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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 09:10 AM
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Default Buying a C3

Hello there,


First of all, im from Brazil... i know it sucks...
But heres the thing, i'm a big corvette fan, especially c3.

I'm looking forward to buy (and import) a C3. 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981... one of those, because here we can only import NEW and +30 years old car's.

I dont even need to say that importing taxes are ridiculous... car price + 125% + License and stuff to actually use the car.

But, even so, i still want a Corvette (crazy right?), so i came here to ask: Do you guys have any major tips when going to buy a C3? common rust points, or best model of 1977 to 1981...
Any help will be awesome.

*Sorry for my bad english.
*This is the right place to post a thread about buying advices? If not, sorry.


Thanks,


Vinicius.
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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 11:11 AM
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There is no best year, body style has slight changes, your choice. Like any car it should be thoroughly checked including putting it on a lift to check the complete underside.
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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Vinicius nunes leite
...Do you guys have any major tips when going to buy a C3?...
Do not purchase one of these cars without seeing it in person.

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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Do not purchase one of these cars without seeing it in person.

Yeah, wish i could do that... but i can't.
Because we dont have Corvettes here, this is why i've got to import.

The company who is going to buy and send to me, will have to take a look into it.
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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Do not purchase one of these cars without seeing it in person.

Yeah, wish i could do that... but i can't.
Because we dont have Corvettes here, this is why i've got to import.

The company who is going to buy and send to me, will have to take a look into it.
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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Vinicius nunes leite
...wish i could do that... but i can't...The company who is going to buy and send to me, will have to take a look into it...
My suggestion is that you not rely on a company to make this purchase for you. Travel to the states and see the cars for yourself.

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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 01:53 PM
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To me it would be a matter of what body style you like. 78 was the first of the big back window. I would stay away from the 82 - if it still has the crossfire fuel injection, as a matter of finding parts and people to work on it in Brasil may be hard.
Here is a little information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrol...vette_%28C3%29
I hope you find a good person to check it out. I know this will not be cheap to do. I spent time in the petrochemical plants of Camaçari in Bahia, beautiful country and people.
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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 05:57 PM
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Hi Vinicius,
New, old Corvette.... NICE!
125% WOW!
I think it would be a very good idea to have a knowledgable independent person take a look at the car before you purchase it.
There are people here whom you can hire to do a very extensive inspection and report their findings to you.
GOOD LUCK!,
Regards,
Alan
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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 05:59 PM
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If you want the car as an "investment" that is supposed to appreciate, that is different than if you simply wish to enjoy the car. I believe a 1977, 1979 and 1980 can be purchased at lower cost than 1978 (pace car year) and with 125% import tax that is double savings.

Investment quality instead of driver quality, will also affect the expectations for paint finish, engine originality, interior quality etc. so it would be good to know how critical this is to you

Then it is a matter of whether you prefer the look of the back window in 1977 and earlier models or the back window and slightly increased interior space of 1978 and later.

I have a driver quality 1977 that would NOT impress many experts on this forum; but I enjoy it more than most highly favored models.



You should be able to contact some reputable Corvette Forum member to check out a car for you.
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Old Nov 30, 2012 | 09:10 PM
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a guy on here has a restored 1980 for $13,900.it looks like a really great car ! if I didn't have my TA ,I would buy it.
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Old Dec 1, 2012 | 10:22 AM
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You should be able to contact some reputable Corvette Forum member to check out a car for you.[/QUOTE]



It would be difficult to buy a vette in the States from a location where there isn't several Forum members who would be more than agreeable with looking at one for you.
I'd look at some adds, look in the forsale section here and find one you like, then get on here and ask if there is anyone who would be willing to take a look at it for you.
Worse case, you may have to give them a few bucks for gas, but I doubt it.
Better yet, offer them your spare bedroom for a relaxing week at your end. You'd have'em running over each other checking it out for you.
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Old Dec 1, 2012 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Vinicius nunes leite
Hello there,


First of all, im from Brazil... i know it sucks...
But heres the thing, i'm a big corvette fan, especially c3.

I'm looking forward to buy (and import) a C3. 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981... one of those, because here we can only import NEW and +30 years old car's.

I dont even need to say that importing taxes are ridiculous... car price + 125% + License and stuff to actually use the car.

But, even so, i still want a Corvette (crazy right?), so i came here to ask: Do you guys have any major tips when going to buy a C3? common rust points, or best model of 1977 to 1981...
Any help will be awesome.

*Sorry for my bad english.
*This is the right place to post a thread about buying advices? If not, sorry.


Thanks,


Vinicius.
funny...
you're a fan of Corvette... and we're a fan of your women!
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2012 | 11:59 AM
  #13  
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Brazil suck? I think you guys are in better shape than the USA right now. The best place to look would be Craigslist, auto trader, Corvette trader, Ebay and our own C3 for sale section. Prices can be all over the place what buyer are you using? Can't you just hire a customs broker and import a Vette on your own? My friend Aussie John has bought 2 Corvettes from USA to Australia including one I sold him. How much do you have to spend on your Corvette? You need to find the best Corvette you can afford and because it is Winter in the North, many aren't being advertised. I have a good friend who grew up in Brazil so he speaks fluent Portuguese and maybe I can help you if you find one you like in Northern California. It is easy to locate Corvettes using the internet but, seeing them in real life and getting a decent car requires some expertise.

Links for searches:

http://corvettetrader.com/

http://www.ebay.com/motors

http://www.hemmings.com/
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Old Dec 2, 2012 | 01:55 AM
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I am by no means a professional automotive surveyor just a hobbyist but would be happy to take a look at a car for you in the Orange County California area and provide my opinion before you spend money.
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Old Dec 3, 2012 | 07:25 AM
  #15  
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Default Corvette

There is 2 models that i really love, 1975 convertible (oh god, that convertible is really sexy) and coupe 1978+ with the new back.

Having in mind my dream wish... i get in contact with a import company here on Brazil.
And that's gonna cost me... wait for it... wait...




$ 8.000 vette that i found on internet, gonna cost me $ 30.000, fully licensed, ready to run.
That's make me sad.
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Old Dec 3, 2012 | 07:33 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
funny...
you're a fan of Corvette... and we're a fan of your women!
Brazilian womens are beautiful, not every women, but a great part, yes.
If you want, i can trade a brazilian women for a vette, wanna make a deal?
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Old Dec 3, 2012 | 07:41 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Solid LT1
Brazil suck? I think you guys are in better shape than the USA right now. The best place to look would be Craigslist, auto trader, Corvette trader, Ebay and our own C3 for sale section. Prices can be all over the place what buyer are you using? Can't you just hire a customs broker and import a Vette on your own? My friend Aussie John has bought 2 Corvettes from USA to Australia including one I sold him. How much do you have to spend on your Corvette? You need to find the best Corvette you can afford and because it is Winter in the North, many aren't being advertised. I have a good friend who grew up in Brazil so he speaks fluent Portuguese and maybe I can help you if you find one you like in Northern California. It is easy to locate Corvettes using the internet but, seeing them in real life and getting a decent car requires some expertise.

Links for searches:

http://corvettetrader.com/

http://www.ebay.com/motors

http://www.hemmings.com/

Believe me, people here doesnt do anything to change.
Salary are small, prices are high, abusive taxes for everything, that soon or later that money disappear, and no one knows who take it.
If you are a sucessful businessman, you gonna drive one of those:
And people here do anything to change our contry, its just carnaval, footbal, and beer.

Thank you for the tip!
Gonna have a look on these sites.
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Old Dec 3, 2012 | 08:09 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by 68thumper
I am by no means a professional automotive surveyor just a hobbyist but would be happy to take a look at a car for you in the Orange County California area and provide my opinion before you spend money.
Can you give me the zip code of your area? Gonna look for corvettes around your area.
And Thank you.
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