Looking at buying my 1st Vette, & it's an 82

[ButchN]

Hi guys.

I'm coming off of owning a 93 Trans Am (just sold it) & before that a 2000 WS6 (totaled it which is why I do not have it any longer) & now its time for a Vette which I've also wanted for a long time.

I like C5's & 6's, but don't feel like making payments so I looked at my 1st fav of the C3's, the 80-82 which the 82 "bad rap" crossfire is my fav of the C3's.

That said, I looked at 3 C3's today, two 80's, & one 82.
The 82 seemed the best of the 3.

They all needed paint & the driver seat bolster repaired.

I am not concerned with paint as my best friend owns a body shop.
That said, they all started right up & all felt strong for what they were, old cars.

Is there anything else I should look at before committing to the 82?
Here's the "skinny" if it helps, the 82 has been owned by this person for 20 years & the last time it was on the road (verified by the last inspection sticker on the windshield & it's been in his garage since except for monthly take outs in his stupidly long driveway) was 12 yrs ago.

It's got as you'll see, 68K actual miles & will also come with 4 new tires.

It does need the seat repaired, new wires (he's got them & new belts) & a front right caliper as it leaks, small interior detailing, has no carpet rips or dash cracks, & of needs course paint.

The exhaust is "new" as it has been on the car for about 5 yrs & is barely discolored from the short driveway trips to keep the car from getting "stale".

His asking price is $6500 & I told him I'm not a haggler, what would be your bottom dollar to which he thought about it a bit & told me if I wanted it, $5500.

Good price? Great price? Should I get it?
What else should I look for or just get it & deal with whatever later?

Thanks, Butch

Pics:

 

[bill81vette]

if you like it Buy it.it's not a bad price for the year...
good luck!!!1

 

[Evolution1980]

Butch, as long as you don't mind "all show and no go", then the late C3's are nice cars. Just don't be expecting to race anyone. Your old '93 TA would likely have been faster and better handling.

For $5500, it seems like a pretty good deal if you plan on leaving it "as is" with the exception of replacing all the calipers at once for around $500, give or take.

 

[fine69]

As long as it runs well, and there's no serious rust/damage, I would go for it...

Ralph

 

[ButchN]

if you like it Buy it. It's not a bad price for the year...
good luck!!!1

That's thing, I like that style, but did not want to jump at the 1st thing that came along & also didn't want to "chance" that nothing that sweet of a deal would come along again this winter.
As you know, come March, prices start climbing due to spring/summer!

Butch, as long as you don't mind "all show and no go", then the late C3's are nice cars. Just don't be expecting to race anyone. Your old '93 TA would likely have been faster and better handling.
For $5500, it seems like a pretty good deal if you plan on leaving it "as is" with the exception of replacing all the calipers at once for around $500, give or take.

Not minding the all show no go aspect of it at all.
If I wanted go, I'd have gotten another LSx powered TA or C5/6.
I turned 50 in Sept. & I don't burn up the streets like I did when I was younger.
That said, I looked at another few cars today & being I'm also partial to red & this color combo "works" for me.
So I called the owner a little while ago & will be paying him in full tomorrow so no one else scoops it.
Two people I had appointments with canceled them as others put down payments on those cars.
I will be registering it Wednesday & bringing it home Thursday.
The pics I posted above are what the owner sent me.
I will take my own pics & post them.
Thanks for the input!

 

[LLC5]

That's thing, I like that style, but did not want to jump at the 1st thing that came along & also didn't want to "chance" that nothing that sweet of a deal would come along again this winter.
As you know, come March, prices start climbing due to spring/summer!
Not minding the all show no go aspect of it at all.
If I wanted go, I'd have gotten another LSx powered TA or C5/6.
I turned 50 in Sept. & I don't burn up the streets like I did when I was younger.
That said, I looked at another few cars today & being I'm also partial to red & this color combo "works" for me.
So I called the owner a little while ago & will be paying him in full tomorrow so no one else scoops it.
Two people I had appointments with canceled them as others put down payments on those cars.
I will be registering it Wednesday & bringing it home Thursday.
The pics I posted above are what the owner sent me.
I will take my own pics & post them.
Thanks for the input!

Not trying to throw a damper on your purchase, but a complete inspection by a reputable repair shop (preferably corvette specialists) would be a very good idea or you could end up with a $5500.00 can of worms (hopefully not of course). Good luck with your vehicle either way.

 

[Guy]

Congrats on the 82 from almost next door in Dunstable! I liked the 82s so much I used to be 82-Guy here on the CAC. Several of us have used this place for seat repair on our 82s:

Columbia Auto Seat Covers

165 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA 01843-1426 (978) 683-2205 ‎

They charged me $75 back in '02 for that same section on the driver's side and had it done the morning after I dropped it off.

Good luck,
Guy

 

[GS Diva]

Congratulations, Butch, on your first Corvette! You'll be very happy with it, I'm sure. It sounds like a decent price to me.

Also, welcome to the Corvette Action Center from another MA resident. I hope to see you around the Corvette events in 2011.

Elaine

 

[ButchN]

Congrats on the 82 from almost next door in Dunstable! I liked the 82s so much I used to be 82-Guy here on the CAC. Several of us have used this place for seat repair on our 82s:

Columbia Auto Seat Covers

165 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA 01843-1426 (978) 683-2205 ‎

They charged me $75 back in '02 for that same section on the driver's side and had it done the morning after I dropped it off.

Good luck,
Guy

Thanks for the tip.
I used Bodell's in Billerica for my TA & while the work was good, I felt the leather should have been a higher quality & my carpet shoudl have layed down & molded itslef better.
Also, are you a member of any local clubs?
I emailed one club & asked what one got for the $75 annual dues & his verbatim reply: "You would do well to join another club."

Congratulations, Butch, on your first Corvette! You'll be very happy with it, I'm sure. It sounds like a decent price to me.

Also, welcome to the Corvette Action Center from another MA resident. I hope to see you around the Corvette events in 2011.

Elaine

Thanks Elaine.
I have not picked up teh car yet, will do Thursday night.
I'm glad I was able for a very good price buy my 1st Vette in the year & color (red my favorite) I like, far as "classic" Vette's go.
I will buy a C6 in another year or so, long story, will not go into it here.
And tanks for the welcome!
As you see, I've been here many years, mostly lurking for the LSx content & now I have reason to post!

I do plan on getting out to events as I did car shows & events with both of my Trans Am's, my Daytona Shelby & Daytona IROC R/T, all red BTW, & I hope I find a better group to hang with than the rude response person about dues.

I'll bet I even met you or Guy at one or 2 of the car shows, if you've both gone, I've attended!

 

[GS Diva]

Also, are you a member of any local clubs?
I emailed one club & asked what one got for the $75 annual dues & his verbatim reply: "You would do well to join another club."

Well, that sure doesn't sound like a warm welcome, does it?!! :confused I'd like to recommend a Corvette club that I think you'll enjoy. It's "Gate City Corvette Club" based in NH, but I think it's close enough to you. I'm very friendly with their president, Dan Feidler, and many of their members. Check them out at www.gatecitycorvetteclub.com.

Elaine

 

[Guy]

I don't do the club thing anymore, however, Gate City IS a fine group of people. You might want to join many of us in Carlisle next year. As for Columbia, the place looks like a wrek, but the match was perfect. I try not to miss the Gate City show in the spring at the Bud plant.


Guy

 

[ButchN]

GOT IT!
Well, I paid for it tonight & bring it home Thursday night.
So now I am officially a Corvette owner!

The previous owner bought in 91 with 56K on the clock & only put 12 K on it in the 6 yrs he had it registered!

Far as Carlisle, I usually go there for the Chrysler show.
I hit the GM show this year while I was nearby in MD at a Shelby Dodge club convention, (I'm a member) & I shoudla brought my TA!

The showing was pitiful, but far as Corvettes at Carlisle, you bet I'll be there next year with you guys/gal!

I want my engine to look similar to this when I'm done:

I hope I can find the places that sell these bling items by spring!

 

[82ColEd]

Welcome to the 82 World Butch.

I hope she turns out to be all what you are looking for. Personally, i wouldnt look at bling just yet. Make sure all is well in the starting/stopping department, then prettify her.

Ie. Make sure all the safety aspects are taken care of, before going for the personal touch. Bling wont help you to stop.

But all here on the CAC have the greatest attitude. I never did the club circuit as i always found friends online on the CAC.

Have fun with her and let us know if you have questions. We even have a specific XFire section for the 82's/84's for specific Crossfire related items.



-Stefan

 

[larryg3]

Congratulations on the the Vette. I love the 80-82 vettes.... that is probably why I bought my 81. at least you have the OD trans.

 

[ButchN]

Quick update.

I've put 300 non issue (I did have to replace the alt belt & battery though) miles on it since I got it last week.
Sounds like allot, but 76.4 was the trip home, then a 102 mile round trip last Saturday to my pals service station for an inspection.

Why so far for just an inspection you may wonder?
If I took it local & it failed, I'd not have been able to use it.
Surprisingly to both of us it passed!
Not bad for a car sitting the last 14 yrs!

BTW, no bling now.
Just wanted some links other than the "usual" sites for when the time comes.

 

[ironmoo]

Grats on the '82 (my 1st as well).
Had mine since '86 and the garage is full of car parts and tools as a result. lol
Get to know her and get the manuals to upkeep her, you'll be fine.

Mine has been a love/hate relationship. Currently I'm happy to report, we are in love.



-MOo!