Posted in C5 forum as well...

Am I crazy? I’ve had my bone stock, 35,000 mile 2003 Z06 for three years. I love the car, however, I don’t track it, don’t street race, and don’t really go on “spirited drives”. I was a young kid in the mid 70s and was C3 crazy, and when even now when I hear the word Corvette my mind pictures a mid 70s C3, which were probably the slowest Corvettes ever made. I’m just drawn to them, and part of me would rather just take a nice drive with the T-tops out on a nice evening vs. driving the Z I have now. The question is for those of you who may have had a mid 70s C3, would I be furious at myself if I went from Z to C3? I had plenty of early 70s mild muscle cars in my younger years and am aware of the differences in braking, safely, features etc., but are those C3s just miserable to drive? Own? Thanks for any opinions!!!

 

No you're not crazy. I have a '72 and my son has a 2002 Z06. We've had these cars well over 10 years. The Z06 was state of the art crazy fast, and now although still plenty quick, not really special an more. My son has matured since then, now married with two kids, and rarely drives the Z. In the meantime, my '72 has become more of a classic and gets more attention (has become worth more as well). I was once jealous, though now I think it's the other way around. The C3 is not miserable to drive, but it certainly lacks the creature comforts or the modern car. You need to drive one and decide for yourself.

 

I have had C3's since 1970 when I bought a slightly used 69. They are great cars but don't compare to modern stuff. The 02 Z06 in the rear I bought new. I owned it for 12 years and not one thing ever went wrong or failed in all that time. It was never in for warranty. I felt cheated... When I bought the C6 Z06 I couldn't bear to sell the C5 so my wife drove it but then I never drove the C6Z as I preferred the 69 427 even though it's rude, crude, and gets really poor mileage to boot. My wife now drives the C6Z but in the 12 years I have owned it, it only has 15000 miles on the odo. I have owned the 69 in the pic since 2013 and that's what I drive most of the time. Not as comfortable or near as fast as the other 2 but just something about it. You just can't leave it alone. Big smile all the time. I have owned a Corvette ever since I bought that first one in 1970.

 

OMG, you'll never look back, and older is better. All the quirks are just part of the charm.

"The Corvette yours? That's when they were really Corvettes!". Yesterday at hardware store.

Biker knifing thru traffic in the rear view, pulls along side, and gives 👍 before going back to going.

 

Depends on what you are doing with the car. If you are just out for an occasional fun drive then the C3 wins hands down. If you are not more performance and comfort and possible longer drives then the Z wins hands down. My C6 Z does everything my 72 does only better. Yes the 72 is more unique and gets more looks if your into that but sitting behind the wheel and actually driving is no comparison.

 

I did. Sold my 2002 C5Z that was modified and don’t even miss it. Would do it again in a second

 

You'll regret it. I went from a C3 to a C5 and the difference is astounding. I'll never yearn for a C3 again.

 

I have owned my 71' C3 for 13 years, put 35k miles on it, I owned a C5Z(900 rwhp) for 5 years and put 15k miles on it, and now own a C7Z(800 rwhp) and have put 10k miles on it. I loved all of them for their own reasons, and driving "performance" is immeasurable between the C3 and the C5/C7.... No doubt the newer ones do EVERYTHING better when checking off the stat card... However, the driving experience can not be matched with the C3. Beside the looks and attention etc etc, when you sit in it, you drive it, its a time machine....its vintage 60s/70s feeling, I love it.... I love the "driving experience" of the old cars. I've done nothing to "modernize" the driving feel of the C3 other then adding cold AC and a good stereo, but the steering, suspension, ride feeling is 100% factory original, sloppy, pitiful, sometimes unsafe.....and I love every minute of it.

Absolutely nothing better then road tripping a classic car.

If I could only have one, the 71' would be the one that stays, no doubt about it. There is nothing special about C5Z/C7Zs....they are just cars, with no character... Vintage C3s, are ALL character. Especially when you build one to haul ***...

Now if you are talking about a DAILY driver, then keep the C5Z, but for a weekend toy, most people always end up loving the C3s and their quirks...Especially the 68-72' owners.

 

I agree with most here. I have a '15 and a '70. Neither of them are my daily so whenever I decide to take the vette somewhere it is always the '70. Cant explain how fun it is to take the top down and just cruise around and feel all the nostalgia. Dont get me wrong... The C7 is an awesome car but it never seems to get the nod over the '70 when the time comes.

 

What a GREAT question. I have TWO C-3's and pretty BRUTAL 69 convertible and a refined 1982 CE. I daily drive a Recent German Sportscar.

So...for a pure visceral, gutty, VINTAGE drive...hard to beat a C-3!

I LOVE the simplicity and crudity of the C-3's...I guess one way of explaining it would be the difference between a Vinyl record and a CD/MP3. They both play music, but the record is far more 'nuanced'. Modern cars have been sanitized...they've been reduced to a minimum liability package....25 'nannies' telling you and the car what to do.
"We must make the power steering capable for a 5' 100lbs GIRL to be able to drive it and stop it."
The C-3 is NONE OF THAT.

It talks to you, it squeeks, you can feel the air and the pavement...pull on that 4 speed gearshift and you KNOW it's you making that gearchange!

Visceral
Connected
GUTTY
Vintage
Fix it yourself with a pocketknife.

Good Luck!

Unkahal

 

4’11, 100lb wife...driving a 650hp C3....with a 4” hood...lol. No power brakes. Where there’s a will, there’s a way....

 

I gave my opinion on the C5 forum.
I love my C5. Been over 155 mph at Texas Motor Speedway. Stable as a rock. More than me! Its the car for a long road trip. Comfortable, fast, great economy and you can pass anything out there almost.
Always wanted a 69 vette. Its the car I drive most of the time going to town. 36 miles total on a beautiful twistee Texas highway. Two different animals but they are both true Corvettes!!


They abide!
VERYSOON

 

I was torn between getting a C3 or C5 for all the listed reasons....classic car vs modern tech. I chose the C3 and enjoy the heck out of it but still wonder if I shoulda gone with a C5.

 

Agree. I've got a 94 vert, automatic transmission, AC, and power everything. A very comfortable ride and the car does virtually everything for you. I also have a 72 coupe, 454 with a 4-speed and side exhaust with NO power steering or any other power accessories. It can be a handful at times especially with bias ply tires. Which would I rather drive? Hands down the 72. Nothing beats you driving the car rather than the car driving you and you can't get that in more modern cars. Incidentally, I used to let my girlfriend drive the car occasionally. It was amusing but she managed.

 

The C3s are fun to drive in a way that a modern vehicle is not. Especially with a manual. Go drive one and see! The cockpit is also much nicer than any C4-C6, once you get used to the close fit.

I've driven a C5 a few times (not a Z06). Meh.

It helps if you also like WORKING on cars, though, as you will be fixing things yourself for a few hundred dollars that a mechanic would otherwise be fixing for a few thousand.

 

Had C3s C4s C5 and the C3 was the last of the arm out the window Corvette.

 

Thanks for the responses. I think I’m really leaning toward selling/trading the Z for a C3. Just something about even seeing one takes me back to when I was 12 years old building models of them, etc. That feeling isn’t replicated for me with any C5, 6, 7, etc.

 

i fully understand what you say and can only add the generations are totally different. The modern cars are a blast to drive hard and are very comfortable. The C-3 is rough riding old school. They are also a blast to drive. However; they are getting old and many you find will need work. If you can do the work it’s not so bad. If you have to send it out you need deep pockets. If your not interested in restoring and still want a C-3 purchase a completely done car. Drive it and enjoy the fun.

 

Simple, many have stated way better then I could state but I will add: Just look at it. I think anyone who grew up as a teenager in the late 60s and 70s knows exactly what I am talking about I just looks perfect to me. Absolutely a beautiful work of art in design and function.
When I close my eyes and imagine what a car should look like its a C3.

As far as driving one, I compare it to driving a motorcycle, you need to concentrate as to what your doing at all times. You feel what the car is doing in your body. Very zen like to me!!! . Ike

 

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Rather than trying to talk you out of either option, I am going to suggest looking at a few of the C3s. Try to find both automatic and manual versions. Take them for a drive (as long as possible). Experience the sights, sounds, smells, and feeling of them. Basically using 4 of your 5 senses. I would suggest everything except licking the windows or seats. Drive them the same way you would drive the Z. After experiencing them both, make your choice. I've never looked on the C5 forums, but I can tell you that there are many people on this section who will gladly answer any questions/ concerns that you would have with a C3
​​​​C3.

here is another thread from a member who was basically having the same debate as you. The main difference is that he was leaning heavily in the opposite direction toward the purchase of a newer model as he already owned a C3 which he enjoyed.
Lots of great input in this thread as well.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/4358648-c3-overhaul-or-c5-z06.html

Kael