When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Maybe I sounded a little harsh in the comparison. Yes the C3 is a sexy classic car and the feeling of driving it can’t compare to a newer car for sure. It all depends on what you want out of a car. I had the C3 for a long time and loved every minute of it for sure. I modded the hell out of it and it was always a fun car to drive. As you move through life things change and so does your taste. Over 20 years here on the forum I have seen a lot of guys come and go on the Corvette platform weather new or old cars. To compare the 2 cars is not even fair they are 2 totally different animals. My advice is to spend a little time with both cars and be really honest with yourself on what you want out of a car. Both of them should give you pleasure if its what you want.
Maybe I sounded a little harsh in the comparison. Yes the C3 is a sexy classic car and the feeling of driving it can’t compare to a newer car for sure. It all depends on what you want out of a car. I had the C3 for a long time and loved every minute of it for sure. I modded the hell out of it and it was always a fun car to drive. As you move through life things change and so does your taste. Over 20 years here on the forum I have seen a lot of guys come and go on the Corvette platform weather new or old cars. To compare the 2 cars is not even fair they are 2 totally different animals. My advice is to spend a little time with both cars and be really honest with yourself on what you want out of a car. Both of them should give you pleasure if its what you want.
I wouldn't argue with any of this.
During my recent struggles and education on owning a C3 or any of the modern vettes was that a C4,5,6,7, aside from being a Corvette, is no different than owning a modern Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, etc. But owning a C3 (to me) is different than owning a late 60's/early 70's mustang, camaro, chevelle, etc.
If my life was such that a C3 wasn't practical and I wasn't partial to a modern Vette or Mustang, then I'd go sports-car-less. I've wanted a C3 my whole life and that was the goal, not a classic versus modern or just owning a Corvette.
I have both a 2011 GS LS3 convertible and a 1976 C3 with T-top. Totally different cars. The C3 is what my expectation of what a Corvette is and is a thrill to drive, noisy, hot, everyone giving you the thumbs up. On the other hand the C6 with those 430 horses is a rocket, but a sophisticated rocket, totally different experience. A lot of people have actually told me that its a nice "Ferrari". So give a C3 a try before you decide.
I own a '72 and an '06 roadster. As different as they are, compared to what's on the road today, they have more in common than you think. They're both long hood, short deck, two seat, front engine, rear drive, V8 powered, manual transmission, convertible sport cars, that make every errand a joy, and short circuit the neural path from your right foot to the muscles in your face that make you smile.
I own a '72 and an '06 roadster. As different as they are, compared to what's on the road today, they have more in common than you think. They're both long hood, short deck, two seat, front engine, rear drive, V8 powered, manual transmission, convertible sport cars, that make every errand a joy, and short circuit the neural path from your right foot to the muscles in your face that make you smile.
LOVE this....made me smile just reading it because of the truth in it!
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Originally Posted by jimy
My ultimate Corvette has always been a C3. Goes back to when I was a kid. I wasn't in a position to have an old car when I bought my C6 so I missed out. Now I've had my C6 for almost 7 years and I'm thinking it might be the time to get the C3. My question is will I be disappointed in a C3 after owning a C6? If I'm comparing apples to apples, I'd be looking at around $15K to $20K for a C3. A $20K C3 is a pretty nice C3 I believe. I have a very nice 2007 LS2, 6 spd with headers and a tune. Nothing fancy but fun to drive.
The C3 wouldn't be a daily driver but, I'd drive it as much as I can.
I guess it's a matter of opinion on which one you would like or be disappointed with. I personally have driven plenty of C6s, the last being a 2,500 mile almost like new 2007 Z06. WOW! What a nice ride and handles like on rails and plenty of power on demand. My C3 is a nice car and is relatively new looking with a 383. It IS like night and day between the two cars. If you like the styling and the feel of the road feedback steering and don't mind a semi rough ride and the noise, then the C3 is your car. I love the C6 in comparison for comfort, handling and full out haul *** power. Me on the other hand as well, have been looking for a C6 2012 3ZR ZR1 to add to my stable, just can't find the one I want yet, I'm being VERY picky. Good luck on your search and decision. Keep the wave...
Last edited by Buccaneer; Aug 30, 2020 at 03:35 PM.
I had to make a very similar decision as you. For me, it was either a C3 or a C5.
Background:
I actually almost bought a C5 coupe new back in 2001, but ended up going with a 2001 Z28 due to cost. Back then, it was a good decision because the difference in cost went to mods and I had a really fun car. Now 20 years later, I wish I had bought the C5 and kept it (though it's probably good I didn't because I would have hacked it up in my adolescent need to chase speed).
Jump ahead to 3 years ago. At the time I had a really fun E46 M3 (was literally a weekend away from doing an LSx swap on it) that had just gotten totaled (high school kid late to class) and I was looking for a new car. I have always loved the way the C3 looked and it was always one of those "if I won the lottery I'd. _____ " cars, but age/experience/knowing myself allowed me to realize that C3 would end up being a project car and at the time I really needed the car to be daily driver capable. So I dug around, found myself a manual C5 and I've hopped it up over the years. Then last year I started floating the idea of getting rid of the C5 and getting a C3. I was no longer daily driving the C5 and it spent most of it's time in the garage, so a project wasn't that big of an issue.
So I started looking around, test driving C3s and what I found was this:
The C5 (or in your case the C6) is an INFINATELY better car than the C3. If I could only have one, I'd keep my C5. ZERO question. It's faster, handles better, is more comfortable, more reliable, more cargo space, etc.... the list is pretty much unending. If I could only have one, the ONLY way I would take a C3 over a C5 (or C6) is if the C3 had a C5/C6 chassis under it. Ultimately, yes, I bought a C3 and it's going to be a fun car (plans call for a BB and a T56 swap here soon). But at the end of the day, it will never replace my C5.
Yes
