Not sure what I want

[koolaid117]

Hellos to everyone. I am new to this forum, but from what I have read, everyone is really helpful and friendly. So, I feel comfortable asking some questions. My wife and I are planning on buying a vette next spring. The car will spend most of its life in the garage except for those beautiful sunny cruising days. We are just not sure what we want. We are looking to spend about $25k. She likes the 68-82's and I am partial to the C4's and C5's. I REALLY like the 1988 35th Anniversary Vette.
Looking at all the different vette's for sale, there seems to be a lot of price difference in the same year cars. So, here's my newbie question. How will I know the difference between a good car for the money and a great car for the money? Is milage that big of a factor? I picked up the Corvette Black Book, but is there anything else that can help?
I appreciate all the suggestions that anyone has.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bossvette]

Welcome to CAC
personally I prefer the looks of the C-3s, but I hope to buy a C-5 in the future(the gas milage is much better) you may want to look up some local Corvette club or owners to help. I bought a Video by Bairs which helped me some
http://www.bairs.com/
and talked to a local Vette reastorer for pointers. I prefer a cars that has been driven over one that has sat, but that is my opinion
good luck

 

[CQRT]

Kid in a Toy Store

Greetings from the Desert !
No matter what you end up with, the search is half the fun ! If you end up looking for an older car, Arizona offers a lot of c-3's and 4's with no rust-- paint takes a beating, as do rubber pieces and plastic, but good solid cars are easy to find-- try looking around in "traderonline.com" and enter your specs - - Ebay's fun to see 'the good, bad & ugly"and is a good education-- but make sure you research your selection thoroughly (and let `em know what you do..)
If you find anything out here in the desert- I'll be glad to go take pix - - America West from Columbus--> PHX is generally under $300 RT.
Regards-
CQRT
Scottsdale, AZ

 

[born2saw]

When I bought mine a year ago, I had trouble deciding what to get. C4 vs. C3. My budget was a bit lower than yours though. For that kind of money you can get a 97 or 98 C5. If you want a reliable car with all the creature comforts, good fuel milage, is easy to get in & out of, then that is surely the way to go. You can get a really nice C4 (convertible too) with low miles for that kind of money. However, if you want a car that people will look at, give you thumbs up when you drive by, a sharp C3 is the way to go!! Of course, I am very partial as I own one. One thing that helped me was test driving different year cars. Whenever I was in a C3, I definately got more looks that with a C4. I also felt my C3 is more fun to drive and give you more feel of the road (i thought the 1993 I drove was not much different feeling than my Volvo--please do not get upset C4 owners). The flip side is that things will always need to be fixed on the C3 and long trips can tend to get a little tiresome.

That said, I am now in a position where I am thinking about getting a second Vette to drive more often. Probably a 86-90 coupe, hopefully with a manual tranny, and low dollar (under $10K).

Bottom line, drive them, and buy what you like!!! You may find Auto and RV helpful in seeing what is out there in Ohio http://www.auto-rv.com/ __ Good hunting!!

 

[76L82]

C3's are fun cars, without any doubt and when I was learning how to drive ...they were THE Vette that everyone wanted. That is why I have a personal bias towards these cars. However, I spend ENDLESSS hours on mine. Granted, they are loving hours...but nonetheless, I spend endless hours fiddling on my car. However, as far as thumbs up per $...this is the way to go.

I think the same thing goes with all carbed cars...as far as the hours you will spend on working on them. For my money a beautiful C2 is very, very hard to beat if you don't mind wrenching on your own car.

However, I am starting to really like the looks of the 88 onward C4's. As you know they offer an unbelievable discount as they relate to other newer sportscars and they are very dependable. There is definitely a day in my future when I just want to put gas in and go...and that is when I will buy a late model C4. Oh...but I'll have my C3 right beside her

 

[Johan]

A C4 might be a more dependable car today, but in 5-10 years?
I like electronics, and I like cars, but they shouldn't be mixed .
A C3 would no doubt be a better investment. Most C3's (and for sure the early ones) will just climb in price. For $25k you can get a nice chrome bumper (pre -73) C3, and it will be perfect for those sunny cruising days.

 

[Daryllawman]

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center.......Go with the C-4 and the 35th one looks great......Good Luck

 

[c4ever]

Boy are you gonna have fun. For 25K there's a world of beautiful cars out there. If I were looking for a weekend top down car I would probably go with a Mid Year as first choice and a 69-70 as second. Each have their share of issues vs a C4-C5 which I feel is a more reliable car. Either way you gotta love em all. Good luck in the hunt and keep us posted.

Carlo

 

[koolaid117]

Thanks for all of your suggestions and hints. I am sure that no matter what we get, any problems that might arise I can ask for advice here and get a reliable answer.

 

[drduckster]

not sure what I want

Welcome to CAC !! get as much paperwork on the car in question as possible, I have seen "new paint", mask a very ugly car. Do not hesitate to get under the car and check out brakes, springs, half-shafts, ect. Check the numbers, engine, trans, versus the vin #. Also in the driver's side door, check the #'s for trim code, paint code, ect. Good luck with your choice........ I have no regrets, Donald

 

[Grizzly]

Pick a Year

I think that the most important thing is how long do you want to keep it? The longer, the older you buy. I can see the ground under the hood of my coupe, that isn't true of a late C3/C4/C5! The newer the car the more difficult if is to repair.

Don't get me wrong, the new cars are actually far better cruisers than the old ones, it's just that I'm wondering that in the long run how many of those electronic dodads going haywire will it take to take the fun out of it!

After 40 years of driving I still get the sweats buying a car. It's half the fun. Enjoy............

 

[blacksharkL82]

Well you asked for it, so I'll give it to you!
C3 needs to be cared for and is fixable by you!
C4 needs to be cared for by a computer savy tech which you will pay for.
C5 see above as in C4.
My advice and I am in process the last 4 years.
Go buy the cheapest pile of junk C3 you can find! Before you do that, find some one that will rebuild the entire car for you and bring him with you to pick it out.
Once you decide if THIS IS THE ONE, take it to his shop and pick it up in about 4/6 months.
You will have the car you want built to your spec and it will be new!
The cost is less than what you want to spend. I'm not saying restore 100% Just make it nice.
The vette should cost around 2000/3000 for a junker. add 15000 for repair and you got yourself a new C3 that you like and can say, "It was built, for me"
Mike

 

[BeaterShark]

My advice is to go out and drive as many differnet ones you can. Then compare notes and then decide what model you want. At least initially, ignore depreciation and upkeep and concentrate on what you enjoy the most.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

Well as has been already said and I agree with. Buy what you like first. I prefer the C3s. Any one can work of them, parts are easy to come by. The looks of the C3s is true Corvette. You can buy one fairly cheap and rebuild whatever is needed and still have money to do more. You can find a nice C3 4 speed for around $7k and make it the way you want it and still have some left.

I do a lot of my own work, which save a lot; My 78 Eckler Daytona has a 400 sb and I've done about 300 hrs of body work to it; had the brakes completely redone and addedsome nice dress ups of the motor and still only have around $15K in it. I just need to get it repainted and a little interior work and it will be be done. It will stop traffic the way it is.

I've had 3 C3s and love them all. They may not be as smooth on the hyway as the newer ones, but they cost less and are easier the work on and I think they look better.

Gary

 

[koolaid117]

I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I have already started looking even though I know I can't get one until Spring. Everyone is right, looking is half the fun. I will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Thanks!

Jim