What to do - Flip, Long Term Hold or Mod
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 4
What to do - Flip, Long Term Hold or Mod
I'm a New C3 owner and I'm curious what the forum would recommend. I Recently purchased this 82 C3 with 15,000 miles with matching numbers.
https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto...209828582.html
The car's beautiful and run's well. It's been sitting in an older fella's garage on and off for years and I'm a bit concerned about long term engine damage. He's spent over $7k in the last five years on things like , seals, fluids, brakes, etc. My question is should I:
1 - Flip the car for a $5k profit
2 - Keep the car stock and look at it as a long term investment
3 - Mod the car with an LS upgrade and other bits
Thanks for your input.
https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto...209828582.html
The car's beautiful and run's well. It's been sitting in an older fella's garage on and off for years and I'm a bit concerned about long term engine damage. He's spent over $7k in the last five years on things like , seals, fluids, brakes, etc. My question is should I:
1 - Flip the car for a $5k profit
2 - Keep the car stock and look at it as a long term investment
3 - Mod the car with an LS upgrade and other bits
Thanks for your input.
Last edited by Last C3; Oct 21, 2020 at 07:45 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,960
Likes: 4,517
From: Virginia
After posting some more pictures to the Forum, I would do one of two things:
3. Make the car yours, such that you want to drive it every day. An 82 is an uncommon starting point. Look for posts by @Buccaneer for some inspiration with the current engine. There are lots of LS swaps, and I expect to see Tesla motor swaps in the next few years.
1. Sell the car if it doesn't speak to you.
I've never bought a car that I wouldn't have immediately flipped for $5K profit, and I'm curious how you would do that with this car.
3. Make the car yours, such that you want to drive it every day. An 82 is an uncommon starting point. Look for posts by @Buccaneer for some inspiration with the current engine. There are lots of LS swaps, and I expect to see Tesla motor swaps in the next few years.
1. Sell the car if it doesn't speak to you.
I've never bought a car that I wouldn't have immediately flipped for $5K profit, and I'm curious how you would do that with this car.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
If it was me, I would flip it......these cars have tremendous potential.....but this one should go to someone that wants one of these.....there are so many losers out there.....getting harder to find.
Flip it...and go back to a Chrome Bumper car.....or a nice rubber baby bumper car with tasteful mods......
LS? No freakin way.......
Jebby
Flip it...and go back to a Chrome Bumper car.....or a nice rubber baby bumper car with tasteful mods......
LS? No freakin way.......
Jebby
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 35
From: Irricana Alberta
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
if it speaks to u then I would say keep it. if not and u can make an easy 5k that is the way to go. I bought my 79 to flip as i had a nice 78 well it turned out I sold the 78 and will keep the 79 . I just like it.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 295
Likes: 104
From: Toronto Canada
Please do not modify this car, this is one of the rarest 1982 color combinations they only made 664 of that color. I would suggest to sell it to somebody that would appreciate it and buy another one that you can do all your mods to for a lot cheaper. I just bought a two-tone 82 this year otherwise I would be making an offer for that one as it is my favorite color combination.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
OP, didn't you say that the car runs well? If so, what "long-term damage" are you worried about? Chevrolet has been making "small blocks" since 1955....with reasonable care, they're damned near indestructible...
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 4
Car runs very well. I'm a bit concerned because I noticed a small amount of oil on the left front side that may be steering related or possibly residual oil from blown engine seals last year. All engine and transmission seals were replaced in 2019. I'm having a mechanic check it out on Monday. Everything works except the cruise control which I'm not too concerned about.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,235
Likes: 9,376
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
I would guess the oil is from the steering system. Generally engine leaks are in the center. As for flipping it, do like you sid and post it for the winter. If you bought it for 20K I dont know if you'll find a buyer for 25K for an 82 but you wont know without trying. If it doesnt sell you can take out that motor and store it if you want to keep the miles on it low but you'll have to document it. Then just build another motor up with a higher compression. Or you can just throw some good heads and headers on it with a flow through carb or EFI and a small belt drive super charger on it. Better than a turbo for ease of exhaust routing and the same results. 6 psi will make it super fun without blowing up the stock guts.
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,103
Likes: 4,465
From: Marlton NJ
That is a very cool 82 and what I would call a survivor car. I would leave it as is especially if it runs well.
Personally I think 20k is "all the money" for that car, modifying it will just cost money and probably bring the value down, not up.
There are plenty of "projects" out there if you want to modify one. And very few like this one.
Personally I think 20k is "all the money" for that car, modifying it will just cost money and probably bring the value down, not up.
There are plenty of "projects" out there if you want to modify one. And very few like this one.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 120
Likes: 125
From: Pacific Northwest
That is a sweet '82. I would keep it and detail the heck out of it. Sunday driver and summer car shows. If that is real miles, and the condition reflects it, I personally would keep it.
Its either a labor of love or a tool in the shed. Expect to spend money. What is it for you?
Its either a labor of love or a tool in the shed. Expect to spend money. What is it for you?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
As others have mentioned, rare color combo so I'd leave as is and enjoy. Interesting options with painted t-tops and aluminum wheels. Would like to know interior options; leather, power group (power seats, mirrors).
You stated it is underpowered, yes it is full of cutting edge 1982 fuel injection technology. Actually pretty cool for it's day.
You stated it is underpowered, yes it is full of cutting edge 1982 fuel injection technology. Actually pretty cool for it's day.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
As others have mentioned, rare color combo so I'd leave as is and enjoy. Interesting options with painted t-tops and aluminum wheels. Would like to know interior options; leather, power group (power seats, mirrors).
You stated it is underpowered, yes it is full of cutting edge, 1982 fuel injection technology. Actually pretty cool for it's day.
If you're having someone else do the work, $7K adds up quickly for the work that's been done.
You stated it is underpowered, yes it is full of cutting edge, 1982 fuel injection technology. Actually pretty cool for it's day.
If you're having someone else do the work, $7K adds up quickly for the work that's been done.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 400
Likes: 207
From: Liberty Bay, WA
I'm a New C3 owner and I'm curious what the forum would recommend. I Recently purchased this 82 C3 with 15,000 miles with matching numbers.
https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto...209828582.html
The car's beautiful and run's well. It's been sitting in an older fella's garage on and off for years and I'm a bit concerned about long term engine damage. He's spent over $7k in the last five years on things like , seals, fluids, brakes, etc. My question is should I:
1 - Flip the car for a $5k profit
2 - Keep the car stock and look at it as a long term investment
3 - Mod the car with an LS upgrade and other bits
Thanks for your input.
https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto...209828582.html
The car's beautiful and run's well. It's been sitting in an older fella's garage on and off for years and I'm a bit concerned about long term engine damage. He's spent over $7k in the last five years on things like , seals, fluids, brakes, etc. My question is should I:
1 - Flip the car for a $5k profit
2 - Keep the car stock and look at it as a long term investment
3 - Mod the car with an LS upgrade and other bits
Thanks for your input.
