most of us, they are toys, weekend cruisers.
Glenn
In my opinion, go for a 4-speed. Way more fun than an automatic.
Don't rush to buy the first shiny Vette you see. Read,read, and read more. Education is power and find someone knowledgeable about Vettes when you decide on one to really check it out. Can you do your own work? They get expensive real quick if you have all the work done at a shop.
Get the best possible vette you can afford, with as much documentation and service receipts as you can.
Good luck. We love our Vette's , but for most of us, they are toys, weekend cruisers.
Glenn
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 7
From: Toronto Ontario
i still consider myself to be a newby, altho i'm heading into winter #5 with my 1980 DD
here is my advise:
have $6 - $10 grand ready for a good DD -any late C3
have another $3 - $5 grand ready for repairs,rear-end, tranny, brakes bla bla bla
no sence buyin a C3 for say $8 grand & have it sit for months because ya can't afford to fix something & then it just sits
they are a sexy thing that insists ya open yer wallet, on a regular basis...lol
Pete
here is my advise:
have $6 - $10 grand ready for a good DD -any late C3
have another $3 - $5 grand ready for repairs,rear-end, tranny, brakes bla bla bla
no sence buyin a C3 for say $8 grand & have it sit for months because ya can't afford to fix something & then it just sits
they are a sexy thing that insists ya open yer wallet, on a regular basis...lol
Pete
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: @lanta Georgia
I suggest you look and DRIVE as many as possible. They ride hard and are no where as comfortable as a modern car. If you have a short commute 10-30 miles you're ok. The T-Tops are notorious leakers so keep that in mind. Not fun having water dripping down on you in a storm.
In my opinion, go for a 4-speed. Way more fun than an automatic.
Don't rush to buy the first shiny Vette you see. Read,read, and read more. Education is power and find someone knowledgeable about Vettes when you decide on one to really check it out. Can you do your own work? They get expensive real quick if you have all the work done at a shop.
Get the best possible vette you can afford, with as much documentation and service receipts as you can.
Good luck. We love our Vette's , but for most of us, they are toys, weekend cruisers.
Glenn
In my opinion, go for a 4-speed. Way more fun than an automatic.
Don't rush to buy the first shiny Vette you see. Read,read, and read more. Education is power and find someone knowledgeable about Vettes when you decide on one to really check it out. Can you do your own work? They get expensive real quick if you have all the work done at a shop.
Get the best possible vette you can afford, with as much documentation and service receipts as you can.
Good luck. We love our Vette's , but for most of us, they are toys, weekend cruisers.
Glenn
