Good trade?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
There is a world of difference between the two cars. The C5 will be much more comfortable, fuel efficient, and obviously more technologically advanced.
As much as I like older Vettes, I want something reliable and comfortable these days so my choice would be the '04.
As much as I like older Vettes, I want something reliable and comfortable these days so my choice would be the '04.
UPDATE: I asked him if he had the column lock issue resolved and he said he took it to a dealer for the fix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
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My 2 cents.
You are tired of your present vette and you want a newer and better
vette for you. You don't enjoy your old car. Now is the time to make
a deal that is fair to both you and the buyer. You are not getting
any younger (who Is??) and it is time to find a vette that you will
enjoy and drive. Good luck.
You are tired of your present vette and you want a newer and better
vette for you. You don't enjoy your old car. Now is the time to make
a deal that is fair to both you and the buyer. You are not getting
any younger (who Is??) and it is time to find a vette that you will
enjoy and drive. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Unfortunately, I agree also. But I'm surprised. I would think, considering I have ALL of the original documentation, maintenance records AND it's matching numbers, it would be worth much more. I understand the 68-72's may be more aesthetically appealing, but the '73 is a one year model.
Last edited by padmaster; Oct 19, 2016 at 05:56 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 429
Likes: 29
From: Brooklyn, MI
For all the reasons you stated above the C3 does not get much love. It is a pain to drive, very uncomfortable, hot inside big block runs hot and a 1973 is really not a collectible car and not a daily driver. A collector will look for a 69 or 70 for a little more money. I have seen very nice 69/70 for $30-$35 K. No offence but your car needs much work to be in that category. Make the trade and try to get $2k to boot.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 276
From: Port Huron MI
I definitely agree with Vetteman Jack and Robert Perkins, among others. I just sold my 75 -- really nice problem free car -- and bought an 01 vert. The difference is indescribable.
Going from a nice c3 of any kind to a a nice c5 -- and that c5 is NICE -- is a step up in comfort, tech, reliability, etc. The Style and look of both cars is incredible. Get the 5 and enjoy it. Wouldn't hurt to get a little cash with it, but that 5 will put a huge smile on your face that you seem to be lacking with the 73. Future value might be a consideration, but current value, at least in terms of enjoyment certainly outweighed that for me.
Going from a nice c3 of any kind to a a nice c5 -- and that c5 is NICE -- is a step up in comfort, tech, reliability, etc. The Style and look of both cars is incredible. Get the 5 and enjoy it. Wouldn't hurt to get a little cash with it, but that 5 will put a huge smile on your face that you seem to be lacking with the 73. Future value might be a consideration, but current value, at least in terms of enjoyment certainly outweighed that for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 769
From: jefferson texas
I had a minty '71 454 4spd and loved the car. That being said, and this is just my opinion, my C5 is many times the vette that my C3 was. An all around much better machine from comfort, to handling, to performance, you name it. The '73 is a one year model, but it is dead smack in the middle of the smog crap that was really dragging these cars down. I guess it really comes down to how much you want a really enjoyable drivers car. That '04 looks like a nice one, but these are not collector cars and values reflect that. None the less, the C5 is the bargain performance car buy of the century. If it were me I think I would go with some others and try for the trade with some extra G's thrown in your way. Just make sure that '04 is all its said to be. Due diligence always! Good luck and best wishes!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,214
Likes: 1,140
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
To be honest, as much as I love the Corvette, I'm really trying to get out of the Corvette business. I bought the car in 2008 for $29,400 just before the economy crashed (lucky me 
). I'm sure I paid too much for it, and then I sunk about $9,000 into it. Mostly on engine, exhaust and suspension. So I'm in for about $38,000. I'd love to get that back, but that ain't gonna happen. The car is sound and runs great but it needs a little cosmetic work and I'm just tired of putting money into it. I think that is what is killing me on selling it. The market is also saturated with these cars.
Here's the good bad and ugly on my car....
The front bumper needs to be replaced. It is showing it's age.
There is something draining the battery. I installed a quick disconnect to keep the battery from draining. Could be a cheap fix....or not.
Although it has A/C, it is pretty much useless. Doesn't work well and will need a conversion kit to bring it up to standards.
The car is like driving an oven. Lots of heat coming off that big block. Can't drive it in the summer.
It's a gas hog.....nuff said.
I'm a pretty big guy. it's all I can do to just get in and out of it.
Windshield has a small crack.
Emergency brake release button has popped out.
Drivers side window is very slow coming up. Probably gummed up. may need new motor soon.
Passenger window finally got stuck. Managed to get it back up but probably needs gears cleaned and maybe new motor.
T-top's leak. Can't drive it in the rain, although I normally wouldn't anyway.
I thought maybe if the C5 was an equivalent trade, I might enjoy actually driving it for a while, then sell it.
). I'm sure I paid too much for it, and then I sunk about $9,000 into it. Mostly on engine, exhaust and suspension. So I'm in for about $38,000. I'd love to get that back, but that ain't gonna happen. The car is sound and runs great but it needs a little cosmetic work and I'm just tired of putting money into it. I think that is what is killing me on selling it. The market is also saturated with these cars.Here's the good bad and ugly on my car....
The front bumper needs to be replaced. It is showing it's age.
There is something draining the battery. I installed a quick disconnect to keep the battery from draining. Could be a cheap fix....or not.
Although it has A/C, it is pretty much useless. Doesn't work well and will need a conversion kit to bring it up to standards.
The car is like driving an oven. Lots of heat coming off that big block. Can't drive it in the summer.
It's a gas hog.....nuff said.
I'm a pretty big guy. it's all I can do to just get in and out of it.
Windshield has a small crack.
Emergency brake release button has popped out.
Drivers side window is very slow coming up. Probably gummed up. may need new motor soon.
Passenger window finally got stuck. Managed to get it back up but probably needs gears cleaned and maybe new motor.
T-top's leak. Can't drive it in the rain, although I normally wouldn't anyway.
I thought maybe if the C5 was an equivalent trade, I might enjoy actually driving it for a while, then sell it.
This was my main motivation for even considering the trade....COMFORT!!! As I mentioned, the '73 is difficult to get in/out of and it's like driving an oven.....impossible to drive in the summer. I have sat in front of computers for the past 32 years and my lower back is begging me to trade.
UPDATE: I asked him if he had the column lock issue resolved and he said he took it to a dealer for the fix.
UPDATE: I asked him if he had the column lock issue resolved and he said he took it to a dealer for the fix.
Do it, provided your left knee is OK given your med issue. Just be honest w/your exchange guy on the 73 issues. Also, make him come to you bc you're in the drivers seat on value. btw: that dealer resolve is no resolve unless the dlr installed the after-market fix. Easy fix under $100
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,214
Likes: 1,140
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
Wouldn't you rather have something like this to shift?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=3832495
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=3856665
If so, hold out and put yours FS on freebee CF, CL, usedcorvettesforsale.com, and thereafter AT until it sells. Then begin the search for the perfect C5 for U.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=3832495
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=3856665
If so, hold out and put yours FS on freebee CF, CL, usedcorvettesforsale.com, and thereafter AT until it sells. Then begin the search for the perfect C5 for U.
Last edited by cor28vettes; Oct 19, 2016 at 05:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Thanks for all the suggestions, they are much appreciated. I am leaning towards making the trade and asking for 3k to boot. He and his wife are going to swing by my place on their way to vacation first weekend in November. He doesn't want to drive the C5 on vacation, so I'll have to make arrangements to go to Tulsa and check it out if he decides he wants to proceed.
And yes, I have disclosed ALL issues with my car.
Here is a video I made last year.
And yes, I have disclosed ALL issues with my car.
Here is a video I made last year.