I guess you need to drive each and decide for yourself. Good luck.
C6 vs C3
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: St Petersburg FL
C6 vs C3
Hi, All
New to the forum and I can not wait to get feedback and gain more confidence for my first Vette purchase!
Until recently, I was set on looking for my '74-'77 Vette. I love the curves of a C3 and thought it would be a fun trip for my first Vette.
However, I visited a dealer and a couple of used C6's (2005-2007) caught my eye. The price difference is give or take $10k (a good chunk of change, I know), but I wanted to get some comments about what you think are pros/cons for owning a C6 vs. vintage. The obvious ones are more reliability, less maintenance, etc., but send any/all comments.
Would love to hear and it will help me make my decision.
Thanks in advance!
New to the forum and I can not wait to get feedback and gain more confidence for my first Vette purchase!
Until recently, I was set on looking for my '74-'77 Vette. I love the curves of a C3 and thought it would be a fun trip for my first Vette.
However, I visited a dealer and a couple of used C6's (2005-2007) caught my eye. The price difference is give or take $10k (a good chunk of change, I know), but I wanted to get some comments about what you think are pros/cons for owning a C6 vs. vintage. The obvious ones are more reliability, less maintenance, etc., but send any/all comments.
Would love to hear and it will help me make my decision.
Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 69
From: Odenton MD
Hi, All
New to the forum and I can not wait to get feedback and gain more confidence for my first Vette purchase!
Until recently, I was set on looking for my '74-'77 Vette. I love the curves of a C3 and thought it would be a fun trip for my first Vette.
However, I visited a dealer and a couple of used C6's (2005-2007) caught my eye. The price difference is give or take $10k (a good chunk of change, I know), but I wanted to get some comments about what you think are pros/cons for owning a C6 vs. vintage. The obvious ones are more reliability, less maintenance, etc., but send any/all comments.
Would love to hear and it will help me make my decision.
Thanks in advance!
New to the forum and I can not wait to get feedback and gain more confidence for my first Vette purchase!
Until recently, I was set on looking for my '74-'77 Vette. I love the curves of a C3 and thought it would be a fun trip for my first Vette.
However, I visited a dealer and a couple of used C6's (2005-2007) caught my eye. The price difference is give or take $10k (a good chunk of change, I know), but I wanted to get some comments about what you think are pros/cons for owning a C6 vs. vintage. The obvious ones are more reliability, less maintenance, etc., but send any/all comments.
Would love to hear and it will help me make my decision.
Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
Both a C3 and a C6 share space in my garage. There are numerous advantages to the C3 besides the price differential that you mentioned.
1) The C3 has looks that draw the vast majority of attention between the two.
2) Long ago the C3 quit depreciating.
3) The insurance is very inexpensive.
4) The engine is very easy to work on.
However the C6 has significant advantages of its own.
1) It is considerably quicker.
2) It both rides and handles better.
3) Everything works well all of the time.
4) It is far more fuel efficient.
Nine days out of ten I'm going to choose to drive the C6, but on that tenth day the C3 wins.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
1) The C3 has looks that draw the vast majority of attention between the two.
2) Long ago the C3 quit depreciating.
3) The insurance is very inexpensive.
4) The engine is very easy to work on.
However the C6 has significant advantages of its own.
1) It is considerably quicker.
2) It both rides and handles better.
3) Everything works well all of the time.
4) It is far more fuel efficient.
Nine days out of ten I'm going to choose to drive the C6, but on that tenth day the C3 wins.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 44
From: Gods Country WI
Both a C3 and a C6 share space in my garage. There are numerous advantages to the C3 besides the price differential that you mentioned.
1) The C3 has looks that draw the vast majority of attention between the two.
2) Long ago the C3 quit depreciating.
3) The insurance is very inexpensive.
4) The engine is very easy to work on.
However the C6 has significant advantages of its own.
1) It is considerably quicker.
2) It both rides and handles better.
3) Everything works well all of the time.
4) It is far more fuel efficient.
Nine days out of ten I'm going to choose to drive the C6, but on that tenth day the C3 wins.
1) The C3 has looks that draw the vast majority of attention between the two.
2) Long ago the C3 quit depreciating.
3) The insurance is very inexpensive.
4) The engine is very easy to work on.
However the C6 has significant advantages of its own.
1) It is considerably quicker.
2) It both rides and handles better.
3) Everything works well all of the time.
4) It is far more fuel efficient.
Nine days out of ten I'm going to choose to drive the C6, but on that tenth day the C3 wins.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 744
From: Lincoln Nebraska
I also own both - a '77 and an '06, and the comments above from 3Gen and Jeff describe my feelings well.
You will need to decide what you want out of the car and what's most imporant. You really need to drive both under similar conditions to make a good decision.
Last edited by Fat Mike; May 12, 2010 at 12:35 PM. Reason: oops
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
I sold a 71 LS5 4-speed convertible. Pain in the azz, always working on it, even though I had replaced everthing. When I began to replace things the second and third time around, I was done. Great looking car, turns heads, fun to blow the tires off of, but definitly a garage queen
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: St Petersburg FL
Many thanks!
Thanks all for the comments! I hear ya; 2 completely different cars. Your replies have helped (I think I may have known the answer, but it always helps to hear from current Vette owners) and I am leaning towards a C6. I have driven both and I agree they are completely different. I've been weighing my wants/ don't wants and I don't want to be working on the car (C6 score: 1) and if we want to take it to The Keys and back (9 hour trip), we can do that in a C6 (C6 score: 2).
Thanks, again! Will post when I get my new Vette
Thanks, again! Will post when I get my new Vette
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,194
Likes: 7
From: Euless Texas
I'm surprised you're talking 10k between a C6 and a 74-77 C3. Cheapest C6 I know of is upper 20's, but unless you're talking a big block '74 vert, or maaaaybe a 75 vert, what other model would be pushing 20k?
To answer your questions, I'll go w/ the other guys. The only thing common between them is the name, and thats the truth. I'd love to have a '70 LT-1, but I don't want to fix it all the time either. I'll probably have one someday, and if I do and it bites me, CF will be the first to know! Depends on what you want, do you want a vintage cruiser, or a modern supercar? Both have their merits, but if you decide on a C3, look at chrome bumpers.
To answer your questions, I'll go w/ the other guys. The only thing common between them is the name, and thats the truth. I'd love to have a '70 LT-1, but I don't want to fix it all the time either. I'll probably have one someday, and if I do and it bites me, CF will be the first to know! Depends on what you want, do you want a vintage cruiser, or a modern supercar? Both have their merits, but if you decide on a C3, look at chrome bumpers.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
The only thing I can add is that if you want to go C3, at least go with the more desirable model years. With the right engine (427, 454, or LT-1) and options, a '68 - '72 C3 can be great. Once you get into the '73s and newer, things go downhill with each successive model year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
I owned a 79' L82 4spd, black/oyster/spoilers. Nice looking car. But, it's prehistoric.
Slow by todays standards. Even modfied they aren't much to worry about unless you go all out.
Handling is spooky, to say the least.
Cramped and hot interior.
Build quality doesn't exist.
And, it's old, meaning you'll be working on it and even then it just can't do what a modern car does.
Slow by todays standards. Even modfied they aren't much to worry about unless you go all out.
Handling is spooky, to say the least.
Cramped and hot interior.
Build quality doesn't exist.
And, it's old, meaning you'll be working on it and even then it just can't do what a modern car does.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 5
From: Wichita Falls Tx
I've owned 4 C3 Vettes over the years. Two '77s, an 80, and an 82. I enjoyed them for what they were at the time. The C6 is a different and better experience in my opinion.
If you do not know everything to check on a C3, you might want to steer clear. There have been more than a few novices get burned after buying one only to find out the birdcage was rusted out. They learned a very expensive lesson.
Go to the C3 board and let everyone know you are looking to buy your first Corvette. More than a few will caution you about the rust issues. Yes, Corvettes DO rust.
If you do not know everything to check on a C3, you might want to steer clear. There have been more than a few novices get burned after buying one only to find out the birdcage was rusted out. They learned a very expensive lesson.
Go to the C3 board and let everyone know you are looking to buy your first Corvette. More than a few will caution you about the rust issues. Yes, Corvettes DO rust.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 2
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
St. Jude Donor '09
A C5 or C6 will make you happy. My 08 is hard to pass up on any day. I get the 82 out just to keep the tires round and the fluids moving. I only drive it on short runs so I can keep the miles low. I wish I drove it more but I cant make myself turn the key vs. push the button.