going from a C3 to a C5
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: King George VA
I sold my '78 C3 - purchased new- after 24 years of great driving experiences. The reason? Age! I'm just getting too old to stand on my head to keep it in 100% condition. So I bought a new '02 vert and haven't looked back. The difference is quite dramatic. My '78 was at the age and mileage that it required a repair or adjustment almost every time I took it out. Admittedly, it was in stock condition even after 24 years, but parts wear out eventually. But after getting into my C5, it's a whole new world of better driving, easier maintenance, and plenty of time left over after cleaning it up to enjoy the grandkids - not that I'm THAT old mind you, just old enough to want to drive my Vette without the maintenance penalties an older Vette requires.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 540
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver British Columbia
When I first saw the C3 i was in love... It was the car that I wanted when I was old enough. I test drove a '77 4sp beautiful blue and titanium. I could not get over the huge fenders that stuck out like mountains from behind the wheel. I passed on the C3....(years later) Now that I have my C5 I really know what love is.... I will never look back.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Man,
I love my C5 and would not trade it for anything else. If I could have another Vette, it would be an 81 or 82 C3. Those cars are just sexy as hell.
If you can hold on to that one and get a C5, go for it. If you need it as a DD, I understand. If you really need to part with it, send me a PM.
I love my C5 and would not trade it for anything else. If I could have another Vette, it would be an 81 or 82 C3. Those cars are just sexy as hell.
If you can hold on to that one and get a C5, go for it. If you need it as a DD, I understand. If you really need to part with it, send me a PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,794
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
I was in the same position as you some time ago. Had the 77 for over 4 years but decided a C5 was the way to go.
I've had the car for a year now, a Torch Red 2002 6speed & just love it to bits.
Have fond memories & loads of photos of the C3 but since my first drive of the C5 there was no looking back. These are stunning cars, you won't regret it.
I've had the car for a year now, a Torch Red 2002 6speed & just love it to bits.
Have fond memories & loads of photos of the C3 but since my first drive of the C5 there was no looking back. These are stunning cars, you won't regret it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 15
From: DFW Metroplex Texas
I appreciate all the thoughtful replys.
These cars have a way to grab a piece of your heart (and wallet at times
) and become part of the family.
I'm going to test drive a C5 next week. I will certainly keep you updated.
These cars have a way to grab a piece of your heart (and wallet at times
) and become part of the family.I'm going to test drive a C5 next week. I will certainly keep you updated.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 1
From: East Coast NC
I bought my 1982 almost 3 years ago and have loved every moment of driving it. My circumstances has forced me to drive my baby almost on a daily basis recently and it has become pretty much my daily driver.
As much as I love the old gal, a 25 year old car just isn't very practical to drive on a daily basis and not expect something to break eventually. This car was intended to be a weekend toy... but as I said circumstances have changed.
I have been looking at C5s recently and really like the way they look as opposed to the C6s... just a personal preference.
If I sold the '82 I could move into a nice C5. Keeping the '82 and buying a C5 would be the ideal solution but at the moment pretty much out of the question.
Has anyone else here ever been in a similar situation? I would love to get a Z06 , but as silly as it may sound, I'm wondering if I'll kick my self in a few years for unloading the '82.
My wife would have a fit if she knew what I was thinking of doing.
Any thoughts are welcomed.
As much as I love the old gal, a 25 year old car just isn't very practical to drive on a daily basis and not expect something to break eventually. This car was intended to be a weekend toy... but as I said circumstances have changed.
I have been looking at C5s recently and really like the way they look as opposed to the C6s... just a personal preference.
If I sold the '82 I could move into a nice C5. Keeping the '82 and buying a C5 would be the ideal solution but at the moment pretty much out of the question.
Has anyone else here ever been in a similar situation? I would love to get a Z06
, but as silly as it may sound, I'm wondering if I'll kick my self in a few years for unloading the '82. My wife would have a fit if she knew what I was thinking of doing.
Any thoughts are welcomed.
I also went from a C3-C5
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
I had a C3 for 15 years (78 Indy Pace Car) I sold it to build a street rod in the 90's. In 2004, I bought my red 2000 vert. I've never looked back and never stopped smiling. The C5 IS a blast, I luv it- so will you. Good luck, Ron!
Last edited by RSchleder; Feb 16, 2008 at 06:19 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
I owned and drove a 1980 L-82 for almost 20 years. It was pretty much a week ender. The C-3 requires a lot more maintenance than a C-5. I sold my '80 last fall because I had purchased a C-5 the previous February. I love my C-5. It is comfortable, gets great gas milage, and requires a minimum of maintenanced (so far). I find it easy to work on (I've added several mods) reliable, and pleasing to the eye. This is my 4th Vette and it is by far the best.
previous
64 vert, wonderful car
65coupe, great car, too hard on gas (365 HP)
80 coupe L-82 (best looking brakes were constant struggle)
previous
64 vert, wonderful car
65coupe, great car, too hard on gas (365 HP)
80 coupe L-82 (best looking brakes were constant struggle)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Macedon NY
Got rid of my '79 and went for a '99 coupe! Not sorry at all. Might have been a different story if it had been my '64 or '68 Big block. Don't make 'em like that anymore! You'll like the C5, great car, not a "Repair Me" every day like the older ones. go for it!!! Good Luck!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Test drive the C5 and you will be sold. My C3 went away in '76 (behind a tow truck) and I waited waaaaay too long to get into another Vette. Bought my C5 in '03.
My C3 went away in '76 (behind a tow truck) and I waited waaaaay too long to get into another Vette. Bought my C5 in '03.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 0
From: Farmers Branch TX
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I have a 78 and 02, and my C3 came first, I use it as a fun weekend play toy and occasional drive to work. I love that car, I built it and it keeps me on my toes with repairs. Compared to the C5, its a slow ill-handling car that seems to want to take flight at about 120mph. The C5 is sleek, low to the ground and will pin your eyeballs to the back of your head, fly around a corner and rocket to top speed and feel comfortable doing it. But the C3 has got it all in the looks department, if I drive my C3 to a grocery store, I can almost guarantee there will be on-lookers when I walk back out to the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 21
From: Roswell GA
Next Question - Which Year??
I would suggest an 01 or newer. There are several places you can find the year by year changes - but I think most of the major, difficult to add on ones were done by 01.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Hopefully I can help you out some. I was in a similar situation a few years ago with my 1981. I didn't have a lot of cash, and the repairs started stacking up on the old-timer. I had a list of things that needed to be fixed and just when I thought I was making ground, a few more repairs were needed. I had some friends with C5s and one of them was nice enough to let me test drive his car. I remember saying, WOW 
!!
I made a post on the forum like you have done, and your responses were like mine. The guys that have money said keep the C3 and buy a C5 too, and the other guys said buy a C5. Now if you have your C3 paid off, then yes I'd recommend trying to get into a C5 and keep your C3. I don't regret selling my '81, but if the C3 were paid off I would still have it AND a C5.
As far as using a C5 as a daily driver, I wouldn't worry about it at all. My C5 was my DD for about 3 years and it never let me down. Enjoy your test drive, but I'm here to warn you that you better be ready to get a C5 if you test drive one! I loved my C3, but honestly there is really no comparison.
Some c3 eye candy: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/frodaddy/81vette/
My c5 webpage link is in my sig if you're interested.
!!I made a post on the forum like you have done, and your responses were like mine. The guys that have money said keep the C3 and buy a C5 too, and the other guys said buy a C5. Now if you have your C3 paid off, then yes I'd recommend trying to get into a C5 and keep your C3. I don't regret selling my '81, but if the C3 were paid off I would still have it AND a C5.
As far as using a C5 as a daily driver, I wouldn't worry about it at all. My C5 was my DD for about 3 years and it never let me down. Enjoy your test drive, but I'm here to warn you that you better be ready to get a C5 if you test drive one! I loved my C3, but honestly there is really no comparison.
Some c3 eye candy: http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/frodaddy/81vette/
My c5 webpage link is in my sig if you're interested.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Urbandale Iowa
I bought my 1982 almost 3 years ago and have loved every moment of driving it. My circumstances has forced me to drive my baby almost on a daily basis recently and it has become pretty much my daily driver.
As much as I love the old gal, a 25 year old car just isn't very practical to drive on a daily basis and not expect something to break eventually. This car was intended to be a weekend toy... but as I said circumstances have changed.
I have been looking at C5s recently and really like the way they look as opposed to the C6s... just a personal preference.
If I sold the '82 I could move into a nice C5. Keeping the '82 and buying a C5 would be the ideal solution but at the moment pretty much out of the question.
Has anyone else here ever been in a similar situation? I would love to get a Z06 , but as silly as it may sound, I'm wondering if I'll kick my self in a few years for unloading the '82.
My wife would have a fit if she knew what I was thinking of doing.
Any thoughts are welcomed.
As much as I love the old gal, a 25 year old car just isn't very practical to drive on a daily basis and not expect something to break eventually. This car was intended to be a weekend toy... but as I said circumstances have changed.
I have been looking at C5s recently and really like the way they look as opposed to the C6s... just a personal preference.
If I sold the '82 I could move into a nice C5. Keeping the '82 and buying a C5 would be the ideal solution but at the moment pretty much out of the question.
Has anyone else here ever been in a similar situation? I would love to get a Z06
, but as silly as it may sound, I'm wondering if I'll kick my self in a few years for unloading the '82. My wife would have a fit if she knew what I was thinking of doing.
Any thoughts are welcomed.
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St. Jude Donor '11-'17, '21
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 676
Likes: 2
From: Amherst VA
You will love a C5. Just drive one and you will see.
6 years ago I sold both my '74 4spd coupe and '94 6spd Coupe and bought a '98 Vert and never regretted the decision or even missed the C3 or C4. And both were nicely modded performance wise and I owned that '74 for 24 years (it was my 1st Vette). Just like Timemender's '74, my '74 never once gave me a problem in all of the 24 years owning it. My current '99 never once gave me a problem either and is a much better car than the C3 or C4 in every way. But I would not mind owning another C3 in addition to my C5 but never in place of a C5.
6 years ago I sold both my '74 4spd coupe and '94 6spd Coupe and bought a '98 Vert and never regretted the decision or even missed the C3 or C4. And both were nicely modded performance wise and I owned that '74 for 24 years (it was my 1st Vette). Just like Timemender's '74, my '74 never once gave me a problem in all of the 24 years owning it. My current '99 never once gave me a problem either and is a much better car than the C3 or C4 in every way. But I would not mind owning another C3 in addition to my C5 but never in place of a C5.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
We went from our 82 CE to a C5 vert a little over a year ago.
Yes "I" miss the 82, no the wife doesn't.
The C5 will blow your socks off. and when your wife takes a drive in it she will have a hard time hiding the fact that it is a blast!
Yes "I" miss the 82, no the wife doesn't.
The C5 will blow your socks off. and when your wife takes a drive in it she will have a hard time hiding the fact that it is a blast!