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.
I filled out the form to start the purchase online as I was checking all the photos, I clicked next on a button expected it to take me to a confirmation screen that would tell me the car I was making a deposit on, how much would be left to pay, any fees and how much of a deposit I wanted to make. When I clicked the button the site just showed the spinner thing and nothing happened. I looked at my credit card and it looks like an authorization was made for $1000. I never received any receipt or confirmation that a deposit was made. Yes, I know I am a moron for even putting card information into the form.
I can do all the mechanical work, but have no means to do a frame off restoration and really cannot afford another $20 - 30k to repair the frame and birdcage.
Am I totally screwed here. I was really not ready to commit to this and now either I buy the car for $11k or I lose the $1k? The $11k wont cause me financial distress, but I also do not want to get into something that is way in over my head. Is this car unsafe because of the rust?
You should reach out to your credit card company to cancel the transaction. Looking at pictures of the car, I would take a hard pass on it. There are a lot of issues with the car and and a lot of nice 80-82 Corvettes out there for sale.
You would have been screwed buying that car, unless you knew what you were doing.
This car is a money pit and way overpriced, run as fast as you can. One recommendation is to buy from a private owner or forum member that has a history with their car. There are a lot of great cars out there, be patient and if you don't know what to look for in a C3 enlist the help of someone that does.
81Mistake
Luckily you got that cancelled.
Next time put the pictures up here first so folks can comment. There is no hurry ..
There millions of C3s out there and the folks here have a lot of knowledge to assist in your decision making. .
Your profiles has no info. Depending on where you are I would tell you NOT to get that car since it would never pass smog on top of everything else.
Originally Posted by 81Mistake
I was checking out some older Corvettes and was considering buying this
I filled out the form to start the purchase online as I was checking all the photos, I clicked next on a button expected it to take me to a confirmation screen that would tell me the car I was making a deposit on, how much would be left to pay, any fees and how much of a deposit I wanted to make. When I clicked the button the site just showed the spinner thing and nothing happened. I looked at my credit card and it looks like an authorization was made for $1000. I never received any receipt or confirmation that a deposit was made. Yes, I know I am a moron for even putting card information into the form.
I can do all the mechanical work, but have no means to do a frame off restoration and really cannot afford another $20 - 30k to repair the frame and birdcage.
Am I totally screwed here. I was really not ready to commit to this and now either I buy the car for $11k or I lose the $1k? The $11k wont cause me financial distress, but I also do not want to get into something that is way in over my head. Is this car unsafe because of the rust?
Can I get my deposit back and should I try?
Last edited by carriljc; Feb 26, 2024 at 02:55 PM.
Not to sidetrack the original point to this post, but what is the most damning issues being seen in the pictures? The door jamb to me looks awful, so that doesn't look good for the birdcage. But are the photos from the underside of the car that bad? I've looked at a 76 and a 74 recently that were for sale, one that was worse looking underneath and one that was better. Neither had signs of any birdcage issues. I'm just curious about the opinion of those who would know a lot more than me.
Last edited by AJT84; Feb 26, 2024 at 02:57 PM.
Reason: Additional Context
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
Originally Posted by AJT84
Not to sidetrack the original point to this post, but what is the most damning issues being seen in the pictures? The door jamb to me looks awful, so that doesn't look good for the birdcage. But are the photos from the underside of the car that bad? I've looked at a 76 and a 74 recently that were for sale, one that was worse looking underneath and one that was better. Neither had signs of any birdcage issues. I'm just curious about the opinion of those who would know a lot more than me.
Yes there is some variety in how bad the frame is and how bad the birdcage is. My car has a great frame but the birdcage needed some work. Bottom of the birdcage was OK but top was crusty. Then there are the total disasters everywhere that give us nightmares. From just those pictures, this cars underside did not look too bad but there are some areas that would require more inspection to be sure.
Boy did you ever make a mistake, if you did not take your understanding and saint like wife out for a nice dinner after that then you really fouled up....
Not to sidetrack the original point to this post, but what is the most damning issues being seen in the pictures? The door jamb to me looks awful, so that doesn't look good for the birdcage. But are the photos from the underside of the car that bad? I've looked at a 76 and a 74 recently that were for sale, one that was worse looking underneath and one that was better. Neither had signs of any birdcage issues. I'm just curious about the opinion of those who would know a lot more than me.
Friends don't let friends buy 81s with automatic transmissions, unless they want to double their investment with a manual swap.
That car needs some things, to be sure. Like a new interior. Power steering leaks, but they all do. That system can be eliminated or replaced.
There are no pictures of the actual rust problem areas. But what it does show underneath, is not really concerning. I only saw surface rust.
Under the hood, there are indications that half of the problem with that car (CCC and dist) have been eliminated, but I'd confirm that with the seller.
If the paint is better in person than it looks in the photos, that car might make a fine restomod, at the right price. But as it sits, it needs everything.
No smog tests here, but I think I am going to stay away from the C3s. I love them particularly the 78-81. Outside of the Jaguar E-Type I think they are the most beautiful auto designs out there but after seeing the horror videos of frames rusted through and crunchy bird-cages, too much risk for me.
I’m sure I’m not the only one that noticed it. Is that a sink drain plug on top of the antenna?
I like it!
Looks better than the comical antenna that makes the Corvette look like an RC car.
A 3D printed plug would be a better option, though.
Originally Posted by 81Mistake
No smog tests here, but I think I am going to stay away from the C3s. I love them particularly the 78-81. Outside of the Jaguar E-Type I think they are the most beautiful auto designs out there but after seeing the horror videos of frames rusted through and crunchy bird-cages, too much risk for me.
Just educate yourself on what to look for. Look behind the kickpanels, and the other rust spots. There are lots of cars out there that need a bit of work, but have solid frames and birdcages.
Yeah, my intent was not to purchase, I wanted to see if there were any additional fees. Dealer told me that unless there is an actual signed contract for the car, it isn't really a deposit.
I guess they get quite a few morons like me on their site clicking away.
Did I make a mistake?
A rule I've always had.
