Need advice please
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Need advice please
Ok my situation I have 2 c4s a 86 and a 91 I'm thinking about trading my 86 for a 76 stingray,the stingray is somewhat a project in my opinion exterior and interior is a little rough he said he put a new motor in it the guy said it just needs a cluster bulb and he said there's a battery drain somewhere so right now it's not a daily driver,my 86 is a little nicer and a daily driver but who needs 2 c4s right? I really want a c3 but don't know if it's worth it any input would be helpful thanx
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Pic 2
Ok my situation I have 2 c4s a 86 and a 91 I'm thinking about trading my 86 for a 76 stingray,the stingray is somewhat a project in my opinion exterior and interior is a little rough he said he put a new motor in it the guy said it just needs a cluster bulb and he said there's a battery drain somewhere so right now it's not a daily driver,my 86 is a little nicer and a daily driver but who needs 2 c4s right? I really want a c3 but don't know if it's worth it any input would be helpful thanx
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: NYC NY
More information on both cars would be helpful. IMCO for what little that's worth your C4 looks a lot nicer than that C3. I get it about trading your C4 for a C3 but I'm not feeling that C3. I don't like what I see under the hood and I'm not thrilled about the "gremlins" the car has. I maybe seeing more than what's there but I see a money pit that you will be very quickly upside in. I'm sure other opinions will vary.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,057
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From: Schaller Iowa
As much as I like the C3 body style, your 86 looks a LOT nicer. I too would like to find another vette and have been looking at some C3's online, but if I were in your place I'd continue searching.
astepup said that
astepup said that
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Yeah I've been searching online and I've ran across alot of c3s but really nobody really wants to trade or the few that do lives about 10 hours away lol,a nice c3 are ranging at 8k to 15k if I had to put a estimate on my vette I would ask about 6k thanks for your response
Thread Starter
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More information on both cars would be helpful. IMCO for what little that's worth your C4 looks a lot nicer than that C3. I get it about trading your C4 for a C3 but I'm not feeling that C3. I don't like what I see under the hood and I'm not thrilled about the "gremlins" the car has. I maybe seeing more than what's there but I see a money pit that you will be very quickly upside in. I'm sure other opinions will vary.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
Good luck in what ever you decide to do.
The issues: needs a headlight motor so right now headlights stay up,lights still work
Hatchback switch doesn't work but I have the part to fix it
Can't unlock door from driver side have to unlock from passenger has power locks
I bought the car last year off a guy who started doing the restoration and just didn't have time to finish.
The stingray 1976 Corvette Stingray. Dark brown w/ brown interior. sb350 w/ t350 trans.
- New Summit distributor
- New starter
- Engine is bored .060 over w/ Speed Pro pistons, Manley crankshaft and a Comp camshaft / lifters.
- New Holley 650 carb
- Hooker headers
- Included (but not installed) are 2 brake rotors, ball joints, power steering pump.
He said the motor has less then 1000k
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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Without a doubt keep the '86 - you want no part of a C3 that's had little or no maintenance. If you really want a C3 find a well documented car and pay the price BUT you should certainly find one local and do an extended drive. There's a a$$ for every seat but there's a good chance yours isn't going to be happy in a C3. Many people buy the C3 or a C2 or any earlier Corvette without ever driving, do the restoration and finally the drive. Many are very disappointed.
Thread Starter
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Without a doubt keep the '86 - you want no part of a C3 that's had little or no maintenance. If you really want a C3 find a well documented car and pay the price BUT you should certainly find one local and do an extended drive. There's a a$$ for every seat but there's a good chance yours isn't going to be happy in a C3. Many people buy the C3 or a C2 or any earlier Corvette without ever driving, do the restoration and finally the drive. Many are very disappointed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
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From: Michigan
Even with the mods it has the C3 is gonna be slower. Anytime a guy has low miles on a new/rebuilt engine I hesitate, usually means he couldn't get it running right and may have messed up the break-in. You should drive a C3 before you buy one!
Race Director
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From: Kingman AZ
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Years ago I was looking at Corvettes at a Corvette dealer. I test drove a yellow 77 which was in excellent shape and then an 86 that was also in great shape. What a difference! The C4 had a smoother ride, better handling, stopped better and got great gas mileage.
I bought the 86.
Many of the C3s out there have windshield frame rot that you can't see and which extends down to the front of the door frame. The radiator support and rear dog leg portion of the frame are very subject to rust.
Stay with the C4s. Fix one of them up and sell it and take someone with you to look at the C3 - someone who knows what to look for.
I bought the 86.
Many of the C3s out there have windshield frame rot that you can't see and which extends down to the front of the door frame. The radiator support and rear dog leg portion of the frame are very subject to rust.
Stay with the C4s. Fix one of them up and sell it and take someone with you to look at the C3 - someone who knows what to look for.
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Yeah I was thinking the same thing about the engine,if I put a new motor in it I'm going to drive it and not let it sit,as you said probably wasn't installed right.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Years ago I was looking at Corvettes at a Corvette dealer. I test drove a yellow 77 which was in excellent shape and then an 86 that was also in great shape. What a difference! The C4 had a smoother ride, better handling, stopped better and got great gas mileage.
I bought the 86.
Many of the C3s out there have windshield frame rot that you can't see and which extends down to the front of the door frame. The radiator support and rear dog leg portion of the frame are very subject to rust.
Stay with the C4s. Fix one of them up and sell it and take someone with you to look at the C3 - someone who knows what to look for.
I bought the 86.
Many of the C3s out there have windshield frame rot that you can't see and which extends down to the front of the door frame. The radiator support and rear dog leg portion of the frame are very subject to rust.
Stay with the C4s. Fix one of them up and sell it and take someone with you to look at the C3 - someone who knows what to look for.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
From: Scottsdale AZ
Ok my situation I have 2 c4s a 86 and a 91 I'm thinking about trading my 86 for a 76 stingray,the stingray is somewhat a project in my opinion exterior and interior is a little rough he said he put a new motor in it the guy said it just needs a cluster bulb and he said there's a battery drain somewhere so right now it's not a daily driver,my 86 is a little nicer and a daily driver but who needs 2 c4s right? I really want a c3 but don't know if it's worth it any input would be helpful thanx
Overall, the 76 is not a collector year by any means. C3's like the one you are describing would probably cost more to restore than the value of the car after you are done. Also, as a vette owner you are probably aware that normally people look for originality when they purchase a vintage vette. You 76 has a replacement engine which would turn off most buyers. It will take a long time before the value of the 76 climbs to anywhere respectable. I would keep the 86 if it were my choice.
Sledge_78