First Time Corvette Buyer

[smallstonefan]

Hi everyone,

I'm am looking to purchase a Corvette and I have the first of many questions. I cross-posted this to the C3 forum but I wanted to get input from C4 people here as well...

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

 

[milehigreg]

Man, have you opened Pandora's Box! Guess I'll get it started. In stock condition, I don't think an 82 can hold a candle to a 92 in terms of performance, handling,fuel efficiency. Looks/styling are a little more subjective. I am a C4 owner and love the styling but sounds like you prefer the C3.

 

[Tuna]

Wow - this is a pretty open-ended question.

Yellow is the rarest color in 92 with only 678 made.

92 is the first year of the LT1 and there are a few differences between it and the 93-96 LT1s. More on this later if you're interested.

What do you mean by a special hood?

Has the 92 been modified - other than the hood?

I'm fond of the 82 also and would not mind owning a Collectors Edition from that year. The CrossFire motor was used in 82 and 84 so it is pretty much the odd engine out and gets an unfair amount of complaints sometimes.

Okay, there's a start.

 

[smallstonefan]

Man, have you opened Pandora's Box! Guess I'll get it started. In stock condition, I don't think an 82 can hold a candle to a 92 in terms of performance, handling,fuel efficiency. Looks/styling are a little more subjective. I am a C4 owner and love the styling but sounds like you prefer the C3.

Yeah, I figured this would probably spark some discussion.

I appreciate your reply. I really like the looks of the C3, but at the same time, that yellow C4 is one freakishly cool car. Obviously looks play a huge part, but the performance issue is important as well. I'm going to try and break away to drive both today, but I really like to gather all of the facts that I can.

james

 

[smallstonefan]

Hi tuna,

>>> Yellow is the rarest color in 92 with only 678 made.

I'm not necessarily looking for a vette for collectibility, but I do find the idea of owning something a bit rare pretty enticing. Were there a lot of yellow ones for the surrounding years, or was yellow always something they did few of?

>>> 92 is the first year of the LT1 and there are a few differences between it and the 93-96 LT1s. More on this later if you're interested.

I would love to hear more! I'm sure this is what the sales person was talking about. Does the LT1 have vents in the hood? It's a stock hood, but he was pointing out how it was different from usual. I'm not sure what the LT1 consists of...

>>> I'm fond of the 82 also and would not mind owning a Collectors Edition from that year. The CrossFire motor was used in 82 and 84 so it is pretty much the odd engine out and gets an unfair amount of complaints sometimes.

That's really good to know! I don't want a troublesome vehicle (and this one is NOT the collector's edition). It sounds like mechanically the 92 is the way to go.

Love to hear more, thanks guys!

James

 

[cesully]

hey smallstone,

Have you got a decision to make- I have a '78 Pace Car (C3), however, my first brand new Corvette was a '93 Comp Yellow (C4), so I feel your pain. Both car are so different. I think I would do some soul searching and decide what body style you truely like and would be happy with. Also, determine what needs to be done to the cars (if any) in the way of interior, body, mechanics and the such- you don't want to buy something which requires a lot of cash to get it right.
Personally I might lean towards the C4 because I like the yellow. Plus it's a better built car in the long run. It may also cost more money than the C3 for repairs and upkeep- that's why I have the C3, it's kind of rare and I can fix a lot of stuff myself, saving a lot of labor costs.
Drive them both, have them inspected, make the decision and we'll see you on the road bro!
Don't forget to post pics!

Good Luck,
Sully

 

[Tuna]

Drive them both - drive every Vette you can get your hands on. Each has a different personality. One of them will call your name.

The LT1 is the second generation small block motor and the 92 is the first version of it.
The 92 has metal valve covers while the 93-96 has black composite covers.
The 92 (and early 93's) have a double groved serpentine belt. The cam profile is slight different and some say the 92 makes a tad more horsepower than the 93-96 - all are rated at 300HP though. The cam profile and the metal valve covers mean more valve train noise - one little complaint the 92 has.
Some 92's have a quirk called "fuel line hammer" - it's not a problem but it is annoying. Mine does it in the winter when the car is cold and first started - at idle I get a thumping noise that is caused by the opening and closing of the injectors causing a pressure pulse in the fuel lines.
The LT1 does not like to be washed because the OptiSpark distributor can get wet and shut down.

Now, I've owned my 92 since it was new and it's a great car - fast, fun, dependable, etc. The only reason I'm selling mine is I've got a real bad case of 'newcaritis' and I really want a new C6.

 

[tigmaned]

YES drive them both!!!!!!!!! C4 are ways ahead of the C3's!! i had a 1975 and my 1986 is hands down a better vette to me. $14K for a 1982 is nuts!! keep looking!!! heck for $14K you could almost get a C5.

 

[smallstonefan]

Hey Sully, you helped, then you didn't, then you helped! lol you do know what I'm going through

James

 

[smallstonefan]

YES drive them both!!!!!!!!! C4 are ways ahead of the C3's!! i had a 1975 and my 1986 is hands down a better vette to me. $14K for a 1982 is nuts!! keep looking!!! heck for $14K you could almost get a C5.

This is another area in which I'm lost - pricing. I've been looking on-line and the $14k didn't seem bad, but then again I'm looking at asking prices and not selling prices.

Any idea what these two might be worth?

Also, I found out the 92 is an LT1 but the owner put on a ZR1 hood scoop. It doesn't have that classic look I love, but damn, it sure looks nasty (in a good way). Looks like it's ready to rip up the road. I think the yellow has something to do with that.

Man, I really appreciate all the dialog everyone!

James

 

[smallstonefan]

>>> Now, I've owned my 92 since it was new and it's a great car - fast, fun, dependable, etc. The only reason I'm selling mine is I've got a real bad case of 'newcaritis' and I really want a new C6.

so tuna, even with these small problems you've really enjoyed the car?

James

 

[korvettekarl]

I would have to go with the 92. I have owned C4's(3) C5's(2) a now a C6. They just keep getting better with each model. I do love the looks of the C3 but as far as handling, power and reliability a C4 would be my choice. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[smallstonefan]

I would have to go with the 92. I have owned C4's(3) C5's(2) a now a C6. They just keep getting better with each model. I do love the looks of the C3 but as far as handling, power and reliability a C4 would be my choice. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Thanks Karl! This is a hard decision, as they really are two different cars. I love the look of the 82, but want everything else about the 92.

I'm going to drive the 92 here in about an hour. The 82 isn't there at the moment. This dealer pretty much sells everything on consignment, but they always seem to have about 5 vettes and seem really friendly and knowledgable. The owner of the 82 also has a 71 for sale there. It's restored and looks nice, but I want to stay in the low teens since I'm also buying another vehicle for winter driving... He brought the 71 in and took the 82, so they have to get him to bring it back.

James

 

[srs244]

i have owned 2 C-3's (69 convert, 78 pace car, 1 C-2 (63 3 window) and 1 C-4 (94 convert). they are ALL very different vehicles and each appeals visually on a different level. that said, driving each one is MOST important as they all behave differently on the road as far as drivability, fuel economy, driver comfort and "bells and whistles". obviously as the corvette has "matured" through each generation, they have become much more technologically advanced. this creates "likes and dislikes" among owners and partiality to a particular generation. personally i found my C4 to be much more of a vehicle compared to my 69 that i always felt was more of a "sports/competion" car. relatively devoid of "creature comforts" and high tech improvements (and due to the fact that you don't see them cruising the roads daily) obviously C2 and C3's turn heads (but in all fairness so did the C6 when it was first introduced and you didn't see a lot of them daily).

i guess all this rant really is saying is that it is a personal decision you need to make from "the seat of the pants" on a personal basis. it will all come down to what you prefer. you will find what i believe to be a pretty distinct difference once you drive each one. that's the easy part. deciding at that point may become the problem, LOL!!

good luck. either way, you'll have a great american product!!

 

[Tuna]

>>> Now, I've owned my 92 since it was new and it's a great car - fast, fun, dependable, etc. The only reason I'm selling mine is I've got a real bad case of 'newcaritis' and I really want a new C6.

so tuna, even with these small problems you've really enjoyed the car?

James

Oh Yea!

It is also my first Vette - bought new in 1991.
Compared to my previous hotrods, the 92 has been almost bullet proof -- even with the few annoyances.

 

[Daryllawman]

I have had some C-4's and I kept looking for the right C-3....Then I found the C-3 I wanted and sold the C-4's....got to love the lines of the C-3......I love all Vetts but the C-3 is tops for me.....

 

[markone]

Sorry, but I have to get my 2 cents worth in. I bought a loaded 1980 new and I bought my '92 last August. There is NO comparison between the two cars. The '92 is hands down, a faster, better handling more sophisticated vehical. You would have to buy a C3 LT-1 or big block to get something to match the straight line acceleration of the '92 LT-1. If its simply looks (and you prefer the C3 lines), then buy the C3, but if you want a car that will pound the pavement, there is no question...'92 LT-1 trumps '82 cross-fire all day long, nuff said. Good luck and enjoy whatever you buy, after all only you have to be happy with your purchase.

markone

 

[gmjunkie]

I have had some C-4's and I kept looking for the right C-3....Then I found the C-3 I wanted and sold the C-4's....got to love the lines of the C-3......I love all Vetts but the C-3 is tops for me.....

I'v had C1 58 290hp.283FI,C2 64 Cp.L84 327 4 sp.,65 Conv.L78,396 4 sp.,67 L88 Cp.,Lot's of C3's 68 Conv. L88 4 sp.,69 Cp.L46 4 sp.,71 Conv.LS6 4 sp.,73 Cp L82 auto.,74 Conv.L82 4 sp.,76 L82 4 sp. & (still have 78 Cp.L82 auto.,81 L81 Cp.auto) Few C4's 91 Cp.,92 ZR1 Cp. 93 Cp.94 Cp.95 Cp. and 1 C5 Z-51 6sp. cp. I Love my C5 But I'm a Shark Man at Heart!! One Day I will Intagrate a Shark on a C5 chassis!! junk!!

 

[Papa]

My dilemna as well...

I've been struggling with the same issue. Had a line on a 72 Bumper car...love the heck out of it...but it has a 78 truck engine (upside is 4 bolt main) that has been modified..but the actual mods are a real ?...supposedly cam and bore, has Elec ignition and Hooker headers...but it has a WEBER carb now which seems to be overjetted (running real rich). Miles on rebuild are suspect...maybe $5k...maybe more. Price is right maybe around $17K and I do like the shark body and bumpers...but also think the reliability and comfort issues are real too. Other choice is a 96 CE with 69K miles in nice shape in the $15K range...has most all the options and you can actually feel the fan for the ac running (Its Texas...AC is must except for purists...who you can find easily...they are the sweaty ones ) Ive read the "more reliable " commnets...juist torn between the C3 and C4.

Oh the choices... all good..

 

[Dr-Pepper]

My Opinion

Hi there
I just thought I'd jump in and mess up the water a bit. I have always wanted a vette and never could or just wouldn't spend the money. My wife has always been against it. Well it finally happened I had a chance to get a 73 and it was such a good deal that my wife and I finally agreed it was time, then the deal fell through at the last second while I still had the money in cash in my hand I had a chance to get an 86. Now comes the muddy part I am so glad I got the 86 it is a real pleasure to drive I don't care if anybody looks or not it is mine and I think it is PERFECT. My real love is any 58 to 62 any color any top the roadster is still the best looking for my 2cc.
Dr Pepper