Where are C3 prices going???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
You're about 2 years late in getting in on the real money. It's still not a "bad" time to buy a chrome bumper Vette.
Oh yeah... stay away from eBay unless you can look the car over before bidding.
[Modified by 63Banshee, 11:01 PM 11/10/2003]
Oh yeah... stay away from eBay unless you can look the car over before bidding.
[Modified by 63Banshee, 11:01 PM 11/10/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
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Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (63Banshee)
You're about 2 years late in getting in on the real money. It's still not a "bad" time to buy a chrome bumper Vette.
Oh yeah... stay away from eBay unless you can look the car over before bidding.
[Modified by 63Banshee, 11:01 PM 11/10/2003]
Oh yeah... stay away from eBay unless you can look the car over before bidding.
[Modified by 63Banshee, 11:01 PM 11/10/2003]
I disagree entirely...As many of the guys here know, I've been able to pick-up desirable C3s quite inexpensively. The reason is that in the Northwest (as in some other parts of the country) the C3s are still owned primarily by non-collectors. Essentially, they are "fun cars" to people who aren't real car collectors. They were low-dollar fun cars, so the people who bought them often are running out of money in the bad economy. C3s sit in the paper for weeks here with little action, because C3s are just now becoming "collector" cars.
Cali is right, you should never buy a collector car as an investment if you plan to drive it, because cars cost money, especially if you plan to make big HP and make it personalized -- more money than you'll get out of it.
There's a lot of time (maybe two or three years) before it becomes "too late." You'll know it's too late when people are paying $25K-30K for small block chrome-bumper coupes, $18K for urethane bumper coupes and 427/435hp '68 or '69 two-top #matching roadsters are fetching $45-50K on Ebay.
And before you say "never will happen" just look at the prices of 1st gen Camaros! When people pay $15K average for a nice V8 Camaro and big blocks are always fetching over $25K, you know the C3 is headed north in a hurry.
Melting Slicks
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (JRSLS6)
They are going up from what I can tell. The Chrome Bumper cars seem to really be hot. Every show or cruise I've been to lately someone wants you to know your price to sale.
It's not for sale!
It's not for sale!
JB
Racer
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From: Timmins ON
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
If you're looking at a car as investment... You're pretty much screwed... The car market is pretty much driven by "what'cha got" markets... If you want a Shark... Buy one and enjoy it. Drive it have fun with it and restore it as you can afford it.... I didn't buy my car as an investment, and many here didn't either.... Just my opinion...
Melting Slicks
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From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (sammyb)
There are always deals to be had, especially when the market is just turning. The point is that the market value has already popped for chrome bumper C3s. That isn't to say that they won't continue to go up at a good rate, but he did miss out when the market was still waiting for it's time, 2 years ago.
:seeya
:seeya
Le Mans Master
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (NorthVette)
Don't get me wrong I got the 68 for a steal but everyone knows me by now and within a few months I'll be upside down on the 68. I just can't leave good enough alone. but seriusly if I was investing I'd have more M.F.'s but the Vettes are strickly a hobby and if I make money well that's just frosting on the top. I certainly don't expect to get my money out of them.
Team Owner
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Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Cali,68,L-79)
I remember going to the Turkey Run last year. Every corvette I saw for sale was extremely over-priced. I remember one particular 72 the guy wanted $25K and it was just a basic car that needed a lot of work. :rolleyes:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Reston VA
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
Prices are gradually gowing up. If looking to buy get one in great shape or completely restored. If you spend the money to fix it up right you will never get your money out of it. Take advantage of some other poor bast--ds money pit. Take it from someone who knows.
Moss
:cheers:
Moss
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Manalapan FL
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
I've only been monitoring the offerings/sales of vehicles similar to mine ('74 convertible, low mi., stock) and those prices seem stagnant (with exception of cars for sale by "speculators" or crack-smokers). However, I have noticed more and more people interested in, and purchasing more, C3's locally. Several clients have seen my car and now two of them went out and purchased vettes (C3's).
So...I believe by creating a demand for the cars (e.g. driving & showing them), we can eventually push prices up as they become more desirable. I still believe prices for the rubber-bumper cars (convertible 74 ~ 75) are a bargain (although that's not good news for me).
D. Ocean
Manalapan, FLA
So...I believe by creating a demand for the cars (e.g. driving & showing them), we can eventually push prices up as they become more desirable. I still believe prices for the rubber-bumper cars (convertible 74 ~ 75) are a bargain (although that's not good news for me).
D. Ocean
Manalapan, FLA
Intermediate
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From: Richmond VA
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
I just bought an '80 L-82, and what I observed while shopping was an upside-down bell-curve. The newer cars are at the top of one side, and the older cars (1960s) were at the top of the other. The "low point" on the curve seems to be late-70s to late-80s - about a 10-year spread. I'm hoping that the curve is on a sliding scale - as my car get's older it will be worth more. I got into it while the price was still reasonable.
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Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (sammyb)
There's a lot of time (maybe two or three years) before it becomes "too late." You'll know it's too late when people are paying $25K-30K for small block chrome-bumper coupes, $18K for urethane bumper coupes and 427/435hp '68 or '69 two-top #matching roadsters are fetching $45-50K on Ebay.
And before you say "never will happen" just look at the prices of 1st gen Camaros! When people pay $15K average for a nice V8 Camaro and big blocks are always fetching over $25K, you know the C3 is headed north in a hurry.
And before you say "never will happen" just look at the prices of 1st gen Camaros! When people pay $15K average for a nice V8 Camaro and big blocks are always fetching over $25K, you know the C3 is headed north in a hurry.
There's not a show that I've been to without someone asking if I'd like to sell or how much I'd want for my car.
I always tell them I have too much invested....no one would pay me the kind of money I would want for the car... :chevy
Melting Slicks
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
I don't think that the prices are going anywhere right now...
There are lots of dreamers out there who think that they can make good money on their cars..... but they are usually not able to get as much as they are asking...
:iagree:
The prices will go up. That's for sure. But it's going to take time. They made A TON of these cars. And there are still A TON out there. Buy what you like and enjoy. Don't by for speculative purposes.
There are lots of dreamers out there who think that they can make good money on their cars..... but they are usually not able to get as much as they are asking...
:iagree:
The prices will go up. That's for sure. But it's going to take time. They made A TON of these cars. And there are still A TON out there. Buy what you like and enjoy. Don't by for speculative purposes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
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From: Surprise Arizona
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
I asked this question because I am seriously thinking about buying another Corvette. I have always liked the C3 body. I feel the wisest choice for me at this time will be to find a chrome bumper car in decent shape with a big block or LT1 engine. I have been trying to sell my 88 convertible (barely trying actually). Hardly any lookers. My friends tell me it is priced fairly for it's condition. But with the economy the way it is right now it seems that you practilly have to give it away. I would just as well keep it. This seems like a good time to buy.
I have a lead on a 72 454 automatic A/C car not too far from me. It needs a little work. Nothing too bad I hope. I will see for myself this weekend. Hasnt been driven since 85. Has 65K miles on it. Needs carpet and an exhaust manifold per the owner over the phone. I hope it's as decent as the seller says it is.
I have a lead on a 72 454 automatic A/C car not too far from me. It needs a little work. Nothing too bad I hope. I will see for myself this weekend. Hasnt been driven since 85. Has 65K miles on it. Needs carpet and an exhaust manifold per the owner over the phone. I hope it's as decent as the seller says it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (Paul G)
If you buy a C3 in nice condition and keep it that way it's not likely that you'll lose money when you go to sell. I think the chrome bumper C3's are undervalued compared to the Chevelles, Camaros and other "muscle" cars from the same era. Especially the big blocks. It's only been the past couple of years that it's seemed that the chrome bumper C3's have started to move up in price noticeably. I still think the rubber bumper C3's are bargains from the standpoint that you're not likely to lose money when you resell and have plenty of fun while driving 'em. C4's are still depreciating and C5's have nowhere to go but down because they're still just regarded as used cars.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 287
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From: Dayton Area Ohio
Re: Where are C3 prices going??? (LemansBlue68)
Not too many people have the $$ to try and buy cars as an investment. The market is too fickle with what "might" be popular. The only vettes that are good investments are bone stock vettes in original condition.... and even those.. like others have mentioned, are pricey to buy.
My motto is.. buy it because you love it.. and drive it !! :hurray:
For me..? Well, I found I just don't love the C3... :rolleyes: I do like it... but I just don't LOVE it like I have loved other cars I've owned... such as my '98 GTP, or my '76 Lemans SC.... So it's being sold, and will fund my new ventures..and someday, I'll find me another love. :thumbs:
:cheers:
My motto is.. buy it because you love it.. and drive it !! :hurray:
For me..? Well, I found I just don't love the C3... :rolleyes: I do like it... but I just don't LOVE it like I have loved other cars I've owned... such as my '98 GTP, or my '76 Lemans SC.... So it's being sold, and will fund my new ventures..and someday, I'll find me another love. :thumbs:
:cheers:
