C3 as a DD
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
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C3 as a DD
Hey guys I'm looking for some advice. I'm sure there have been threads similar to mine but I'm reading those as well. Anyways I'm a senior in high school and finally looking for another car. I previously owned a AP1 S2000 so I'm not a complete noob to cars. However is it a smart choice to purchase a C3 Corvette to use as a DD? I have around $10k to find one, will I be able to find one in good condition in that price range? Also is it better to find one that is all original including engine rather than one with a newer built engine? I know my way around a car for general fixes but I am by no means a mechanic, will a C3 nickle and dime me? What are some common bugs?
Sorry for all the questions guys I know some of them have probably been covered so I am reading old threads as well. However, all advice and input will be greatly appreciated!
Kind Regards
Luke
EDIT: Also I'm not concerned about the "comfort" of the drive relative to whether or not it is a good DD, when I say that I'm more concerned about reliability.
Sorry for all the questions guys I know some of them have probably been covered so I am reading old threads as well. However, all advice and input will be greatly appreciated!
Kind Regards
Luke
EDIT: Also I'm not concerned about the "comfort" of the drive relative to whether or not it is a good DD, when I say that I'm more concerned about reliability.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
[QUOTE=L_Smitty;1590362805]will a C3 nickle and dime me? What are some common bugs?
any 35 year old car will nickel and dime you, but the nickels are 50 dollar bills. common bugs? everything on the car that is orig or replaced more than 10 years ago. i like my 75. but i also like my prius...
any 35 year old car will nickel and dime you, but the nickels are 50 dollar bills. common bugs? everything on the car that is orig or replaced more than 10 years ago. i like my 75. but i also like my prius...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
If you're looking for a daily driver, insurance is a big concern. Most C3 owners buy special insurance which covers only occasional driving. I don't know what trouble you may run into with traditional insurance when considering what value they assign to your car.
Where are you located? A C3 doesn't make a very good winter driver if you expect snow...
Last edited by BBCorv70; Aug 28, 2015 at 02:10 PM.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
You could probably find a later year C3, rubber bumper, in good condition, falling in that price range.
That depends on what you're after, all original will usually cost more than a comparable car with a replacement engine. A modern engine may be an advantage for a daily driver depending on its quality. The maintenance costs will be higher having to maintain originality. Overall condition is most important. A C3 is an old car, they always seem to need something...
If you're looking for a daily driver, insurance is a big concern. Most C3 owners buy special insurance which covers only occasional driving. I don't know what trouble you may run into with traditional insurance when considering what value they assign to your car.
Where are you located? A C3 doesn't make a very good winter driver if you expect snow...
That depends on what you're after, all original will usually cost more than a comparable car with a replacement engine. A modern engine may be an advantage for a daily driver depending on its quality. The maintenance costs will be higher having to maintain originality. Overall condition is most important. A C3 is an old car, they always seem to need something...
If you're looking for a daily driver, insurance is a big concern. Most C3 owners buy special insurance which covers only occasional driving. I don't know what trouble you may run into with traditional insurance when considering what value they assign to your car.
Where are you located? A C3 doesn't make a very good winter driver if you expect snow...
Anyways, so for when looking at a c3 overall condition is the most important? Is there anything particular I should be looking out for?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Different situations could vary greatly. Having a car you really like to drive could make going to and from work ....more better
If you own your own business, live 10 miles each way , in a small town or city . Have a good place to park .....I see no problem . I knew a Guy that drove a C1 to work every day like 25 years! we live at the beach , no snow , he owns a business had a special spot to park behind his store , nobody could see it from the road.
But .....I would be reluctant to DEPEND on any C3 ..where I had to clock in ....a very regular time .....park in a huge lot ......if I had a long commute, heavy traffic, salty roads, bad weather a lot ..snow . Probably want a newer corvette .
It takes a lot money to get a old corvette back to level of just climbing in turning the key and not thinking ...is something going to happen.
I had troubles even back in the 80's being DD reliable.
I ...LOL... to say my 454 is about as reliable vette I've owned and biggest gas hog...LOL ..I take it on drive nearly every day " it isn't raining" , ..LOL
If you own your own business, live 10 miles each way , in a small town or city . Have a good place to park .....I see no problem . I knew a Guy that drove a C1 to work every day like 25 years! we live at the beach , no snow , he owns a business had a special spot to park behind his store , nobody could see it from the road.
But .....I would be reluctant to DEPEND on any C3 ..where I had to clock in ....a very regular time .....park in a huge lot ......if I had a long commute, heavy traffic, salty roads, bad weather a lot ..snow . Probably want a newer corvette .
It takes a lot money to get a old corvette back to level of just climbing in turning the key and not thinking ...is something going to happen.
I had troubles even back in the 80's being DD reliable.
I ...LOL... to say my 454 is about as reliable vette I've owned and biggest gas hog...LOL ..I take it on drive nearly every day " it isn't raining" , ..LOL
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Aug 28, 2015 at 03:24 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
I live in the southeast so I'm not particularly concerned about snow/ice. As far as insurance goes I'm solid. I own a 2012 Yamaha FZ8 and my inexperienced goes on that policy which makes my car insurance normal.
Anyways, so for when looking at a c3 overall condition is the most important? Is there anything particular I should be looking out for?
Anyways, so for when looking at a c3 overall condition is the most important? Is there anything particular I should be looking out for?
You can luck out sometimes catch a car that was being driven , relatives sell it for pennies on the dollar to be shed of it after the owner past away.
It is not un common for guys to buy a car that starts and drives ....and in another five years sink another 10 grand in just bringing it up to DD condition mechanically .....that's not paint or complete interior. That's another 5-10 grand .
What you want to stumble into....is someone who has already got 30 grand in making the car nice , looking to sell for 15 ish .
So.....generally careful buying can save tons of money down the road
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
southeast US isn't as good a climate for a vette as one would think. warm, no snow therefore no salt. but humidity can rot them away. it is only about 1200 bucks to ship a car across the US. an arizona or LA car will have way fewer frame-birdcage issues. start shopping local cars now. no buying, just test drive and inspect. find a local vette club and get in with them. a local vette repair shop will be helpful too. he will even take you under cars on the lift and point at where to look for trouble. it is in his best interest cuz it'll be getting him another customer. engines are engines. unless you are showing it, numbers-matching don't mean much. and there are just soooo many 350's out there to be had for peanuts. so a beautiful car with engine trouble is way preferrable to a great runner that "only needs paint and interior work." heck, my next vette will be no engine in it since i have 3 454's and only 2 boats...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Valdosta GA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Hey guys I'm looking for some advice. I'm sure there have been threads similar to mine but I'm reading those as well. Anyways I'm a senior in high school and finally looking for another car. I previously owned a AP1 S2000 so I'm not a complete noob to cars. However is it a smart choice to purchase a C3 Corvette to use as a DD? I have around $10k to find one, will I be able to find one in good condition in that price range?
Kind Regards
Luke
EDIT: Also I'm not concerned about the "comfort" of the drive relative to whether or not it is a good DD, when I say that I'm more concerned about reliability.
Kind Regards
Luke
EDIT: Also I'm not concerned about the "comfort" of the drive relative to whether or not it is a good DD, when I say that I'm more concerned about reliability.
vastly different driving experience than your S2000 with its 9K redline.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
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I would drive my c3 anywhere without worries of its reliability but that being said I have way more than 10 grand invested in mine. I would not use it as a dd because of the price of parts and what is needed to properly maintain a c3. For a old vehicle as a dd I use my 71 c10 over my vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Any C3 is way past its design life as far as reliability, but with time and money anything can be done.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
even though everyone at chevy knew virtually every corvette they built was gonna be around for a loooong time, it was built like any other american bomb. to last as long as the loan did!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
It'll nickel and dime you to death and if you have to pay someone to do the repairs you'll go broke quickly. Any car that is 40 years old will be a headache to keep running but a C3 is about the worst because its more complex. I would advise against it until you have gained a lot more mechanical experience AND have the time to constantly work on it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 187
Likes: 15
From: New York
I love my '72, but there is no way I'd use it as a daily driver. Reliability aside, 10 mpg with premium fuel will shred your wallet. I fill up my tank before I go out for my 3 hour Sunday drive. I come home with only a quarter tank left.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
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From: Medina Ohio
I would steer clear of buying a C3 for the sole purpose of it being a daily driver. If it is a car that you want and even drive on a regularly basis is fine, but to rely on it as a DD is another. Especially when you can get a 5-10 year old vehicle for a couple grand, get 3-4 times the gas mileage, safety, modern conveniences, etc. etc. etc. I also agree with what was mentioned before, I hope you are an experienced wrench and don't plan on paying a shop for maintenance / repairs OR are naturally loaded and don't care about money. A C3 for $10k and under is going to have its fair share of needed maintenance and upgrades to establish the level of DD.