Ive been thinking....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,236
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From: Haymarket VA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Ive been thinking....
well Ive been thinking about the '78 vette since I saw it. Well on my way home a new thought poped into my mind (this does not happen to often) so I was thinking that a '78 vette no matter what kind of shape is going to need work. And since I am not the mechanic type, I can only do easy fixes nothing that you really need to go into the engine. Is this the best car to get being that I will prolly need someone to fix most problems for me? Or should I go look at a C4?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
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Re: Ive been thinking.... (MBVette)
If can't work on a car, then I'd suggest looking for a late model C-4 instead of a C-3. I passed up a very clean 90 convertible for $10,000 when I bought my 69 roadster(I'm still kicking myself.) Another guy bought the C-4 and hasn't had to work on it at all. He just drives... But my C-3 looks SOOOOOOOOOOO much better :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
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From: Moro IL
Re: Ive been thinking.... (MBVette)
I'd have to say that C3's are deffinitly best for the mechanically inclined type, I find this to be part of their charm and also why most C3ers seem to get along so well, becouse we all have to fight to keep them going so we have something in common. Now the early C4's are getting old enough that they will start to need some major work on many of them, and unfortunatly they are harder to work on in most cases. If your wanting a vette that you can get the most bang fro your buck with little maintenance then a late C4 would probably be your best bet.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Ive been thinking.... (73 LS-4)
C4-s break down too - especially the pre 88's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Apex NC
Re: Ive been thinking.... (MBVette)
I usually try to avoid thinking if I can. I've found that it usually leads me into trouble 
A '78 is still a pretty simple car to work on, tune, and diagnose. No fancy electrial voodoo stuff under the hood and very little emissions stuff to fail as it ages. I'd ssay that paying for tune-ups, repairs, and maintenance on a '78 will be cheaper than on a C4. I missed your original post about this, so I'm not sure what role the car will serve for you. Daily transportation or a fun weekend cruiser?
Shannon
A '78 is still a pretty simple car to work on, tune, and diagnose. No fancy electrial voodoo stuff under the hood and very little emissions stuff to fail as it ages. I'd ssay that paying for tune-ups, repairs, and maintenance on a '78 will be cheaper than on a C4. I missed your original post about this, so I'm not sure what role the car will serve for you. Daily transportation or a fun weekend cruiser?Shannon
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,236
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From: Haymarket VA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Ive been thinking.... (sb69coupe)
this is going to be a daily driver. I was thinking on the same lines as you just said, there is no computer or high technology in this car so how hard can it really be to work on. My only problems would be since it is my only car, how often do these cars have problems.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,329
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Re: Ive been thinking.... (MBVette)
How often? make that VERY often. I have a '78 which I bought 12,000 CAN (7-8k US I guess) and looked in perfect shape...even got a free engine rebuild in the package. But don't let that fool you...2 weeks after I had brake problems....and from then on it was a problem every 2 week...never at the same place....lately I did a FULL month without having to repair anything...I was in heaven until I broke the clutch a week ago. It was a daily driver...so if you think of using it as your ONLY mean of transport, I'd look at another car for now. Like my buds say at work....its awesome when it rolls...but that doesn't happen often.
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