I Have Finally Driven a C3...and it wasn't good
03-12-2018, 05:57 PM
#42
Racer
Thread Starter
I'm 5'7" 67, and no problems getting in or out, the tilt wheel gives more knee space. My neighbor had a big Infinity SUV and just got a bigger Infinity SUV....said her husband couldn't fit in the old one. He drives a big Ford pickup.
When I mentioned getting rid of my Corvette she said let her husband know.....no way he could get in my Corvette or SLK230.
When I mentioned getting rid of my Corvette she said let her husband know.....no way he could get in my Corvette or SLK230.
03-12-2018, 06:03 PM
#43
Emerging Vendor
When we had our 82 CE, the transmission was always hunting for overdrive and would stumble and feel gutless. A chip helped a lot, but it required premium gas for the ignition timing change in the chip.
03-12-2018, 06:52 PM
#44
Le Mans Master
I took my 86 Silverado to inspection here in NC... they failed it because the high mount stop light did not work. I had to explain to them that it didn't have a high mount stop light... only a bed work light.
03-12-2018, 07:12 PM
#45
Le Mans Master
Both of my C3s are in various states of dodgyness, with squirrely handling, though both better than when we bought them. The 79 L-48 automatic specifically is underpowered. They are cantakerous, and a tight fit. I'm 6'1' and my head rubs on the T-Tops, so I leave them off during driving season.
But they are beautiful machines, and the family loves them. The entire experience of driving is better than any other car I have ever owned.
Perhaps that specific CE was not the car for you, but if you don't need the hatchback option for golf clubs, you should be able to get three decent 78+ C3s, or two really nice ones, for $20K.
Good luck!
But they are beautiful machines, and the family loves them. The entire experience of driving is better than any other car I have ever owned.
Perhaps that specific CE was not the car for you, but if you don't need the hatchback option for golf clubs, you should be able to get three decent 78+ C3s, or two really nice ones, for $20K.
Good luck!
03-12-2018, 07:42 PM
#46
Melting Slicks
I have $32K into my 80Vette, but that is with a complete body off rebuild. I had to pay $13K for the car, and in my opinion that was a bit high, but it was an impulse buy. My car makes 350 hp and 390 tq. Car is a blast to drive, burns the tires, stops and steers goes around corners well. These cars are not for everyone, i am 5'7" 200 lbs and i fit the car well. I enjoy taking it out, And dealing with its quirks and personality.I have wanted a C3 since i was 16 and the best part is i got to build mind from the frame up.
03-12-2018, 09:00 PM
#47
Team Owner
03-12-2018, 09:10 PM
#48
Racer
Thread Starter
03-12-2018, 09:16 PM
#49
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I'm thinking this isn't a 82 Corvette problem as designed and manufactured by GM. Just a bad example with issues. This isn't the typical Cross-Fire experience, right?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=187994547
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JohnRogers (03-12-2018)
03-12-2018, 09:17 PM
#50
Team Owner
But more seriously, are you specifically looking for an '82? One of the good things about the C3 generation is that it covers a wide range of years, and a correspondingly wide range of driving experiences.
Interested in earlier C3s at all?
03-12-2018, 09:21 PM
#51
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CI 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Veteran
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First of all, hilarious write up! What you described is a poorly maintained crossfire...and the sad part is they don't require much to maintain! More than likely she'd been sitting awhile...has some varnish in the throttle bodies coupled with a vacuum leak or two and old gas will make a crossfire stumble for sure. The crossfire system (best described by a friend who builds rockets at NASA - is essentially two monkeys dumping gas into the throttle bodies and timing it just right) is very efficient when running correctly and most problems are either a vacuum leak or bad sensor (TPS, etc).
As for the Collectors Editions - literally one in four cars produced in 1982 (25,407 cars) was a CE. Other than very nice paint/stripes (which will cost you a bundle to replace) and the very cool lifting back glass (which all '82 owners wish we had - but only if they worked and didn't leak!) the CE is exactly like every other 82...same L83 engine with 200HP/285 torque (that's what you felt when you got on her) mated to the then new 700R4 transmission.
I love my 82 but know she is what she is...a cruiser. Car and Driver tested one and hit 0-60 in 7.9 seconds...quick in early 80s frame of mind but hardly fast. That's why we have a C5 Z06 parked beside her...0-60 in 3.9 (achievable with a better driver than me).
Enjoy the hunt and hope you find a nicer C3 to test!
As for the Collectors Editions - literally one in four cars produced in 1982 (25,407 cars) was a CE. Other than very nice paint/stripes (which will cost you a bundle to replace) and the very cool lifting back glass (which all '82 owners wish we had - but only if they worked and didn't leak!) the CE is exactly like every other 82...same L83 engine with 200HP/285 torque (that's what you felt when you got on her) mated to the then new 700R4 transmission.
I love my 82 but know she is what she is...a cruiser. Car and Driver tested one and hit 0-60 in 7.9 seconds...quick in early 80s frame of mind but hardly fast. That's why we have a C5 Z06 parked beside her...0-60 in 3.9 (achievable with a better driver than me).
Enjoy the hunt and hope you find a nicer C3 to test!
Couldn't have said it better. 
03-12-2018, 10:38 PM
#52
Racer
Thread Starter
That might be what you are talking, but not what Cuisinartvette's post implied! I took umbrage!
But more seriously, are you specifically looking for an '82? One of the good things about the C3 generation is that it covers a wide range of years, and a correspondingly wide range of driving experiences.
Interested in earlier C3s at all?
But more seriously, are you specifically looking for an '82? One of the good things about the C3 generation is that it covers a wide range of years, and a correspondingly wide range of driving experiences.
Interested in earlier C3s at all?
I have complete respect for the early C3 and if I had $60K to spend I'd tastefully restomod one. Pull off the carb, pack it away safe. Install a Holley Sniper EFI and hit the road.
03-13-2018, 01:14 AM
#53
Le Mans Master
a 1982 crossfire that has been taken care of will run out well.But they take a little upkeep to keep it like that.decide if you want a project or do you want turn key.Even if you get turn key low mile car ,you will still have to at some point work on it or pay someone to fix it .these cars are getting older every day.The 82 may be the best c3 to get in to because the electric seat gives some movement and with the glass tops theres more head room.i bought my car from a guy who was 6.4
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JohnRogers (03-13-2018)
03-13-2018, 07:37 AM
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my 74 c3 coupe isnt finished yet, but the suspension has been completely overhauled front and rear. it feels like it is a tight and precise driving car. however, while my car was being done i had the chance to drive a 74 convertible with worn out suspension. the car drove horrible. it felt like the car was twisting and flexing like limp spagetti. it wandered al over the road, all in all it was scarry to drive. the engine skipped and hesitated. the car rattled and clunked from everywhere. i was REALLY concerned that i would hate my corvette. my stock l48 will do rings around the convert, and is much better to drive. it is smooth, and is pretty pleasent.
over all i love it. my guess is the car you drove needs some attention. but at the price that they gave you, that car should run and drive like a cream puff. just my opinion. keep looking. drive a buch of them untill you find the car that is the right buy for you. good luck my friend, tony
over all i love it. my guess is the car you drove needs some attention. but at the price that they gave you, that car should run and drive like a cream puff. just my opinion. keep looking. drive a buch of them untill you find the car that is the right buy for you. good luck my friend, tony
03-13-2018, 09:25 AM
#56
Instructor
Can't believe they originally had it posted for 30k!! They discounted it 9500. They must be stupid
03-13-2018, 02:01 PM
#57
Always wanted a C# and was looking for the fairly rare silver green color combo, 1982 only; I got my 1982 about 6 months ago, cosmetically exterior and interior like new; When test driving it it was a bit rough but all functioning;bought it because I lived the look and the feel. Put new tires on, the old ones were 17 years old and rock hard, replaced the rear shocks, used 91 octane fuel and 2 tanks with fuel injector additive,
and now it is truly awesome to drive. So it did not take a lot. Plus the car was a one owner car in Palm Springs and even the underneath only had surface dust!
and now it is truly awesome to drive. So it did not take a lot. Plus the car was a one owner car in Palm Springs and even the underneath only had surface dust!
03-13-2018, 02:20 PM
#58
Burning Brakes
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I'm 6'3" and not fat. I slide into that thing easily. The hard part is getting OUT after I've been riding around a while. Oooof.
Now I understand some of the noises Grampa used to make
Now I understand some of the noises Grampa used to make
03-13-2018, 02:22 PM
#60
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c3
I agree with the previous members who stated you can not compare a C3 to the newer models. I have owned c4's, c5's and c6's. Your size is a definite issue, I added tilt to my '70 cpe which helped (being 6'3"). Money is the obvious next point. Any C3 will require work unless you are willing to spend upfront. Good luck with your search but an additional $5-8K upfront from a private party would make you much happier.
