How much should a '78 Run you?

[65coupe]

How much should a 78' Run you?

My fiancee found a 78' that she fell in love with. Loves everything except for the paint. Its white. The interior is next to perfect. The guy spent around 1500 on it and another 1400 getting the motor like he wanted. He drives the car 2-3 times a week. So it runs just fine. In fact he just returned from a trip to Richmond Virginia in it. The only problem is that the a/c blower is tempramental. So is 7900 a good price??

 

[bossvette]

there is a checklist in the toolbox section of the tech center that can be a help, the fact the car is driven often is a plus in my opinion and the price is not out of line. If your fiance loves it that is a big plus.
just be sure to check for rust in the frame kickups and where the birdcage mounts.
Good luck

 

[Fishman]

Good advise from bossvette

IMO- It's not a 'steal', but it's a good price if the car is mechanically sound. I paid about $8k a few years ago for mine... at the time the car ran and rode great, but the interior was not any where near perfect.

 

[CQRT]

I'd give it a tentative "thumbs up" . . with the exception of the snow storm 2 weeks ago, it doesn't seem like a NC car would have a great exposure to bad weather and as an earlier poster noted, it's not a steal, but from what you've described sounds fair.

Post a pic or two if you can !

CQRT in AZ

 

[Roy]

I would say that $4,000 is closer to the 78's real value than $7,900. C3 Corvettes need constant attention and upgrades and are not the best daily commuters. Love is one thing and practical application is another. Whatever you spend on a C3 Corvette, expect to pay as much in repairs and upgrades to finally get a reliable car that you can drive during nice weather.

 

[Jacko]

I would say that $4,000 is closer to the 78's real value than $7,900. C3 Corvettes need constant attention and upgrades and are not the best daily commuters. Love is one thing and practical application is another. Whatever you spend on a C3 Corvette, expect to pay as much in repairs and upgrades to finally get a reliable car that you can drive during nice weather.

$4000.00 ??????
Four Thousand dollars?

Not in this world I live in.

Unless it is a wreck or basketcase.

Tell me where I can buy a good C3 for $4,000.00 please!

I haven't seen a C3 advertised in upstate NY for over a year, much less for that kind of money.

The people who believe this kind of stuff are out of tune to reality.
And that is part of the reason the C3's are valued as they are.
BUT, no ones giving them away.

And they will have their day, soon. Their time is due.

I believe 65coupe got a fairly good deal for a Vette that just had $2,900.00 invested in her.

 

[bossvette]

I agree you dont see many less then 8,000 around here

 

[76okievette]

I purchased my "76" about 6 months ago and during the extensive research I did finding the car I never saw a "good" condition C# for 4K. The price range I found for one that was a good daily driver with a interior in good condition was 7K to 9K. It seems like the one you found is fairly priced but like the others said, check for rust that is a killer.

 

[69_Dream]

A few years back I remember buying my 78 (my first baby ) , I was looking for a decent (not perfect) C3 for about 4K. I found it and paid just under 4000 and it did have some rust and the frame needed to be reinforced.

It's funny because people tend to steer VERY clear from rusty frames... but I did a bit of welding, had it reinforced and it was stronger than ever.

Drove that car for 5 years and never any mechanical problems whatsoever. Not one. Carb needed kicking once in a while if cold, but other than that, nothing.

Moral of the story:
If you know what the problems are BEFORE buying, you can

1. bring the price down
2. find a car that might have been overlooked because of that problem
3. once it yours address the problem and have a hell of a fun time