I own both also. My '75 was much cheaper to buy than a 68 or 69 would be, but still have more into fixing it up than it cost to buy.

C3 = lots of money in upkeep and not as comfortable to drive everyday, but a heck of a lot of fun and gets alot of looks and compliments.

C5= comfortable to drive and you already have money "invested" in it.

Keep the C5 and drive it daily.

 

I have a 1969 Big Block 427 matching numbers, pretty original, and also a 2004 C5. The difference is night and day and one would expect so considering techonology and what not.

I will say that both my cars are weekend drivers just because I can.....leave it at that. BECAUSE I CAN.

The C5 is the cruiser, it's awesome and a lot of fun. There is no need tro point out pros and cons cause that is crap. There are plus'es and minus'es to anything.......

When it come to exhilaharation, the accelaeration on the 69 is better than the C5. That is my own opinion loving the sound of the back two barrels literally kicking in, and also the lifting of the front end into as the motor picks up and kicks butt...... However, there are two major rules with a C3 or anything from C1-C3.

1. Do not stomp on the gas unless you are in a straight line.

2. Do not drink and drive. <----this rule applies to anything actually. But C3's do not have Active handling to save your KEESTER in case you have a testosterone deficiency. People do not realize how much active handing was invented to prevent lawsuits for incompetent driving more than anything else.

So as I sit sometimes in my garage wondering why I have two corvettes. I drive the C5 enjoying myself as usual, and then get into the 69 and WOMP WOMP WOMP goes the motor into life. I believe technology such as fiberglass leaf springs, electronic ignition, etc...etc... can bring the vette up to your specifications of being a sweet weekend ride. Drive a stock 68-69 and listen to some real horsies, look at the mods available, and you will see you will not be bored.

So, in my humble opinion.... If you cannot afford the C5 yet can afford a fixer upper, you will still light the flame, enjoy the serenity, and have a very cool car. Do not try to bridge the gap of 35-36 years as you have mentioned comparing the models as you said you wanted a 68-69. Go for it!!! It is a wonderful car, more people will come up to you than you and your C5 for sure. It is a legacy, perserve it, become a part of it, and enjoy.

You can find a 68-69 in good shape if you search Traderonline.com. Have paitience in your search. You will enjoy the pleasure of driving a vette if you truely love vettes. You will give up some things that technology has provided in the C5, but you will also gain some serious repect for true un-computerized driving that many here have never seen before. Technology can definitly improve the car as you wish, and it is out there.

Anyone who wants to compare the cars back to back are welcome to see for yourself.

Basically though, if it's a vette, and your happy, it's cool!!!!!!!!! You will never lose as long as you feel the rush in any year at any time.

My .02

RD

 

I think the C-3 is going to cost you alot to maintain the car and to fix it up-if you are looking for a ride a drive you had better stick to a C-4(IMO)

 

I own a 79 and a 99. They both run great and I actually drive the 79 more, not to mention drag race it. The good thing about the c3 is that most parts are cheap compared to C5 parts. For instance:

c5 headers were @ $1,000(coated)\\c3 they were $ 100(non-coated). c5 heads and cam will cost @ $5000\\c3 are about $1000. Labor excl.
c5 torque converter was $695.00\\ c3 converter was $189.00
c5 aftermarket mufflers are $ 799\\ my c3s were $250.

So you see it is a lot cheaper for the parts, but the car being 25 years old takes it's toll so a lot should be replaced like the weatherstripping, carpets, leather seats, door panels, etc... This stuff gets expensive..And if you plan to drive it everyday that whopping 12-13mph is a PITA......even with 87 octane...

 

get out of the financial bind anyway you can. sell the c5, save $ on payments and insurance, then buy a late model c4 with manageable payments. it's not worth having a c5 if you can't afford to drive it. where's the fun in that?