75vetteman

in the dry heat of AZ rust isn't as big an issue. i see lots of vettes for less than 8k on craigslist.com
my definition of reliable- over 100 miles roundtrip for school 3 days a week, with elevation ranging from 3200 to nearly 5500. i was using this vette for those trips. thankfully done for now.
i picked up mine for a mere 2500. including the purchase price, i still have less than 7k invested in it and it has only left me stranded once, due to a PO's bubba repair. $180 towing bill from prescott back to camp verde

Trae1976

I was just thinking exactly the same thing.

To a "non car guy", reliability means ...
having the oil changed every 3K-5K miles
taking it to "the shop" for a tune-up every 30K-50K miles
putting new tires on every 40K miles or so
and doing absolutely nothing else to it until it hits at least 100K miles.

Really, how many 30 year old cars fit that description?

VetteHalen

Hey tdle22,

I was in a similar boat when I purchased my 'Vette two and a half years ago, not having much experience wrenching (still don't! hah!) but I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into. I spent much less than $8k on my 1980 but I soon put $2k into getting it decently reliable (and CA smog compliant ) and I was good to go for several months. Then I spent some money on small things that I changed myself, like interior pieces, wheels, etc. Since then I've spent the amount I paid for the car on a few "doozies", like redoing the entire rear suspension and differential, a "cheap" paint job among other things. But it's all part of the experience.

I've learned a lot about these cars and my specific car since I've owned it and it's been a fun ride (pun intended) and look forward to more adventures.

If you're open to the ups and downs of Corvette owning (and general classic/old car owning) then you should have a good time. It's all a hobby. It's supposed to be fun. If it's not a fun hobby, you're doing something wrong!

In closing, if you wanna join in the V8 fun ask a forum member that lives in your area to accompany you to check out a potential car you like. At the very least, pay a mechanic a six pack of beer to look over the car before you buy it.

Good luck!

Alan 71

Hi t,
I think you may have a problem finding a $8000 car that is strong enough mechanically to be considered a daily driver, (in the literal sense of the words), that also has very good paint, and a interior in nice condition.
MANY $8000 cars will have one or two of those things, but not all 3.
Remember the likelihood of you finding a car that has a current track record as a daily driver might not be too easy.
If your 'toy' leaves you to walk home it's all in fun; but 'daily driver'.....?
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

sprtplt

Yep, you sure can. But, whatever you spend won't change the fact that something will always be in need of fixing. I would never utilize any C3 for a daily driver.

Jedi926

Again, Alan hits the bullseye. Seriously, listen to this guy. Good luck on your hunt, let us know if you find something.

tdle22

Thanks for all the advice. Its been a mixed bag of answers but so far I'm halfway convinced that I can find what I'm looking for if I look around enough.

my 76 ray

Make up your mind right now that you are not going to purchase one until you have looked at several cars. Keep those rules for buying a C3 in mind as you look at them. Once you have seen some that have the problems in the rules, you will be able to spot one that doesn't have those problems. You won't find a daily driver before a '73 for $8K and maybe not even a '73, so concentrate on '74's and newer.

Good luck.

Buddy1980

I bought a 1980 C3 four years ago for $3500. It was a fairly decent car with 90,000 original miles. It had absolutely no rust anywhere on the birdcage or frame, and just very minor surface rust on the windshield frame. The engine ran fine and the AC and cruise control even worked. The paint looked decent but worn and the seats and carpet were worn, but what would you expect for a car that old? All in all, I was very happy with the car for that price. Look around, the deals are out there to be found, but take a knowledgeable Corvette person with you to look at the car before you buy it. And if you find a car that looks decent and the price is good, don't nit-pick little problems if they are fixable, remember the low price will more than likely come with minor problems. If the basic cars looks solid and runs OK, buy it and have fun, because if you tell the seller you will think about it for a day or so, it will be gone when you call back. Good luck.

I'm gone

I've had my '77 for 24 years now and have never been left stranded, I used to drive it to work all the time before I became self employed. This is one car that always starts everytime and the engine and trans are still original, I did rebuild the front and rear ends and freshend up the interior when I bought it back in '88 for $8,000.

KenSny

On a 30 yr old car, the power antenna is the least of the unexpected problems.

You want a 30 yr old car to be reliable for $8K - not without a lot of time and money. Besides a daily driver takes a big toll on a car that is already ready for the retirement home.

My two cents:
Don't get a old car for a daily driver. Get it for FUN and a hobby where you can spend your excess money.

WHITE 1974

Test

WHITE 1974

Hi I paid a little more for mine two or three months ago 9500.00 Canadian roughly the same in U.S.D.I did a lot of homework and a lot of looking I found a car really close to home The seller had rebuilt the motor tranny all brakes and a lot of suspension replaced the seat covers door skins etc.Paint is excellent put the bumpers are cracking.Frame was excellent as well.I drive the car every day it doesnt rain and have put 2000 miles on it.The previous owner put 2800 miles in 10 years.You must do your homework get lots of reciepts for anything thats been done take a Vette guy with you and be prepared to comprimse on things that dont matter for the sake of driveabilty.I looked at an awesome yellow car for 4000.00 more with not much documentation took a few deep breaths and walked away.I guess my point is if you look and use your head not your heart you will find one.Hey I even found out today the lighter works!!!

WHITE 1974

Should add that the seller had put 22,000 into the car in the last two years and had the paperwork to prove it and the car really looked it as well.

Spocc

if you are not comfortable pulling off/out rads, alternators, windshield wiper pumps, universals & brakes

a C3 will cost you for shop expenses big time

but it depends if the previous owner has already replaced stuff

the guy i bought my 80 from did not even know how to wire up the radio & it sat for 10 or so years before i bought it

it has been my DD since Jan 30,2007 but the 1st year i wanted to drive it off a cliff, there were so many small issues that kept popping up the more i drove

i embarked on a mission to make it safe & dependable & now i would not hesitate to drive to either coast & back

paid $9000 for it but have put a few more into it for parts etc

it had 70,000 miles but now has over 100,000 miles
Pete.

76_Stingray

I bought mine for 5k and put 3k into it. and now its probably worth 15k. But im always looking to trade. So let me know what youve got! (Preferably a 1969-72 Chevelle, 1967-73 Camaro, or 2010. Or even a 2008-2012 Challenger)

jn76vette

It can be done, but be prepared to spend some money down the road. I paid $5k in early 2003, a few months before I turned 16. Immediately put in another $3k in parts, as it was going to be a daily driver, and needed interior and mechanical work. Since then, I've put in another $10k and the car is now more of a weekend toy. The labor, except for paint, has been all my father and I. I'll probably put alot more into it over the next ten years.

AdamMeh

Here is one on Craigslist in the Phoenix area... I know nothing about this car. Just an example of what's out there for $8k.


http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/3019709519.html

lowes-yellow77

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/3028113378.html

AdamMeh

Given that he is not able to do the work himself, he'd never make a solid car out of that for $6k.