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Prices C3 vs C4s

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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 01:24 PM
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Default Prices C3 vs C4s

Seems like the C4 prices are still dropping while the C3s are soaring, anyone else notice that? Just kinda wondering if our C4s will climb in price some day?


Never realized when I had and sold my 62 and 64 what they'd bring in todays market.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by rick lambert
Seems like the C4 prices are still dropping while the C3s are soaring, anyone else notice that? Just kinda wondering if our C4s will climb in price some day?


Never realized when I had and sold my 62 and 64 what they'd bring in todays market.
I cry every time I think how much My 71-LT1 would be worth now.....

Last edited by Jims1988C4; Jul 27, 2009 at 10:14 PM.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 03:04 PM
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I think the trend will continue; right now some of the C4's are classic, but none are antique. The C5's and 6's are high value because they are new, and the C3's are high value because they are antique. Give the C4's another 10 years and I think we will be impressed with the value. By then, the C5's will be 10 years older and lower value, the C7's will be the new model, and the C4's will be the antiques.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by rick lambert
Seems like the C4 prices are still dropping while the C3s are soaring, anyone else notice that? Just kinda wondering if our C4s will climb in price some day?


Never realized when I had and sold my 62 and 64 what they'd bring in todays market.
Not all C3s are going up, the later models are just holding their own. It's the chrome bumper cars, specifically the big block cars that are doing fairly well. But even in the early models, the small blocks are showing some challenges in value right now.

Just tough all around, wait it out and things will cycle back IMHO.........
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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It is all supply and demand, C3 supply is diminishing as they rust away and get smashed up. Good examples are harder and harder to find. C4s have yet to start rusting away/ falling apart. When they do, prices will increase. I am personally investing all of my money in lotto tickets.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 08:56 PM
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1968-1982 - I would think that cars after 1973 would not be worth that much since they were not good performers. Sorry if it sounds like I'm bashing C3's which I'm not. I just know that cars after 73 were not that great from the domestic automakers due to the pollution devices that were simply added on the cars and not designed in, and the overall quality. I personally avoid cars from 73-80.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Wathen1955
1968-1982 - I would think that cars after 1973 would not be worth that much since they were not good performers. Sorry if it sounds like I'm bashing C3's which I'm not. I just know that cars after 73 were not that great from the domestic automakers due to the pollution devices that were simply added on the cars and not designed in, and the overall quality. I personally avoid cars from 73-80.
they will always be the entry level C3 and much cheaper...noone wants a dog L48,(I had one, they are horrible!) smog controls, etc unless they are looking for a cheap way into a C3 or are in love with a certain yr for whatever reason...kinda like us buying C4s as a cheap way into a Vette.

Love the body but Ill never own another I dont think (73)


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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Wathen1955
1968-1982 - I would think that cars after 1973 would not be worth that much since they were not good performers. Sorry if it sounds like I'm bashing C3's which I'm not. I just know that cars after 73 were not that great from the domestic automakers due to the pollution devices that were simply added on the cars and not designed in, and the overall quality. I personally avoid cars from 73-80.
I like all C3s with the exception of 75 & 76.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 09:55 PM
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The good news for 84 owners is 84 prices have gone up 1%. Not a big deal but lets hope a trend has started on one of the most hated Corvettes by some ever built.
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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 10:03 PM
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JMO..................I think that most people that drive 53' to 96' vettes may be motorheads like me. I enjoy working on my cars. I do all my own work because I dont want some nit wit F*****g it up. We take pride in our vettes. By taking care of them.

RUB's buy new vettes. And then take them to car shows.

JMO............. I think out older hot rods are a dying breed. The young people of today like the new cars with all the techonolgy and warrentee.

And the RUB's just upgrade every time there is a body change.

74' thru 91' aint going nowhere but down. I paid 35 K for mine in 89.
Now its worth 3500 $ maybe

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Old Jul 27, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Wathen1955
1968-1982 - I would think that cars after 1973 would not be worth that much since they were not good performers. Sorry if it sounds like I'm bashing C3's which I'm not. I just know that cars after 73 were not that great from the domestic automakers due to the pollution devices that were simply added on the cars and not designed in, and the overall quality. I personally avoid cars from 73-80.
Don't kid yourself, my 81 "late C3" will bring much more than most C4s, as some one said earlier, supply and demand. Also, I don't know where your opinion on overall quality comes from, all of my C3s have been pretty darn reliable and unlike the C4s, I can work on it myself without investing in all kinds of diagnostic equipment.

Also, are you really impressed by the quality of the materials and fit in the interior of your C4? I'll take the looks and quality of my C3 any day. Let's be honest, the average C4 is now the entry level Corvette, not a C3 no matter the year. They are not the most powerful car built nor do they handle like a C4 but they have some of the best lines ever on a car, IMHO........

Last edited by Jon Hekking; Jul 27, 2009 at 10:12 PM.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Jon Hekking
Don't kid yourself, my 81 "late C3" will bring much more than most C4s, as some one said earlier, supply and demand. Also, I don't know where your opinion on overall quality comes from, all of my C3s have been pretty darn reliable and unlike the C4s, I can work on it myself without investing in all kinds of diagnostic equipment.

Also, are you really impressed by the quality of the materials and fit in the interior of your C4? I'll take the looks and quality of my C3 any day. Let's be honest, the average C4 is now the entry level Corvette, not a C3 no matter the year. They are not the most powerful car built nor do they handle like a C4 but they have some of the best lines ever on a car, IMHO........
Like I said, I'm not bashing any C3's. I just don't like cars from 73-80 in general. As for my 96 C4, yeah I barely fit inside because I'm a fat guy - 6'1" 280 LBS, but I do fit in fine once I'm in the car. I would fit better if I lost 40 LBS though. This is my first Vette that was within my budget of $12k. Yeah I did look at some C5's, but they were $8k more.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 02:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Wathen1955
Like I said, I'm not bashing any C3's. I just don't like cars from 73-80 in general. As for my 96 C4, yeah I barely fit inside because I'm a fat guy - 6'1" 280 LBS, but I do fit in fine once I'm in the car. I would fit better if I lost 40 LBS though. This is my first Vette that was within my budget of $12k. Yeah I did look at some C5's, but they were $8k more.
Understood, I didn't mean to imply that you were bashing C3s, I thought you were just voicing your opinion which is why we're all on the forum, to share info! Sorry if you took it that way. As far as fit goes, we're the same size and I have plenty of room in my 93. What I was talking about was the fit and finish of the materials used in the interior of a C4 compared to the C3, just not impressed by the C4 but still love it!
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 02:51 PM
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Yeah the interior of a C4 could have been better, especially the seats. When I first bought the car, my head almost touched the roof, but now my fat *** has "lowered" the seat a ½ inch or so from all the downward pressure LOL. I need to lose 40 lbs or so, but the only exercise that I do are mow the lawn and sex. I guess that is not enough.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 02:53 PM
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You can still buy the 1974-1982 Vettes very cheap.
Those years have low horsepower 205-165 and get very
poor gas mileage and they also have a hard ride and limited
storage space. The C4s were a huge leap forward.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by VetteDriven
You can still buy the 1974-1982 Vettes very cheap.
Those years have low horsepower 205-165 and get very
poor gas mileage and they also have a hard ride and limited
storage space. The C4s were a huge leap forward.
Do you have a torch red C3 too? You sound like such an expert, amazing what you can Google these days eh? I have restored many and yes they are underpowered and crude compared to the C4. They are however some of the best looking cars on ever built IMHO.

Driving a C3 is a completely different experience from a C4. I know many C3 owners and I don't think any of us own these cars for their power, handling, storage space (FYI, I have more room behind the seats in my C3 than my C4) or gas mileage, they are just beautiful cars. As far as value goes, you can't touch one of these late C3s for the value of a like condition C4, the C4 is the entry level Corvette.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 03:19 PM
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Really the 1974-1982 are entry level. 1976s can be bought for
4k all day long. You must google that again.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 03:23 PM
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Torch Red wasnt offered in a C3. Torch Red started in 1993.
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by VetteDriven
Really the 1974-1982 are entry level. 1976s can be bought for
4k all day long. You must google that again.
Again, you are clueless. Yes you can buy a beat 76 for $4K. Guess what, I can buy a beat C4 for $4K and less. On the other hand, a low mileage 76 in very nice condition will go for $10 - 12K which is exactly what you would pay for a C4 in the same condition. Go out there and see how many C4s can be bought for $4K, you'll find more of those than you will any year C3, you are so lame................
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Old Jul 28, 2009 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by VetteDriven
Torch Red wasnt offered in a C3. Torch Red started in 1993.
For your benefit from Webster's;

Sarcasm:

•A form of humor that is marked by mocking with irony, sometimes conveyed in speech with vocal over-emphasis. Saying something that is opposite of what is intended to be meant; An act of sarcasm
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