I hope I don't ruffle too many feathers by posting this in 3 different forums, just wanted to get opinions from each era.

Doing some research on a possible Corvette purchase. My budget (under $20K) will allow a C3 ('74 and later, roughly), C4, and earlier C5s.

Going strickly on looks, the C3 is the winner hands down (for me). That being said, are the C4s and C5s such "better" cars that I shouldn't even consider a C3 (plus, being an older car things are more prone to be worn out or needing repair)?

Storage is important to me, nothing too much, maybe a couple small suitcases and small cooler for a weekend get-away for two. If I can convince the "boss" that a Corvette can be practical too, things will be much easier .

Anyway, I appreciate any opinions.

 

In order to give you a recommendation we'll need some more information.

Do you plan on this car being a DD? or a weekend warrior?

You mentioned storage was a consideration. Do you plan on making long trips? (over 500 miles) Will you mostly be using this car on the highway? or city driving? Is gas mileage important?

Is this car strictly a hobby? or an investment? or as already mentioned a DD?

Are you handy with tools? or will you have to pay someone to make repairs and maintenance?

 

Ruffle feathers? No way....now, we obviously love our C5s, but more importantly we love corvettes. This is really a personal choice....if you love the C3 looks, and its more of a hobby car than a daily driver then I'd get that one. If you opt for the C5, you cant go wrong - real reliable and FUN to drive (with good storage and comfort)

 

I have a C3 and a C5. The C3 was my daily driver from December of 1999 until March of 2003 and did just fine for commuting back and forth to work. It was relatively reliable and never left me stranded anywhere but it always had something broken and needing repair... C3's are never finished As for travel, it was a very comfortable road car, got 24MPG on the highway and was just a blast to drive. I could pretty easily get 2 decent sized suit cases in the back along with my speaker box and amp. Its not huge but theres enough cargo space for a weekend get-away.

My '04 Convertible Vette is my daily driver now. 350 Horse Power, 375ft lbs of torque, breaks the back end loose from a 40mph roll and it got 27.8mpg on a 4400 mile road trip from Las Vegas to Bowling Green and back for Cruise in X. It looks like a work of art performs like a supercar and is streetable and reliable enough to drive comfortably as a daily driver.

If I were looking for a "toy" car to play with on the weekends and take occasinal road trips in I'd go for another C3. They are a blast to drive and easy to wrench on so you don't have to pay someone to work on it every time it breaks. and it will break...

If I were looking for a daily driver that I could do all that other stuff with I'd go for a C5. They are probably the best combination of sports car and daily driver thats ever been built.

 

 

I have a 74 and a 2000. I agree with you that the 74 looks better. Not much, but a little. The 2000 is a coupe and it has a lot more storage space than the 74, which is the reason I have the 2000. The ride and handling, the a/c, the comfort are better in the 2000. I drive the 2000 much more than the 74. That being said, I enjoy both cars very much.

 

20 grand gets you into an early C3, 68-72 bumper car with a small block. It gets you into an exceptional C4 or a nice C5 coupe with relatively low miles. For trips and luggage go with a C5 coupe. Plenty of accessible luggage space, reliable and fuel efficient.

My 68 427/390 is more of a toy than a real car for trips. If you enjoy traveling with a tool box and a dwell meter go with the old car If you want to drive and enjoy the trip, get the C5.

 

There will always be debates on subjective issues like styling, but I have to agree with you that the C3 is a winner on styling. Since there are both a C3 and C5 in my garage, I can attest that the vast majority of people on the basis of styling alone love the C3. The later C3s from 78-82 have much more storage room than the earlier C3s due to the rear glass versus flat rear deck of the earlier cars. A good C3 can be very dependable, but not at the level of a C5.

The C5 is an outstanding car that really does everything better than the C3. More power, better fuel economy, better handling, better ride. On creature comforts the C5 has better A/C, better radio and its easier to put stuff in with the opening rear hatch.

For the most part C3s have quit depreciating but do require maintenance. The C5s are still depreciating, but at a reduced rate and their maintenance cost is probably less. If you want to convince the "boss" that a C5 can be practical, the excellent fuel economy of the C5 is a great selling point. As much as I like my C3, I would rather take my C5 on a trip.

Good luck with your quest.

 

I also had both a C3 & C5, love em' both. But the 73 for different reasons, I mean, just look at it, the lines, the stance, simply gorgeous.

For cruising any distance, it's the C5 hands down. The 73 was great but anything over an hour started to get uncomfortable a bit. Plus, once my tools and tops were in the back, there was little room for much else. I did use the luggage rack on occasion though.

My g/f loves driving the C5Z, and finds it easier to drive than the C3. Tons more room, HUD, full air etc etc make it a much nicer car comfort and convenience wise. Plus there is the performance aspect that would take too long for me to fully describe here

I kept both as long as I could but sadly sold the 73 last October, and truly miss that car

 

I was at a muscle car show recently and noticed a stunning C3 weekend warrior. Not sure what year it was but, it had a 427 under the hood with cam, headers etc etc, nice wheels with plenty of tire, side pipes and lowered. Made me fall back in love with that generation.

-Alex

 

I'd suggest you drive an example of each - you can pretty much tell then which one you would feel more comfortable in. Having owned some of each of those generations, I can tell you that the C5 will be the best in terms of ergonomics, comfort, room, gas mileage and power/handling. The C3 will not have the fit/finish of the other generations, plus the car is just a challenge to get into/out of.

C4 is better, but still not as easy to get into/out of as the C5.

 

Get a C5

 

I'd say that driving each one will help you make up your mind.

 

The lines of a C3 are distinct and unmistakable. For me- that is the car that started my love affair with corvettes. Even now- i still love looking at them.

But the fact of the matter is that the C5 is a superior piece of machinery. From creature comforts- to fuel economy- to handling- to reliability- to weight balance- to general performance. And the vehicle still has lovely lines.

I would never try to talk someone out of a C3 (unless I was buying it from them) but you will be spending more time working on it. Sharkbyte is right- they are never finished. Goodluck with your search and no matter what you get- dont forget to

 

i have a C3 (pace car) and an 04 CE convert. as already asked in the second post, it really depends on what it is you are looking for in the car. if it is a purchase to cruise to the local dairy queen or do some local parking lot shows and you are somewhat handy (or you don't have a budget when it comes to making repairs), the C3 will definitely turn heads and be more unusual (in terms of what others see mostly on the streets). be prepared for a more unrefined vehicle (compared to your 3 choices mentioned) but fun none the less. if you are looking for something that will provide a more refined ride with greater power (assuming standard small block purchases regardless of which generation), better "creature comforts", more luggage (or general) storage, better ease of entry and exit (important if there is a wife or girlfriend involved, believe me) plus many more refinements, the obvious choice is the C5. personally, i would rule the C4 out, if your budget allows for a C5 purchase. i believe the C4 would be the one generation you would be most disappointed in (particularly the earlier years).

 

 

Sorry - but the '68 was widely considered to be one of the most poorly made Corvettes ever. So other than the '69 - '72 cars (chrome bumper cars), the C3 was an anemic poor excuse for a Corvette.

The C4 was a much better car, and when it first came out is was a huge departure from the previous generation.

The C5 was one of the most radically new Corvettes ever introduced in 1997. It was this platform that changed the structure of the Corvette to it's current configuration - front engine/rear transaxle, which gave the car much more interior cabin space.

Naturally - most of us here prefer the C5, but what would you really expect? I'm sure that you have found that those that have taken the time to reply favored their generation cars.

So I guess there is no right or wrong answer.....which car do you see when you close your eyes and dream about a Corvette? Whichever that one is - that's the one to pursue and purchase.

 

Oh my....sleeping...thinking....YELLOW C6 ZR1!!

 

You mean like this one that I recently drove here at Xtreme?

 

YES - that would do nicely!!