ok guys, heres the situation. iv been wanting to buy a corvette for about 2 years (currently drive a 84 camaro) and have been saving as much as possible for the time, and the time is quickly approaching. but now that its here, im completely split between whether i want a c3 (68-72 chrome bumper only), or a c5. heres what im thinking

c3:
pros: i looove older cars the sound, the looks, the roughness. my uncle has a 69 camaro and thats probablly the badest car iv ever driven. muccchh easier to work on, more space and less electronics. i get that cool vintageness. even though im only 18, id love to drive a 40 year old car. i could do more work myself since it has much less electronics and what not. more unique
cons:in my price range, car may be a little rougher shape. not very good on gas. i feel like at the start it wouldnt be as fast as the c5 (although it would probablly be a nice jump over my camaro).

c5:
pros: much newer, better shape. probabally a good deal quicker. iv done more research on them and know more about them, although i dont mind reading up plenty on the c3 if thats what it comes to. great gas mileage!
cons: only so much i can do to it to make it unique. theyre not unique, theres 3 within a few blocks of me. very expensive aftermarket, and almost every performance upgrade needs a retune. i couldnt do as much work due to all the electronics, etc.

sorry for the long post but im split! haha i think im leaning more towards the c3, but want to hear you guys opinions. thanks!!!

 

Listen, this is a KNOW brainer. You want out of the box speed? Stock Z w/ long tubes, vararam, new rear tires= 11 sec E.T.'s all day long. no other mod's needed. They are giving these C/5's away @ todays prices! Not to mention the c/5 gen cars are much safer than the cars your used to driving and to include the C/3's. Good luck w/ your search.

 

I figured you posted in C3 Gen as well, I was right.

Here's what's funny, they're (C3 Gen) telling you to buy a C5 and you seem resistant to it. Now you post in C5 Gen; are you expecting to be told to buy a C3?

Bottom line - It's obvious you want a C3, go buy one and enjoy it.

 

im leaning more towards the c3 but i still love the c5. im just trying to find out the negatives and positives of each. for example, on the c3 forum theyre telling me c3 isnt a good daily driver, i was interested in why not? i was pretty much settled on the c5, till i drove my uncles 69 camaro. now im split! itll probablly end up being whichever i find first for the money i have. keep the opinions coming though!

 

Had both... would never go back to the C3 ... I love the look, but the ride and comfort and speed is plenty for me in the C5

 

Sounds like you haven't driven either car. Am I right? If so, that would be the thing to do... good luck w/ your decision. Either way, you're getting a vette!

 

Here's my thoughts on this. If you want a nice ride and something to be a dd get a C5. If want the cool retro look and something that would be easier for you to work on then get the C3. That's my opinion.

 

Ask yourself what you want to do with the car. If your into shows, enjoy restoration, go with the C3. Still wish I had my 70. If you want to do extended trips, overnites, etc.. like a lot of the folks in the C4, C5 and C6 sections on the forum do, go with the C5.

Financially, if you make the right deal on a C3 you can always sell it for at least what you bought it for. The newer cars at this pint are still considered just used cars and lose value each year.

They are both a blast, but in a completely different way. Good luck with your decision.

 

haha ya, i should drive both, but i dont know anyone with either so i dont know how id get the chance. ill be doing all the work myself so thats another thing that draws me to the c3, but i feel as though the c5 wouldnt need as much work. my uncle restores musclecars so if there was something i couldnt do on the c3 he could help me out. he wouldnt touch the c5 haha. and yes, im getting a vette!! haha thats one thing i decided on a looong time ago.

 

IMO if you want it for a daily driver then get a C5, if not then Id go with a C3.

 

c5, hands down, without a doubt. back in early eighties, "muscle" cars were able to get top dollar. a few reasons were horsepower, sound, and limited availability. today, although still cool, they are just an old car, in short old technology. get the speed, reliability, sound, handling,(brakes/suspension)electronics/audio of the c5. i would venture to guess with your age, the insurance is going to be about the same $$$$. your mods are virtually limitless with the c5. and the luxury aspect is 100 fold. good luck, and BE SAFE

 

Depends on what you plan on doing with the car.

If you want to pamper it, drive it on weekends, do a few spirited driving events now and then and do car shows get the C3.

If you want to do all of the above, run high to mid 12s in the 1/4 and still have the ability to jump in it and drive cross country @ 30 MPG then get the C5.

 

Easy, C5!

 

Honestly, the old cars seem like beasts and the LS1 at 350hp sounds like an average engine but the LS1 has such a great torque curve that the car flys with it. Then, try a Z06 at 405hp and it's more than you need power wise. Honestly, after running the LT1 and LS1 engines I just can't go back to an "old-school" engines again beause I'd just be putting together something to try to make an old small block work as well as a LS1.

Then, add in the handling of the C5. It rides smoother and will corner like you wouldn't believe. You probably think the Camaro isn't too bad handling wise but you have to try a C5 first. I went from a 4th gen Firebird to the C5 and the C5 makes me look back and think that car handled like a pig when I thought it was pretty good.

I work on mine a lot and haven't had any bad electrical problems to deal with yet. It's just knowing the car and spending the time to learn how to troubleshoot.

So, as already posted out, if you want a weekend car to drive around a bit then the C3 is for you. I just can't see daily driving a C3 myself.

Peter

 

I've had a C3 and wouldn't want one again but that's just me!

 

You should get a C6 ...

 

I like C3's but there very rough and the motor may be easy but the electronics and wiring is a PIA.

C5 aftermarket is not that bad if you buy stuff like headers and intakes used. I have yet to see another vette like my current one.

 

The old C3s are cars, but IMO, not the best for a DD. They are hot inside the cabin from the tranny/exhaust heat, ergonomics are not great, creaks/rattles are common, build quality is suspect and water leaks from rain are common. And as you mention, the gas mileage is not great.

The C5 will offer you a much better handling platform, better ergonomics, very good reliability, amazing gas mileage, and much better performance.

Obviously it is your choice, but after having had two '79 vettes, I wouldn't go back to a C3.

 

Naah, its not just you! My 81C3 was a poorly made car and a poor daily driver. I wish I hadnt spent the money on it.

 

funny, most of the guys are telling me c5. more comfortable, better on gas, less maitnance. but for some reason i just keep leaning more into the c3. i think if u guys took my camaro around the block youd be happy to jump into a c3 (yes, it rides that rough! i have to avoid train tracks cause the car jumps up and bottoms out like you wouldnt believe). the camaro gets less then 10mpg city, the vette cant be that much worse? and maitnance? i looove working on my car! may get bored if something doesent need to be fixed every weekend.