I'm short so no problem there and yeah, i'd go through the whole car and check for rust before I bought it

 

I'm use to loud rattles. My C5 has no carpet, so it rattles a tad but you hear everything under the car lol I also replace alot of things on the c5 so its not a big deal when it comes the turning wrenches lol if a stock piece brakes, a stronger better aftermarket piece will take its place. Thats how I treat all of my cars, even the daily.

 

I did this, kind of. Had a couple C5's, then went to a C6 GS. I didn't like the C6 GS as much as my C5, so I thought I would try something completely different and go classic with an early C3. Ended up buying a 72 LT1 coupe. It was a cool car, got a lot of thumbs up. The only problem was it was no where near as enjoyable to drive as the C5, and if you're going to drive it, expect to work on it. Things break, leak, creak, rattle loose, on all C3 Corvettes, whether the whole car is new or not, if you're going to drive it.

So, my suggestion is to only consider a C3 IF you have the time and ability to work on it, really really enjoy working on it, and can afford $1k to $2k a year in parts, don't care if it will never ride and drive as good as the C5, and have a burning love for the C3.

Otherwise, I'd stick with the C5. I'm now back in a C5 and couldn't be happier.

 

I know its the same car but what a difference in views.

 

My 1974 had a terrible ride and was noisy like a bucket of bolts. Had it in the early 80's. Stopped me from buying another Vette until this year when I bought my 04.

 

Very sad...my 77 was and is wonderful...not bumpy due to new shocks and sounds throaty sound from the 4 barrel and original round mufflers.....and love the coke bottle fenders and 350/270 hp...lol....we had totally different experiences...glad you are happy now...


on the way to get a tune...I know...it needs a paint job but who gives a F?...it is a fun car...

Heres another fun Vette ZF6 speed you prolly wouldn't like...

 

If you are referring to the "color" change, that was normal. The car would radically change color perceived throughout the day depending on lighting.

I shot the base coat as solid black, then shot a single coat of black & gold metal flake, then followed with 32 coats of clear polyurethane enamel, sanding between final coats.

In the morning and on cloudy days, it would look dark green, change to almost gold at noon and a golden brown in late afternoon depending on sun angle. You have to remember this was back in 1972 and metal flake was one of the custom styles.

 

Very sad...my 77 was and is wonderful...not bumpy due to new shocks and sounds throaty sound from the 4 barrel and original round mufflers.....and love the coke bottle fenders and 350/270 hp...lol....we had totally different experiences...glad you are happy now...



on the way to get a tune...I know...it needs a paint job but who gives a F?...it is a fun car...

Heres another fun Vette ZF6 speed you prolly wouldn't like...

[/QUOTE]

Yes, I am happy with the C5. I sure hope that I'm not insulting anyone with my comment. That was never my intention. I just wasn't happy with my 74.

 

View inventory for
Blown red 79 www.LOT99LLC.com

 

Yes, I am happy with the C5. I sure hope that I'm not insulting anyone with my comment. That was never my intention. I just wasn't happy with my 74.[/QUOTe]

 

Its ok guy...no offense taken...it was just an experience you had

 

If you plan on it being a fun/drag car, I can't imagine anything that could make a C3 equal to a C5. I don't really like that generation after chrome bumpers. I had a '70 BB, and it was a dog compared to my '02 when the new one was stock. Now, it's LOL difference. That customized one is freakin' hideous; like the "Corvette Summer" movie one.

 

I went C5 to C3 back to C5. I had an unmolested 73 Corvette. It was fun but it was quite a bit of work to keep going. The frame was like a limp noodle, it flexed a ton. If you're planning on a 427 ls, I'd plan on an aftermarket frame.

 

I understand the itch completely....The shortest stint I had of owning a Corvette was a 1972 coupe for little more than two weeks before I ended up selling it. Didn't want to sell it but, those Army deployment stints can last awhile, and I didn't want it sitting around. That was 1990, and to this day I still have that "itch" of acquiring one again. I will again, when I find the right one what I'm willing to pay for it.

I love the C3's but, I wouldn't give up my C5 for it. The C5 is an "everyday" car, should you choose to use it that way, far more reliable and IMO not nearly as expensive to maintain. All those C3's whether they had a mouse or rat motor are pigs on fuel, and just be advised that if you have a less than perfect example of a C3 and want to restore some of it or replace cosmetic parts, prepare to open your wallet, especially the chrome bumper ones.

I could go into a laundry list of quirks with C3's but, I won't rain on your parade and certainly if it worried me that much, I would never entertain the idea of wanting another one. If you're really serious about it. I would go into the C3 section and ask the seasoned veteran owners with years of experience to give you their advice. I don't consider myself a novice but, certainly there are far more people on this Forum alone that can give you a wealth of beneficial information.

C3 is not the most reliable of the generations but, they certainly have an undeniable beauty about them. So, with all it's mechanical quirks, it's still a fun car to own. Nothing like looking in the side-view mirror and seeing half of it taken up by the rear quarter. Beauty over function

I'd keep the C5 AND have a C3 as well but....that's just me and my .02

Good luck in your decision.

 

I currently own a C3 and a C5 and there is a world of difference in the two cars. I have owned the C3 for over 47 years. I bought it from the original owner when it was 7 months old. The car I have is a 350/350 4 speed with a 370 rear end. I have kept it 100% stock with the exception of radial tires and have really enjoyed driving it all these years. Compared to the C5 it is rough and somewhat crude ( 28 years of automotive technology will do that ) It does not have power steering, power brakes or air conditioning. The gas mileage is probably around 12 mpg. It is however still a lot of fun to drive and handles well. I drive it to local car shows and related events and it certainly draws a lot more attention than my C5. As a collector car certain C3's will continue to hold their value especially the 68 through 72.
Your decision needs to be based on how you are planning on using the car. The C5 is a much better car and can do everything better than the C3. My C5 is way faster than the C3, handles much better, is very comfortable to drive and is completely reliable. I also get around 29 mpg on the highway.
Good luck with your decision both cars are a blast to drive.

 

I like the c5 and c3. I have both but the c3 in not something I would drive for a long drive. But the c3 does get noticed and appreciated more...If I had to give one up the c3 would be gone...

 

I started with a C3 ('69) then got a C5 (04). I like both of them, but they are definitely two different cars. I wouldn't want the '69 for daily driving, it's almost 50 year old technology after all. I recently put a 5 spd in the C3 and did some other upgrades so it's much more fun to drive and I'm considering longer road trips. I do spend more maintenance time on the C3 but since I grew up working on my own cars it's not a big deal. That and it's not my daily driver so if I can't drive it there's no pressure to get it fixed. If you can afford it, keep the C5 and get a C3 to play with, but don't rely on the C3 for a daily driver. Also, if you don't do your own maintenance, its going to only get more difficult to find somebody to work on it conveniently. My 0.02.

 

What would be cool is a C5 that looked like a C3!!!

 

Why not have both?
I've had the C3 ('70) for three years and bought the C5 ('97) last week. The C3 gets lots more looks and 'thumbs up' and is still a blast to drive. But when it comes to comfort, speed and all around driving enjoyment I'll take the C5. It depends on what you want out of your Corvette - pride of owning a gorgeous classic or spending lots of time behind the wheel. They are both great cars.

 

The C3 is a very ancient design and will drive like one. If you are ok with that, the C3 styling is awesome. Go for it.