c3 as a daily driver
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 605
Likes: 2
From: Queen Creek Arizona
c3 as a daily driver
how do you guys feel about driving a c3 as a everyday driver, i was thinking about buying ether an 80 or 81 and using it as a everyday driver when i join the military later this year. what are the cons about having a c3. i own a 84 and drive it everyday to school and work but i want to drop a ls3 with a 6 speed and 2.73 gears
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
As long as it is a solid car to begin with, you will be fine.
You may want to put together a solid road maint kit if you are driving every day, just incase.
Just don't use classic car insurance as they have a rider in them that says you can only drive on weekends, maint rides, and to car shows.
You may want to put together a solid road maint kit if you are driving every day, just incase.
Just don't use classic car insurance as they have a rider in them that says you can only drive on weekends, maint rides, and to car shows.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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IMO having owned every generation of Corvette: C1, C2 and C3 are toys. C4, C5 and C6 make excellent daily drivers. You will end up wrenching alot more than you would like to if you daily drive an older Corvette. It will be fun but annoying.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
My experience is that most of the troubles in a C3 are caused by no/sloppy maintenance. Once you have the car running well, you should not have much trouble. These are old cars, but they are very simple cars. And they are Chevys, after all. Designed to be used every day.
If you will be putting lots of miles on it though, swap in an overdrive transmission. The fuel consumption can bankrupt ya otherwise. And keep the standard rate springs.
Have fun.
If you will be putting lots of miles on it though, swap in an overdrive transmission. The fuel consumption can bankrupt ya otherwise. And keep the standard rate springs.
Have fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
I live in Florida with only 3 miles to my office. I drive my 71 almost everyday its far from a perfect car but a fun one. If I had a real pristine car I would not drive it for everyday use. My car is a driver and so I drive it. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
I think it is funny that so many make the claim these cars are breaking all the time , I drove 5k over the summer and the only things I needed , gas and oil. Now it could be because all the mechanical parts are pretty new with quality GM parts or I am lucky but my bet is well maintained using good parts makes a huge difference.
Drive it .... It was meant to be driven and not set on stands to look at ..
Drive it .... It was meant to be driven and not set on stands to look at ..
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,063
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
when i slid into a curb in NJ in '78 in the snow, i learned my lesson and drove a beater in the snow after that. Was WAY WAY more fun to drive a cheap car in bad weather. Eventually that old dodge got stuck in a snow drift, and i just took off the tag and abandoned it. Try that with a vette! 
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
From: Matthews North Carolina
I have a 1980 4/speed that I drive daily, yet only 10 miles round trip to work. I have a high performance rebuilt engine so sometimes I take the"long" way to work and take the interstate so I can jump on it some. I bought mine to drive and I begin looking forward to the drive the night before! I drive it because of the way it makes me feel. Life is way too short to just admire these beautiful cars in the garage. Rs
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Despite what others will tell you, these car were and still are extremely reliable, some of the best, and those two mentioned above never let me down. If you start with a good solid car and maintain it as you should, it will not give you problems.
I have a 70 SB project I am working on now and it is going to be my DD. Have fun and drive a C3 if you decide to get one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
You haven't lived until you've set off every car alarm in the parking garage
Drive it!
HOWEVER I start this in caps.... they are an attractive car to both the admirers and the haters (not to mention the thieves) - so be sure your car is in a safe spot that you can see, and you have an app that lets you know when someone's screwing with your car (alarms are worthless).
Drive it!
HOWEVER I start this in caps.... they are an attractive car to both the admirers and the haters (not to mention the thieves) - so be sure your car is in a safe spot that you can see, and you have an app that lets you know when someone's screwing with your car (alarms are worthless).
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
I drive mine to work on 'NICE' days. And in NE Ohio, that's only about one day a week during the months of May - Sept! A little exaggeration, but, I just mainly save it for nice days, and it makes it very enjoyable.
Jim
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
OP lives in AZ. I would think he has pretty nice weather 300 plus days a year. I wouldn't drive it in bad weather but you can either drive them or look at them, your choice. I say that as mine is in the garage waiting on salt to get off the roads..... UGH!
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I think it is funny that so many make the claim these cars are breaking all the time , I drove 5k over the summer and the only things I needed , gas and oil. Now it could be because all the mechanical parts are pretty new with quality GM parts or I am lucky but my bet is well maintained using good parts makes a huge difference.
Drive it .... It was meant to be driven and not set on stands to look at ..
Drive it .... It was meant to be driven and not set on stands to look at ..
As far as maintenance; Most of us are very particular about doing our own work and taking great care of them. The reality is an older Corvette, while less complex, simply is not as reliable for daily transportation, nor is it as fuel efficient as a newer fuel Injected Corvette. Back in the early 70's I drove my 65 for many years as daily transportation. It was well maintained but had many issues as you might expect. I still have that car and have driven it over 200,000 miles. Drive them and enjoy them, but as daily drivers they simply aren't as reliable as a newer Corvette.
That's my opinion. If you want to drive them every day to work, enjoy the ride
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
these cars were for the most part daily drivers when they were new,i bought my 72 BB from a guy who drove every day until 1978........in michigan ,snow in the winter, rain in the summer.they were as solid and reliable as anything built when they were new. as far as mileage and comfort they are pretty crude compared to todays stuff..........but if thats what you are after buy a prius.otherwise drive it and enjoy it.
as for reliability,cars of this vintage in most cases give you a little warning before they leave you stranded,unlike todays stuff were they run perfect up till the time they won't run at all.
as for reliability,cars of this vintage in most cases give you a little warning before they leave you stranded,unlike todays stuff were they run perfect up till the time they won't run at all.