Hello everyone! I was the previous respondent on the 16th regarding corvettes between 1975 - 1990. Well, it turns out I decided to proceed buying the 1977 corvette at a very reasonable price. I must say, I am very excited to have purchased the vette and I believe I will enjoy it very very much... It's not a sought our corvette. However, it still is a corvette and it looks awesome...
Corvettes between 1975 and 1990 do have some issues. However, they are still appealing. The biggest problem with these cars is the poor maintenance they get along with oxidation. Yes, corvettes can and do rust unless the chassis is regularly cleaned and suspension and undercarriage maintained and lubricated. Some of the cars that were abused during their lifetime are now parts cars and restoring them is a lot of pain for no gain. Pay a little more up front and get a good low miler. Although the 1953 to 1974 models are more desirable - this does not mean they were made better because they too have issues.
The 1991 to present cars are good cars because they are newer. However, when they get old, they are going to be very expensive to repair because of the wiring, computer systems and extensive use of different materials and metals in the manufacturing.
I have a 1977 vette, and it has had a bunch of upgrades including a new crate engine, B&M shift kit, sidepipes, and it goes on an on. with all the upgrades including the price of the car I have probably $13,000. this car constantly turns heads EVERYWHERE I go. the late 70's vettes have the same components as far as drivetrain, suspension, etc as the older vettes. the only difference was the engine. If one isn't particular on #s matching, put in a crate engine and you have a high-performance vette. and remove the smog and install sidepipes. trust me it works!
Hello, I am new to the Corvette world. My wife wants to buy a Corvette and she has found a 91 coupe. Can you give me any advice. Thanks Danny.
In regard to whether you should buy the 1991 coupe: the 1991 is a C4 model which is widely regarded as the plainest of all the corvettes. Some who own the C4 will argue but, I'm sorry, GM dropped the ball on the design of this one. However, many insist that they are much better engineered than the C3's especially after 1990. If I had the money I would go with a used C5. They are much better engineered in almost every area including comfort, performance, handling. Plus, they look a whole lot better than the C4.
All I can say is WOW!!! I came across this site and thought I'd take a look at what it had to offer. I was surprised to see all the negative feedback about the C3's. I have a 76 which wins show after show in my state and the surrounding ones. It is an awesome car. I could easily sell it and go get a different car, but that won't be happening. I love my Vette. Now, was it cheap to restore? Of course not, nor would (ANY) other car that was 30 something years old, Old cars need restoring, (ALL OF THEM) unless it's already been done by someone else. As far as it being as well designed as a newer model? Lol, let's be serious, the technology is over thirty years old, so no it's not going to be like a C6,But there are plenty of aftermarket high performance parts for these cars, which can bring them up to the same performance or better than the newer models. Mine happens to be 550 horsepower. And the upgraded suspension can keep up with anything else on the road.As far as problems and design flaws go, Again, (EVERY) car ever built has some issues, YES, even new Corvettes!!!
I don't see anything drastically overwhelming about the design of the C3. It's fine. So enough about how bad these cars are. I'll tell you one thing... There is nothing on the road past, present or future that can top the sleek lines of a C3 Stingray. The body style is absolutely beautiful, Nothing can compare. So if you are looking to buy a C3 do it... You'll be glad you did!!!
All I can say is buy what you want and do what you want to it. Who cares what other vette bashers say about it! Its your Vette and your money and if you're happy than its not a waste of money. I happen to own a 1984 C4 Vette. Well Vette bashers will say that late C3 and early C4's are the worst Vettes. To me there are no Worst Vettes. They were all king of there times. Just compare other sport cars of the same year and you will see. The one thing that is really nice about owning a late C3 or early C4 is that they are not true collector cars. what's good about that you ask? Answer: You can do what you want with them and not feel bad. You can mod the heck out of them and truly make htem unique. Now I can tell you my 84 turns heads and trust me I use to own a nice 79 C3 but this 84 turns way more heads. It has a molded bodykit. Now I'm not talking Greenwood crap, I'm talking a molded bodykit and a modified hood, a brand new paint job and everything is A1 on this car. Heck 84's sell for as little as 4K in some areas. Well mine is evaluated at 20K for insurance. That's right 20K. Photos of it would explain this. Now if I decide to put a turbo, supercharge or even swap the engine, there's no problem with that! I say make your Vette unique.
I looked around for about a year and came across a 1981 Vette that my wife and I purchased. I had the car for about 2 days and when pulling it into the garage I dinged the front end ever so little. I took it into a body shop (a friend) who told me there was more wrong with it than I was led to believe. I took it back to the dealer who gave me back all, but $500.00. I really didn't mind as it would cost that to rent a car for a week and a lot more to fix it. The thing I didn't like about the 81 was all the electronic "junk" on it - someone disconnected numerous sensors and it ran rough.
Since then about two years went by and I purchased a 1980 - no electronic "junk" only 31,000 Mi (50,000 KM) This thing is in great shape. I decided to replace a few things for comfort and cosmetics (composite rear spring, shocks, tires and a tune up). Very few cars turn heads like a Vette. I was at a local show in front of City Hall for Chilli Fest and had numerous people stopping to look, many took pictures and those that were really keen I let sit in it to get their picture taken in the car.
It does not matter what year you own just enjoy it and share the experience with other people. If you own one of the classics be prepared to spend money on it to preserve it. I like to think of myself as a caretaker for the next generation. Do not purchase one of these cars if you cannot afford to repair it, update it, or for that matter keep it inside in bad weather.
I do have to say that I believe that in 30 years from now the present day cars will be harder to get parts for and harder to repair due to the electronic "junk". But I guess time will tell.
Best wishes to all and remember "SAVE THE WAVE"
Martin.
C3 Corvettes are by far, hands down the best looking of all Vettes. Granted the later yeared models lacked some power but evry car did then. Does it really matter though, regardless of what year you get, if it's vintage you have to modify it to keep up with new sport cars.
I would pass on all mentioned and hold out for a 1998 or newer Corvette; better in all respects performance wise. It's well worth the wait and I have driven every model mentioned at one point or another. I even did the 40th Anniversary Corvette Ride and Drive, with brand new Vettes being driven by current and past Vette owners. I drove many automatics and 6 speeds all day...
I once had a 75 Convertible automatic, which was a "family car". Everyone drove it, even my parents, and I sold it in 1986. It was OK but a very weak performer nonetheless. I also had a 1963 Split 327 4 speed prior... I could argue it was the the best looking ever, and although only a driver, it was a blast to own. I wish I had it today. It's gone up slightly since my purchase price of $2600 in 1974!
Any of you guys ever buy a vette off ebay? I am looking at a few on there right now, and was wondering about any advice anyone had...
Thank you.
I like Craigs List better; you see, drive and then hand cash. But auctions are fun and maybe you can get it low. The only issue I have is that pics usually look great, and are usually never as good when you arrive. That's my opinion. I like Ebay a lot for parts.
I am totally satisfied with my 79 vette! It is by far better looking than any 1983-1997. It gets way more looks and it isn't meant to be a daily driver. take it out on a sunny day and it is worth every cent you put into it. If you want reliable and cheap to maintain I suggest buying a Honda Civic, if you want something that makes you feel good and gets lots of looks a C3 is still very affordable to buy... for now. They are and will only continue to be collectable and desirable... performance? You don't drag race a stock classic. What about a 1956 Belair did anyone ever think they would be anything other than a family car??? Look at the bucks they bring!!
My daily driver is the 1977 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe. With the price that I paid, and the upgrading to the engine, suspension and such, my investment is around $10,000. USD to date. And I will be investing around another $10,000. in the short-term future.
The paint is 30+ years old, and still has a nice 20 foot look about it. About twice per month, I am asked if "She" is for sale "As-Is". The reason that "She" is not for sale, is that this 'Vette is carefully being transformed with modern applied technology into a C3'Vette-Rod... rigged for the "Big Bend Open Road Race".
C3 Y'all Down The Road!
After reading some of the comments regarding C3's here I am quite surprised.
I own a 77 and I absolutely love it.
If you are looking for a good C2 you will pay 50 to 70K
Any of the chrome bumper C3's in good shape will run you 30K plus.
If you are like me and wanted a fun classic second car for a toy you can't beat buying a later C3.
After painting and putting in new carpet I have a little over 10 grand invested in a vehicle that has unequalled styling.
Like the commercial says sometimes I just love to stare.
If you want a piece of automotive history and only want to throw 10 to 12 grand at it a late 70's vette is a fabulous investment.
Even these shark's will continue to go up in value not that that has anything to do with the pleasure I have in owning and driving this classic beauty.