Resale
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 215
Likes: 6
From: Mebane, NC
Resale
Happy with my 73, thinking about picking up another C3 with the intention to flip it. Most of the offerings seem to be automatics. According to Hagerty, ATs lower the value about 8%. Does it also make it harder to sell them? Before the Vette I was driving late '80s BMW325s. First was a 5 spd, loved it, but sold because I thought 425K was way too many miles. I was plesantly suprised by the performance of my next one that was an AT. Does the same hold true? I've never driven an automatic C3 so I'm not sure if it is a detriment to sales or not.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 183
Likes: 17
Personally I wouldn't even consider an automatic vette of any year much less a C3. However, there are guys around here that say they like the autos. Part of the fun is rowin through the gears for me. Modern auto transmissions are a lot more efficient than an old turbo 350 plus the beemer probably had at least a 4 speed, possibly 5 speed automatic in it. The old c3 has a 3 speed with a long first gear. Not much fun IMO.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
The short answer is manuals are worth more and sell faster, it's just the way it is all else being equal. My personal experience is Hagerty's 8% deduct is a little on the light side. As a comparison Corvette DNA gives the manual somewhere around a 20% add.
On the bright side an auto is usually cheaper to purchase and there is often a better selection on the market so everything evens out in the end.
Your mileage may very.
On the bright side an auto is usually cheaper to purchase and there is often a better selection on the market so everything evens out in the end.
Your mileage may very.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
If you look at the production numbers, the majority of C3s were automatic, including the 82s when AT was all you could get; no manual transmission was available. Running across more AT cars being up for sale than manual tranny cars is typical.
Last edited by Easy Mike; May 12, 2016 at 07:16 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
well I will disagree on this one. I think the auto's will be easier to sell. a lot of us gear heads like the 4spd stick, but you gotta remember we're a shrinking minority. Most people have never drive and don't even know how to drive a stick, so as you re-sell to the average buyer (and you see them on here a lot), they will be younger and have less experience with a stick.
I had a nice mint '90 lifted bronco V8 I almost had to give away because every kid who wanted it couldn't drive a stick...I learned that lesson quick.
I had a nice mint '90 lifted bronco V8 I almost had to give away because every kid who wanted it couldn't drive a stick...I learned that lesson quick.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
well I will disagree on this one. I think the auto's will be easier to sell. a lot of us gear heads like the 4spd stick, but you gotta remember we're a shrinking minority. Most people have never drive and don't even know how to drive a stick, so as you re-sell to the average buyer (and you see them on here a lot), they will be younger and have less experience with a stick.
I had a nice mint '90 lifted bronco V8 I almost had to give away because every kid who wanted it couldn't drive a stick...I learned that lesson quick.
I had a nice mint '90 lifted bronco V8 I almost had to give away because every kid who wanted it couldn't drive a stick...I learned that lesson quick.
the old geezers want a 4-speed for the classic cars, but the new millennials don't know how to shift and clutch.
if you want to attract new people to the hobby, then autos are the way to go. I think an auto will sell much quicker and are becoming more and more desireable even in the chrome bumper range. it's only a matter of time until the price evens out also in regards to competition with 4-speeds.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
I have to agree with buying an automatic.
When I was 20 I had an 84 Trans-Am with a 5.0 HO and a light-weight racing clutch. Loved it. but now. 30 years later, all I remember is driving in traffic constantly having to clutch.
My wife had a 5.0 Mustang with a 4 speed....that had a standard clutch, man that was hard in traffic.
Ken
When I was 20 I had an 84 Trans-Am with a 5.0 HO and a light-weight racing clutch. Loved it. but now. 30 years later, all I remember is driving in traffic constantly having to clutch.
My wife had a 5.0 Mustang with a 4 speed....that had a standard clutch, man that was hard in traffic.
Ken
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24,592
Likes: 44
From: The Rock Arkansas
Elite Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
I wouldn't consider a Corvette without a manual tranny. There are plenty of folks though that like a slush box. Especially as we get older, and the manuals are harder on the knees and ankles. From a pure collector point of view, the auto tranny hurts value to the tune of at least 8 to 10 percent.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Most gear heads still prefer manuals, including the younger generation. I spend a lot of time around the rice rocket and tuner crowd as my kids, 19 & 21, and their friends are into them. All the kids in that crowd want nothing to do with an auto and I don't see that changing any time soon. Bottomline is car guys and gals have no issue's with learning to shift and I don't see that changing. And pretty much by diffenition anyone interested in actually buying a classic car is a car guy.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 2
From: Lakeland FL
You can argue til the cows come home on the AT vs Manual. No one is right and no one is wrong, it all depends. Plenty to people on both sides. Lots of people looking to buy either one.
I just sold my 5 speed manual 1970 Mustang Coupe. An awesome car, fun to drive, tough to shift for someone with a 37" inseam and knees at the steering wheel.
Bought a 1979 Corvette AT. Very easy to drive. My 37" inseam loves the leg room and no need to be lifting the leg all day to push the clutch at each gear shift.
It all depends on your market and who's looking to buy. The young/old guys that want the shifting experience or the young/old guys that want the ease of driving without shifting every few minutes or more.
I just sold my 5 speed manual 1970 Mustang Coupe. An awesome car, fun to drive, tough to shift for someone with a 37" inseam and knees at the steering wheel.
Bought a 1979 Corvette AT. Very easy to drive. My 37" inseam loves the leg room and no need to be lifting the leg all day to push the clutch at each gear shift.
It all depends on your market and who's looking to buy. The young/old guys that want the shifting experience or the young/old guys that want the ease of driving without shifting every few minutes or more.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Boils down to personal preference and unfortunately....your health.
Yes the 4 speed cars are more desirable....and not really sure why that is.
I am a 4 speed guy myself.....but an automatic Vette is cool......at least they were three speeds.....the C1, C2 Powerglides sap a lot of acceleration......
I just played around with a mild modded 76' Auto not long ago and it is a rip.....it is weird to have two hands on the wheel while pulling holeshots
But at the end of the day....the 4 speed C3 will fetch more and is a quicker sale...although the Auto's have their place too.....
Neither will lose value.....and in some cases...it is a way to get into the year and engine you want to shave a few bucks....
Jebby
Yes the 4 speed cars are more desirable....and not really sure why that is.
I am a 4 speed guy myself.....but an automatic Vette is cool......at least they were three speeds.....the C1, C2 Powerglides sap a lot of acceleration......
I just played around with a mild modded 76' Auto not long ago and it is a rip.....it is weird to have two hands on the wheel while pulling holeshots
But at the end of the day....the 4 speed C3 will fetch more and is a quicker sale...although the Auto's have their place too.....
Neither will lose value.....and in some cases...it is a way to get into the year and engine you want to shave a few bucks....
Jebby
