I Neeed Help Buying My First Vette

[Last Ride]

I got my first Corvette when I was 18. I was in college, but had just inherited some money, so I figured what the hey!?! A lot of these people have told you not to go for it; to wait until you have more driving experience and more cashflow. Having been through this a recently as 5 years ago (I know, sounds like a long time), I would have to agree with them. I never had a problem controlling the vehicle (but I had been driving a few years by then), but the money I spent on it was outrageous! Had I waited, I would ave been able to buy a better car out of the box, and I would have made vanish LOTS of the bills I am currently paying for. But hey, I probably wouldn't have listened to any of those "old people" even if they would have been there to give me advice 5 years ago, so ultimately it's up to you. I have been vacillating back and forth on whether on not to sell my first Corvette and get another one, so whether you buy or not, there are always decisions to be made! Good luck, whatever you decide!

PS-- My insurance when I drove the Corvette daily at 18-20 years old was "only" about $600 every 6-months, but that was with a 20-year-old car and a perfect driving record.

 

[vigman]

Well without the pix

It's a tough call...

Here's a good in between point...

IF you REALLY NEED THIS car..buy it & park it.

buy a $300.00 transportation vehicle ( maybe a chevy...)

Drive the beater.. as your fixing the other one.

BUT

You WILL be bucks ahead if you just bank the money..

I KNOW ALL TO WELL the "GOTTA HAVE IT NOW" syndrom.


I voted NO!

Vig~

 

[Don&Kelly]

Don't believe the miles - they can be turned back.

If he just rebuilt it , he should have all the parts & labor receipts to prove it.

You should drive it (even if you're sitting on a box) - if it needs much interior work, that can be real expensive.

You might be buying a big headache - might be better to spend a little more & get one that is already in good shape ...

Good luck, but your first vette should not be a disappointment

 

[Corvette Craig]

BlackBeast:

I voted No.
Only because I think your getting ripped off.
7k to 8k will buy you a complete, well running, good looking Vette in that year range.

Look here: www.collectorcartraderonline.com

If you look through, search and spend enough time at this site, you'll quickly see the true values of these cars.

Good Luck and don't get discouraged,
The RIGHT Vette will find YOU!

 

[SlowRide]

Unless you are a good mechanic or bodyman and can do your own work, it will almost always be cheaper to get a car that has been restored or at least, gone through by someone else. Things come up that you never expected. If I were you, I would save every dime I could get. Look, research and think about it. A wise man plans ahead and does not go with his heart. (Although the "fever" does crazy things to a person).

Nick

 

[vetteKID]

as one of the younger C3 owners, im gonna vote no too. Im in college and tell you the truth, im FLAT BROKE all the time. i bought the car a few months ago for $8000, and only have put about 500$ into her (thank god she runs good). however my gas and insurance money alone (even with my spotless record) has drained me. i was lucky enough to drive a v6 camaro when i turned 16, but gas was only .95$ when i was 16.

get a dependable truck for awhile, or a civic or something......dont jump right into the vette.......and 6500 for that is a rip off.
and by the way........i drive an 91 explorer everyday, the vette on the nice days.

 

[Daryllawman]

I agree with you vetteKID

Very good advice.............I know when I was that age, I couldn't afford one.......

 

[silver 80]

Get a vette parts mag several and thumb through it take note of what the vette needs total it up, and that's just parts not labor.
Good luck with what ever you do.
tom

 

[SRReality]

Looking through the replies you've received, I see a lot of good advice. I voted "no" because I don't see the '76 model as gaining much value from putting your efforts and hard-earned (I suppose?) money into it. I fully understand the lure......the sound of that motor/pipes has been in my ears for 40+ years, but an old Corvette nearly has to be a second car. I waited nearly 40 years past my 16th birthday to buy a 20 year old Corvette, because reality is, I can't afford the 1963 model that I've lusted for all those years! I don't advise waiting that long, but buy yourself a "beater", enjoy all other aspects of life, get through college, choose a career, get the basics in place, then decide what you want to do for a hobby. Restoring cars is an expensive addiction and needs to be pursued from your "discretionary income", in my opinion. Good luck to you!

 

[offshore]

YOU CAN HAVE MINE!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

YOU CAN HAVE MINE!

Doesn't it have a BIG dent.:bang

Sorry to hear about what happened.

 

[offshore]

Doesn't it have a BIG dent.:bang

Sorry to hear about what happened.

If fiberglass dented I'd be happy.

 

[berky2500]

For perspective, a buddy of mine bought a 77 last summer with good paint, good engine, about 120K miles, minor interior work needed (windows, radio, normal stuff) but it was complete and driveable. $7500.

I say keep looking.

 

[76L82]

Logic sure does stink, doesn't it!!! When I was 16 I took the advice of my Dad and passed up on a 76 L-82 that I had my heart set on...I also passed on the 69 Mach I 351- 4 spd (if I was 16 again and had that chance all over...I would buy that car in a heart beat) also on a 70's Lotus Europa 4.2 (thank God I listened to dear old Dad on that one!!!) Took ALL his advice.."Go to college Son...get a good education and then when your older and can afford it...buy that Corvette".

Welllll...college comes and goes; marriage, a career, a mortgage, two kids...20 years passes....no Vette...and I still can't afford a Vette to this day!! So I did what every guy coming up on middle age does when he can't afford the car he dreamed about when he was young...went out and bought a 76 L-82 anyways!! Now, I couldn't even care less if I ever even got to drive that Vette again...the shear pleasure of looking at it everyday before I go to work is worth it!!! Sitting behind the wheel...it's like being 16 everyday!

Moral of the story...probably great advice not to buy that car...but trust me on this....there will be a place in your heart when your about 40, can't afford a Vette then and ponder what it would have been like when you were 16 and were to have owned that car...I think the term is..... BOOYAH!!!

Let's rationalize this a little bit here....does he REALLY need an interior?? Couldn't he just tint the windows and pretend the interior was there??? See, youth is just a state of mind..



:L

 

[Eric]

I voted no for many of the reasons stated, most notably because as others said that it too much for that car. I wanted a Vette when I was your age but couldn't aford one and considering how close I came to killing myself in cars with much less power, I'm glad I didn't have one until I got all of that out of my system.

Shop around for your Vette and drive something else til you find it.

 

[Mike Carter]

John Paul,

Ol' vettes are a project not a primary means of transpo. I agree with all the good advice you got, I've owned several and they are all a masterpiece in the making. I love it next to my family and enjoy making it fit my needs but it's a hobby. Getting it dependable as a daily was a lot of work and mine was driveable the day I bought it. My favorite car when I was 16 was the VW bug, you can change the motor in less than two hours and I always had money.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

I picked up my 79 L-82 for $1500 in better condition than the one you are looking at.
I have an extra $5-600 in the car and needs about $1200 more to be the way I want.

Dont get that one!!!

If you do, as soon as its most convienent, you will see an ad for a car better than yours for less money.
Always happens!!!

Unless you are me.



JASON *** BRAND NEW MAGNECOR WIRES FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82

 

[Culprit]

John Paul - I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I will tell you what I did.

I have wanted a C-3 since that first matchbox car over 20 years ago - and now I'm finally to the point where I'm seriously shopping for one.

Shared an 84 Toyota Tercel hatchback with my brother in high school (the one with the big engine - the 1.4 instead of the 1.3L). 88 HP if I remember right. I enjoyed free hobbies like fishing while saving my money.

Went to college, was commissioned into the Marine Corps - no college to pay off. Bought a 95 Ford Ranger and started making payments on it while paying about 600 every 6 months for insurance.

I am now 27, still single, the Ford is paid off and still has lots of years left in it to drive it for free. I'm a few years older so the insurance is down. Now I can afford that Vette I have always wanted. And if I buy it now before I'm married then it will be grandfathered and she can't make me sell it later.

Please take heed about what the others are saying about spending more time under the car than driving it. Things always go wrong, with any car - like waking up early to change the gear lube in the rear differential, but you end up spilling a quart of the stuff because you're in a hurry to finish up and get to work on time and then you have to borrow your roommate's (cough) Honda Civic to run out and get some more to finish the job.

I won't tell you what to do - but I will advise you to look at all the facts and make a wise decision.

Semper Fi,
Culprit

 

[Dave L.]

I,like most of the others also voted no. I bought a hot rod (64 Ford Falcon Sprint) when I was 16. It was very 'cool' but it wasn't practical at the time. I ended up selling it after about 2 years. I think it sat due to lack of funds more than it was driven. I bought a 68 VW bug that WAS very dependable transportation.
I knew someday when the time was right I would own another classic. After I bought my house in 1986,built the 24x30 garage in 1995,I finally decided it was time to purchase my 'hobby' car in 2000. I am so glad I waited............

Dave

 

[smook]

watch out ! ! !

At 16.

Save your money and get a better car!

School is more important. If you get a bum-car, it'll eat your money and time.

More money or a better connection thru friends/tip might get you a better car.

REMEMBER. You have the money. There are lots of corvettes out there!!

W A I T.

Get a car that is closer to being ready for the road. Get local advise.

Sound like your Dad?

Hehe.

Enjoy.
-Bill.