1st time Vette buyer needs help!
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9
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From: Tigard Or
1st time Vette buyer needs help!
Hi folks--
I am looking to purchase my 1st Vette--somewhere between '73--'80---is there anything important I need to know? I appreciate any and all help. Thanks!
I am looking to purchase my 1st Vette--somewhere between '73--'80---is there anything important I need to know? I appreciate any and all help. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: 1st time Vette buyer needs help! (ChrisW23)
Get yourself a book called "How to Restore & Modify Your Corvette". I don't remember who wrote it, but there's a really good section in the beginning about buying your 1st Corvette. It also has a great checklist that you can make a copy of and take with you when looking at cars, this allows you to look at everything and have a good idea of what your getting into before laying down your cash ;) .
Good luck with your hunt :) .
Good luck with your hunt :) .
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
Re: 1st time Vette buyer needs help! (ChrisW23)
Buy the best most complete car you can afford. It will be a lot cheaper than rebuilding a real project car.
There is no substitute for good paint. A good paint job can cost you $5-6K. So if you think it needs to be repainted it better be real cheap so you can sink $6K into it and still have value.
Welcome to the forum.
There will be plenty to do even on a car you think is near perfect. Remember these cars are 20-30 years old and in car age that's a lot. Plenty of things just plain wear out or break so this forum will become an invaluable source of information for you when doing repairs. And you will be doing repairs!!!
Just scan the forum and you will see the different type of things that go on these cars. If you have to rely on a mechanic to do most of therepairs then find a good one who knows Corvettes and bring money, lots of it.
Don't let me scare you! But if you want to do some mechanical repair work and have a little bit of ability the peoiple on this forum can take you thru almost anything you'll have to do.
There is no substitute for good paint. A good paint job can cost you $5-6K. So if you think it needs to be repainted it better be real cheap so you can sink $6K into it and still have value.
Welcome to the forum.
There will be plenty to do even on a car you think is near perfect. Remember these cars are 20-30 years old and in car age that's a lot. Plenty of things just plain wear out or break so this forum will become an invaluable source of information for you when doing repairs. And you will be doing repairs!!!
Just scan the forum and you will see the different type of things that go on these cars. If you have to rely on a mechanic to do most of therepairs then find a good one who knows Corvettes and bring money, lots of it.
Don't let me scare you! But if you want to do some mechanical repair work and have a little bit of ability the peoiple on this forum can take you thru almost anything you'll have to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Re: 1st time Vette buyer needs help! (ChrisW23)
Visit http://www.corvettefaq.com
and read the inspection articles, there are 3 articles I believe.
Roger
and read the inspection articles, there are 3 articles I believe.
Roger
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Re: 1st time Vette buyer needs help! (ChrisW23)
Keep looking.. :lol:
Actually, I got mine for under $10K. New paint and not too many bubba's.. Nothing I wasn't able to make right. While your looking see if you can narrow down what you REALLY want. There is a big difference in the years your looking at so narrow it down to make it easier. I really like the '80 body style over the pre-80's but a few more ponies under the hood would have been nice too. Since ponies are easier to change than body style I got the '80.
Don't just jump in and buy something cause it can get expensive.. Some advise when you find one. Don't buy on emotions. Use your head and you'll be happy. Be prepaired to walk away if it doesn't feel right. A lot of guys get burnt because they see the lines and curves on the car and fall in love.
Also, plan on riding the car for 1 year before making any mods.. Someone on this list told me that when I first got my car and I'm glad I listened. I fixed what was wrong/broken but kept her mostly stock. I sill have plans for that ZZ4 upgrade but now I'm going to wait till I blow the engine in there first.. :jester
Good luck with your hunt!
Actually, I got mine for under $10K. New paint and not too many bubba's.. Nothing I wasn't able to make right. While your looking see if you can narrow down what you REALLY want. There is a big difference in the years your looking at so narrow it down to make it easier. I really like the '80 body style over the pre-80's but a few more ponies under the hood would have been nice too. Since ponies are easier to change than body style I got the '80.
Don't just jump in and buy something cause it can get expensive.. Some advise when you find one. Don't buy on emotions. Use your head and you'll be happy. Be prepaired to walk away if it doesn't feel right. A lot of guys get burnt because they see the lines and curves on the car and fall in love.
Also, plan on riding the car for 1 year before making any mods.. Someone on this list told me that when I first got my car and I'm glad I listened. I fixed what was wrong/broken but kept her mostly stock. I sill have plans for that ZZ4 upgrade but now I'm going to wait till I blow the engine in there first.. :jester
Good luck with your hunt!