C3 pricing vs. C6 and C7’s
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
C3 pricing vs. C6 and C7’s
I have been following the C6 and 7 pricing and noticed they are much higher than a year ago. I don’t see that happening with C3’s and wonder what others opinions are as to why, and market pricing with the various Corvette generations?
Last edited by mark79,80; May 16, 2021 at 07:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
The reason folks are buying more C6s and especially C7s, is because the supply of C8s has not been sufficient to meet demands. People are buying low mileage C7s because they cannot get a new Corvette without paying a ridiculous dealer premium or a markup from someone who ordered one. The C3 prices are not affected by this phenom.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
I was initially thinking the same thing, but then thought since the C8 is mid-engined, it would have caused the C6’s and 7’s to drop in price. That people wanting the newer technology would only want the older tech, at a discounted price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Everyone has their own preference, but right now if you want a C8, you have to wait. Some people will be happy with a gently used C6 or C7, so it has created demand.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
You buy a C6-C8 to have a modern-looking, high-tech driving machine sio that you can show off to 'others'.
You buy a C3 because you like to look at it, care for it, and enjoy driving it. If 'others' enjoy looking at it, that's OK too.
You buy a C3 because you like to look at it, care for it, and enjoy driving it. If 'others' enjoy looking at it, that's OK too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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St. Jude Donor '14
I bet my 20 footer C3 gets more attention than a new Vette. A C3 is instantly recognizable. People stop and look when I drive past.
Last edited by 7t5; May 17, 2021 at 06:13 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
But to each his own.
BTW, I have owned a C4, C5, C6, C7 coupe, and I currently own a C3 Coupe and a C7 Roadster. I have found each one of them special in their own way. As far as drivers, the C5, C6 and C7 have been the most user friendly and I have done a lot of touring in all of them. I am a Corvette guy and been for many years, but I am not not exclusive to any one generation. .
Last edited by crawfish333; May 17, 2021 at 06:20 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
^^^If youre driving what you really want price is irrelevant. Never was one to favor a car due to "stats" vs another.
New ones are mechanically amazing but the tech is way over my head (and wallet), just not for me. The supersized, angular trend of modern cars is a turn off. Like me some steel trim and chrome where the bumper cant just be pulled off with a good yank. lol
Id be perfectly happy with any yr/hp C3. Hard to beat the looks of them.
New ones are mechanically amazing but the tech is way over my head (and wallet), just not for me. The supersized, angular trend of modern cars is a turn off. Like me some steel trim and chrome where the bumper cant just be pulled off with a good yank. lol
Id be perfectly happy with any yr/hp C3. Hard to beat the looks of them.
Last edited by cv67; May 17, 2021 at 07:15 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 331
From: Clear Lake Shores Texas
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
At the heart of it, a C3 is just an old car. A really cool and fun car, but still- just an old car. It requires care and feeding and will not be a daily driver unless you invest the time and/or money.
I bet my 20 footer C3 gets more attention than a new Vette. A C3 is instantly recognizable. People stop and look when I drive past.
I bet my 20 footer C3 gets more attention than a new Vette. A C3 is instantly recognizable. People stop and look when I drive past.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,259
Likes: 1,678
From: Long Island
They have gone up a lot.My 71 is a daily driver. I swapped the 4 speed for a 5 speed. I take long trips. If anything goes wrong, I can find an AutoZone and be back on the road in an hour.
I only got 26 mpg going to Carlisle last year. It's the only time I checked the mileage, ( actually it was another club member) didn't buy it for the gas mileage. I have a few Vettes and they are all fun, I feel most comfortable in the 71. My other half loves it.
It does get more attention than the other cars. Its what I grew up liking. I learned to drive a stick on a C2, ( a 63 split ) but just didn't wow me as much. I do have a 67 air car, and a C4 which is a blast to drive with the 6 speed. To me the 16 is more of a comfy ride, but a lot of fun on the track.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
Not too long ago C5's were worth more than C3's. Now it;s the other way around. Before long C3's will be worth more than C6's (at least chrome bumper cars). But C6's can be had for half the price of a C7 and are 80% as good. They're a bargain right now in the world of $25k Civics. Why people drive Camaros and Mustangs with such a worthless back seat, when they could be in a Corvette is beyond me. But to answer your question, blame the shortage of C8's, people needing an escape from covid, and inflation due to the printing of money. And if you look around, you'll see C3's and even C4's are going up in price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
I hope you are right, since I have a very nice 72, but I am not seeing it in the "for sale" section as well as on ebay. I have spent C6ish money on my 72 and it would make me feel better to know it is worth at least a large part of that.
Last edited by crawfish333; May 17, 2021 at 11:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
The ten year rule applies to cars.
The bell curve of depreciation starts to flatten out after about ten years. so the C-6's are flattening out and the C-7's have a few more years to go.
IMHO....this bubble will burst....I'm seeing $25k C-3's...they're asking for $55,000! Only the Newbies, those in the 'more money than sense club' will fall for that shizzle. You DEFINATELY don't want to be holding the bag when the music stops!
Unkahal
The bell curve of depreciation starts to flatten out after about ten years. so the C-6's are flattening out and the C-7's have a few more years to go.
IMHO....this bubble will burst....I'm seeing $25k C-3's...they're asking for $55,000! Only the Newbies, those in the 'more money than sense club' will fall for that shizzle. You DEFINATELY don't want to be holding the bag when the music stops!
Unkahal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
BTW, My stock automatic is not modified and gets around 10 MPG. I understand that it could be better with different gear ratios or an overdrive transmission, I am keeping my car original because it is a very low mileage example and I want to preserve it. I am not against mods, but to me a (nearly) 50 year old car with under 50K miles is a neat time capsule to show the Young'un's. To me, the cars are like tools, each has a purpose. For touring purposes, (for me only) the C7 is a better "tool" to tour in, but again to each his own.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,412
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St. Jude Donor '14
When I posted the answer to the question in post 2, I had no intention of starting another C3 VS C6 or C7 discussion, I just answered a question that I have done some research on. I was stunned for to find the prices C7s were currently commanding, so I did some research to find out why, and that is what I found. Since I have no plans to sell either of my cars at this time, my interest was more curiosity than anything else. Obviously I like my 72 which came out while I was in high school, but for me, it just is not a car I like to travel in. That is just my preference.
BTW, My stock automatic is not modified and gets around 10 MPG. I understand that it could be better with different gear ratios or an overdrive transmission, I am keeping my car original because it is a very low mileage example and I want to preserve it. I am not against mods, but to me a (nearly) 50 year old car with under 50K miles is a neat time capsule to show the Young'un's. To me, the cars are like tools, each has a purpose. For touring purposes, (for me only) the C7 is a better "tool" to tour in, but again to each his own.
BTW, My stock automatic is not modified and gets around 10 MPG. I understand that it could be better with different gear ratios or an overdrive transmission, I am keeping my car original because it is a very low mileage example and I want to preserve it. I am not against mods, but to me a (nearly) 50 year old car with under 50K miles is a neat time capsule to show the Young'un's. To me, the cars are like tools, each has a purpose. For touring purposes, (for me only) the C7 is a better "tool" to tour in, but again to each his own.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
I had the C3 for a while as my profile pic, than I switched it out just for the sake of change. I need to take one of both cars together. I may do that when my yard dries out.
Last edited by crawfish333; May 18, 2021 at 08:24 PM.