You can buy a very driveable 80-82 in that price range with some shopping around. Insurance will flat out suck though.

 

The C4s were a technological advancement after the C3 became stale and could not compete on the race tracks any more and I will be the first to admit it. I can build up my C3 to perform like a Muscle car with not much money I can get 300 HP out of it and keep the numbers matching. I just love the Mako Shark C3 Body Style and it can be a performance car. Between the last C3 of 1982 and the first C4 it took Chevy 2 years to retool all the factories to build a world class sports car again. WIth this car they were able to compete on the race tracks again and win. I read an artical the other day on Edmunds.com that said the same thing. The C3s became soft in the mid to late years of the car production but also saw the highest sales volume during these years. When the C4 came out it was a true race production car again which it had not seen since 1971. The Car companies are to blame for low horsepower ratings they only went with the flow and now they can design an engine that gets higher HP and Torque than surpass 20 MPG. They are producing V6 Engines these days that pushing over 300 HP and can blow many muscle cars of the 60s away. Problem is they also have traction control and cannot burn the tires off. Yea I used to love smoking tires in my 1972 El Camino with a L82 engine that was installed after I blew the L48 doing burnouts.

 

 

My son is 17 and we picked up his '76 vette for $5000, + $2500 in new parts and upgrades and 3 months of elbow grease, and it is now driving great. Don't have any current issues, and it steers and rides like a much newer car. Needs new paint someday, but that can wait. it looks good from 10' as they say. Yeah, there's gonna be up-keep for him and maintenance, but the engine is tight, shifts perfect, newer rebuild diff., we replaced all the wear parts. His is pushing 280 HP and has plenty of power. We'll see how it holds up. Just keep in mind that any car you buy in the price range will likely need bushings, shocks, ball-joints, etc., people just don't replace that stuff and then sell a car for $7000. Make sure the engine is good, tranny and diff. are good, and that it does not need allot of interior work, that stuffs spendy. Good luck.

 

What Mike is saying is dead on. Yes there are exceptions where people find great deals for not a lot of money or way below market value. Then again there are people that win the lotery. I couldn't tell you which has the better odds though.

I was thinking the same thing. Especially if he is patient in his search.

 

In any case with looking for a used car time and information makes you a better decision.

Post the exact same question in the C4 section and collect some information there.

 

The way I see it, 7k can buy you a good c3. But be picky and read the thread about buying your first C3. Take an adult to help you with your decision.

The other guys all have valid points, insurance for 1. Better look into it first.

Mike Ward has a great point, it's going to need parts eventually. But so does every other car you buy. Read some nightmare stories here on the forum. Don't be that guy.

I'd say go with an 81 or 82. Just because they were the last of them and Chevy had addressed most issues.


Don't be discouraged, many of us have learned valuable life lessons. Especially about buying old cars. But heck you're young, you gotta get your feet wet sometime. And corvettes are cool.

 

1- Find a person from forum to go look with you..you will get burned otherwise.

2. sit down and figure a budget allotting 250/month for insurance, 150/month gas 100 month repairs (worst case) That's 500 month for the car If you got that then good luck

if not maybe you wait a little bit.

last weekend I dropped just short of 1G in the car to get the brakes and steering fixed. That was just parts and 10+hrs of my labor

Not to be a downer but life is a cruel mistress especially if you have a 30+ year old car as a daily driver

 

Thank you everyone for the feedback
I would consider a c4, but they just don't have the style of the c3s, at least to me. Question. I would consider an 82 also, but I do know that they have crossfire. Is this a pro or a con? Does it need more maintenance or have more problems than the corvettes before it because it has crossfire?
Another question. Custom paint jobs- good or bad? I saw a custom 3 tone red corvette that looked really nice. But is it bad to get a custom paint job because you might end up getting it re-painted down the road? Is it going to cost alot more to get a custom paint job repainted than if it was just a solid 1 color?
thank you

 

If you consider an 82, read the sticky in the tech section to get familiar with their quirks. Once running good, they repay you with better fuel economy and fuel injected drivability. The 700r4 helps with that, but only if its shifting good. Don't get one needing any trans work without setting aside 1100 bucks or so. I got my 82 for 2400 bucks, sank another 4000 or so into it to get it to reliable status. It still needs paint and some interior refresh. I have seen a few 80-82 c3's in the 6-8k neighborhood on clist that don't look to bad, but its what you don't see on a c3 that will get you.

 

Around here if you want do do "Cruse Nights" you will need a 1972 or older.

I was very disappointed in the Reno Hot August Nights.
I have a nice looking 75 and they wouldn't let me play.

When I'm there people always say why don't you enter and are surprised when I tell them why.

Something to consider.

Ralph

 

Seems to me you already identified what you want, and have ear marked the monies to buy it.
Now armed with your identified C3, start looking at some in person. After seeing several in person, it will become clear to you how to recognize a clean, unmolested, well maintained car vs the "rode hard, put away wet" ones. Read the sticky above about what to look for when buying a C3.
The mention of a C4 for the money is true, but if you prefer the styling of a C3, don't settle for something you later will regret.
Be aware, you ideally will not have to spend your complete savings, as you will need the extra monies for things that will inevitably come up.
Be warned, the first Corvette you buy, more then likely won't be your last.
I wish you luck, in finding the car of your dreams.

 

I bought a 79 a few years back, did a littler research but not enough. I wish I would have held out for an earlier model with chrome front and rear bumpers. The earlier the model the higher the price (shape pending). 78+ has the fast back and the models before have the old school (not sure what its call) back.. Also you have the option of chrome rear, chrome front and rear or plastic front and rear.If memory serves 1979 was the highest production year for the C3 so there are more readily available. You should be able to pick up a NICE turnkey 79 for 7-10k. Just gotta keep your eyes pealed and decided what it is you really want. Goodluck and get what you want! Worth the wait if you have to save a little longer!

 

Find the year that speaks to you, you are going to have to live it, fix it, pay for it .... INSURANCE as others have said. I have a 71 custom in progress eating up $$$$ as we speak none the less I love it, just be sure that you do also.

Dave

 

Thread was resurrected after 9 months last night... wonder if the OP ever bought anything?