First Time Corvette Buyer

[smallstonefan]

Hi everyone,

I'm am looking to purchase a Corvette and I have the first of many questions.

I really like the look of the C3 style, so that's where I'm leaning. I have a local dealer that has a red, three-owner '82 with 69,000 miles on it. It's got T-tops, power everything, etc. With 82 being the last year the C3 was made, is there anything special about it? It's in realy great shape (I've been told, I'm going to see it up close today I hope), and they're asking $14k for it.

Now, they also have a yellow '92. It's not the C3 style, but damn, it's a great looking car. I'm told yellow was a rare color for that year. Also, it's got some special hood on it an L something I think he said. It's got 67,000 miles on it and they're asking $13k.

I would really appreciate any input or advice you have to offer on these cars, or on purchasing an older vette in general.

thanks!

James

 

[jdp6000]

Tough choice. I have an 82...I like the style but it has no where near the power of the 92. My view is the 90's cars are a dime a dozen...at present. So I went for the body style of the C3. The fact that the 82 is more expensive then the 92 indicates which is more desireable.

If you choose the 82 make sure the engine runs smooth. The Crossfire had its problems. Not the easiest to diagnose. But if you can find one that runs well and stay on top of repairs it will last you for ever. Its definitely not going down in value. Oh..check the frame for rust.

Jim

 

[jdp6000]

BTW 678 yellow for 92 and 2100 Red for 82.

J

 

[smallstonefan]

Thanks Jim! The more I hear about the Crossfire engine the more I get worried. The thought of more power sounds cool, but I don't know. I had a 90 Formula once and my wife said I drove like an old lady! Not sure I'd drive any faster in a jet-powered car. ha!

I will check the frame on both of them.

James

 

[smallstonefan]

BTW 678 yellow for 92 and 2100 Red for 82.

J

Very interesting! May I ask where you're getting that info? That's some fine details you've got there!

I wonder why they were so stingy on the yellow?

James

 

[jdp6000]

Infor is here. go up to the top and click on Tech Center...then knowledgebase. follow the instructions.

Jim

 

[smallstonefan]

Will do, thanks!

James

 

[L48]

I am going to go out on a limb and say $14k seems a little expensive for the 82. A local car dealer had a real nice white 79 with side pipes for $8995. It is gone now but it sat for a while. I think the mileage was in the low 70k range.

My general advice is to shop the market a little to make sure the price is good. It is true that they will appreciate but no sense paying more than you have to. If you pay way too much it will take a lot longer to appreciate, or you will spend a lot of time looking for a buyer willing to pay more than you did.

You should also figure that the 82 with 69,000 has spent a lot of time sitting. If you plan to drive it with any frequency, it will probably need some repair. The 92 will probably have a lot fewer of those problems becuase it is not so old.

Did someone mention checking for rust? Check everywhere there is metal - frame, core support, a-pillar etc.

I really like the C3 style, but I think the 92 will have better performance in every area.

 

[oceangal]

welcome, I am fairly new here and purchased an 82 in July. It is fun but has its moments!
I bought my vette from ebay - i only searched for ones i could drive to on the net and the one an hour away seemed like the best deal. The crossfire is tricky they say but if you can find a good chevy mechanic it shouldn't be a problem. There should be a local vette club that can help with that and might have a classifieds as well.
and if you can get to Carlisle PA this weekend you can have your pick of vettes to buy from!!

http://search.ebay.com/1982-corvette_Passenger-Vehicles_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsacatZ6001QQsojsZ1

 

[smallstonefan]

Well, I just got back from driving the 92. It's a nice vehicle, but not what I'm looking for. The suspension was pretty stiff (I know, it's a sports car) and the seats weren't that comfortable. Also, the engine didn't have as much pep as I would have expected and didn't run quite as smooth. I'm crossing this one off my list. They're trying to get me access to the 82, so I'm looking forward to driving that one.

James

 

[Baldie88]

To give you some prospective my brother traded in his 82 on a 99 vert. The 82 was an all original 2-owner car with 27XXX miles. He had every shred of paperwork and anything that ever came with the car. Even kept the original air filter and plugs when he changed them. Never saw rain and was stored all winter. He never showed it but I'm sure if would be a top-flight car. He sold it for $15K. So I'm thinking that $14K is a little high for the 82 you're looking at. But if I would have had the chance I would buy his 82 in a heartbeat.

I guess it's all a matter of what you want to do with the car. The reason he sold the 82 is because it was so perfect he hated to drive it. Always afraid something would happen to it and didn't want to run up the miles. Now on his 99 he's put more more miles in it in 2 years than he did in the 7 years he had his 82.

Happy hunting and whatever you end up with you'll enjoy it.

Ron
"Baldie88"

 

[smallstonefan]

Sounds like a great car! I'm the type of person who likes to use what I have. I'll be driving this thing in December if we get a nice day (though it won't be my regular winter driver). So I wouldn't want such a show car either.

James

 

[Red VelVette]

My 2cents on the subjuect having recently sold my 1978 SA and replacing it with a 1992. First there is no comparison to the ride and handling. 1992 was the first year of the LT1 engine, (300 HP, 330 Torque), so the difference is significant. I loved my 1978's style and lines and it ran extremely well but the 1992 is light years ahead.


The '82 price seems high to me as well especially given that they have the '92 priced reasonably well if it is in good shape with out a lot of wear and tear. My '78 was a Silver Anniversary, (L48), original survivor and had an NCRS Top Flight. With 78K miles I only sold it for $13,100.

Dealer car lots always try for higher dollars but I would peg the '82 around the $10-$12 range given the mileage and the fact that it is not a Collector's Edition. The '92 will should probably go in the $11-$13 range if it is in good shape. Always check the tread life on the C4's as a new set of tires can give you a shock if you have to replace them right away.

Good luck whatever you do. You will ultimately enjoy either for different reasons, and the fact that you are a Corvette owner is the same with both.

 

[Daryllawman]

IMO I would look for a good C-3......

 

[smallstonefan]

IMO I would look for a good C-3......

I'm on it!

James

 

[craig32]

if you can get to Carlisle PA this weekend you can have your pick of vettes to buy from!!

Are YOU gonna be there, Oceangal?

Stonefan, I always liked the C3's so I finally bought one. Remember it will be about a quarter century old, and will take some time and attention. They can be had for a more reasonable price, depending on location and availibility. Dealers will always try to wrangle you, but I'm sure you already know that. Take your time, and pick out one you really like and want to spend time with, like you would a woman. . . . Good luck!

Craig

 

[smallstonefan]

lol! If I get as good a car as I did a wife, I'll be one lucky guy!

James

 

[oceangal]

Are YOU gonna be there, Oceangal?



Craig

Hi Craig!
I would love to have been able to go this year but alas I am moving so next year for sure and by then my car should be looking pretty damn hot! That is if silly things :W like mechanical probs stop happening and I can spend the money doing the interior and exterior ;-)
I am hoping for lots of pix of any green vettes! (hint hint)

 

[craig32]

I am hoping for lots of pix of any green vettes! (hint hint)

As you wish - but you do know green cars are unlucky, right? (something like being the same color as grass and blending in with the scenery) Nascar didn't have (or want) any until Skoal came along.
You aren't moving to keep the neighbors from hitting your car again, are you??

Stonefan, in answer to your original question - the 82 is the only C3 with fuel injection (Cross fire) All the others have carburetors. The 81 and 82 are the only ones with computers.
My 81 was very inexpensive and I did a bit of work to it, with more to come. If you like to work on cars I definately recommend that route. If you pay a ton of money for something good and it breaks, you will probably really freak out! I take mine to shows just for the fun of it - I win more in 'door prizes' and drawings than I spend to get in - and I don't stand a snowball's chance in the devil's back yard of the car winning - for now anyway. Paint is still crappy, but the interior (the part I see while I'm driving) is shaping up pretty well. Hope ths helps.

Craig

 

[oceangal]

As you wish - but you do know green cars are unlucky, right? (something like being the same color as grass and blending in with the scenery) Nascar didn't have (or want) any until Skoal came along.
You aren't moving to keep the neighbors from hitting your car again, are you??

Craig

Hey I'm Irish and green is my color...course how lucky have I been? ;-)
But being a woman I can change my mind a few times, right?
Interesting about nascar - I hadn't noticed that.
Well not having neighbors smashing into my car is just a bonus! But moving to the new town will save me some money and put me in a brand new place. Still renting and hoping the housing prices crash here a bit. I sold my house year ago and I hope I get a house soon. I miss owning a home and i know now that a garage is a must!!