Yearly maintenance costs
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Olathe KS
Yearly maintenance costs
Can anyone give me an idea of yearly maintenance costs for a mid 70's c3? I've been looking for a little while now and am just trying to figure out how much i should factor into my budget. Im going to see a '77 tomorrow that has a recently had the engine and transmission rebuilt and seems to be in good driving condition. It also has new brake calipers, alternator, battery, etc. But of course it has a problem in the headlight system (like nearly all the c3's I've seen so far). What I'm looking for is a driver and not a show car, so I would like an idea of the cost to keep it running. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Any older car is going to have more maintenance issues than a newer car. Depends on how much the older car has been updated and maintained.
I think you'll find that a lot of us are not so much worried about maintenance costs as we are about those creeping "while I'm there" or "wouldn't that be nice to have" or "what can I upgrade now" costs that are ever present.
I think you'll find that a lot of us are not so much worried about maintenance costs as we are about those creeping "while I'm there" or "wouldn't that be nice to have" or "what can I upgrade now" costs that are ever present.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
There are so many variables with this question it's like asking how much a blue car costs...
You have to factor in the condition of the car (engine, trans, rear, tires, interior), your driving habits, what the roads, weather and traffic are like in your area, how much you drive. See what I mean? Do you do your own work or do you have to take everything to a shop? On top of all this, it's a 40 year old vehicle and things are going to break and continue/finish wearing out. Other than typical maintenance, oil changes and so forth, you're going to have to do some repairs at some time. What and when is anyone guess without and inspection of the car and an understanding of where and how it's going to be used.
You have to factor in the condition of the car (engine, trans, rear, tires, interior), your driving habits, what the roads, weather and traffic are like in your area, how much you drive. See what I mean? Do you do your own work or do you have to take everything to a shop? On top of all this, it's a 40 year old vehicle and things are going to break and continue/finish wearing out. Other than typical maintenance, oil changes and so forth, you're going to have to do some repairs at some time. What and when is anyone guess without and inspection of the car and an understanding of where and how it's going to be used.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,499
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Will it be a daily driver for work and play or a "weekender"? Big difference.
If a weekend toy, figure $2500 for the first year if nothing major goes wrong and you'll get the car sorted out.
Depending upon where you live (put your city in your profile) you can probably increase that by at least 50%.
Tough to say without more info and photos:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/help...cs-inside.html
Good luck-
If a weekend toy, figure $2500 for the first year if nothing major goes wrong and you'll get the car sorted out.
Depending upon where you live (put your city in your profile) you can probably increase that by at least 50%.
Tough to say without more info and photos:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/help...cs-inside.html
Good luck-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
It's a "need" vs "want" decision and how much of the work you will be doing yourself vs sending it to the shop. If you are a disciplined spender, then you can control how much you need to do every year. If you are undisciplined, ahem, don't tell wifey poo how much you are spending otherwise you'll have to spend that much on her project list - like a new kitchen, furniture, etc 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
My "maintenance" cost this last year was less than $500 (gas and insurance), but if I calculate a rolling average from the time I bought the car and all I've done to it.....well....that averages a good $2400 per year. 
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Team Owner
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It's a "need" vs "want" decision and how much of the work you will be doing yourself vs sending it to the shop. If you are a disciplined spender, then you can control how much you need to do every year. If you are undisciplined, ahem, don't tell wifey poo how much you are spending otherwise you'll have to spend that much on her project list - like a new kitchen, furniture, etc
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: Livonia MI
Maintainacne is cheap and fairly predictable. Mostly fluids and insurance. No big deal. Maybe $500.00 per year.
Repairs add to the cost, and you never know when the expenses will crop up. If I had to average it I would say somewhere around $750.00 per year, but it varies widley from year to year.
Modifications? Well that's where the big money comes in. It is the unusuall person who can resist upgrading their vette. Fortunately, this is entirely optional. Average annual budget? Only you know the answer. But like the old saying goes: "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to spend?"
Repairs add to the cost, and you never know when the expenses will crop up. If I had to average it I would say somewhere around $750.00 per year, but it varies widley from year to year.
Modifications? Well that's where the big money comes in. It is the unusuall person who can resist upgrading their vette. Fortunately, this is entirely optional. Average annual budget? Only you know the answer. But like the old saying goes: "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to spend?"
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
There are so many variables with this question it's like asking how much a blue car costs...
You have to factor in the condition of the car (engine, trans, rear, tires, interior), your driving habits, what the roads, weather and traffic are like in your area, how much you drive. See what I mean? Do you do your own work or do you have to take everything to a shop? On top of all this, it's a 40 year old vehicle and things are going to break and continue/finish wearing out. Other than typical maintenance, oil changes and so forth, you're going to have to do some repairs at some time. What and when is anyone guess without and inspection of the car and an understanding of where and how it's going to be used.
You have to factor in the condition of the car (engine, trans, rear, tires, interior), your driving habits, what the roads, weather and traffic are like in your area, how much you drive. See what I mean? Do you do your own work or do you have to take everything to a shop? On top of all this, it's a 40 year old vehicle and things are going to break and continue/finish wearing out. Other than typical maintenance, oil changes and so forth, you're going to have to do some repairs at some time. What and when is anyone guess without and inspection of the car and an understanding of where and how it's going to be used.
now to the above equation, multiply that by at least a couple since you are looking to use your C3 as a driver. unless you do a complete mechanical restoration, you can figure that over time you will be doing a complete mechanical restoration, lol.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Huntersville NC
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
For a C3 car that has been brought back to good operating condition, yearly maintenance consists of changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles (or 3-6 months, as you choose), keeping the fluids topped off and gas and air filter clean (they last about 2-3 years, each), keeping the tires up to correct pressure, adjusting/changing the points and replacing the condenser [on a points-type ignition system] yearly, paying for insurance/taxes/license, and putting gas in it.
Now, the expensive part could be getting it to that "good operating condition" in the first place.
Oh, don't forget the regular washings, polishings, and driving with TLC, whenever.
Now, the expensive part could be getting it to that "good operating condition" in the first place.
Oh, don't forget the regular washings, polishings, and driving with TLC, whenever.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
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From: Winston Salem NC
You will probably have to replace much of the car. I would think of them more as replacement/upgrade costs....they would be therefore much higher than you are planning.
Maintenance costs will come later after the car has been rebuilt.
Maintenance costs will come later after the car has been rebuilt.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
There is a lot of good information that has been discussed. I would say the question is of maintenance versus restoration. For maintenance I do not spend that much. Oil, filters,belts, etc. But the restoration is costing me BIG TIME.
kdf
kdf
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
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From: Kernersville NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
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From: Middleburg Florida
No way. It all depends on existing condition and how, where and how much it's driven. For instance, how are the rear wheel bearings? Have they ever been done? How's the cooling system? Are you going to be in stop and go traffic, or mostly highway driving. Like I said, way to many variables for any kind of budget numbers. What you might do is budget regular routine maintenance, oil changes, tune ups tires etc., and then start saving for repair costs.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
As the guys have said, it's hard to say.
Maybe this will help though: of all the hobby vehicles (boats, rv's, etc) the classic car is the cheapest I've found to insure (less than 400 through Haggerty for $12,000 coverage) and it's not like your paying dock fees to keep it in the garage. ($50 for a good cover) Depending on how much you drive it, gas can get a bit pricey (they aren't exactly green vehicles, thank God)...
But you absolutely can count on having to fix or replace something every year. Honestly, that "work" is far more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
Last note, parts for vette's are RIDICULOUS compared to other classic car parts. Even comparable Camaro and Mustang parts are cheaper.
Maybe this will help though: of all the hobby vehicles (boats, rv's, etc) the classic car is the cheapest I've found to insure (less than 400 through Haggerty for $12,000 coverage) and it's not like your paying dock fees to keep it in the garage. ($50 for a good cover) Depending on how much you drive it, gas can get a bit pricey (they aren't exactly green vehicles, thank God)...
But you absolutely can count on having to fix or replace something every year. Honestly, that "work" is far more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
Last note, parts for vette's are RIDICULOUS compared to other classic car parts. Even comparable Camaro and Mustang parts are cheaper.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Repairs can be expensive, if they are to "unique" or difficult to find parts. On the other hand, the engine/tranny are very common and parts can be found for reasonable prices about anywhere. And, as with any car, if you do the work yourself it is considerably less expensive than taking it to a shop.
But, repairs are when things break or no longer function. You asked about "maintenance" which is just the "upkeep" for a working vehicle. Those are two entirely different issues.
But, repairs are when things break or no longer function. You asked about "maintenance" which is just the "upkeep" for a working vehicle. Those are two entirely different issues.