When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm thinking about selling the C5 for a C3. Its been an itch in my mind for awhile now. I've always loved the C3 models and the C5 models, but now a days, I'm starting to lean towards the C3. What do yall think? Have any advice for or against this idea? Any experience versus the two models? Let me know
Do you like a car that's great to drive, economical, spacious enough to daily drive, reliable, good on gas, and fast? C5
do you like nostalgia? C3. Do you like enormous fenders for absolutely no reason? C3.
Both are corvettes and both have their benefits, but I couldn't take the downgrade in performance.
My c5 has no carpet, no ac and makes 15 (maybe) mpg, not economical at all, but extremely reliable (only because I built it without stock parts) lol, basically I am use to not having luxuries. Neither car would be a daily but more of a street and strip car. But yes I love the enormous fenders of the C3 I also love my C5 more than many other things. On the straights, its a monster. In the city, its a neck breaker. But something, keeps pulling me towards the C3.. I could make it a complete drag monster and still drive it on the weekends in town. Scary to pull up next to, but eye candy for those who look at it, is what I'd want my corvette to be like.
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
I've had 3 C3's: a 68 big block 427/390 in Lemans Blue, a 69 350/350 convertible in Fathom Green with factory sidepipes, and a 78. The 68-72 cars are the way to go (bumper cars). I never cared for the urethane bumper cars and they had no power. The early cars are great cars, but they are toys. The C5 is a car that can actually be driven on trips and used as a car.
It sounds like you have to scratch the itch and that you will be using the C3 as a toy. It may work for you. The C3's have alot of vacuum systems that are notoriously problematic but are generally reliable. You will definitely wrench more with the older cars. Be careful of frame and birdcage rust. Good luck.
I've had 3 C3's: a 68 big block 427/390 in Lemans Blue, a 69 350/350 convertible in Fathom Green with factory sidepipes, and a 78. The 68-72 cars are the way to go (bumper cars). I never cared for the urethane bumper cars and they had no power. The early cars are great cars, but they are toys. The C5 is a car that can actually be driven on trips and used as a car.
It sounds like you have to scratch the itch and that you will be using the C3 as a toy. It may work for you. The C3's have alot of vacuum systems that are notoriously problematic but are generally reliable. You will definitely wrench more with the older cars. Be careful of frame and birdcage rust. Good luck.
These are the 2 early cars I had:
I'd only go with those year models anyway, without the chrome bumpers, they just don't look right. The car would be just for playing and racing, I'm wanting a golf r for the daily and long trips lol Working on the car wouldn't be an issue with me, I love to do it and I will be doing it even if nothing is broken. I'd replace most of the systems in the car for newer performance parts and possibly build a race motor for it and throw it in there, (and keep the original motor and clean it up entirely for when the race motor is out)
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Nothing wrong with wanting to satisfy a dream - if a C3 is what you want to try, go for it. They are fun to drive, just without a lot of the techno stuff of the newer cars and without a lot of the comfort. I had two 1979 Corvettes and I enjoyed them at the time, but I doubt I would go back to a C3 at this point in my life.
As mentioned above, be sure to check them over carefully, especially the frame and birdcage for any problem areas.
Good luck in finding a nice C3 to scratch that itch.
I'm thinking about selling the C5 for a C3. Its been an itch in my mind for awhile now. I've always loved the C3 models and the C5 models, but now a days, I'm starting to lean towards the C3. What do yall think? Have any advice for or against this idea? Any experience versus the two models? Let me know
there is no comparison between the two.
The C-3s (especially the later models ones) are some of the coolest looking vettes. The mechanicals pretty much suck on the C-3s, especially the brakes. Just about every early small block (265-350) chevy has an oil leak at some point in it's life.
If you want something reliable,, stay with the C-5, if you like to bust a knuckle and get your hands dirty, go for C-3.
what happened, got tired of getting out ran by bolt on 5.bros?
No, just gonna give them a fighting chance. Make it only 1 bus length gap on them instead of 3. lol jk, Idk i love the look of the c3 expecially with a blower
Last edited by Volk2142; Jul 18, 2017 at 11:10 AM.
I can relate to the desire to have a C3. It sounds like your plans for use will be suitable for either car. The only real consideration is getting the power to the ground. You will likely get into frame work going into a C3 (due to age and power). If that doesn't make you hesitate, then go for it!
My plans and desires were better suited to the C5 when all was said and done. I drive and tour with mine. If it was an occasional vehicle, it might well be a C3.
I can relate to the desire to have a C3. It sounds like your plans for use will be suitable for either car. The only real consideration is getting the power to the ground. You will likely get into frame work going into a C3 (due to age and power). If that doesn't make you hesitate, then go for it!
My plans and desires were better suited to the C5 when all was said and done. I drive and tour with mine. If it was an occasional vehicle, it might well be a C3.
My last C3, a beautiful Ontario Orange '71 454 4spd, completely optioned out, a great car. That being said, my current C5 is many times over the car that the C3 is, in every area, from performance, to handling, to comfort, mileage, you name it. I love C2's's and C3's, and would sell my soul for the right '67 BB coupe, but in my opinion, The C5 is the way to go. When you consider prices for a really nice C2 or C3, the C5's value becomes readily apparant. Good luck and best wishes!
Having owned six C3's, (one C4) and one C5 returning back to a C3 is out of the question for me. Half of my previous C3 cars were late 60's, one 427 big block and two 35o hp small blocks. Performance was good on those three but they had 11-1 compression and required better gasoline than you can buy today. We don't buy them for good mileage but the C3 can't compare to newer models for good gas mileage. Later on I had mid 70's and a 1981 which had very poor performance. Today many C3's suffer from rusty frames and bird cages. The mid seventies used steel floors and on a quiet night you can hear them rust. While I generally leave my Corvettes stock and unmolested I put Hurst shifters in two of them. Crazing bodies and lacquer paint don't compare to modern vehicle quality. Because there is demand and supply is low you will pay dearly for a proper C3.
So here's my recommendation: If you want a garage queen, working project that doesn't get driven much but looks good buy the C3. If you want a great daily drive with performance, style and fuel efficiency keep the C5.
only if you were gonna follow thru for sure and build it....meaning engine and suspension.....otherwise it would prob be a disappointment after owning the C5. That being said....I love vettes and had C3's in the family and loved them all.
I'm thinking about selling the C5 for a C3. Its been an itch in my mind for awhile now. I've always loved the C3 models and the C5 models, but now a days, I'm starting to lean towards the C3. What do yall think? Have any advice for or against this idea? Any experience versus the two models? Let me know
I still have a 1977 coupe I bought in 1980...it needs an interior and paint job...I loved every second of it...coke bottle fenders and all...lol...its now for sale...it can be restored to beautiful again...
forgot to mention...matching numbers all original...
C5 to C3?
I also love my C5 more than many other things. On the straights, its a monster. In the city, its a neck breaker. But something, keeps pulling me towards the C3.. I could make it a complete drag monster and still drive it on the weekends in town. Scary to pull up next to, but eye candy for those who look at it, is what I'd want my corvette to be like.
