My story is eerily like vettebuyers but
in my case i bought a 72 454 ac 4 speed convertible
The day i got it a stuck thermostat caused it to overheat on the highway
Soon i had to fix the power steering the neck was broken off the reservoir the belt out of line put a knife edge on the pulley...i still have scars from that repair,
I busted 2 transmissions being a jerk and the never ending repairs took my last dime....i got silly swapped it in on the biggest pos ever a camaro pace car the 80s one
I had lots more vettes thru the years all daily drivers even my 66 no power anything no heat no ac hard top only,
I had other cars too but always missed that 72 it took over 3 decades and a smart wife for me to correct that mistake and i bought my 69 convertible in 09,
A project im still putzing on and if i can offer one piece of so called advice after saying listen to your own mind for what you want or dont want,
Rust, rust will turn a c3 into a parts car quickly rust hides...rust is a deep money pit not like changing brakes or other replacement wear parts....be sure the car you want isnt more rust than car.
Rust cost me my 66

 

If it runs, drives, stops all reasonably well and rust is not an issue buy it and drive it. These cars are easy to repair and parts are readily available and comparably cheap. You will have to be willing to learn and work on it. The forum is a valuable resource.

 

For starters, anyone who claims 400 HP needs to show me some build docs. Getting 400 HP out of a small block takes significant work. Do you know any specifics about the motor? As stated earlier, a stock 350 from this era makes less than 200 hp.

Second......MONEY. Yes, parts are readily available, but its never just a set of brake pads. (say....30 bucks)....well, while you are there, replace the wheel bearings...(another 20 bucks)...oh, whats that, a caliper leak? (Every 3rd gen Corvette ever made winds up with leaky calipers.)...so, another 50-100 bucks for the calipers. Whatever $$ amount you think this car will need, DOUBLE it. Honestly, ask around. Anyone on this site will tell you that fixing old cars always goes over budget.

Corvettes are beautiful looking cars, but they are very maintenance intensive (and will need even more attention and preventative maintenance if it really has that claimed 400 HP) .

SO, is this a good price? It MAY be, but I think they are making up engine specs. Look for rust. At the end of the day, you need to figure out if you have the time, budget and experience (or access to such experience) to keep this car running as a daily driver.

PS- As 13Bats stated....RUST. If you find ANY perforation rust or heavy scaling just in front of the rear wheels....run, dont look back. There is NO cost efficient or quick way to repair rusted Corvette frames.

 

went and looked at it and did not buy thanks for the advice boys saved me.

 

Curious what turn u off on it

 

I got there and it was soild like it drove turned on instantly but the front did not sit right. The person who painted it did a good job by the looks but used the wrong paint on the bumper thing. Its plastic and is suppose to use the bendy paint so it does not web but he did it wrong and if it hits anything will shatter. Also 2 small cracks in the dash and rpm gauge did not work.

 

Keep looking, you will find the right one.

 

I already own a 1979 corvette.

 

Your posts in this thread didnt reflect that in fact one could say you were leading us on...if you have a 79 you must i would hope know "something" about vettes, if you are concerned with owning one in your situation how will you manage 2?

 

If you look at my posts I got given this 1979 corvette for free... I also have a job lol I make pretty good money programming web sites I was asking is it a solid deal not anything else lol..

 

My bad
In this thread is what i went by you said you were young , not at all car savvy and if you bought the car in this thread you would basically be broke,
I missed in this thread where you already have a free 79...so why did you want 2 if one was gonna hurt you?
Whats wrong with the one you have for free..not good enough

 

That the "front did not sit right" sounds ominous. The non-working tachometer is likely due to engine modifications. From what little we know about the car you likely did the right thing by walking away.

 

Like I said i dont know much about cars but It looked like a good deal so I asked.

 

If you are hurting for money as you suggested...but even if you have funds if i was in your shoes and some kind soul gave me a nice free vette i would be messing with it, not trying to buy another...this is where i wish you well and i move on...