My "Am I crazy considering this purchase" thread
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
My "Am I crazy considering this purchase" thread
I figured I would post up vettes I've seen for sale that I'm considering purchasing. I have read the stickies on buying a c3 but some other bits of useful info may come out this way.
I don't know if there are rules with me posting links to the ads so for now I will just post some details and pics.
First up is this 75 thats looks great and supposedly has under 20000 miles. What worries me about the mileage claim is why does such a low mileage car have such an unoriginal looking motor? The flex fan really bugs me. And it looks like it had AC but they pulled the compressor off...
I'm waiting for a reply to those questions from the dealer but here are some pics. They are asking $14k
I don't know if there are rules with me posting links to the ads so for now I will just post some details and pics.
First up is this 75 thats looks great and supposedly has under 20000 miles. What worries me about the mileage claim is why does such a low mileage car have such an unoriginal looking motor? The flex fan really bugs me. And it looks like it had AC but they pulled the compressor off...
I'm waiting for a reply to those questions from the dealer but here are some pics. They are asking $14k
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Madison Ohio
Rear bumper- spoiler is not from a 75. I think the flex fan is not the way to go for proper cooling. Had one did not do the job. Lots of changes were made in the engine room. $14k is a bit much for a small block car. Big thing to look for are cracked bumpers ~ $400 each + paint. And cracked dash pads ~ $300.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
I'm still too new to notice things like wrong year bumpers, other than know where there should be a chrome one 
so thanks.
It's looking more like even if it's low mileage it's still far from original then.
I'll post up another candidate soon.
so thanks.It's looking more like even if it's low mileage it's still far from original then.
I'll post up another candidate soon.
Last edited by shok; Dec 11, 2014 at 10:23 AM. Reason: Spelling
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 58
From: God's Country The Old Dominion
Be wary of any of these old cars where low mileage is claimed. Unless it is a heavily documented collectible I don't think there is any way to prove it. Go into the purchase with eyes wide open.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
looks pretty nice. if you want the exact body parts and the same original engine with working AC that this car came from the factory with, then this car is not for you. if you don't care, then choose a car based on condition. low mileage is a factor, but proving it is another. dealers will have a profit margin factored in for the price.
nuthin wrong with the fan as long as you are willing to accept non factory mods.
these cars do sell in the market, it just depends on what your requirements are.
nuthin wrong with the fan as long as you are willing to accept non factory mods.
these cars do sell in the market, it just depends on what your requirements are.
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
Small quibble, but it's not got the original steering column either: that one is from a 78 or later and the turn-signal lever looks like it might have the button on the end for cruise control.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
When ads brag of way lows miles in too many cases you just add 100K to what they list.
In this case this 75 looks like it was well modded so a Stock loving NCRS type person will not want it, but if you were that you wouldn't be looking at it in the first place,
While it "looks" extra pretty, how are the parts you do not see, like body bushing, pillars, frame and rust?
Flex fans are for kid racers they do not cool well at all, and the hacked off AC another kid racer get rid of the air for 3 extra hp idea, or the ac just broke...very low end cheesy.
I like it when seller of cars with hacked ac say...it's easy to put ac back on, oh really?!?!?!? then why didnt they do it?
I like the exterior okay but not the interior, if a person likes the colors that's a plus,
But I would be hard pressed to believe a 75 is worth 14K unless maybe very purist stock OR very well restored ground up....
In this case this 75 looks like it was well modded so a Stock loving NCRS type person will not want it, but if you were that you wouldn't be looking at it in the first place,
While it "looks" extra pretty, how are the parts you do not see, like body bushing, pillars, frame and rust?
Flex fans are for kid racers they do not cool well at all, and the hacked off AC another kid racer get rid of the air for 3 extra hp idea, or the ac just broke...very low end cheesy.
I like it when seller of cars with hacked ac say...it's easy to put ac back on, oh really?!?!?!? then why didnt they do it?
I like the exterior okay but not the interior, if a person likes the colors that's a plus,
But I would be hard pressed to believe a 75 is worth 14K unless maybe very purist stock OR very well restored ground up....
Last edited by The13Bats; Dec 11, 2014 at 09:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Not a $14K car and no, it doesn't have 20K miles (highly doubtful). Is this what you want? Automatic too. Make a list of what you want in a C3. Color? Interior? AC? Stick or Auto? Many of the 'Mid C3's' (74-77) have been modded. Make sure, that the mods are in line, with what you want, unless you're looking for a completely unmodded car (rare these days).
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
Yeah I'm really not stuck on being stock or correctness, I only mention it because you would think hey if the mileage is really so low why is so much changed on it?
If they said hey it has 120k miles and is in great shape but has some mods and parts from other years my list of questions would be entirely different, but I would still be interested in the car.
If a car only has 20k miles I want to be the one to ruin it
This is a dealer that specializes in Corvettes, I don't know if that ups the trust factor. When everyone says the price is a little high, just how far over are we talking assuming the chassis is good and no rust issues?
I'm willing to go a little high if it saves me work and I could just concentrate on fun projects like engine mods.
And thanks to everyone, I would never have noticed things like a different steering column etc. I don't have the knowledge base.
If they said hey it has 120k miles and is in great shape but has some mods and parts from other years my list of questions would be entirely different, but I would still be interested in the car.
If a car only has 20k miles I want to be the one to ruin it
This is a dealer that specializes in Corvettes, I don't know if that ups the trust factor. When everyone says the price is a little high, just how far over are we talking assuming the chassis is good and no rust issues?
I'm willing to go a little high if it saves me work and I could just concentrate on fun projects like engine mods.
And thanks to everyone, I would never have noticed things like a different steering column etc. I don't have the knowledge base.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
Not a $14K car and no, it doesn't have 20K miles (highly doubtful). Is this what you want? Automatic too. Make a list of what you want in a C3. Color? Interior? AC? Stick or Auto? Many of the 'Mid C3's' (74-77) have been modded. Make sure, that the mods are in line, with what you want, unless you're looking for a completely unmodded car (rare these days).
I'm still looking at more local stuff and will post here, at the very least everyone likes looking at vette pics, right?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Since it's a dealer they will have a lift. Have them put it on the lift and take tons of pictures of the undercarriage. Also ask them to remove the kick panels and send you pics of the #2 body mount area (which is clearly visible with the kick panel removed).
If they won't do that find another car.
If they do send you the pics and they check out (post them in this thread), it looks like a car that is probably worth $10K or a little more. $14K sounds like a starting point for negotiation.
If they won't do that find another car.
If they do send you the pics and they check out (post them in this thread), it looks like a car that is probably worth $10K or a little more. $14K sounds like a starting point for negotiation.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
Since it's a dealer they will have a lift. Have them put it on the lift and take tons of pictures of the undercarriage. Also ask them to remove the kick panels and send you pics of the #2 body mount area (which is clearly visible with the kick panel removed).
If they won't do that find another car.
If they do send you the pics and they check out (post them in this thread), it looks like a car that is probably worth $10K or a little more. $14K sounds like a starting point for negotiation.
If they won't do that find another car.
If they do send you the pics and they check out (post them in this thread), it looks like a car that is probably worth $10K or a little more. $14K sounds like a starting point for negotiation.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 498
Likes: 77
From: DFW Texas
Putting aside the mileage representation that car appears to fit what I want except for the AC. I've done automotive AC work before so its not a deal breaker for me. This car is a couple hundred miles away so I can't check it out in person very easily, but I have someone local to it that can check the basic stuff for me and let me know if I should drive down.
I'm still looking at more local stuff and will post here, at the very least everyone likes looking at vette pics, right?
I'm still looking at more local stuff and will post here, at the very least everyone likes looking at vette pics, right?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
FWIW: do you want to fool with a dealer? There are plenty of these cars available through private sellers.
That depends on the dealer. Some of them know Corvettes; others only know used cars.
...I don't know if that ups the trust factor...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
I'm fine using a dealer or individual, I've bought a decent amount of cars and individual sellers can be a pain too. They seems to try and take a lot more shortcuts where with a dealer I know I'm set with all the registration and smog stuff if applicable.
The only exception was when I bought a car from a dealer that was just acquired as a trade in and as part of the super cheap price I dealt with all the paper work.
The only exception was when I bought a car from a dealer that was just acquired as a trade in and as part of the super cheap price I dealt with all the paper work.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
Ok here is another one. I don't like this year as much since its not smog exempt, and it may be silly buy I don't like the look of the later glove box door opposed to the pouches of the earlier models
This is a different closer dealer selling a 1978 model. This car feels more genuine to me FWIW. Mileage is reported at 63,541. The asking price is slightly more at 14,500.
Besides attaching pics because
I'll also put the CL link, I hope that's okay.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/4780233418.html
This is a different closer dealer selling a 1978 model. This car feels more genuine to me FWIW. Mileage is reported at 63,541. The asking price is slightly more at 14,500.
Besides attaching pics because
I'll also put the CL link, I hope that's okay.http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/4780233418.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
Ok here is another one. I don't like this year as much since its not smog exempt, and it may be silly buy I don't like the look of the later glove box door opposed to the pouches of the earlier models
This is a different closer dealer selling a 1978 model. This car feels more genuine to me FWIW. Mileage is reported at 63,541. The asking price is slightly more at 14,500.
Besides attaching pics because I'll also put the CL link, I hope that's okay.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/4780233418.html
This is a different closer dealer selling a 1978 model. This car feels more genuine to me FWIW. Mileage is reported at 63,541. The asking price is slightly more at 14,500.
Besides attaching pics because
I'll also put the CL link, I hope that's okay.http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/4780233418.html
PS: The later C3's came with what I call the 'Spaceship' seats. They're way more comfortable, than the earlier buckets....
In fact, there's a pretty good looking CE for sale in your neck of the woods
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4791941610.html
Last edited by F22; Dec 11, 2014 at 01:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 20
Nice looking car, but personally, if you're going to go post-75, you might as well get an '82. At least you'll have Fuel Injection and a 700R4 transmission with Overdrive, versus the Turbo 350's and carbs on the 76-81 model years. If you can get a CE or Collector Edition from 1982. That comes with the only hatchback glass that actually pops up and it has a gorgeous interior (beware, don't buy a CE with a beat up interior, that triple tone leather and door panels are really expensive to replace!)
PS: The later C3's came with what I call the 'Spaceship' seats. They're way more comfortable, than the earlier buckets....
In fact, there's a pretty good looking CE for sale in your neck of the woods
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4791941610.html
PS: The later C3's came with what I call the 'Spaceship' seats. They're way more comfortable, than the earlier buckets....
In fact, there's a pretty good looking CE for sale in your neck of the woods
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4791941610.html
Main thing is from what I understand they came with a weaker aluminum diff, and while I am not one of the haters of crossfire injection, given a choice I'll take a carb and HEI. But for the right price you never know.....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I'm fine using a dealer or individual, I've bought a decent amount of cars and individual sellers can be a pain too. They seems to try and take a lot more shortcuts where with a dealer I know I'm set with all the registration and smog stuff if applicable.
The only exception was when I bought a car from a dealer that was just acquired as a trade in and as part of the super cheap price I dealt with all the paper work.
The only exception was when I bought a car from a dealer that was just acquired as a trade in and as part of the super cheap price I dealt with all the paper work.