C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What Would You Do?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 14, 2006 | 09:34 PM
  #1  
redvet's Avatar
redvet
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Default What Would You Do?

In an effort to obtain as “balanced” a set of responses as possible, I am posting this in the C3 General Discussion Forum and the C5 General Discussion Forum…

The scenario: You currently own a REAL NICE '82 (probably one of the nicest ones around; red with a black gut, all stock, a real attention getter). Besides your wonderful wife, it is your other pride and joy, and you really enjoy driving, cleaning and tinkering with it. You have said numerous times over the years that you never intend to sell it.

But then, as much as you love it, you're wife's not too crazy about it (rough ride/noisy/A/C not as good as today's cars/generally not what could be considered a comfortable car, especially by today's standards; you know how these cars are). Therefore, your wife is not always necessarily enthusiastic about driving or riding in it.

Say an opportunity presents itself that you might be able to obtain a brand new (2006 or 2007) C6, or if not that, an almost new C5.

You only have one garage space to house one Corvette. Would you keep the '82, and all of its "nostalgia coolness," and its needed tinkering that you immensely enjoy, or give up that stuff and sell it to provide a garage space for the newer car?
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006 | 09:38 PM
  #2  
big_G's Avatar
big_G
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

Only you can answer that question. I, on the other hand, believe in multiple Corvettes... (They get lonely in the garage, and need company)
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006 | 09:56 PM
  #3  
rihwoods's Avatar
rihwoods
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Default

Try posting this in OT instead of C3 General which ended up in tech...
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006 | 10:04 PM
  #4  
OldSchool's Avatar
OldSchool
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Valparaiso IN
Default

Get one of these..
Wifey gets the comforts of new car, you get to tinker and appreciate a vette as they were meant to be..
WIN WIN
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006 | 10:04 PM
  #5  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Does your wife know your asking for other opinions?
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2006 | 10:54 PM
  #6  
78 Vette's Avatar
78 Vette
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: N.Y
Default

its your car not your wife's. If you enjoy it why get rid of it? A c5 c6 will blend right in any parking lot but you can spot a c3 a mile away.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:38 AM
  #7  
Star79's Avatar
Star79
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
Default

Save the money you were gonna use for the C5/C6 (12 months worth of payments), don`t buy a car yet. Use that money to build a second garage on your house. Fast forward 12 months, buy the EXACT SAME C5/C6 that you would have bought. It`s now a year older, and cheaper by AT LEAST the price of your new garage. Now you have the same two Vettes and spent the same money (or less) but your house is worth more, and your C3 is probably worth more too.

p.s. I bet the wife likes this idea too

Last edited by Star79; Aug 15, 2006 at 12:42 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 12:46 AM
  #8  
Bob Onit's Avatar
Bob Onit
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Default

She'll hate the new too , just give it time...why?
Because you love it!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 01:15 AM
  #9  
garycr14's Avatar
garycr14
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: Newark CA
Default

Originally Posted by big_G
Only you can answer that question. I, on the other hand, believe in multiple Corvettes... (They get lonely in the garage, and need company)
I agree, multiple corvettes is the only way to fly! I have a C3 & a C4, but if I had to choose just 1 (I'd get ride of the wife first (which is probably why I am divorced twice!)) I would prefer the C4, or in your case the C5 or C6. JMHO, but if you were smart you would never listen to my advice!
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 02:19 AM
  #10  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Don't drive a C5 if you don't plan on owning one. I love mine.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 09:54 AM
  #11  
capevettes's Avatar
capevettes
CF Community Team
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Active Streak: 120 Days
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,367
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

Build a bigger garage and keep adding Corvettes!!!
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 09:57 AM
  #12  
Jims79's Avatar
Jims79
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Default

Too many cars, not enough $$ or time. Life's short do what you want.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 10:03 AM
  #13  
isosceles's Avatar
isosceles
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Default

if the car is to be used as a daily driver, I'd go with the C5. My 79 was my daily driver for a few years so I speak from experience. Between mpg, reliability, comfort, the C5 wins hands down.

If the car is to be used recreationally, I'd keep the 82.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 10:04 AM
  #14  
DESRTONE's Avatar
DESRTONE
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Tri Cities WA.
Default

Figure out a way to have both, you wont regret it!
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 10:17 AM
  #15  
zaphodbebullbrox's Avatar
zaphodbebullbrox
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Default Corvette

its not the year of the vette, it the life style of the vette.

keep the vintage vette, and upgrade some of the parts, plus get your wife into the corvette events, cruises, road trip, track day, etc.

my wife loves it! she had all kinds of fun driving around the track in a loud, rough but fun car, be different.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 10:18 AM
  #16  
justanotherdoe's Avatar
justanotherdoe
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Default

Hi Red

I have a C3 because when I did a 5 year cost analysis, the C3 was less expensive than a C5/6 (and I already had a C4 once in the 80's and think the C3s look cooler) to buy, insure, maintain and operate.

But if I didn't have the economics to consider, I would grab a C5 vert or hardtop in a heartbeat (C6s haven't grown on me yet...) for the improvement in systems, handling, and overall comfort; and pass the C3 to the next owner to enjoy.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2006 | 10:18 AM
  #17  
gyopp's Avatar
gyopp
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
Default

The C5 is a completely different car. You need one of each. If your cruising the local scene I had rather drive my C3. If the wife and I decide to take an all day or weekend cruise the C5 wins hands down. Much more comfortable car to sit in all day. Still, just not the same as a cammed up muscle car from the past.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To What Would You Do?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:16 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE