Which year gen C3 do you guys prefer?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
If I could afford it, I'd buy one of everything! All the C3 and C2/C1's are great. I originally had an 80 back in the day. My budy originally had an 82 right from the show room floor from Amityville. Both were nice. But now I have a 77 and love that as much as the others. Each one has it's PRO's n CON's. No matter what you decide. Youll like it.! My boy can't wait to get one. He wants a C3 or a 70/71 Camaro. LOL
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City TN
Ok, this is great info, ...
true duals are a must for me, and considering how much of a pain changing the crossmember is, the 80's seem scratched out. With this info, looks like I might be mostly aiming for an earlier model, bonus if I can find one with the side pipes.
Good stuff, really appreciate this info.
true duals are a must for me, and considering how much of a pain changing the crossmember is, the 80's seem scratched out. With this info, looks like I might be mostly aiming for an earlier model, bonus if I can find one with the side pipes.
Good stuff, really appreciate this info.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 3
I agree but it took me awhile to grow on me though. Although if I was to pick any particular C3 it would be a 71 or 72 big block convertible with a manual tranny. Plenty of torque and can run on regular. Don't care about ultimate performance just love the drivability.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Marion NC
You will like whatever one you get, because it's yours. I like the '76 we have (and we have had two). The first one was in the year we got married (1976)-sold it. Regretted it for many years and then I bought my wife an anniversary present one year...guess which one. Yes, another '76-the one she likes. So you see, the moral to this story is find one, stroke it, play with it, feed it and you will love it (no matter what year it is). Good luck in your search.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Realistically, if you discount the very early C3's and the "specialty power cars" like the L88 the HP thing is overblown. In the earlier C3 years it was calculated different than later, thus the HP discrepency is not as much as you would believe. I prefer the late model c3's 80-82 for a few reasons, 1. I love the look, 2. they have more comfort, better seats, 81-81 had an available power drivers seat, some had electric mirrors. More storage behind the seat. And I like others are adding power not to compete with the other models but just because we want to. I personally never had a desire to own a chrome bumper C3 I was always drawn to the 80-81-82 models. I did have a 67 convertable back in the day (wish I still had it) but i sold it and kept my 72 Trans Am. I vote late model C3....
BUT... Although, I prefer the much more aggressive styling of the C3 vs the sleeker design of my 1986 greenwood corvette, too many things I consider a downfall for my preferences. The Engine/front suspension on the c4's are totally open due to the full front end pulling over, making it one of the easiest cars i've seen to work on. The C3's are so tight under there, looks like it would be a weekend project just to change the spark plugs. Although the c3 interior is indeed nice and unique, the early c4 interior is also unique, more attractive to ME with the antique looking digital and information displays, massive amount of buttons
,sports seat and elevated console. The fact that it's a hatchback vs the c3's fastback. C4's less prone to having rust problems. The test drive on the C3's was also a bit less encouraging. Engine sounds were more aggressive on the c3's 
, but much less acceleration and braking power, steering less precise, more clumsy. I know I could correct the acceleration and speed with a better engine, but that elevates the cost like crazy.
I, including what...the whole world prefers the look of the c3's, but the c4's feel much more of a: pull the top off, feel the wind peeling your face off with your audio system blasting, adrenaline rush car, which i prefer, while the c3's feel more of a : pull the top off, hear the Engine grumble, slight breeze rushing through your hair, sunglasses on, listening to a little music with a smile on your face.
The early c4's still give you that nice antique look, sound and styling, but once you get into the late c4's, the exterior and interior styling with the less aggressive sounding Lt Engines kill off the antique feel of the car.
I guess my need to get a c3 is going to be put to rest for now, keep the money and enjoy my c4.
Last edited by SUPERCHARGE; Jan 15, 2012 at 06:26 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 752
Likes: 31
From: Melbourne Australia
Joe
