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I've always liked the looks of the 78-82 Vettes. I've test drove dozens over the last 20 years, the problem is they don't drive, ride, or handle as well as they look.
Its like hooking up with a supermodel and then figuring out she's dead in bed and so bony it hurts.
As for the 84-90 C4s I don't care for the early nose and I hate the rear. The 92 and up rear is better since it has a little curve to it. Honestly I like the C5 rear better than any of the C4s.......however, the late C3s are curvy
:o
Mike got to go and ice my bruised pelvis
Last edited by aboatguy; Jun 16, 2007 at 01:09 PM.
Well now i'm just curious. I'm well aware that later C3's dont handle nearly as good as a C4 or have as much power, but I mean is it really that bad that you wouldnt drive one? I'm looking at getting an '81 so I want to know.
Well now i'm just curious. I'm well aware that later C3's dont handle nearly as good as a C4 or have as much power, but I mean is it really that bad that you wouldnt drive one? I'm looking at getting an '81 so I want to know.
Drive it and see if you like it.
I love the looks and every four or five years I get the itch and start looking. Usually I lose the itch after 1 or 2 test drives.
Drive it and see if you like it.
I love the looks and every four or five years I get the itch and start looking. Usually I lose the itch after 1 or 2 test drives.
They are alot more fun looking at than looking out! It's kinda interesting how most guys who like the C-3 style don't like the C-4s, and viseversa!
I like the '82 and the '84. The '82 was the first Vette I rode in back in '82. It was fast (for that era). The '84 was the Vette I fell in love with. Seeing one of those back in 1983 with the clamshell hood up was impressive (and still is). I guess that's why I have a C4 (but I wouldn't turn down a clean '82 either!).
I own an 84 and I just simply love the way it sounds, handles and the way that it makes me feel when it's wrapped around me.
That been said,the only other times that I've Ever driven another Vette was back in the Eighties when I test drove 2 different C3s I can't remember what years they were, And after driving both of them I concluded that it was very hard to get use to that very long hood and it seemed like it would be unsafe to drive because it would hender your sight and they rode like a cinder block. It really turned me off to my image of the Vettes,Then when I first test drove my 84 twelve years ago,all of the Corvette mystiuqe came rushing back,the instant throttle response,the just long enough hood,the good forward line of sight,and the over all race car feel. I've still have not driven a newer C4 than mine,but I do know,I didn't like the C3 as a whole,and the 84 C4s are what sold me on the Corvette Legand.
Well now i'm just curious. I'm well aware that later C3's dont handle nearly as good as a C4 or have as much power, but I mean is it really that bad that you wouldnt drive one? I'm looking at getting an '81 so I want to know.
Well, I currently have a 76 and a 85, and I feel like the 76 is the better riding car as far as shakes and rattles, and it feels tighter, like its smaller and lighter than the 85. I had an 81, and in my opinion you will get sick of it like I did, because although they are beautiful cars, that have absolutely no power. 190 HP in a Corvette, wtf were they thinking. I will buy another one...becauase I really liked that style, but this time the crate engine will be put in about 30 seconds later.
Well now i'm just curious. I'm well aware that later C3's dont handle nearly as good as a C4 or have as much power, but I mean is it really that bad that you wouldnt drive one? I'm looking at getting an '81 so I want to know.
Originally Posted by Droshki
Well, I currently have a 76 and a 85, and I feel like the 76 is the better riding car as far as shakes and rattles, and it feels tighter, like its smaller and lighter than the 85. I had an 81, and in my opinion you will get sick of it like I did, because although they are beautiful cars, that have absolutely no power. 190 HP in a Corvette, wtf were they thinking. I will buy another one...becauase I really liked that style, but this time the crate engine will be put in about 30 seconds later.
The "no power" issue was due to the new emission / fuel economy standards set back then that KILLED horsepower for many years. The oil embargo also affected this.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_oil_crisis
Well now i'm just curious. I'm well aware that later C3's dont handle nearly as good as a C4 or have as much power, but I mean is it really that bad that you wouldnt drive one? I'm looking at getting an '81 so I want to know.
The difference between the two are night and day.Ive had an 80,81 and then my 84.The seating position of an 81 is more up right and not much leg room.And working on an 80 era C3 is a nightmare.Over the years G.M. just kept cramming crap under the hood.The phrase 10 pounds of SH*T in a 5 pound bag,thats it in a nut shell,but the 80-81 is one of the nicest body styles.My first Corvette was an 80 L-82 that was pretty quick for the day,230 H.P.
I think its because of the Shark body style. All C3 are considered classic cars period. Even the untouched ones with 170HP are going for near or over 10 grand.I spoke with a C3 owner who had a 81 untouched and he told me it was a dog performance wise. Unless you had the L82 dont even think of messing with a Maxima family sedan, yet the Corvette feel is in everyone of these cars in a dramatic way. For there time they were acceptable, but by todays standards they are lame. Yet Im told they handle well and you will have to shell out more cash to get one than a early C4, but the C4 is light years ahead in design. Like all first year Corvettes the 84 also gets a bum rap, yet the Z51 version IMO hAS more of a race suspension wise than the later C4 Z51s cars whos suspension was tamed down.