C4 guy considering a C3
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Eagle River Alaska
In terms of which year is best, you'll get as many opinions as there are years on that one. 
The original bumpers on the 74 - 79s get brittle with age and tend to crumble when struck. Replacement bumpers are plentiful, as are most of the parts for a c-3. Places like Eckler's, Wilcox, Corvette America, etc. specialize in corvette parts.
Reliability is always a factor in a 30+ year old vehicle. A lot of little nit picky things go wrong all the time. You just have to stay on top of them. Bottom line is, get the one that speaks to you, don't worry what someone else says is better or worse. You have to make yourself happy.
Good luck in your hunt.
The original bumpers on the 74 - 79s get brittle with age and tend to crumble when struck. Replacement bumpers are plentiful, as are most of the parts for a c-3. Places like Eckler's, Wilcox, Corvette America, etc. specialize in corvette parts.
Reliability is always a factor in a 30+ year old vehicle. A lot of little nit picky things go wrong all the time. You just have to stay on top of them. Bottom line is, get the one that speaks to you, don't worry what someone else says is better or worse. You have to make yourself happy.
Good luck in your hunt.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 3
In terms of which year is best, you'll get as many opinions as there are years on that one.
The original bumpers on the 74 - 79s get brittle with age and tend to crumble when struck. Replacement bumpers are plentiful, as are most of the parts for a c-3. Places like Eckler's, Wilcox, Corvette America, etc. specialize in corvette parts.
Reliability is always a factor in a 30+ year old vehicle. A lot of little nit picky things go wrong all the time. You just have to stay on top of them. Bottom line is, get the one that speaks to you, don't worry what someone else says is better or worse. You have to make yourself happy.
Good luck in your hunt.
The original bumpers on the 74 - 79s get brittle with age and tend to crumble when struck. Replacement bumpers are plentiful, as are most of the parts for a c-3. Places like Eckler's, Wilcox, Corvette America, etc. specialize in corvette parts.
Reliability is always a factor in a 30+ year old vehicle. A lot of little nit picky things go wrong all the time. You just have to stay on top of them. Bottom line is, get the one that speaks to you, don't worry what someone else says is better or worse. You have to make yourself happy.
Good luck in your hunt.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: PA
,have owned for 27 years,
thats what stands out to me. no one keeps a "lemon" that long. just find out which repair broke the bank. usually they sell when the next repair job is too much money.
i agree with the statement "buy the car that speaks to you".
my vette chose me. not the other way around !
thats what stands out to me. no one keeps a "lemon" that long. just find out which repair broke the bank. usually they sell when the next repair job is too much money.
i agree with the statement "buy the car that speaks to you".
my vette chose me. not the other way around !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
Hey, you wouldn't know tdf from Elk Plain, WA who posted down below about selling his 86 C4 and looking for a C3, would you? You two guys definitely have several things in common including the great Northwest. I suppose you are fairly far apart as he describes Elk Plain as being near Tacoma and you're in Vancouver, BC, but you might try to make e-mail contact and trade notes. I stayed up there once with my uncle (Sam) at Ft. Lewis, so I know you should both concentrate on finding a rust free car. Anyway, good hunting.
Anyway, good hunting.
Last edited by RagTop69; Apr 14, 2011 at 04:39 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 218
Likes: 3
From: East Bethel MN
I used to own an 1985 and now I have a 1976 L82 and a 1971 LS5. I can tell you that I love driving the C3s much more than the C4. I also just replaced both the bumpers on the 1976. With them professionally painted and parts (bumpers, hardware, grills, etc), I paid $1500. That was with me taking off the old and installing the new. It was a pretty big job but doable. I do wish I would have had the whole car repainted since the color match on the new bumpers is a little off.
I think the car in your link is priced about right considering the condition. The biggest thing to check is the bird-cage...all else can be replaced/repaired pretty reasonably. Paint/body work can be pretty expensive on these cars.
I think the car in your link is priced about right considering the condition. The biggest thing to check is the bird-cage...all else can be replaced/repaired pretty reasonably. Paint/body work can be pretty expensive on these cars.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 3
I used to own an 1985 and now I have a 1976 L82 and a 1971 LS5. I can tell you that I love driving the C3s much more than the C4. I also just replaced both the bumpers on the 1976. With them professionally painted and parts (bumpers, hardware, grills, etc), I paid $1500. That was with me taking off the old and installing the new. It was a pretty big job but doable. I do wish I would have had the whole car repainted since the color match on the new bumpers is a little off.
I think the car in your link is priced about right considering the condition. The biggest thing to check is the bird-cage...all else can be replaced/repaired pretty reasonably. Paint/body work can be pretty expensive on these cars.
I think the car in your link is priced about right considering the condition. The biggest thing to check is the bird-cage...all else can be replaced/repaired pretty reasonably. Paint/body work can be pretty expensive on these cars.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello
I also own a 86 and a couple of C3s. The 86 is a great car and in the summer its one of my daily drivers. The C3s are always weekend cars, or project cars.
The price is pretty good for that car. Not seeing it in person and looking at all the blemishes, rust, etc of course. But I also think that you should consider how many C3s there are for sale in your area, or how far you would go to look at another one. If you want to find one locally, then the price is of a lesser concern.
The rear bumpers get brittle over time and have to be replaced. That is a job most members can do themselves. But then there is the extra cost and expense of painting it to match the body. Thats an added cost you have to factor in.
Other than that, the C4 to C3 experience is very different. I like both types equally as well for what they do.
kdf
I also own a 86 and a couple of C3s. The 86 is a great car and in the summer its one of my daily drivers. The C3s are always weekend cars, or project cars.
The price is pretty good for that car. Not seeing it in person and looking at all the blemishes, rust, etc of course. But I also think that you should consider how many C3s there are for sale in your area, or how far you would go to look at another one. If you want to find one locally, then the price is of a lesser concern.
The rear bumpers get brittle over time and have to be replaced. That is a job most members can do themselves. But then there is the extra cost and expense of painting it to match the body. Thats an added cost you have to factor in.
Other than that, the C4 to C3 experience is very different. I like both types equally as well for what they do.
kdf
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 3
Hello
I also own a 86 and a couple of C3s. The 86 is a great car and in the summer its one of my daily drivers. The C3s are always weekend cars, or project cars.
The price is pretty good for that car. Not seeing it in person and looking at all the blemishes, rust, etc of course. But I also think that you should consider how many C3s there are for sale in your area, or how far you would go to look at another one. If you want to find one locally, then the price is of a lesser concern.
The rear bumpers get brittle over time and have to be replaced. That is a job most members can do themselves. But then there is the extra cost and expense of painting it to match the body. Thats an added cost you have to factor in.
Other than that, the C4 to C3 experience is very different. I like both types equally as well for what they do.
kdf
I also own a 86 and a couple of C3s. The 86 is a great car and in the summer its one of my daily drivers. The C3s are always weekend cars, or project cars.
The price is pretty good for that car. Not seeing it in person and looking at all the blemishes, rust, etc of course. But I also think that you should consider how many C3s there are for sale in your area, or how far you would go to look at another one. If you want to find one locally, then the price is of a lesser concern.
The rear bumpers get brittle over time and have to be replaced. That is a job most members can do themselves. But then there is the extra cost and expense of painting it to match the body. Thats an added cost you have to factor in.
Other than that, the C4 to C3 experience is very different. I like both types equally as well for what they do.
kdf
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Vancityguy,
That sounds like how I got started. One of my vettes was in the middle of a project, so I went out and bought another vette to drive while I was working on my project. But that vette soon turned into a project on its own,....and the madness keep on going.
kdf
That sounds like how I got started. One of my vettes was in the middle of a project, so I went out and bought another vette to drive while I was working on my project. But that vette soon turned into a project on its own,....and the madness keep on going.
kdf
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
the only thing firm in this world is my mattress.i give them a call anyway and give them one last chance before i move on.i bought a 10 year hardly used car and it needed a lot of stuff right off the bat before it could be driven safely.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Hi,
BTDT. Originally bought a '77, sold it. Bought a '91 and then years later a '70. All totally different beasts.
Well, if you are considering 76-82. Lets see some unique features in those years (like always): '76 last Stingray, '77 unique interior, '78 bubble rear window introduced, '79 pace car spoiler, '80 new bumpers, '81 a computer (CCC) + lock up converter and '82 came fuel injection. All of them are weak in stock form but all can be made faster. None of them ride like the C4 but can be improved with some money and elbow grease. All look good. Reliability? No such thing in 15+ year old cars (any make) and most certainly not in 30+ year old cars - unless you dedicate some serious money and time/thought into it.
So there, make your choice
BTDT. Originally bought a '77, sold it. Bought a '91 and then years later a '70. All totally different beasts.
Well, if you are considering 76-82. Lets see some unique features in those years (like always): '76 last Stingray, '77 unique interior, '78 bubble rear window introduced, '79 pace car spoiler, '80 new bumpers, '81 a computer (CCC) + lock up converter and '82 came fuel injection. All of them are weak in stock form but all can be made faster. None of them ride like the C4 but can be improved with some money and elbow grease. All look good. Reliability? No such thing in 15+ year old cars (any make) and most certainly not in 30+ year old cars - unless you dedicate some serious money and time/thought into it.
So there, make your choice
Last edited by ToniH; Apr 15, 2011 at 12:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
From the looks of the car in the add the car is worth the asking price IF everything checks out as working.... removing and installing the front and rear bumpers is not exactly a hard or time consuming job (ask me I've done it on both my 76 and my 79)
I currently own a 64 a 72 a 76 a 79 a 88 and a 98 .....
My favorite overall car to actually drive is my 76 (4 speed low optioned L48 car....does not compare with any of the others on a even up basis but overall just a very nice enjoyable car to drive....
BUT I would no more use any of my Corvettes as a Daily Driver then I would ride a Bike to work...
Bob G.
I currently own a 64 a 72 a 76 a 79 a 88 and a 98 .....
My favorite overall car to actually drive is my 76 (4 speed low optioned L48 car....does not compare with any of the others on a even up basis but overall just a very nice enjoyable car to drive....
BUT I would no more use any of my Corvettes as a Daily Driver then I would ride a Bike to work...
Bob G.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello Vancityguy
The C3s share a very similar platform and bird cage area that forms the upper frame of the interior from the windshield to the frame and back to the door area. This is where most of the rust will form, and it does not matter if it is a 72 or 82. If there is an area of rust, this is where it may form. The latter years may not be as susceptible to this because they may be 10 years newer. So 10 years less rust IF...this was a problem.
The 76 may be one of the lowest horsepower years in the Corvette line, and the the HP increased after that date. So the name change or dropping of the Stingray name, did not change the basic personality of the Corvette. They are probably all Corvette Stingrays, with or without the name.
In terms of being a better driver, the 80-82 would have my vote. They have more amenities than the 76 did, and seem to be more of a personal touring car than the earlier vettes.
I checked out your posts in the C4 Forum also. Good luck in getting your 86 up and running after a long delay. I have a 86 that runs great. Once you get this back on the road it can really be a daily driver. Its a great car.
kdf
The C3s share a very similar platform and bird cage area that forms the upper frame of the interior from the windshield to the frame and back to the door area. This is where most of the rust will form, and it does not matter if it is a 72 or 82. If there is an area of rust, this is where it may form. The latter years may not be as susceptible to this because they may be 10 years newer. So 10 years less rust IF...this was a problem.
The 76 may be one of the lowest horsepower years in the Corvette line, and the the HP increased after that date. So the name change or dropping of the Stingray name, did not change the basic personality of the Corvette. They are probably all Corvette Stingrays, with or without the name.
In terms of being a better driver, the 80-82 would have my vote. They have more amenities than the 76 did, and seem to be more of a personal touring car than the earlier vettes.
I checked out your posts in the C4 Forum also. Good luck in getting your 86 up and running after a long delay. I have a 86 that runs great. Once you get this back on the road it can really be a daily driver. Its a great car.
kdf