If for example a C3 has a 4-speed manual instead of a automatic does it make it more valuable? Does it increase the value some years and not others. I see no mention of this in a lot of value comparisions when it comes to C3's.

I am wondering would a 1978 coupe be worth more less or the same if it has a 4-speed or an automatic. It seesm like a lot more came with automatics than manuals. Much like today Corvette sales today but even more so.

Thanks for any true knowledge on this subject.

 

It seems that C-2, C-3's sell for more with a 4-speed, as the manual trans. was required with some engine options.... Not true with C-4 and C-5, which have more female buyers.

 

you are right, for c3 vettes automatics outnumber 4 speeds by a large margin. in 82 there was no manual offered.

dont know about actual value, but when i was looking for my vette, i ruled out anything with an automatic.

needless to say, took me a while to find the right car.

 

NADA does give more for a four speed car over an automatic. I am in the hunt for a car & will not even look at an auto. My 79 is a four speed & I couldn't imagine buying another one without it. Some folks are the direct opposite, they only want auto. There are many more auto cars that's for sure.

 

although mine will get a 6 speed when I have the money

 

I think you need to realize that many, no most, of the folks here are enthusiasts and it's probably safe to say that most enthusiasts will prefer a 4-speed. So this might not be the most unbiased audience to ask this question of. Never-the-less the automatics, especially in the later years of the C3 production outsold 4-speeds by a wide margin. That would seem to indicate that a whole lot of folks that bought these cars then preferred the automatic over the 4-speed.

I really do think that if you look at the market for used Corvettes as a whole the automatics are still preferred and would therefore be easier to sell. Does that make them more valuable or just easier to sell? Perhaps not to a majority of folks here, but then there are a lot of folks out there driving Corvettes (and buying Corvettes) who don't see Corvettes in the same light as we do.

So to answer your question regarding value, I would bet that with the possible exception of the early C3's, and high powered versions in particular, there is probably little difference in value... all else being equal.

We all know some awesome performing cars out there with automatics and I've even owned a few. Right now I have four manuals and I hate to drive in parades, so for someone that wants to do that an automatic would probably be preferred. And as a wise person once said, just because something is rare... it doesn't necessarily make it desirable...

GUSTO

 

when i bought my 78 recently i had been looking for about
2 months for a 4speed, i did not want an automatic especially
since this car is a weekend toy and not an everyday driver.

after buying the car i found that only around 3400 came with
4 speeds in 78 out of 46xxx made.

does that make it worth more? it does to me because i wanted
a manual and never even considered an auto.
to someone else that wants an auto they wouldnt take a second look
at it.
so its only worth what YOU are willing to pay for it.

 

i too was looking for a 4 spd. car. im sure the 4 spd's are more attractive to buyers and therefore the price goes up. there has only been 1 time i wished for an auto. it was at the drag strip

 

I'm in NJ and my hunt for a C3 with a 4-speed 2-1/2 years ago took me to Connecticut to find one that I liked. I like the "fast back" look of the '78 and I feel the big glass makes the interior feel alot bigger than previous years. I feel a sports car should have a manual trans to provide more driver control when driving. Automatics are more consistent for drag racing, stomp and go, especially with bracket racing.

 

I agree with the general consensus here, when I looked for mine I wouldn't even consider an auto. My search led me to a 79 L82, which after some research I found that less than 10% of 79s were 4 spds, with about 3 times more being L82's. Do I have some illusion that mine will hold a higher value being a L82 4spd? Not by a longshot. I know the chrome bumper ones will always generally be worth more.

 

... as far as making one sell better and be even more fun to drive, why not a five speed?

Robert at Keisler Engineering
423-773-9789

 

Not a fan of the automatics in the c3 I love my new richmond t-10 though.. Borg and Warners can only last so long. Sad to see her go. She was a rock crusher for a long time

 

Richmond also offers a five speed too which is pretty good. You dont have to change out our rear gears because most of them have high way gears. This drops the gearing for killer acceleration while maintaining your one to one ratio in the top of fifth. Its too bad they dont offer the extra overdrive gearing that kiesler does if my memeory serves me right

 

I've driven them all 3,4,6 speed manuals & 2,3,4 speed autos. Depends upon what you want & where you drive. Stop & go traffic will wear out your left leg, but dropping to 2nd, at speed, and lighting everything up is satisfying, to say the least. Currently I've got an auto, previously it was 6 speed, don't let anyone BS you, all that matters is that you're driving a Vette and they're not!

 

I've found on Nadaguides.com that it adds about $1000-$1500 if a C3 has a 4-speed instead of an automatic. I think that will go up in the future because they are so rare in the later years.

 

4 speed 4 speed. Everybody wants the manual unless your one of those guys who just cruise around and never drop it down and pretend its fast. These cars are dogs from the start and the Auto makes it worse.... Ive driven in several C3's the only way to go is the manual you will be happier in the end. But i do agree not a car you want to be stuck in traffic with. But a car like that shouldn't be a daily driver to begin with.

 

HWY
thats funny because i found mine in CT also, had to drive all the way
to north haven and traffic really sucked.
but when she was on the trailer and we were on the way home it all felt
good.

 

I have a 72 with an auto but I think more people want a 4 spd when buying one, thus I think they are willing to pay more. I am converting my 72 to a 4spd and I think that it is adding a little resale value to it.

 

When went looking for a C3, it was an L-82 and 4 spd only... you'll have more fun and get a better resale...

 

I use to have a 78 silver anniv L82 automatic and I enjoyed it but I sold to get a 6spd vert C4 then I bought a 98 vert automatic(so my wife could drive it) and I currently know of a guy with a silver 78 with a 4-spd not a silver anniv just silver w/red int. with 55k miles and he has owned it since 81 and the paint is near perfect. It has always been in gararge and he is the second owner. I drive my C5 as a daily car I thought this 78 would be fun to drive on the weekends. He wants $10k would this be a good investment?