do i really want a c3?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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do i really want a c3?
i've been in love w/c3's since i was a little kid. i remember being so pissed off when they changed the body style (i was 9!) i've been looking for an '80 or '81 for about three months now. i've dreamt of this chance for as long as i can remember----talked a guy down to my price on an '81/found a buyer for my 2000 jeep wrangler all in two days. things are really falling into place! help me out guys, i'm kind of nervous about buying my dream car and don't know why. maybe i'm scared about the reliability of a 21 year old car. i don't know. have any words of encouragement???????? :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,264
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From: Toms River NJ
Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
me and my friend sometimes cant decide if we want to buy expensive parts about our cars....and we encourage each other by saying "Just hit Submit" cause we usually order online. it usually is told in a joke or something, but we usually do hit it and glad we do afterwards. but anyway, just buy it....youll enjoy it no matter what. Half of the fun with my car is doing the work on it. The other half is breaking things, but its doing thing like in my signature! :D
[Modified by 74VETTE, 11:18 PM 5/1/2002]
[Modified by 74VETTE, 11:18 PM 5/1/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
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Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
haha, I was EXACTLY the same way. I always wanted a '77 (last year for flat back window). Anyway, I sold my daily driver and bought the '77, hoping to make it my new daily driver and fix stuff if anything needed breaking. Anyway, soon afterwards, reality set in and I NEEDED a daily driver so I bought another driver (my Eclipse). If you can swing keeping the jeep, try to. There WILL be days when your vette won't run and you'll be waiting for a part or whatnot, and you'll need transportation. Thats the only advice I can offer.
"Dude, you're gettin' a C3!"
Sorry, those Dell commercials **** me off actually. ;)
-terry
"Dude, you're gettin' a C3!"
Sorry, those Dell commercials **** me off actually. ;)
-terry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
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From: Clifton Park NY
Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
I had the same dilemma when I bought mine... I decided to take the chances, and made the most irresponsible purchase of my life. I don't know much about cars today, and back then I knew NOTHING! As it turned out, I think I got a good deal, so I'm really glad I bought it. But it could've been a disaster, so I do recommend you do your homework before you buy the car.
Some words of encouragement? Here ya go...
-You'll be the owner of the coolest car ever made! :cool:
-The C3s are very simple criatures, so you can do a lot of mechanical work yourself, if you're mechanically inclined or if, like me, you're willing to learn. You'll soon discover that working on the car is half of the fun of Corvette ownership, and will get involved in projects that are absolutely not necessary, just for fun! (Like most of us forum members do...)
-The engine of your future Vette is a small block Chevy, the most produced engine ever, so parts are found everywhere, and cheap!
-A well mantained C3 is reliable! Take care of it, and it'll take care of you!
-Pedro
Some words of encouragement? Here ya go...
-You'll be the owner of the coolest car ever made! :cool:
-The C3s are very simple criatures, so you can do a lot of mechanical work yourself, if you're mechanically inclined or if, like me, you're willing to learn. You'll soon discover that working on the car is half of the fun of Corvette ownership, and will get involved in projects that are absolutely not necessary, just for fun! (Like most of us forum members do...)
-The engine of your future Vette is a small block Chevy, the most produced engine ever, so parts are found everywhere, and cheap!
-A well mantained C3 is reliable! Take care of it, and it'll take care of you!
-Pedro
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
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From: San Francisco, CA
Re: do i really want a c3? (razz1980)
These are really great cars if you are willing to spend time and money. If you have LOTS of money then less time is necessary but working on them is really a big part of the joy. There is nothing like having it running and looking good and going out for a drive and having people comment on what a beautiful and unique car it is, and knowing that you do (most) of the work on it yourself adds to the pleasure. Go into it with eyes :eek: wide open and you will not be sorry.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a veteran.
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Re: do i really want a c3? (Pedro'74)
-A well mantained C3 is reliable! Take care of it, and it'll take care of you!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a veteran.
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Re: do i really want a c3? (C3Vettesrock)
id rather spend 15 minuts riding a vette and 2 weeks working on one than 2 weeks driving a honda and 15 minutes wondering why the hell am i driving a honda
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
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Re: do i really want a c3? (Simon Alexander)
do i really want a c3?.
Now here's a stupid answer: OH HELL YES!!!!!!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
bkirk, the ONLY honest answer to your question lies within the car itself, as with ANY 20 some years old car, the question of RUST if all important....
RUST is nearly impossible to fix, exceeds value of the car very quickly in these later sharks....so get an expert from your local vette club to go over it even if you gotta slip him 100 bux in the process, it's money well spent....
otherwise you could get burnt, and ruin any chance of ever really enjoying the car....
GENE
RUST is nearly impossible to fix, exceeds value of the car very quickly in these later sharks....so get an expert from your local vette club to go over it even if you gotta slip him 100 bux in the process, it's money well spent....
otherwise you could get burnt, and ruin any chance of ever really enjoying the car....
GENE
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,003
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From: GA
Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
I think you know now that you came to the wrong place if your trying to get talked out of this deal but as the majority says. Go for it!!! You'll be dirty You'll be greasy but You Will Be Happy. Don't Worry be Happy, Na.... Na.... Na.... Na.... Na. Na. Na. Na. Na Na Na....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
I drive mine daily and really don'e have any problems. It really depends on the particular car you find. Some are unmolested originals, some are re-done very nicely but stay away from "Bubba"ized cars. You can pretty much see the tell tale signs like spliced and taped wiring, lots of loose wires, many items not working. You will most likely have a few thing to tend to when you first get the car but it is just like any other used car. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
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From: End of the Ike IL
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Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
I remember asking myself the morning after I bought mine, "what the heck did I just do?" Not really buyer's remorse, just a reality check because it was a chunk of change that some would not think was a practical purchase. But I'm glad I bought her. She may want me to spend a couple bucks on her every once in awhile, but the feeling I get tooling around in my car is well worth every penny.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
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From: Thomson Georgia
Re: do i really want a c3? (BlueL36)
Go for it Bro.....The only thing you regret in life is NOT doing the things that you Wanted to do.......If you love them ...Then go for it....Trust me it is a fun hobby you will cherish and love...and u get to drive her :cheers: :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
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From: Apex NC
Re: do i really want a c3? (bkirk)
Do you really want one, yes, I'm sure you do. They are cool cars for sure and mostly simple. That said, I'd like to weigh in on a few things that I feel others have missed.
The '81 you're considering is considerably more complex than the pre-75 cars with no emissions, catalytic convertors, etc. Plus the '81 has a one year "computer controlled" Quadrajet carb that can be rather complex to set up and tune. There are also more complex emission control systems, since GM was still trying to figure out how to meet emission standards at that time.
Since you're saying that this is going to be your only car, you need to understand that it will require more maintenance than your Jeep. Are you handy with tools and know how to do basic maintenance like changing plugs, setting timing, bleeding brakes and replacing calipers and pads, etc. You'll likely face this and many other repairs to get the car into a reliable daily driver state. If you can't do this kind of stuff, you'll be looking at rather large bills to pay a mechaninc, and you'll be without transportation for days on end.
Not trying to rain on your parade, but take a realistic look at what you need from a car, what kind of work you can perform yourself, and whether your needs can be met with a 21 year old car.
Shannon
The '81 you're considering is considerably more complex than the pre-75 cars with no emissions, catalytic convertors, etc. Plus the '81 has a one year "computer controlled" Quadrajet carb that can be rather complex to set up and tune. There are also more complex emission control systems, since GM was still trying to figure out how to meet emission standards at that time.
Since you're saying that this is going to be your only car, you need to understand that it will require more maintenance than your Jeep. Are you handy with tools and know how to do basic maintenance like changing plugs, setting timing, bleeding brakes and replacing calipers and pads, etc. You'll likely face this and many other repairs to get the car into a reliable daily driver state. If you can't do this kind of stuff, you'll be looking at rather large bills to pay a mechaninc, and you'll be without transportation for days on end.
Not trying to rain on your parade, but take a realistic look at what you need from a car, what kind of work you can perform yourself, and whether your needs can be met with a 21 year old car.
Shannon
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: do i really want a c3? (C3Vettesrock)
WhooooHoooo!
I agree there!
But you gotta have, or want to have the repair skills or the mechanic bills will kill you on a 20 year old car no one wants to work on!
I agree there!
But you gotta have, or want to have the repair skills or the mechanic bills will kill you on a 20 year old car no one wants to work on!
id rather spend 15 minuts riding a vette and 2 weeks working on one than 2 weeks driving a honda and 15 minutes wondering why the hell am i driving a honda