Do I, do I not? exelent
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 82
From: Columbus OH
Ok, another guy with personal experience here. I bought a 76 Vette while I was a junior at college (2003-4). I lived in an off campus apartment with no garage or car port or anything else. I only had an outdoor cover for it. Oh, and the Vette was not in the "best of shape" and needed those normal "tune up" items. Riiiiiight. It needed something every other week (ok, every week!).
However, I also had a 91 5 speed Ford Ranger (bought for $800 to give you some idea of its true condition) to use for daily usage. It too was not the greatest, but was more reliable than the Vette.
If you decide you want this particular Vette, be sure to have some tools, knowledge, and funds. If you can swing for another more "modern" vehicle to go along with it, I would highly suggest that.
Since that 76 Vette, it was sold a long time ago, bought another cheap Vette that needed a "tune up" that really needed a lot more, then sold that one, saved up, and bought one that someone else had dumped a lot of money into for a fraction of what they put into it and now have a great Corvette.
In the end, it is your decision. Good Luck!
However, I also had a 91 5 speed Ford Ranger (bought for $800 to give you some idea of its true condition) to use for daily usage. It too was not the greatest, but was more reliable than the Vette.
If you decide you want this particular Vette, be sure to have some tools, knowledge, and funds. If you can swing for another more "modern" vehicle to go along with it, I would highly suggest that.
Since that 76 Vette, it was sold a long time ago, bought another cheap Vette that needed a "tune up" that really needed a lot more, then sold that one, saved up, and bought one that someone else had dumped a lot of money into for a fraction of what they put into it and now have a great Corvette.
In the end, it is your decision. Good Luck!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,183
Likes: 9,319
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Where do you live, post pictures, have you read the 10 things to know thread yet, post pictures, does it run and stop, post pictures.
If it runs and stops I would buy it, drive the crap out of it, post pics while doing it, (the driving you dirty minded vette guys) Then when you have the time and money, decide if its worth a restoration. At that point restore or sell. You may be able to sell it for what you bought it for if its still running when you graduate. Everyone should have an old car and know how to fix it. These things are so simple compared to anything built with a computer and a billion sensors.
If it runs and stops I would buy it, drive the crap out of it, post pics while doing it, (the driving you dirty minded vette guys) Then when you have the time and money, decide if its worth a restoration. At that point restore or sell. You may be able to sell it for what you bought it for if its still running when you graduate. Everyone should have an old car and know how to fix it. These things are so simple compared to anything built with a computer and a billion sensors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I heard this one from my son.
Dad-"I wanna sell my 4door sedan and get a small P/U truck." I asked him "why?" He told me- "When my buddies wanna go somewhere - they usually want me to drive since my car will seat five. A P/U truck and I won't have to drive them around."
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 250
Likes: 29
So Opinions are like Butt holes. Everybody has one, some people are one... but here goes another.
I've been into cars all my life, but they took a backseat for life. I waited until my career was stable, happily married, kids about to start college and mortgage free with a college savings put aside. THEN i bought the car i wanted. One that needed fixing up. It's a lot easier to put time into something you enjoy and DON'T have to rely on. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you can take your time and do it yourself.
Listen to the others. Pass on it for now, graduate college, get established in a career that will allow you to afford the good toys while not having to live on Ramen noodles. You will enjoy it soooo much more !
I've been into cars all my life, but they took a backseat for life. I waited until my career was stable, happily married, kids about to start college and mortgage free with a college savings put aside. THEN i bought the car i wanted. One that needed fixing up. It's a lot easier to put time into something you enjoy and DON'T have to rely on. There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you can take your time and do it yourself.
Listen to the others. Pass on it for now, graduate college, get established in a career that will allow you to afford the good toys while not having to live on Ramen noodles. You will enjoy it soooo much more !
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
On more thing I might add. I drove a lot of clunkers when i was young, but most of them were common then and parts were plentiful and cheap. Some parts for the old covettes may be expensive and harder to find. There is also the problem that if you have to have repairs done, many if not most regular garages will not service old cars. Corvette specialty shops and hot rod shops are usually your only choices for repairs and they charge a premium for thier services.
Just a few more things to consider.
Just a few more things to consider.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 215
Likes: 26
From: Bismarck North Dakota
when i was in school i drove a 56 chevy, this was the mid 90's
never owned a car that was made in the same decade i owned it until i had kids then i got something to haul them around in that i didnt have to worry if it broke down, but even now they would much rather ride in my 68...
id say buy it, its cheap enough to limp an old car along as long as you know how to work on them yourself, hell of alot cheaper than if something goes wrong on most newer vehicles, just my opinion anyway.
never owned a car that was made in the same decade i owned it until i had kids then i got something to haul them around in that i didnt have to worry if it broke down, but even now they would much rather ride in my 68...
id say buy it, its cheap enough to limp an old car along as long as you know how to work on them yourself, hell of alot cheaper than if something goes wrong on most newer vehicles, just my opinion anyway.
Last edited by Knerf; Mar 9, 2017 at 01:25 PM. Reason: spelling
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 150
Likes: 42
From: mountains of N.E. Georgia Georgia
Other than the vacuum operated items...and ground issues a c3 will be as dependable as any other 350 powered GM car...I've got 185,000 on a 75 firebird with a 350.
having said that, I'd wait till after school You have enough stresses as a student to add to them with a car that's not 100% dependable. Get a Toyota or Nissan or the like to drive while in school. When you get out of school, keep the car you buy now and buy a Vette.
Good luck!
having said that, I'd wait till after school You have enough stresses as a student to add to them with a car that's not 100% dependable. Get a Toyota or Nissan or the like to drive while in school. When you get out of school, keep the car you buy now and buy a Vette.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,876
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I say go for it- if there's no rust on the frame and birdcage.
Want to paint it cheap? Here's a thread on fellow member "lowbuck72" and his $100 paint job-
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...paint-job.html
AND there are plenty of really great members here- that would be more than glad to give you extra parts just taking up space in the garage/basement and depending where you are located- help you out.
Richard
Want to paint it cheap? Here's a thread on fellow member "lowbuck72" and his $100 paint job-
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...paint-job.html
AND there are plenty of really great members here- that would be more than glad to give you extra parts just taking up space in the garage/basement and depending where you are located- help you out.
Richard
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Other than the vacuum operated items...and ground issues a c3 will be as dependable as any other 350 powered GM car...I've got 185,000 on a 75 firebird with a 350.
having said that, I'd wait till after school You have enough stresses as a student to add to them with a car that's not 100% dependable. Get a Toyota or Nissan or the like to drive while in school. When you get out of school, keep the car you buy now and buy a Vette.
Good luck!
having said that, I'd wait till after school You have enough stresses as a student to add to them with a car that's not 100% dependable. Get a Toyota or Nissan or the like to drive while in school. When you get out of school, keep the car you buy now and buy a Vette.
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
51k my azz, bet its gone around at least once if not more. It needs everything everywhere you look
To edit a long post dont even think about that car its a royal pos that will need every single thing in the book. Its been shot with primer (to hide?) an old chrome air cleaner. Bet the farm hes flipping it which is Ok but man youll hate that thing in 6 mos.
Dont risk your job/school to it, dont let anyone tell you differnetly these cars cost money
You can find a rubber bumper C3, decent 10 footer all day thats reliable for under 8. Some may even have working AC.
Curious what is he asking??
Depending you may be able to afrod a real nice C4 thats faster handles great has all the creature comforts and gets great mileage
Not quite as cool looking but twice the car for dirt cheap.
To edit a long post dont even think about that car its a royal pos that will need every single thing in the book. Its been shot with primer (to hide?) an old chrome air cleaner. Bet the farm hes flipping it which is Ok but man youll hate that thing in 6 mos.
Dont risk your job/school to it, dont let anyone tell you differnetly these cars cost money
You can find a rubber bumper C3, decent 10 footer all day thats reliable for under 8. Some may even have working AC.
Curious what is he asking??
Depending you may be able to afrod a real nice C4 thats faster handles great has all the creature comforts and gets great mileage
Not quite as cool looking but twice the car for dirt cheap.
Last edited by cv67; Mar 9, 2017 at 11:38 PM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
5k
51k my azz, bet its gone around at least once if not more. It needs everything everywhere you look
To edit a long post dont even think about that car its a royal pos that will need every single thing in the book. Its been shot with primer (to hide?) an old chrome air cleaner. Bet the farm hes flipping it which is Ok but man youll hate that thing in 6 mos.a
Dont risk your job/school to it, dont let anyone tell you differnetly these cars cost money
You can find a rubber bumper C3, decent 10 footer all day thats reliable for under 8. Some may even have working AC.
Curious what is he asking??
Depending you may be able to afrod a real nice C4 thats faster handles great has all the creature comforts and gets great mileage
Not quite as cool looking but twice the car for dirt cheap.
To edit a long post dont even think about that car its a royal pos that will need every single thing in the book. Its been shot with primer (to hide?) an old chrome air cleaner. Bet the farm hes flipping it which is Ok but man youll hate that thing in 6 mos.a
Dont risk your job/school to it, dont let anyone tell you differnetly these cars cost money
You can find a rubber bumper C3, decent 10 footer all day thats reliable for under 8. Some may even have working AC.
Curious what is he asking??
Depending you may be able to afrod a real nice C4 thats faster handles great has all the creature comforts and gets great mileage
Not quite as cool looking but twice the car for dirt cheap.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If I had a job Id paypal you 100 to put towards a better car lol
For 7-8k you can get something so much better thats ready to go.
The only so so thing in the car that isnt too far gone are the seats
Dont do it, its a parts car at best. Its ok you gotta start looking somewhere, if I stumble across something Ill send it your way sure others will too if they think youre ready to pull the trigger
Nobody wants 76 and newer ones out here due to strict smog
You can really get adecent rubber bumper vette for real reasonable $
not being a negative nancy just bought too many like that
.
Edit:actually Im worse, Im a grumpy old fkr but a straight shooter at least.
For 7-8k you can get something so much better thats ready to go.
The only so so thing in the car that isnt too far gone are the seats
Dont do it, its a parts car at best. Its ok you gotta start looking somewhere, if I stumble across something Ill send it your way sure others will too if they think youre ready to pull the trigger
Nobody wants 76 and newer ones out here due to strict smog
You can really get adecent rubber bumper vette for real reasonable $
not being a negative nancy just bought too many like that
.Edit:actually Im worse, Im a grumpy old fkr but a straight shooter at least.
Last edited by cv67; Mar 10, 2017 at 12:40 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
Likes: 118
From: Matthews NC
Sorry, I'm too much of a realist. Depending on your current status in life, job, student loans and other responsibilities .... I'd pass. You'll find that these cars (and from the looks this one especially) will take continual money to keep it on the road, and shouldn't be your only car.
I realize "you only go around once" but please don't dig yourself in to a financial hole that you can't get out of.
I realize "you only go around once" but please don't dig yourself in to a financial hole that you can't get out of.