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I’ve always had the muscle car bug and now is the time to make that dream come true! On my short list of options is a C3 vette, one of the sexiest cars ever made to this day in my opinion!
I’m in DFW and on my short list is a 82 with the 200hp V8, 4 sp auto in Bright Blue (1 of only 567 made that year) with 55k miles for $22k. Or, a 78 Pace Car edition with 14k miles for $29k.
I love both cars and am ready to go look at both of them, but before I do, any thoughts on the two options above and any gotchas to be aware of?
Im not a mechanic and I don’t really know anything about corvettes, so any help is appreciated.
Welcome to the forum. Keep in mind that these cars are pushing 50 years old, so that price tag you are looking at is deceiving. What I mean to say is that the money will never stop.
Car prices are at an all time low right now. It's a buyers market. Your prices are irrelevant without more information or pics of these cars. C3 corvettes, post 1972, are easy to find at a low prices.
Welcome to the forum. Keep in mind that these cars are pushing 50 years old, so that price tag you are looking at is deceiving. What I mean to say is that the money will never stop.
Car prices are at an all time low right now. It's a buyers market. Your prices are irrelevant without more information or pics of these cars. C3 corvettes, post 1972, are easy to find at a low prices.
Thanks for the feedback, yep, that's what I have heard and am prepared for. My thought is that if I take my time and spend more up front, maybe I can reduce my exposure to problems down the road. I know there will be issues and things that need to be fixed, but maybe I can keep this at a minimum if I choose wisely.
I was in Dallas last week on business and had plans to look at that pace car, I recently sold my 1980 for a pace car purchase... I loved the 80 and I'm partial to the 80-82 body style, I am mechanically inclined but for myself I stayed away from the 82 when I was looking because I was personally more comfortable under the hood mechanically with the non computer 1980 and earlier... I added a 2004r overdrive transmission which is a big plus for the 1982 your looking at.
As much as i love the 80-82 body I also think the 78 pace car is one of the most attractive C3 corvettes produced and becoming popular, though 6500 made for me it was just a little more "collectable" over my L48 1980 I had and that's what I was looking for.
the 78 is going to be more primitive than the 82 in many ways, i purchased a 5k original mile L82 pace car and the original paint is quite nice but being a St. Luis plant lacquer car it is less refined than the 81 and up Bowling Green produced body/paint, I was able to take a few days and 2000 sanded, buffed and polished and looks pretty impressive now for original paint.
Best of luck in your decision, definitely pros and cons for both, your plans for driving, abilities, resources and future plans will play into your decision.
Wanting a C3 is great but if you are not mechanically inclined your gonna want resources for some basic repairs that will be inevitable, I've owned many and enjoyed them all taking them out for a ride weekly without any big issues but will always need basic repairs, not easy today to find someone who works on older cars in all areas.
Either would be find. You should take someone with you who knows what they're looking at. 82 is going to be the most refined and comfortable with it's fiberglass rear leaf spring. But you gotta definitely factor in the condition of each. Nobody can say w/o looking at them... I'm partial to the Shovel-Nose cars, but hard to deny how great the P/C looks! The P/C will probably be cheaper to own b/c it's a regular carb. A lot of mechanics aren't going to know how to deal with the 82 computer..and their scanner probably won't even work on it. So, they'll either guess and replace parts, or charge you to learn about it. But then again, it's not that tricky ...if you find the right right mechanic he ought to be able to work on it. It's not difficult, just non-standard in today's OBDII world. There's a lot of online support, but don't expect a mechanic to spend hours learning their ins/out. But then again, they're pretty reliable cars...and you'd have overdrive. That's assuming the 82 still has it's original EFI. At the end of the day, you're probably going to put less than 2k miles on it a yr anyway...so get what you love.
Best of luck. Make sure you have some spare $$ to deal with whatever comes up on it. Hard to believe whatever you buy won't need some work right away.
My bias is that I like the C3...I just like to look at it and it always give me satisfaction. I would take a very close look at any rubber components and bushings as they are likely dried/cracked and need an R&R. Even a low mileage car has 40+ year old bushings.
My bias is that I like the C3...I just like to look at it and it always give me satisfaction. I would take a very close look at any rubber components and bushings as they are likely dried/cracked and need an R&R. Even a low mileage car has 40+ year old bushings.
Either would be find. You should take someone with you who knows what they're looking at. 82 is going to be the most refined and comfortable with it's fiberglass rear leaf spring. But you gotta definitely factor in the condition of each. Nobody can say w/o looking at them... I'm partial to the Shovel-Nose cars, but hard to deny how great the P/C looks! The P/C will probably be cheaper to own b/c it's a regular carb. A lot of mechanics aren't going to know how to deal with the 82 computer..and their scanner probably won't even work on it. So, they'll either guess and replace parts, or charge you to learn about it. But then again, it's not that tricky ...if you find the right right mechanic he ought to be able to work on it. It's not difficult, just non-standard in today's OBDII world. There's a lot of online support, but don't expect a mechanic to spend hours learning their ins/out. But then again, they're pretty reliable cars...and you'd have overdrive. That's assuming the 82 still has it's original EFI. At the end of the day, you're probably going to put less than 2k miles on it a yr anyway...so get what you love.
Best of luck. Make sure you have some spare $$ to deal with whatever comes up on it. Hard to believe whatever you buy won't need some work right away.
Thank you, I appreciate this information and advice...I am leaning towards the Pace Car as that has always been my favorite Corvette, even since I was a little kid. I forgot to mention that I own a boat and an RV, so I am well acquainted with dumping money, time, and misery into projects! LOL!
The '82 is the perfect color.. These are Hagerty's April '24 values on both...
'82 in #2 excellent condition..$23,700. #3 good..$14,600.
'78 PC L48 in #2..$31,800. #3 good..$20,600. Subtract 8% for the auto.
They consider 30-40 cars out of 500 to be a #2. Most nice cars fall somewhere between #2 & #3...good luck!..
I'm not normally a "blue car guy," but man, that is a really great color. It looks amazing with the blue leather interior, mirrored T-tops, and polished wheels! I also really like the exclusivity of the color; it definitely makes it a special car.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by ttechraider
I'm not normally a "blue car guy," but man, that is a really great color. It looks amazing with the blue leather interior, mirrored T-tops, and polished wheels! I also really like the exclusivity of the color; it definitely makes it a special car.
Bright Blue had a three year run..'75, '76 & '82. I dig it...
OMG, that is so cringeworthy. It's sickening, and I feel so bad for the owner, who probably, like myself, had been waiting his whole life for a classic just to get taken advantage of and robbed of his money.
I will be taking someone who knows what to look for with me and will be glad to pay for an inspection if you guys recommend one; any suggestions on how to avoid this would be appreciated.
any suggestions on how to avoid this would be appreciated.
Yeah, don't buy Used Cars! Ever see the movie used cars with Kurt Russell, funny movie.
The blue car I see red flags. It looks like it has a fresh Maaco paint job with a misfitting rear bumper, headlight doors and hood are not flushed with the rest of the body work the right front tire is wearing on unevenly from the picture, etc
The black car has red flags too. The front is sitting up too high, the right rear tire isn't center in wheel well, has a crappy black paint job, etc.
I'm not trying to discourage you, I just don't want to see you get bent over by one of these scumbags.
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Jun 19, 2024 at 07:13 PM.
Yeah, don't buy Used Cars! Ever see the movie used cars with Kurt Russell, funny movie.
The blue car I see red flags. It looks like it has a fresh Maaco paint job with a misfitting rear bumper, headlight doors and hood are not flushed with the rest of the body work the right front tire is wearing on unevenly from the picture, etc
The black car has red flags too. The front is sitting up too high, the right rear tire isn't center in wheel well, has a crappy black paint job, etc.
I'm not trying to discourage you, I just don't want to see you get bent over by one of these scumbags.
i appreciate the feedback and thoughts on the two cars, I’m definitely not discouraged as I’m willing to take my time and wait for the right car.
In my opinion, both cars are overpriced due to their condition, and I would also question the mileage claims. I have a documented mint condition 1980 4 speed car with 12,500 original miles that I have owned since 1996, and it might sell for 22 to 25K if I was lucky and the right person came along. Please take your time and keep looking.
I agree, it seems like both these cars are overpriced based on the sites given. Take your time: if you really want a 78-82 C3 and if satisfied going with an automatic not a 4 speed, you should find a nice condition one for around $26,000. Also, please, make sure you spend the $200 and have licensed mechanic that knows C3's inspect the car first. It will be the best $200 you spend if you have no mechanical understanding of C3's. They can check the bird cage for rust, seals/bushings that need replacement and failing parts like power steering control valves that can be costly to repair. Reaching out to corvette forum on your decision was a good start on your end - you will find the best advice. Good luck on your search.
C3 Purchase Opinions
These are Hagerty's April '24 values on both...
