Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 27
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From: Ohio
Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver?
Hey all,
Looking to pick up a C3 vette. Can they be made reliable enough to be a daily driver? I'd like to buy one to fix up and maybe take to college(as apposed to my accord). What usually fails on the cars? What is an average price to pay for a convertable?
thanks
Emilio
Looking to pick up a C3 vette. Can they be made reliable enough to be a daily driver? I'd like to buy one to fix up and maybe take to college(as apposed to my accord). What usually fails on the cars? What is an average price to pay for a convertable?
thanks
Emilio
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
Considering I'm sending this message from my programming lab... and drove to college in a car, my only car... which happens to be a C3...
Yes. :)
The Accord would definitely be more reliable.
As to things likely to go, it really could be ANYTHING, if the car's old enough. Troublesome things are rear wheel bearings, suspension parts, weatherstripping. If your car of choice has over 100k miles, then the driveline's waiting to spill its guts if it hasn't been rebuilt or replaced yet.
My C3's motor blew up starting my second year of driving it. Just keep the oil level up, make sure all fluids check out, and it's as reliable as any other car. PAY ATTENTION TO IT.
-Steve
[Modified by Pacin'California, 3:45 PM 1/25/2002]
Yes. :)
The Accord would definitely be more reliable.
As to things likely to go, it really could be ANYTHING, if the car's old enough. Troublesome things are rear wheel bearings, suspension parts, weatherstripping. If your car of choice has over 100k miles, then the driveline's waiting to spill its guts if it hasn't been rebuilt or replaced yet.
My C3's motor blew up starting my second year of driving it. Just keep the oil level up, make sure all fluids check out, and it's as reliable as any other car. PAY ATTENTION TO IT.
-Steve
[Modified by Pacin'California, 3:45 PM 1/25/2002]
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Pflugerville/ Colllege Station TX
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
What years are you looking at and how much can you spend.
I have a '69 small block convertible that is my daily driver in college. A large part of why this works is because i do all my own work on the car though and I live on campus so if something does go wron i can still get to class and i have people who will help me out with rides when i need them.
Its probly not the best choice unless you enjoy working on cars or can afford a really nice one. I love mine and wouldnt trade it for anything. (nothing reasonable at least) :chevy
I have a '69 small block convertible that is my daily driver in college. A large part of why this works is because i do all my own work on the car though and I live on campus so if something does go wron i can still get to class and i have people who will help me out with rides when i need them.
Its probly not the best choice unless you enjoy working on cars or can afford a really nice one. I love mine and wouldnt trade it for anything. (nothing reasonable at least) :chevy
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 27
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From: Ohio
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Jester69Stingray)
I absolutely love cars. I want this to be my first manual car and my first "REAL" car. I am thinking about what years I like best right now I am very interested in the following years 69-81. I don't know the exact years these cars had a certain body style. I am looking to spend no more than 7k on the car and thats gonna take quite a bit of saving up. How much of a car would 7k buy me? Can I get away with a little less? Say 5k or so? I'd love a car to work on but I would like one that runs. Key points I am looking for are: Manual tranny, good engine, decent interior, all body panals, all lights, convertable preferable but also looking at coupes, etc. Also what is insurence like for you younger guys? I am most likely going to be 18 when i get the car. Can I register it as a classic car?
cya
Emilio
PS- I'm in NY if you know of any clubs that have people I can go and meet/talk to let me know! :seeya
cya
Emilio
PS- I'm in NY if you know of any clubs that have people I can go and meet/talk to let me know! :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
19, the car is ~$600/six months registered w/ me and my grandma as regular drivers. Good student discount, perfect driving record for both of us.
Don't expect to get into a nice anything from 68-73 for 7k, but you could probably pay that and come out with a very nice 76-81. The 78-82s are the best "drivers" of the bunch, 79-82 having better seats than the rest. (My car is a 78 Pace Car, so I have the 79-82 seats. Comfy!) The 80 california and 81 both have computer equipment which hampers performance but makes them more driveable(the automatics gained a lockup torque converter in those two models). 79s are probably the best deal for the buck, though, because that year was the highest produced of any Corvette year.
No convertible after 75. It's gonna be VERY VERY HARD to find a convertible in that price range that would make a good driver. I would say next to nill, unless you're a murderer/car thief. :)
-Steve
Don't expect to get into a nice anything from 68-73 for 7k, but you could probably pay that and come out with a very nice 76-81. The 78-82s are the best "drivers" of the bunch, 79-82 having better seats than the rest. (My car is a 78 Pace Car, so I have the 79-82 seats. Comfy!) The 80 california and 81 both have computer equipment which hampers performance but makes them more driveable(the automatics gained a lockup torque converter in those two models). 79s are probably the best deal for the buck, though, because that year was the highest produced of any Corvette year.
No convertible after 75. It's gonna be VERY VERY HARD to find a convertible in that price range that would make a good driver. I would say next to nill, unless you're a murderer/car thief. :)
-Steve
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Carolina
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
sure you can, just don't travel....you'll go broke gassing it. I want to keep mine but my parents are forcing me to sell before I got off to college. Which sucks, but the more I thought about it, I don't think I could handle driving it everyday, expecally in Charlotte NC(where Im going to school)...I'd never get any sleep, I'd be to worried about it.
Would I drive one daily? Yes. Would I take it to college? No.
Daniel
Would I drive one daily? Yes. Would I take it to college? No.
Daniel
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,738
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From: Deep in the Heart of Dixie Alabama
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
If the question is: a 30 yr. old car reliable. I say better drive the Accord. Might do o.k. around campus, but lots of driving and on the interstate to college and back home is not recommended. Sooner or later your reliability will fail. They make better weekend drivers.
I feel my C-3's are as reliable as you can expect, but I do not push them to far, and never leave home without my cell phone.
I feel my C-3's are as reliable as you can expect, but I do not push them to far, and never leave home without my cell phone.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 27
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From: Ohio
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (bamavettes)
sounds resonable. I still want one and I will have my Accord so the only thing standing in my way is finding one that I can afford. How is milage? Doesn't really matter for me since I'm gonna make it a weekend car(can you get really big insurence discounts if its like a sunny day car?). What model do you suggest for a first time vette owner on a budget of sorts?
thanks
Emilio
thanks
Emilio
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
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From: Okinawa Okinawa
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
The cheapest convertible you will find is close to 9-10K. You will be able to find a decent76-82 for under 7K. It took me 6 months and many trips to find my car. It was really worth the time spent. One suggestion. Look at one or two that are really out of your price range and are really nice. That way you will have a baseline of what to look for. The first one I looked at I was already to buy. (a little to eager) It turns out it was a POS. Look at many cars before you make your final decision. When you do.... you will have a blast.
Love to see young guys getting into cars. Wish I would have when I was in college.
Love to see young guys getting into cars. Wish I would have when I was in college.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
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Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
Im 22 and the insurance on my 76 was only ~160 per 6 months, I couldnt beleve it. But that is just liability, I have a perfect driving record, so im not worried about it being my fault. Im going to college right now as well and I would not consider my car as a daily driver untill I fix alot more things on it. :lol: Plus, i didnt see, but if you live in an area that gets snow, the vette will have a hard time. If I were in your position, heh which i pretty much am, i would keep the accord as a backup. :)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
Well at least with an old vette there are no electronics to contend with. and most mechanical stuff like starters, alternarors, water pumps are just Chevy stuff available anywhere.Cheap!! I drive my 69 to work every day and have less trouble with it than a lot of my co-workers that have late model econo-boxes or SUV's A lady just had to have the engine replaced in her Explorer for $3800 and she is still making payments on the thing, Buy a nice C-3 and don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy. :cheers: :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (Paintballny)
If you are a college student, I would suggest a Toyota Corolla. Dependable and easy on gas. C3 for a student is a no-no unless Daddy/Mom has deep pockets.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 1999
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Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (paul79)
No, They can not be a reliable daily driver. My 75 has about 3000 miles on it since a total restoration. When my wife tried to commute with it last summer it came home twice on a tow truck in the first three weeks. Little stuff... I've owned it for 15 years and there is always something wrong with it. I have all the service receipts from when it was new from the original owner. It was never reliable. By todays standards, and by any modern car buyers expectations, they have not, are not and will never be reliable.
So, my advice to you is this: Buy the Vette. Get yourself a cell phone, a bus pass and some friends with an accord who will pick you up where ever you break down, but buy the Vette.
Anyone can have a reliable car.
Lee
So, my advice to you is this: Buy the Vette. Get yourself a cell phone, a bus pass and some friends with an accord who will pick you up where ever you break down, but buy the Vette.
Anyone can have a reliable car.
Lee
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Carolina
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (paul79)
Amen for a student. There is lots of time later in life for a Corvette.
:jester
I'll own 8 when Im older. :)
Daniel
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,700
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From: Lebanon KY
Re: Can a C3 Vette be a daily driver? (paul79)
My '81 is a daily driver. I am 16, and pay ~300 every six months for insurance with full coverage. I think it is a pretty reliable driver. Not bad gas mileage either. Mine did get about 25, until the lock-up torque convertor stopped working, and now I only get about 13-15. Still not bad in my opinion. I drive it to school some, but not much, only 2-3 days out of the week. But, it is not good when it snows. Mine stays up then. My vette HATES the salty snowy roads, and so do I. Then it is better to have a back-up vehicle.