Advice on buying a Vette
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Pro
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Advice on buying a Vette
I am thinking about taking the step and buying my first vette. I am looking for a 70-78. Any advice and buying tips would be appreciated. Are there any years to stay away from? Are there any engines to avoid? Are there any areas in these years more prone to rust that should be carefully checked? Looking to spend between 6000 and 8000, I have seen a few nice ones in this price range, is this a good ballpark figure for a decent car of these years? Thanks for any help.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Sierra Foothills CA
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
Styling is totally a personal preference, so take a good look at the years in that range & see what lights your fire. As for performance(with a stock motor)- the older Vettes within your target years are better. The 70 models still had high compression motors with less smog stuff. However, most original motors have been modded or replaced by now. Besides, numbers matching cars are pretty hard to find within your price range unless they're in rough condition. If you're not well versed on Vettes, try to find soemone who is that can go with you when you shop- it could save you alotta $$$. Look for something that's in sound condition so you can enjoy driving it right from the start. Good luck. :cheers:
[Modified by Les, 6:37 PM 1/20/2003]
[Modified by Les, 6:37 PM 1/20/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,160
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From: Greensboro NC
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
First of all welcome to the forum!! :cheers:
Have you seen these on the net (every cars a 1 or a solid 2) or in person (reality and other "blemishes" set in)?
I beleive what you will find is a 70/71/72 and 73 for under $8,000 will be a project of sorts, a 74-78 is where I would focus. You can get the most bang for your buck and probably end up with a fairly nice car on the down side though these cars are not appreciating as rapidly as the steel bumper cars.
It all depends on what you want! Drive it, enjoy it and mod it (74-78).
Good luck with your search!!
:reddevil or... you could put $8k down, take a loan out and BUY MINE!!!!!! :)
I am looking for a 70-78.... I have seen a few nice ones in this price range, is this a good ballpark figure for a decent car of these years?
I beleive what you will find is a 70/71/72 and 73 for under $8,000 will be a project of sorts, a 74-78 is where I would focus. You can get the most bang for your buck and probably end up with a fairly nice car on the down side though these cars are not appreciating as rapidly as the steel bumper cars.
It all depends on what you want! Drive it, enjoy it and mod it (74-78).
Good luck with your search!!
:reddevil or... you could put $8k down, take a loan out and BUY MINE!!!!!! :)
Advanced
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 55
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From: Olympia WA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
Welcome to the forum! You will find everyone here is friendly and helpful. I would find a knowledgeable Vette shop to inspect the car for you. When I bought my '72, it was my first Vette. I am a car guy, but my experience is with Porsche's.
I used Corvette & High Performance in Olympia,WA where I live. They spent about 2 hours going over the car with me, showing me places where rust lives etc. Did a compression test and test drive of the car.
Even though I am an experienced car fixer upper and even though I read every little bit of info on the sharks that I could find, I found it worth every penny to know that I had a decent car. My car was rust free down to the radiator support. No damage and an excellent body that had been reworked by someone who knows Corvettes. The only thing that is weird about my car is that the headlights are glassed in and moved to the grill. I can live with that!
Good luck on your search! Personally I love the '72. My favorite.
Mike
1972 L48
I used Corvette & High Performance in Olympia,WA where I live. They spent about 2 hours going over the car with me, showing me places where rust lives etc. Did a compression test and test drive of the car.
Even though I am an experienced car fixer upper and even though I read every little bit of info on the sharks that I could find, I found it worth every penny to know that I had a decent car. My car was rust free down to the radiator support. No damage and an excellent body that had been reworked by someone who knows Corvettes. The only thing that is weird about my car is that the headlights are glassed in and moved to the grill. I can live with that!
Good luck on your search! Personally I love the '72. My favorite.
Mike
1972 L48
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
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From: Moro IL
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
One of the best things you can do is to go to one of these big vette shows with someone who knows vettes. I did this with my Uncle who was in the market for one, so I draged him up to Effingham for their big show. He was very undecided as to what he wanted, after being up there for about 3 hours with a few thousand vettes and a hundred questions later we had everything nailed down as to what was in his price range and what options he wanted. He said it was one of the best things he could have done and was glad I dragged him along.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Team Owner
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From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
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Re: Advice on buying a Vette (Shock)
Don't be in a big hurry. Take your time and you will eventually find the car you want!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (Shock)
Corvettes RUST!!! Check the frame in front of the rear wheel, check the trailing arms, rear shock mounts and frame in the rear. Check the windshiled posts in the corners. Don't by a paint job with corvette emblems. do a little research. I always advise buying the nicest one you can find regardless if year. A bad first "vette" can sour you on the cars.
[Modified by silvervetteman, 6:13 PM 1/20/2003]
[Modified by silvervetteman, 6:13 PM 1/20/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
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Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
In the 1st paragraph of this page: http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3upgrade.asp there is a link to 3 articles that show what to look for when buying a Vette. I used them when buying mine.
-terry
-terry
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
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Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
There is a book called Corvette Restoration for 63-82 Vettes. It has 10 rules on buying a vette. What's funny is that rule 10 states that Vettes are a passion, and therefore the reasoning of the first 9 rules are overcome by rule 10. Hee, hee. But seriously, try to avoid passion in buying. Definitely find someone who knows Vettes and try to get them to evaluate the car with you.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 461
Likes: 16
From: Free state of Florida
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
I just brought my first corvette in Oct.2002 a 69 non-matching convertible i knew very little about these cars, i went on line and learn a little bit more, i did not find this site till after i brought my car i paid 11,500 needs a paint job,air condition needs compressor and brackets,but all other options on car work. i guess my advice would be if you find some thing that works for you buy it the smile on my face when i drive MY car is priceless p.s you might want to have a little cash on the side to fix what ever going to break and it will :lol: (2 days R/S outside door handle won"t open door)
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 421
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From: Newport News VA
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (zone69)
Tough question. You won`t find a chrome bumper vette (68-72) in very good shape even if it is non-matching numbers in your price range. You could find a later model in driver condition in that range. Can you work on cars. You could find a nice chrome bumper project in that range. If you intend on keeping the car for along time then from a money standpoint the chrome bumper is a wise investment. But if you just want a vette to play around with and not do alot of work on, then the newer model is a much better choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,007
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From: many sticks land of mountains
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (Makonut)
Check out http://vettefever85.tripod.com/ownvette.html It shows several good and bad points about different syles and parts.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 117
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From: winnipeg manitoba
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (kaz1961)
The best thing to do is not to rush, take your time go to one of the big shows when you look at cars one at a time it's easy to get excited and start thinking that this is the last car on the planet and if i don't buy it there will be no more we've all done that. When you go to one of the big shows you'll realise that there are a LOT of cars for sale and you can really see which are the good ones . If you can wait there is a big show at Carlisle PA. on August 22-24.
Good luck
Ken :cheers: :thumbs:
Good luck
Ken :cheers: :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Advice on buying a Vette (silvervetteman)
Corvettes RUST!!! Check the frame in front of the rear wheel, check the trailing arms, rear shock mounts and frame in the rear. Check the windshiled posts in the corners. Don't by a paint job with corvette emblems. do a little research. I always advise buying the nicest one you can find regardless if year. A bad first "vette" can sour you on the cars.
by silvervetteman
by silvervetteman
Another thing to check, and it is very important are your "smog" or emission laws in your state. You may NOT be allowed to license an "exhaust modified" Corvette. My '75 Corvette, if I lived one county north, I would'nt be able to license it for street use(I have "true dual exhaust" on it) :crazy: 1975 and up Corvettes came factory with converters-many have been changed :lol:
Good luck, and ask away-that's why WE are all here-you can't read about these kinds of experiences we've had here in any magazine :lol: :lol: :lol:
