Hi guys. I'm new to Corvettes. I always gawked at them from a distance, and now it's time to buy my own. So here's my question,

I really love the C3s. The StingrayIIs are great. but

1. Which are the best drivers, most reliable etc.

2. How much should expect to pay for one that's runs well? (Not pristine, not crap)

 

The short answers:
--none of them are particularly reliable
--none of them are especially great 'drivers' compared to something like a C5 (handling can be squirrily, ride is usually pretty rough)
--Prices can vary hugely depending on year, engine, model, etc. For later models (say '76 up) in most parts of the country you can get a nice driver for well under $10K. You want a '69 convertible big block, you're looking at spending some real change (up to and including $35K).

JB


[Modified by JB, 9:41 AM 4/17/2002]

 

Yep the reliability reflects the care the owner gives it. You'll find the late 70's cars are priced lower, you should be able to find a decent driver for under 10K. Big blocks and convertables much much higher.
Scott

 

hmm...i may have to give up :)

I'm just a college student. I thought as my one last act of macho coolness, I'd buy a vette. However, I do need it to be pretty reliable (as I won't be able to afford buying new parts for it every month). bummer.

 

Yup, that's why most college students drive Corollas. :)

Still, it's a ton of instant cool--if you're any kind of backyard mechanic, and you're careful with your purchase (you MUST get a shop to check it out before you buy it to make sure it's mechanically sound), it'll probably get you around town just fine.

JB

 

Well said JB
http://1-4u-computer-graphics.com/jacks-corvette.htm

 

Well, I'm lucky enough to live in Houston, so I'd probably shop at Corvettes of Houston, or Corvette Classics here in town. I get the feeling that Corvettes of Houston is a pretty reputable dealer.

What about the other part of the question... in that time range (basically after 73 when the chrome bumpers dissapeared, which model had the best engine?

 

After 1974, they all had the same basic engine, the 350ci (in '73 & '74 you could still get the big block 454). However, the later the model, the lower the horses as a rule. You could also get a higher performance model (the base engine was the L-48 & the high po was the L-82). The true bottom of the barrel was the 305ci engine some early '80s Calipornia models had because of emissions restrictions. Very wimpy. The crossfire fuel injected 350 showed up in 1982, and I've heard good and bad things about them--that they're unreliable, but also that they get a little better gas milage and have a few more ponies.

The great thing about Chevy using that 350 for so many applications (both vette and others) is that you can always get cheap parts for these 350 engines because there are so many of them around and every mechanic everywhere knows how to work on them.

JB




[Modified by JB, 1:39 PM 4/17/2002]

 

Very true, but for this very reason I wonder if the reliability issue is not the engine at all - I would think vaccuum systems are a pain, the rear suspension - bearings specifically are a pain - 3 times as many u-joints as a regular rear drive car.

I have never had any reliability issues with my car - I have taken the car offline, so to speak, for a period of time to do large projects, but the car has never left me stranded even with its original 100k plus L-82 motor +4speed, Ive owned it for 5 years and am using the same clutch.

I think these cars can be daily driven reliably, but requires extra effort in the initial shopping - also the inexpensive ones - the ones less than 10k are probably not the ones you are looking for.

 

fauxers, love your vette. Can I ask how much you got it for? I know that after the early chrome bumper sharks, the power started dropping. I guess I should note that I'm not looking for a 500 hp tire destroyer anyway. I'll probably be thrilled if I can get a L-82 modded up to near 300 hp.

 

Well if you're looking for an L82 these are the folloing HP's for the years:
1973/74 - 250hp
1975 - 205hp
1976/77 - 210hp
1978 - 220hp
1979 - 225hp
1980 - 230hp
Hope to clear your mind in these years.
Paul

 

jem7vwh,

I too am a lowly college student who loves Vettes but at present has neither the place to house one or the funds to constantly repair one. So, I know what position you are in. My, advice to you is this: wait until you can get exactly what you want. In the meantime, learn as much as possible. I'm not sure how mechanically inclined you are, but if you're like me and not in the know but willing to learn you can pick up almost anything about Vettes and cars in general by hanging out in the forums. Everyone here will tell you that the key to getting a good deal on a Vette is knowing more about them than the seller does. Ask what to look for, what to check, and most importantly decide what you want BEFORE you go shopping. Good luck and welcome to the forums.

P.S.: If you don't know about the wave, ask. :seeya

 

Jem- Simple abnswer. Wait til you graduate college. Otherwise you will have no money for :cheers: or anything else for that matter.

 

f- it...You're only going to be 21 once. If you want a vette, get one. Reliablity? Your in college, I think if a break down occurs, walking won't be to big a deal, nor will riding a bike for a couple days until you can get it fixed. I currently have a '77 and Im going to college, but I have backup transportation. However, this fall Im transfering schools, and looking to trade my '77 in for an early model corvette convertible(or any old 'vert for that matter). And the beater will be sold, and the $$ will go in the bank for repair money(it should be near 2 grand, if that can't fix things between summers, when I work..., then I'm better off walking anyway).

The way I look at it, I'm still yongue. If I don't have a car for a week, I have the energy to walk, and if its to far, bumming a ride is still aloud(a 35 year old bumming a ride is a little odd, but a late teen early 20 y/o college student bumming a ride is no big deal, not to mention friends with cars are in abundance, so finding a ride wouldn't be a big deal either). You could get a vette with payments low enough that you could work weekends and pay it off.

One more thing to possibly help convince you. Bence is a college student also, he owns a '76, and just spent A LOT of money building a big block for it(on top of paying for it)...so it can, and has, be done, many times.

Daniel

 

Daniel is probably right with a lot of those things, but I think how important having a car is really depends on where you go to school in relation to where you live. i.e. near your house v. hours away. What I said above is from my personal perspective, but it occured to me that I want a project, not a mostly finished daily driver... which changes the situation quite dramatically. So yeah Daniel is probably right about a lot of what he said.

That said I still say that you should try to know as much as possible about what you're interested in before you try to buy...and that you should buy the best car that you can afford.

 

Well, I too am a college student in the process of buying a 75 L-82. All I'll be able to afford is to paint it and save some cash in case it breaks down, that is unless I get this job at the department of transportation, then OH baby! Haha! But I also Drive an 89 Blazer, which I might add has been as reliable as a car can get! I've had it over a year now, and the only thing that has broke was one small crack on the radiator, which after a quick welding job, worked just fine! Just goes to show you how great chevy's really are. :chevy The Blazer is going to be my everyday car, the vette is going to be the weekend chick magnet car! ;)

but as soon as I get a good job, Ill be shooting for 400 horses. : :D

 

Chris,

I think you can get a very nice car and a great driver at a good price and it will be very reliable. I don't think I am an exception to a rule. I always loved Sharks too and bought one when my old Pontiac (college car) up and died on me. (Oh, and this was after I got married and at the encouragement of my wife, so ignore the "wife = sell Vette" nonsense.) I bought a red over white, L-48, automatic, T-top 1977 Shark from a neighbor. It was almost completely stock with 42K miles on it. The only mods besides replacement parts due to normal wear were a missing catalytic converter and an aftermarket stereo. He had been asking $12K, but probably due to poor advertising, he had no takers and his price was $10.5K and I jumped on it. Here is a picture of the car when it had roughly 60K miles and after I added Cragar SS mags and crossed flag emblems on the B-pillar:

edit: embedded pic did not work out. Try clicking here:
http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/a5c1c...xrkv8AZQwLoqI4

This car is an awesome driver and I drive it to work daily, provided the weather is not severe. Due to long periods of storage before I bought it, I did have problems with many rubber parts (hoses and belts) and the brake system. But once these gremlins were worked out, it was and remains extremely reliable. I think the majority of my investments have been cosmetic or performance natured, like a chambered exhaust system, rather than preventive maintenance. Parts for a Chevy 350 are readily available and affordable. Without the complexities of a computer or fuel injection, repair is often straightforward so it is easily done yourself or by your neighborhood mechanic at low labor cost. (Except for the rear spring. He definitely did NOT have fun with that job!:lol:) Anyway, welcome to the forum and good luck with your search and enjoy your ride once you get one! :chevy Let us know how the search goes!

Cheers, :cheers:
Ford


[Modified by L48Shark, 11:09 PM 4/17/2002]

 

yeah. you guys have pretty much summed up my feelings here. My sensible side tells me to buy a newer used Honda Civic (the last one held 204,000 miles just fine) and get out of school, then when I get a real job, buy the car I want :) The other side says, "do it now, while you're young enough to enjoy it"

 

I'm not going to read all the other responses, because I know they all say the same thing I'm about to say:

There are no hard and fast rules to what's reliable and not. You have to take these cars on a case by case basis, and then throw everything you think you know, out the window. Because it's going to break. It will. You can go out, buy the nicest freaking C3 out there, drive it down the road, and it will break down on you. There is no rhyme or reason to it.

That's not to say, by any means, that these cars are unrealiable. They can actually be very reliable. But you need to stay on top of them and use common sense.

If you really want a reliable, hands off car, a C4 or C5 is a better choice.

But the C3's have a charm about them that is unbeatable. And they will teach you a lot.

Good luck with your pursuit and, hopefully, you purchase. :yesnod:

 

Funny, the second car I bought out of college was a Civic! :lol: As for being "young enough to enjoy it," I am one of the youngest members of my local Corvette club (wife is the youngest), but EVERYONE enjoys their Vette! Age has nothing to do with enjoying a Chevy. :chevy