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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.
If I was going to make such a drastic change in a hobby car I'd want to get some seat time behind what I wanted to get.Maybe find a Corvette club with some c-3s and see if some of them would let you drive their vette(with them going along of coarse,no hot rodding) c-3 are verydifferent between years,high hp,options, etc.You also get to ask alot of questions from people that own them.Might also make a couple friends and may even buy one from a club member.Corvette owners in a club can be quite ****(in a good way) and usually take good care of their vettes.they also have owned them for a few years which is a good thing. Just my .02 cents worth. mike
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'm fortunate enough to own both, a 2012 GS and a 1971 big block. Both are convertibles, the C6 is an automatic and the C3 is now a 5 speed.
I've never been overly thrilled with the C6 but it's a damn nice car... obviously more creature comforts and technology. The C3, on the other hand... I can get enough of. It's what I've always thought a Vette should be. But NOT apples to apples.
Will you be disappointed going from a relatively "modern" car to a 50 year old "classic. Only you will know. I think it's a safe bet that you'll be disappointed if you expect a $20K car to give you the same comfort , reliability, and performance.
My .02
Last edited by Old Man in a C; Oct 4, 2019 at 05:34 PM.
I drive a pretty sophisticated Audi TT Quattro as my daily...loaded to the teeth.....CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE WEEKEND TO JUMP INTO THE C-3!
One last thing in engineering there is Fail-SOFT and Fail-HARD. The C-3 is fail soft....the C-6 is fail HARD....one electron, invisible, not going to the correct place and the vehicle is un-drivable.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
"Everyone" has a C6. Not so with a C3. And I can fix just about anything by myself on my C3. Not so with my now sold '13 CTS-V coupe. Shoulda kept the damn thing in hindsight, lol.
One important part that I did ot catch, is what year range of C3 you want. Huge difference in the experience from early to even mid-year, and then late C3.
I have a 69 big block 4sp roadster, and an 05 auto roadster.
Like others have said, completely different. I love the 69 for it's brute raw experience, style and nostalgia. Love it!.....but would not want to drive it more than a couple times per week for short drives. Not practical, or comfortable, by today's standards.
The C6 is a get in, and drive anywhere, easily kind of car.
Great advice provided above - talk to some local C3 people at shows, meets and clubs. As how they drive their cars.
From: South of Phoenix Arizona, but North of no-where.
Wow! This is one of those really IRONIC conversations that just pop up outta the blue.
for the last 24 hours I have been tossing the same thing around only EXACTLY the opposite.
After losing my 61 to a speeding moron in a big Ford in a snow storm (my 61 was teeboned and totaled) I have been longing to replace it for 50 years. Finally finding a beautiful c3 '81 project 6 months ago. This last week I finally got to drive it around the block a couple times and she really reminded me of my 61. Of course she leaks oil from every corner and almost no gauges or AC work and the headlights do a great job of illuminating the back of the grill. But it is a Corvette and I love it. Its also my "Senior" project. BUT then Damn! Yesterday a guy comes along with a beautiful C5, '99. Low miles, full inspection, everything works at a very good price. And to top it off....my wifes favorite color. So now I am in exactly the same dilema as you, only backwards.
I am fine with a project, albeit a complicated and noisy one. But also I'd look forward to cruising around in my old age in a finished vette. I dont want to sell one for the other, I would like both! But neither Bernie or Pocohontas are giving away free money for cars (except to illegals). And all the other jerks wanna take away gas guzzlers as well as my AR 15.
I am reading with real interest the suggestions here..........
but my opinion, if space (no problem) wife (can be persuaded with expensive jewelry) and money (hmmm) provide. BUY ONE AND KEEP THE OTHER.....
Last edited by Redbirdman; Oct 5, 2019 at 12:05 AM.
I will do you one better. I just sold my 2015 C7 yesterday and I am now looking for a 68-71. I just missed having a classic. I know what I’m getting into though as I’ve had 2 C3’s before.
What's funny is i've been thinking about moving from the C3 to a C6/7 more and more lately. What i love about the C3 is the noise, the feel the thumbs up on the highways. What i wish i had was something i could take on long trips and not stick out so much if that makes sense.
What's funny is i've been thinking about moving from the C3 to a C6/7 more and more lately. What i love about the C3 is the noise, the feel the thumbs up on the highways. What i wish i had was something i could take on long trips and not stick out so much if that makes sense.
Just did the same thing. I have had a C3 for 24 years now. Built a FFR Cobra and wanted something that I could just drive with all the performance of the other two cars. I bought a C6 Z06 with some mods. Could not be happier. I can drive this anywhere anytime any weather and not worry about it. All the performance of the other cars with comfort. Still have the other two cars but looking to get rid of them. This car does everything the others do only better. I’m over the “classic” car drive.
Just did the same thing. I have had a C3 for 24 years now. Built a FFR Cobra and wanted something that I could just drive with all the performance of the other two cars. I bought a C6 Z06 with some mods. Could not be happier. I can drive this anywhere anytime any weather and not worry about it. All the performance of the other cars with comfort. Still have the other two cars but looking to get rid of them. This car does everything the others do only better. I’m over the “classic” car drive.
Appreciate the feedback. Do you think I'd be better off selling the C3 and then looking for a c6? Or do you think I'd have any luck trying to trade my current C3 for a C6?
Appreciate the feedback. Do you think I'd be better off selling the C3 and then looking for a c6? Or do you think I'd have any luck trying to trade my current C3 for a C6?
If you are going to sell the C3 do not trade it in. Any dealer won’t give you near its value vs the open market. Right now is not the best time to sell heading into winter but you never know. I am fortunate to not have to sell the C3 or Cobra so they are for sale but probably won’t get aggressive until springtime. I just don’t have a ton of room and hate to see them just sitting unused.
On the flip side now is probably a good time to buy a C6 as the prices are going to be down. Also with the C8 coming tha twill drop the prices also. There are some vey good cars out there for good prices. 2 months ago. I had no intention of owning a C6. This one came up and I could not pass up the deal. I’ve now owned it 4 weeks and will hold onto it
I have both a C3 and a C6. They are completely different experiences. You can't beat the looks of a C3! I don't really drive my C3 anymore since I got the C6. I all comes down to what mood you are in. If I am going to a Cars and Coffee or a show it is definitely the C3. If I just want to go out on a calm nice little drive it is the C3, when i get home I have a smile on my face. Now if i was the adrenaline rush of rowing through gears and feel the need for speed .... not to mention all the comforts then it is for sure the C6.
Just did the same thing. I have had a C3 for 24 years now. Built a FFR Cobra and wanted something that I could just drive with all the performance of the other two cars. I bought a C6 Z06 with some mods. Could not be happier. I can drive this anywhere anytime any weather and not worry about it. All the performance of the other cars with comfort. Still have the other two cars but looking to get rid of them. This car does everything the others do only better. I’m over the “classic” car drive.
The newer Corvette does NOT do everything the others do, and you are over "classic" cars. That says it all for people looking for the appeal and enjoyment of classic cars. Modern cars are what they are. They have there purpose, but they do not replace the things that classic cars bring to the driver. You know that, I know that. There are simply two different animals. My C3 is a car to have fun in.....and I do. You have made lots of post about your transition from old to new, and I respect your personal choice, but it is simply your choice. Truth is that there really is no right or wrong, good or bad.....there is only the "feeling" a person gets from owning and driving a car. I will take the C3. Giver me a C6 and I will sell it to buy another C3.....maybe a 69 big block, black with red interior and factory side pipes.....the sexiest car known to man.
A wise and relevant statement I read on here a couple of years ago ...
If you don't turn and look at your car when you leave it ... you bought the wrong car.
I can't offer any insight on the C6 to C3 comparison. Others above have been well stated in their posts ... but I remember this statement I hadn't read in this thread.
And it's true. EVERY time I dismount and take a few paces away, there's a turn back to look. Whether it's parking in her casa ... even with the dust cover donned ... or out in the wild.
Oh ... and don't forget the glass window fronts of some businesses .... "how do we look, Victoria?" "Classy as ever, Al" "Rog, roll on!"
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.
C6 for C3?
