Anyone Daily drive their C3?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Anyone Daily drive their C3?
I currently have an 02 C5, but I'm looking to buy a C3 to drive a few days out of the week. I've been in love with the the 3rd gen body style for as long as I can remember, and now seems like a good time to buy with prices ranging from $10-$14k for a decent shape C3 with decent miles on the motor, or crate motor.
I guess my main concern would be, is this a car that is capable of being driven on a daily basis if need be? Im curious as to who on here daily drives their C3, what kind of fuel economy they get with the stock motor and stock rear end and if they have any problems with the heat (95 degrees) or cold weather (35 degrees).
Just any insight or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JR
I guess my main concern would be, is this a car that is capable of being driven on a daily basis if need be? Im curious as to who on here daily drives their C3, what kind of fuel economy they get with the stock motor and stock rear end and if they have any problems with the heat (95 degrees) or cold weather (35 degrees).
Just any insight or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
JR
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I did DD mine for a while. It did fine except that the a/c never worked. If you get one in good mechanical condition, there is no reason that you can't drive it daily. You say a few times a week, sure. Just like any other vehicle, it needs to have a reliable engine. I live in the DFW area and never had any over heating problems. If the radiator has been upgraded to an aluminum one you are even better off.
Depending on what kind of insurance you want to carry, could change whether you'd be able to do so. Need to think about and check into that.
I averaged about 14 mpg with a 4sp, 3.70:1 rear and some modification to the engine for more hp. A small block is going to get you around that and maybe up to 18 with the right gears. Many have swapped out their old transmissions for an od trans and are getting mileage in the 20's up almost to what the newer ones get.
The cabin does get a little hot from the engine, exhaust and road. Adding some better insulation under the carpet will help alot.
Just remember that they are an old car with an old engine and can be a little finicky at times but nothing bad, especially if you mechanically inclined. The wow factor of driving one more than makes up for the less sophisticated interiors and drive trains.
Depending on what kind of insurance you want to carry, could change whether you'd be able to do so. Need to think about and check into that.
I averaged about 14 mpg with a 4sp, 3.70:1 rear and some modification to the engine for more hp. A small block is going to get you around that and maybe up to 18 with the right gears. Many have swapped out their old transmissions for an od trans and are getting mileage in the 20's up almost to what the newer ones get.
The cabin does get a little hot from the engine, exhaust and road. Adding some better insulation under the carpet will help alot.
Just remember that they are an old car with an old engine and can be a little finicky at times but nothing bad, especially if you mechanically inclined. The wow factor of driving one more than makes up for the less sophisticated interiors and drive trains.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
I did DD mine for a while. It did fine except that the a/c never worked. If you get one in good mechanical condition, there is no reason that you can't drive it daily. You say a few times a week, sure. Just like any other vehicle, it needs to have a reliable engine. I live in the DFW area and never had any over heating problems. If the radiator has been upgraded to an aluminum one you are even better off.
Depending on what kind of insurance you want to carry, could change whether you'd be able to do so. Need to think about and check into that.
I averaged about 14 mpg with a 4sp, 3.70:1 rear and some modification to the engine for more hp. A small block is going to get you around that and maybe up to 18 with the right gears. Many have swapped out their old transmissions for an od trans and are getting mileage in the 20's up almost to what the newer ones get.
The cabin does get a little hot from the engine, exhaust and road. Adding some better insulation under the carpet will help alot.
Just remember that they are an old car with an old engine and can be a little finicky at times but nothing bad, especially if you mechanically inclined. The wow factor of driving one more than makes up for the less sophisticated interiors and drive trains.
Depending on what kind of insurance you want to carry, could change whether you'd be able to do so. Need to think about and check into that.
I averaged about 14 mpg with a 4sp, 3.70:1 rear and some modification to the engine for more hp. A small block is going to get you around that and maybe up to 18 with the right gears. Many have swapped out their old transmissions for an od trans and are getting mileage in the 20's up almost to what the newer ones get.
The cabin does get a little hot from the engine, exhaust and road. Adding some better insulation under the carpet will help alot.
Just remember that they are an old car with an old engine and can be a little finicky at times but nothing bad, especially if you mechanically inclined. The wow factor of driving one more than makes up for the less sophisticated interiors and drive trains.
I'm from Dallas myself. So it's great to hear that someone in my area had good luck with DD one. What is the stock gear ratio in the C3s with the 350s in the Auto trans as well as the manual trans?
Are there any 5 or 6 speed manual trans that would mount up to the 350 with no modification?
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Greenfield Indiana
I daily drive mine, still have original engine, radiator, gas mileage isn't great, there van be a lot of cabin heat if not insulated well. I never even try to turn on my ac so not even su if it works. That's what windows are for. I am comfortable driving it around town in 90 degree weather without ac and with out decent insulation. Maybe I'm just a little weird.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I'm from Dallas myself. So it's great to hear that someone in my area had good luck with DD one. What is the stock gear ratio in the C3s with the 350s in the Auto trans as well as the manual trans?
Are there any 5 or 6 speed manual trans that would mount up to the 350 with no modification?
Are there any 5 or 6 speed manual trans that would mount up to the 350 with no modification?
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Just got my first C3 (69 vert) and plan on daily driving her. I have side pipes on an L46 350 and it still gets pretty hot inside but I enjoy driving her so much that it doesn't bother me. I was given the same advice as Milo gave you regarding sticking with the 350 if you are planning to drive every day.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Dont get rid of your C5 daily driver for a C3 daily driver.....they are not even comparable...
I mean you definitely CAN daily drive a C3 but......remember they are 30-40 year old cars and stuff is gonna break on them....Even if they are fully restored....There is ALWAYS something going on with them. And the fuel mileage is gonna suck....how these guys get 15 mpg+ out of stock 350s is beyond me.... My stock 350/270hp with a mild rebuild, tiny little cam and headers with a pretty decent tune would average 10-11 mpg.....on hwy trips it would occassionally touch 13 mpg but....not often...and not with the AC on.... This was an auto w/ 3.08 gears.
Definitely get a C3, but keep your C5 for daily driving....atleast until you can see how your C3 will be for a DD.
I mean you definitely CAN daily drive a C3 but......remember they are 30-40 year old cars and stuff is gonna break on them....Even if they are fully restored....There is ALWAYS something going on with them. And the fuel mileage is gonna suck....how these guys get 15 mpg+ out of stock 350s is beyond me.... My stock 350/270hp with a mild rebuild, tiny little cam and headers with a pretty decent tune would average 10-11 mpg.....on hwy trips it would occassionally touch 13 mpg but....not often...and not with the AC on.... This was an auto w/ 3.08 gears.
Definitely get a C3, but keep your C5 for daily driving....atleast until you can see how your C3 will be for a DD.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Dont get rid of your C5 daily driver for a C3 daily driver.....they are not even comparable...
I mean you definitely CAN daily drive a C3 but......remember they are 30-40 year old cars and stuff is gonna break on them....Even if they are fully restored....There is ALWAYS something going on with them. And the fuel mileage is gonna suck....how these guys get 15 mpg+ out of stock 350s is beyond me.... My stock 350/270hp with a mild rebuild, tiny little cam and headers with a pretty decent tune would average 10-11 mpg.....on hwy trips it would occasionally touch 13 mpg but....not often...and not with the AC on.... This was an auto w/ 3.08 gears.
Definitely get a C3, but keep your C5 for daily driving....atleast until you can see how your C3 will be for a DD.
I mean you definitely CAN daily drive a C3 but......remember they are 30-40 year old cars and stuff is gonna break on them....Even if they are fully restored....There is ALWAYS something going on with them. And the fuel mileage is gonna suck....how these guys get 15 mpg+ out of stock 350s is beyond me.... My stock 350/270hp with a mild rebuild, tiny little cam and headers with a pretty decent tune would average 10-11 mpg.....on hwy trips it would occasionally touch 13 mpg but....not often...and not with the AC on.... This was an auto w/ 3.08 gears.
Definitely get a C3, but keep your C5 for daily driving....atleast until you can see how your C3 will be for a DD.
Don't know how you don't get any better mileage. Mine had a big loping cam and definitely not geared for the highway and the turned some really high RPMs on the highway. So high that I was worried about it and I pretty consistently got 14. With your gears you should have gotten better than that.
I never had much of a problem mechanically with it. It ran when I needed it and drove across the country with no issues. My C5 did occasionally have problems.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 32
From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
I've been driving mine alot lately, and the only trouble is it takes longer to go somewhere because everyone wants to talk about the car! '71 350/270 4 speed with 3.36 gears, 15 mpg staying out of the secondaries 
Fun to drive, life is short!!
Fun to drive, life is short!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Great responses guys! You've all given me a lot of positive insight!
I'm not getting rid of my C5, I'd just like another car to drive 3 or 4 days a week back and fourth to work (5 miles lol), and something that will be an attention getter around town and at weekly car meets. My c5 will not be going anywhere, it was my father's first Vette, and now it is mine, I plan for it to stay in the family for many years.
I'm not getting rid of my C5, I'd just like another car to drive 3 or 4 days a week back and fourth to work (5 miles lol), and something that will be an attention getter around town and at weekly car meets. My c5 will not be going anywhere, it was my father's first Vette, and now it is mine, I plan for it to stay in the family for many years.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
I daily drive my 1976 about 2-3 times a week when the weather is nice. I have a 90 mile round trip. I keep it mechanically able to do so and replace parts as needed. the set back for me is the cabin heat but I keep the windows down and sometimes the t-tops off. The gearing is kinda high so I am running about 3000 rpms @ 65 mph. gas milage is about 16-17 mpg.
love it
love it
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia