Buying my first Vette
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Houston Texas
Buying my first Vette
I'm looking to buy my first Vette. I like the C3's and especially the Stingrays. What kind of things do I need to look for when buying? Are there any problems or specific years that I need to stay away from? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,708
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From: North Carolina
Re: Buying my first Vette (AngNDave21)
there are pro's and con's about every year. Just look at the body style you like, and try to pick the best from there. IE: '69-'72 had chrome bumpers all around, '73 has chrome back but rubber front, '74-'77 had rubber fron't and back, '78-'82 has a fast-back style rear window...Etc. Decide which one of those you like best, then try to find the year in there. like, if you want a chrome bumper shark, then determine which one from '68-'72 has the least problems. It will be easier on you that way.
Daniel
Daniel
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,313
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From: The cure for the blues is eight cylinders roaring
Re: Buying my first Vette (Rexx)
Ask them if they have recepts for any repair work or modifacations they say they have done to the car.take it to a mechanic and have him check the drive train. :smash:
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 131
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Re: Buying my first Vette (Wightnite)
Once you find the car you think you really want, do like Wightnite says and take it to a mechanic specializing in Corvettes. Have him/her make a punch list and give a ballpark estimate for each item. That gives you numbers to haggle over with the seller.
Oh, and spend the extra $ and get an engine compression test. You don't want to get a dog of an engine. A rounded off cam lobe or dead cylinder could be a deal breaker.
-Rexx
Oh, and spend the extra $ and get an engine compression test. You don't want to get a dog of an engine. A rounded off cam lobe or dead cylinder could be a deal breaker.
-Rexx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Buying my first Vette (AngNDave21)
There isn't a year you need to stay away from. Pick the one you like and can afford. But buy the best car you can afford. If you can find one that's already been restored, do it. You'll always spend more if you try to do it yourself. True bargains are hard to find.
Things to watch for: The biggie is frame rot. Look in front of each rear wheel. Where the control arm meets the frame to a point just behind the door, is where these cars rust the most. THis is not an easy or cheap fix. If you find the rust, unless the car is practically free, and otherwise in great shape, go find a different car. Let someone else deal with it.
Good luck with your hunt. These cars are a lot of fun.
Things to watch for: The biggie is frame rot. Look in front of each rear wheel. Where the control arm meets the frame to a point just behind the door, is where these cars rust the most. THis is not an easy or cheap fix. If you find the rust, unless the car is practically free, and otherwise in great shape, go find a different car. Let someone else deal with it.
Good luck with your hunt. These cars are a lot of fun.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 67
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From: Stockton CA
Re: Buying my first Vette (AngNDave21)
AngNDave21-I'm looking for my first corvette, and without a doubt this forum is the best place for information and helpful tips. Just read the posts and you'll get a good idea about what are the problem areas for each year of the C3. Go with the body style you want, then hunt for the deals in your area. Good luck, and keep in mind, I have been looking for 8 months now, and have only seen a handful of Corvettes that I considered buying. There are plenty out there, take your time and get the one you want. :chevy
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
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Re: Buying my first Vette (Tedardo)
Buy the best one you can afford.......U wanta be driving this summer, not makin repairs.....Keep in mind that this is a Labor of Love too.....U gotta enjoy working on them just as much as you do driving them, or else you will need deep pockets......... :D :D :D
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Cruising
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: toledo oh
Re: Buying my first Vette (AngNDave21)
be sure to take a close look at the frame. the car can look good but if the frame is in poor condition then you will have some work to do. i made that mistake. looked at it in the dark and didn't grab a flashlight to inspect the frame more carefully. now i have some work to do and i'm not ready to have it be out of commission just yet. the biggest thing is buy one you like (body style that is)
1973 454 4 speed with a bad frame
1973 454 4 speed with a bad frame
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 708
Likes: 21
From: Montrose CA
Re: Buying my first Vette (DOUG STANTON)
I bought relatively cheap and paid in the long run... When I buy again I either buy a car needing the same amount of replacement of parts as I bought (but for less money), or I will shop until I find the car with all the parts replaced and go ahead and pay the asking price. Why... Because it makes no sense to buy a kinda nice car, like one with sorto ok seat covers, pay the middle price, and then replace the seat covers anyway. Same logic with the engine... you don't need to pay for someone's recent stock rebuild if you are just going to tear into it and convert it into a fire breather anyway. Either needing a lot of work at a great price, or already nice, thats the direction I will go when I do it again.