Potential Vette Purchase
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Potential Vette Purchase
I am considering the purchase of a 76 Stingray and would love some input. The asking price is $14k.
http://photobucket.com/albums/nn277/...976%20Stingray
The seller lists the following in his ad:
1976 Corvette Stingray restored in 2006, garage kept and still in showroom condition. Corvette Torch Red paint job. Brand New create engine 350SB 375HP, Holley Intake, Street Demon 625cfm Carburetor, MSD ignition, Rebuilt HydraMatic th350 transmission with B&M shift kit, super light Drag Racing Weld Wheels, Hooker Headers with 4" Chrome Side Pipes. Interior is in great shape only driver's seat needs recovered see photos. It is an A/C car just needs a new dryer and to be charged up again. Clean title and a REAL HEAD TURNER! BICENTENIAL CORVETTE not like the new ones that just blend in, a real prize for someone who can appreciate the time and $22,000.00 I've put into it. These C3 CORVETTES are now appreciating and since the announcement of the new Stingray!
http://photobucket.com/albums/nn277/...976%20Stingray
The seller lists the following in his ad:
1976 Corvette Stingray restored in 2006, garage kept and still in showroom condition. Corvette Torch Red paint job. Brand New create engine 350SB 375HP, Holley Intake, Street Demon 625cfm Carburetor, MSD ignition, Rebuilt HydraMatic th350 transmission with B&M shift kit, super light Drag Racing Weld Wheels, Hooker Headers with 4" Chrome Side Pipes. Interior is in great shape only driver's seat needs recovered see photos. It is an A/C car just needs a new dryer and to be charged up again. Clean title and a REAL HEAD TURNER! BICENTENIAL CORVETTE not like the new ones that just blend in, a real prize for someone who can appreciate the time and $22,000.00 I've put into it. These C3 CORVETTES are now appreciating and since the announcement of the new Stingray!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
You need to be real honest with yourself about why you want to buy that car. If the word "investment" or "resale" come up or the phrase "Hold its value for resale"... Then I say stop and put your money in a mutual fund.
That is a hotrod. It is a heavily modified street rod. To me, this part is all hot air. "It is an A/C car just needs a new dryer and to be charged up again. Clean title and a REAL HEAD TURNER! BICENTENIAL CORVETTE not like the new ones that just blend in, a real prize for someone who can appreciate the time and $22,000.00 I've put into it. These C3 CORVETTES are now appreciating and since the announcement of the new Stingray! "
There is probably an easy $14k worth of parts there. Drive it, if you like it and can fix stuff when it breaks it may be fun.
That is a hotrod. It is a heavily modified street rod. To me, this part is all hot air. "It is an A/C car just needs a new dryer and to be charged up again. Clean title and a REAL HEAD TURNER! BICENTENIAL CORVETTE not like the new ones that just blend in, a real prize for someone who can appreciate the time and $22,000.00 I've put into it. These C3 CORVETTES are now appreciating and since the announcement of the new Stingray! "
There is probably an easy $14k worth of parts there. Drive it, if you like it and can fix stuff when it breaks it may be fun.
Last edited by johnt365; Feb 13, 2013 at 10:32 PM. Reason: Looks like the A/C compressor is missing too. Hotrods don't usually have A/C anyway.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
My 2 cents....
My 2 cents:
*I have a 76 and proud and happy to have it, but 76 is not, lets face it, the high dollar value C3.
*I suggest you check a few resources before buying;
+C3 buyers guide by Richard Prince, a book, ck Amazon.
+Check ebay completed sales, $14 to $15K buys a tremendous amount of C3 these days in this economy.
*Generally speaking the more original Corvettes command more money.
*Nothing wrong with this one and it sounds super, but I would suggest determining what the fair market price is and paying accordingly which is much less I would guess.
*Finally, having spent beaucoup money on a Corvette and selling it for a lot less is par for the course for a lot of us
*One more thing, I usually flip out when an ad tells me the a/c works, most do not along with a non working clock, ha, ha! And if the a/c is so easy to fix, then like Richard Prince says, why didn't the seller fix it?????
Hope this might help and best of luck to you!!!
*I have a 76 and proud and happy to have it, but 76 is not, lets face it, the high dollar value C3.
*I suggest you check a few resources before buying;
+C3 buyers guide by Richard Prince, a book, ck Amazon.
+Check ebay completed sales, $14 to $15K buys a tremendous amount of C3 these days in this economy.
*Generally speaking the more original Corvettes command more money.
*Nothing wrong with this one and it sounds super, but I would suggest determining what the fair market price is and paying accordingly which is much less I would guess.
*Finally, having spent beaucoup money on a Corvette and selling it for a lot less is par for the course for a lot of us
*One more thing, I usually flip out when an ad tells me the a/c works, most do not along with a non working clock, ha, ha! And if the a/c is so easy to fix, then like Richard Prince says, why didn't the seller fix it?????
Hope this might help and best of luck to you!!!
Last edited by 20mercury; Feb 13, 2013 at 10:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Fort Pierce Florida
Thanks for the input guys. I just sold a similarly hotroded 75 that I loved to death. I sold it because I had it painted by a lousy paint shop and just refused to spend another $5k to have it repainted. I had $15k invested and took the first $10k offer I received. My clock did not work and my AC barley worked.
The deal for this Vette would be an even trade for my 97 Doral 270SC Express Cruieser that I hardly use anymore. His asking price and mine are a wash except that I will no longer have to pay my local marina $320 a month to rack store the boat.
I know that the mid 70 Vetts do not hold their value very well but I love the look and I am pretty handy performing most of the repairs and maintenance on my own.
The deal for this Vette would be an even trade for my 97 Doral 270SC Express Cruieser that I hardly use anymore. His asking price and mine are a wash except that I will no longer have to pay my local marina $320 a month to rack store the boat.
I know that the mid 70 Vetts do not hold their value very well but I love the look and I am pretty handy performing most of the repairs and maintenance on my own.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,971
Likes: 6,196
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Just dont overlook the fact that the car is completely modified, (engine, color, pipes, etc) which will not help the value one bit, today or tomorrow. It sounds like you like that kind of car, but understand its priced too high and will not retain value.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
If you think the car is worth that kind of money...go for it. If you are asking this 'crowd' if that car is worth the money, the short answer would be "NO".
People buy vehicles and pour tons of money into them for their own purposes. When they decide to sell them, they feel that everyone else values their car the way they do. We don't.
But, if the way that car is built fits well with what you would have done to it---and the price is less than what you would have spent anyway, that choice is yours to make.
People buy vehicles and pour tons of money into them for their own purposes. When they decide to sell them, they feel that everyone else values their car the way they do. We don't.
But, if the way that car is built fits well with what you would have done to it---and the price is less than what you would have spent anyway, that choice is yours to make.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
You already have experience selling a car you have 15k into for 10k, so you know what you are getting into. Boats are hard to move right now, so if you can do a trade, it might be well worth it to you. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
I don't think that car is worth it.... at 14k it should just need nothing.
If he fixes the car, seat and A/C (both fixes are easily $500 in materials and $200 EACH in labor to fix).... then maybe. Whatever you do, have the car inspected by a qualified tech.
If he fixes the car, seat and A/C (both fixes are easily $500 in materials and $200 EACH in labor to fix).... then maybe. Whatever you do, have the car inspected by a qualified tech.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 6
It hurts when you know that what you have in a car is not going to be paid to you when it comes time to sell. As these guys have all said you just have to love the car and then spend whatever you want to as long as you don't expect to get it back. That's what I do and I know it won't be coming back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I think 14K is high for that car. Since it has AC, it should work for top dollar, and it should run pretty strong, which I kind of doubt because I see some annoying details like: lousy spark plug wire routing and excessive rubber hose on the gas supply from the pump to the carb. But, anybody who thinks modified cars are at an extreme disadvantage compared to original cars didn't see numerous examples of modded cars going for big money at Barret Jackson last month. I think this principal really applies to mid/late 70s Vettes which have very little value in original condition.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
"1976 Corvette Stingray restored in 2006, garage kept and still in showroom condition" and then proceeds to explain the non-working A/C and torn seat. Makes me wonder what was actually "restored"?
Can't blame a guy for trying to get as much as he can for his car but the fact he's invested 22K and it's still not perfect shouldn't be your problem.
14K is a bit pricey as it sits IMO.
Can't blame a guy for trying to get as much as he can for his car but the fact he's invested 22K and it's still not perfect shouldn't be your problem.
14K is a bit pricey as it sits IMO.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Aaaaaaaaaaand that spoiler is hideous. Paint however appears to be luscious.
If I were going to spend $14k on a 76, it damn well better be flawless, and the modifications had better be worthwhile, ie rack and pinion, or LS conversion, or Keisler 5 speed, or any combination of these items etc.
And I could be wrong, but I dont think those are hooker side pipes...maybe hooker headers, but they look to be hooked up to those fake style pipes
At the end of it all, I could never get past that spoiler. As the expression goes "to each his own", and some people here have that thing on their car, but I just cannot stomach that thing.
If I were going to spend $14k on a 76, it damn well better be flawless, and the modifications had better be worthwhile, ie rack and pinion, or LS conversion, or Keisler 5 speed, or any combination of these items etc.
And I could be wrong, but I dont think those are hooker side pipes...maybe hooker headers, but they look to be hooked up to those fake style pipes
At the end of it all, I could never get past that spoiler. As the expression goes "to each his own", and some people here have that thing on their car, but I just cannot stomach that thing.
Last edited by Big Block Dave; Feb 14, 2013 at 08:56 PM. Reason: Add statement re: headers
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Island Lake IL
torn seat, broken AC, ugly spoiler, for 14k? HELL NO!
if its really your style better look good into the car - makes you think why the hell not fixing all the problems during the restoration.
also ask about pumpkin ratio since its a th350 + side pipes it might be loud...
if its really your style better look good into the car - makes you think why the hell not fixing all the problems during the restoration.
also ask about pumpkin ratio since its a th350 + side pipes it might be loud...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
good lord I hate the word "invest (-ment, -ed)" as it applies to cars. My hatred of that term has risen to the point where, if I'm looking at a car and they use the word, I walk away - after all, buying a car from anyone that stupid with their investments means they couldn't possibly walk and breath at the same time. Thus when it came time to invest in the car, their investments would be wrong 
and to be clear, I think the car is 2k maybe 4k high in price... 12k fixed wouldn't be a bad price
and finally, don't think I didn't notice you're trading a boat "investment" into a Corvette "investment" 
I've owned boats, and (I'm so stupid with boats, I've owned 6 including jet skis) I completely get the two best days in boat ownership is the day you buy and the day you sell.... trust me on this, Corvettes are not ever cheaper than a boat... 
that said, both are a lot of fun 
and to be clear, I think the car is 2k maybe 4k high in price... 12k fixed wouldn't be a bad price
and finally, don't think I didn't notice you're trading a boat "investment" into a Corvette "investment"
I've owned boats, and (I'm so stupid with boats, I've owned 6 including jet skis) I completely get the two best days in boat ownership is the day you buy and the day you sell.... trust me on this, Corvettes are not ever cheaper than a boat... that said, both are a lot of fun
Last edited by SuperBuickGuy; Feb 15, 2013 at 11:16 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Clifton Virginia
torn seat, broken AC, ugly spoiler, for 14k? HELL NO!
if its really your style better look good into the car - makes you think why the hell not fixing all the problems during the restoration.
also ask about pumpkin ratio since its a th350 + side pipes it might be loud...
if its really your style better look good into the car - makes you think why the hell not fixing all the problems during the restoration.
also ask about pumpkin ratio since its a th350 + side pipes it might be loud...
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...604577470.html